Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-04-07
WILMINGTON, DKL.
Monday Afternoon. April g.
FEMALE RnuGATroN.

The subject. of higher education for fe-
males, Is, evidently, one of growing interest.
both in Europe and the United States. Think
ing men are beginning to see that too much Of
what we call education for young women,
does not tend to the thorough training Of tho
mind, or the right culture Of the heart, and $50
OF course not to the true standard and proper
development Of character. There is too much
OF examining the memory, and too little of train
ing to thought snd to the right use of the pow =
of mind; too much that is useless, superficial,
aud frivoloustoo little that is solid aud substan
t!al and elevated and proportional.
Some Of the worst evils of our social and do
m sstic state, come from eur not giving the same
common-sense and practical education to young
wjmen for their sphere, that we give to young
men for theirs ian education that shonld not
only tend to make women intelligent companions,
aud good wives and mothers, but prepare them
if need h, for self support, while at the same
time they are doing good to others. The train
ing that makes young woman idle, or extraYa-
giant, without taste for the duties and enjoyments
of home, or without well-founded self-reance.
under conditions Of adversely, is of course one
that cannot be too strongly condemned. And H.,
as Napoleon said, " the fate Of the child is
always the work of the mother" then Heaven
help the childrea whose mothers have no better
triining than is Afforded to but too many Of our
young women at the present day
The actual difference between the education
OF women and men, shows, to every rejecting
mind, the importance Of a change in this respect.
Tho young man is thoroughly educated and
trained for his business, and the time and money
30 spent are regarded as an Investment that vii !
bear fruit in the sure success of the future. Tie
prizes of business life, the henors and emolu
ments of the bar and bench, the irfuence of
the pulpit, and the fame and fortune OF the ply
sician, are the ends sought and gained. But
for want Of right views, the education of young
women is too often confined to superficial at
tainments, which may show in the drawing
rooms or the halls of fashion, but seem to have
no aim beyond the hour Of marriage; and it s not
extended to the training thaf looks to the real
duties and high responsibilities of life, and
which will fit women so to be the true hearted
and sensible help-meet and companion of man.
In the humber walks of society, the want Of
a thorough education for women is felt by null
titudes in hard struggle with poverty and
tehptauon, anu pate liyinB on tne pttance tAst
unskilled labor is obliged to take. In q higher
circle, it tends to idleness and dissipation, and
frivolous life to homes without comfort, and
wives who are anything but the honored COM
panions, and wise and safe counsellors of hus
bands, and mothers who are far from being
crown Of glory to their children. But give to
woman the same high advantages for education
that are provided for man, and all experience
shows that she will be prompt and faithful to
improve it. Higher intelligence will give fresh
grace to her beauty and richer cultivation
not only prepare for higher usefulness, but be
the crowning glory of her character.