The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-06-19
Accomplishments.

So-called accomplishments are a sort
of mansard roof clapped on the sounder
structure of the average English educa-
tion. Why they are thus denominated,
when in the possession of them so little
is really accomplished, it is difficult to
determine. Their material is generally
as unsubstantial as that of the thing to
which they have been compared, and,
subjected to the fiery tests of life and
experience, they are almost as readily
destroyed. The requirement of little
knowledge Of music, certain rules of
drawing, the process of mixing colors,
and q few foreign phrases, are often the
result of much misapplied industry.
If music, drawing, and painting were
studied and cultivated as arts, with the
intent of becoming thoroughly prof
cient in them, that they might stand, if
need be, in good, practical stead, then
the time devoted to them would not be
wasted. Instead of being mental fol-
fOls in which to deck their ill-clothed
minds in public, these attainments
would be of deep and lasting satisfac
tiontO their possessors, veen though not
put to any severe trial.
Few girls care enough for music and
drawing to pursue them after being
freed from the restraint of masters, and
many would never begin such study
were it not for the ambition of parents,
guided by a society that demands all
girls to be nodded after one model.
This idea is so obviously impossible as
to be absurd. Countless goOd garden
ers, milliners, dress makers, and house
keepers have been spoiled IN poor piano
players, simply because knowledge of
the piano was considered an elegant ac-
quisition while an understanding of
the other things was regarded as some
thing that only necessity should require.
The hours of strumming on unrespon-
sive instrument, (unresponsive because
touched by no sympathetic fngers),
which, otherwise employed, might have
made capital cooks, are incalculable.
The original design was gOod-to en-
able women to impart pleasure and i'm
provement to themselves and others !;
but it signally fails. Seldom are girls
willing to play, or exhibit the work of
their pencil to critical ears and eyes :;
and when good nature impels them to,
what have they to offer? Ordinarily
the merest smattering-more repellant
to ripe judgment than total ignorance
would be.
1t is evident that an acquaintance with
the alphabet of many branches is not so
great an aid to intellectual improve
ment, as being thoroughly versed in
one. In this short life, it is much to
know even one thing well. If thorough
ly understood. everything from steak
broiling to oratorio-composing, should
be considered an accomplishment. Pu-
pills apt at figures should b. taught
bookkeeping in place of minims and
semi .breves and natural nurses given
an insight into bottles and bandages, in
lieu Of curved lines and neutral tint.
Thus the training of the mind in a di-
rection at once natural and useful con-
tributes to its healthiest growth, and
rebounds to individual advancement
and general advantage. ge.-Scribner'S
Whoever has gone through much
of life must remember that he has
thrown away great deal of useless IN
easiness upon what was much worse in
apprehension than reality,