New-York tribune., 1875-12-25

started on European tour taking along two young rela
tives who had recently boen graduated at renowned
institution my aim being to offer them those nSauaoie
opportunities which visit to the great capitals OF Eu
rope and other places could not fall OF anorng
to such well-traiped minds For had not followed dur
ing several years Ton brilliant cataogue the course OF
these young women through field OF study enrioheo
with innumerabe items Indeed, my constantly IN
creasng awe at the comprehensveness ana variety vi
the curriculum only equaled by my veneraon AZ no
many requirements OF my young relatives ana mummy
at my deficiencies.
But what was not my astonshment and dismay when
Il became evident that from some cause or other these
young graduates totally unable to enJoy-nay, 10
Observation-Disclosures in these interesting sehts re-
quired the slightest historical knowledge! Not only dd
they stand uncomprehcndg, unapprecatve before inc
masterpieces collected at Hampton Court and Nersaes
and Dresden and equally famous for the facts they
reraeed M by the names OF the artists who had wrought
them-not only did they look in blank Ignorance before
monuments raised to commemorate the greatest "o'7 "
modern history but when. travelling sonhWaiu' "o
reached the classic land, made familiar To them DIS
Thought. through the inevitable associations OF
an elaborate Latin course they gazed Win the
same upon the Arch of Constantine ana
the Column OF Traan, upon Agrppnas villa and Ceca
Meteas tomb; even they had crossed the Alps Wlth
out even shadowy idea that perchance they were tread
ing in the footsteps of Caesar or Napoleon! Now the uh
pleasant fact was rendered striking by the presence
olous accomplishments my graduates had been looking
down with considerable dsdan but who now proved far
more cOnversant than they with most OF those great
subjects and often explained them-modesty, though
with surprise i'll concealed by couresy-to her hlshy
educated companions
As my first impression OF disappointment and dismay
became confirmed by q longer experience, endeavored
70 analyze the cause OF such astonishing phenomenal
and soon recognized that the same lamentabe ig
noranee extended to whatever in Architecture Poetry
or Art land what field the words coverD was IN any
degree connected with History Well, Mr. Editor the
discovery considerably diminished my exalted ideas OF
our higher education for women. On iDquiring more
closely into the subject not only did ascertain from my
young friends that they had scarcely received any teach
ING in that most important branch of learning, hut sub
sequent inquiries have led me to the conclusion that
while historical studies do in catalogues occupy
certainly not prominent but at least apparent place.
their importance extends to little beyond this nominal
recotion that whereas in Europe the greatest states
men do not scorn to bestow instruction in that field,
there ia not las far as 1 have been able to
see) q chair OF history existing at TINS
day in any one Of our female colleges;
that this branch OF instruction is usually not even repre-
sented by special teachers but assumed in addition to
other and regular duties that sembancc OF interest Is
sometimes displayed in ancient history, leaving alto
eeber aside the teemng fields of the middle ages and
modern times and that the ignorance OF our daughters IN
this branch of learning is general as it1s starting
Nay from the aspect Of facts and the extraordinary IN
difference manifested in that direction one must DC leu
to the question: How those other subjects taught
which are tho inseparabe results Of bstory-liteatre
philosophy and art say nothing of many sciencesi
How can the edce be raised and what does 1t rest
when the base is wanting Persuaded that 1t Is high
time for our leading institutions TO have their attention
drawn TO the subject and for decisive steps TO he taken
toward supplying deficiency which constitutes an IN
deniabe inferiority in educational system, as com
pared with the European one venture, Mr. Editor, to
solicit in behalf of this suggestion the interest and in
dorsement of our leading newspaper, THE TRIBUNE
Nec York, Dec. s, 1875. An OLD WOMAN