The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1874-07-18
Rain month OF June, 1867, 1926; 1865, 1895; Is
$50. 7.6Ii ISL. s 81; 1872. see; 1879, us.
Co-Education of the Sexes.


Under the heading of 'School Education for
Girls" the Gazette of the oath ult. has an editorial,
chiefly devoted to the recent work of DR.. Clarke,
entitled Sex in Education" The editorial closes
with the remark, 4" But he disbelieves in co-educat-
ing the sexes on the same method" The most
complete reply to the remarks of DIR. Clarke-a
compilation chiehy-is by Mrs. Anna c.. Bracket.
So far "a the Doctor has fortified his positions by
examples illustrating his argument, she has greatly
the advantage, and the article in the work CRITICS
ing DR.. Clarke's professional views is nothing be-
hind his, in its ability, and seems to be from the
pen of one who is amply able to meet him on
scientific and professional grounds. DR.. Clarke's
work strikes at the foundation of the whole system
of the higher education of woman as at present
conducted. In the work of Mrs. Bracket the au-
thorities of Mount Holyoke, Vassar, and other
Ladies' Summaries have felt called upon to reply.
as well as those of Michigan University, Oberlin,
and other institutions where co-educatiOn exists.
1t is not merely " the co-education of the sexes on
the anne methods" bue really the higher and more
advanced education Of women of the present day,
requiring as it does 50 much greater mental APP
plication than any system of education for them in
the past, that DIR. Clarke condemns on physiolog-
zeal grounds. So it ia viewed by those having
vassar and Mount Holyoke as their patterns, and
lUcJ C1l udEuiJ Ot hIOuRs II ScA III tulCdtlOn
is the basis of his work.
He may have written it in the interests OF those
who object to co-education, but if so, he has COW
cred more ground than he intended. There is a
great and rapidly increasing party who believe
co-education to be the true and best method,
whether conducted practically, as at Michigan
University-where there is but one course open to
all, without distinction of sex-or at Oberlin,
where the lady may choose for herself between
the regular college course and an Independent
ladies' course OF four years all however under
the same government and rSaping all the advan-
tages Of a co-educ.tion as much as if it was son
the same method The prejudices of the past
against the co-education of the sexes, are rapidly
giving way before the growing light of experience.
DR.. Bushnell, in a popular work, says that he was
strongly prejudiced against co-education until he
visited Oberlin, stopped there ONE time, and
made personal investigation and observations,
which resulted in an entire change Of views upon
the subject.
James Freeman Clark, Chairman of a Committee
Of Harvard University, appointed to investigate
the subject and collect facts for the Trustees, about
two years since, made a very able report in favor
Of the system, based upon a most searching inves-
tigation and a very large array of facts collected
by him.
The overseers of Harvard made no change in
their system, and say that if no other reason ex-
listed against the adoption of the system of CO.
education in the University, the fact that a major
iy of its patrons did not favor it would be sufi-
cient.
Rev. Willis Lord, DID,, LID, retiring from the
Presidency Of Wooster University, Ohio, where
co-education is adopted, makes some remarks well
worthy Of thought. He says:
For years past, my convictions, relative TO what is called
the woman question, have been definite and strong, and,
though il would be wholly irrelevant to expatiate on that gen
ersl subject here. 1 may be permitted 10 say, in passing, l hold
to the perfect equality Of man and woman in law, and I fully
sSn:ffaen'e' would 0'Ns' l hnS' great social and civil
It proper, however, now TO dwell upon only that phase Of
the general question which touches education. And here, as
you perceive. l hold 10 equality. The co-education Of the
sexes 1 believe TO be the demand OF nature and OF reason. not
only in the family and in the primary schools, but all the way
up to and through those institutions intended for the most
thorough discipline and the widest and most perfect culture.
At some other time 1 hope to be able 10 give the grounds of
this belief At present. II must suffice to say that the results
OF such education, limited as the experiment has as yet been,
and subject 10 disadvantages which time can only remove,
clearly vindieaie its utility and wisdom. IL lies. indeed, on the
surface Of the matter, that true womanly presence and infu-
ence in the halls and class-rooms Of colleges, would breed cour-
tesy aud refinement in the manners which obtain there, and
prove also a salutary stumulant TO mental application and
effort. ] wish 10 bear my testimony that this is the fact l
Was convinced il must be so, antecedentiy TO all personal oh
servation and experience, by reasoning upon the data which
exist permanently in human nature; but now 1 have seen il.
succession maintaIned, what l believed to be exceptional char
aeter with respect to their course and habits as students, and
unfamiliar with student life in colleges. For the greater part
OF half a century, l have beeE an interested observer Of that
life, and l deliberately say that never elsewhere have l seen so
general and uniform proprety, or such exemption from those
and which 80 often call for painful discipline. Among the va
rtous influences, combining 70 secure these suspicious results,
l recognize none more direct or powerful than those which flow
from the coeducanon Of the sexes.
This is an age of progress. Co-education Of the
sexes is against the usage and prejudice of the past
and but a few years since so deep was the feeling