Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-02-12


though the result might be the same; and
that her processes would reveal u keencr
perception of the exact facts in the case,
reader acceptance of truth, n iirmer trust in
the active power Of truth, a more fertile inn
ngination, and n finer tact; IN short, mental
action infused and impclled by more OF that
which Is greater and stronger than mere rea-
son--soull At least, these qualities seem to
be indicated by the general workmanship Of
woman. And, IL the average woman equal
~ aocomplishes her purposes by taking few
er logical steps than does man, It may, after
all, be just rs well; certainly for her.
Though near-sighted persons find glasses OF
great value, it does not follow that all eyes
need thetus.nor disproye that some would be
injured BY nom. SO with respect 10 certain
educational agencies; while valuable in the
training Of meE, they may be both useless
and hurtful In that of women. But, let the
comparison show what II might, II IS unde-
niable that the action Of woman's mind il
characterized by periodicity and intensity;
whereas that OF man is marked by continui-
ty, evenness, and, perhaps. by greater
breadth. Details and results seem natural
to the one; classification and causes to tho
other. woman intuitively sees every WIS.,
ible fabric, shade and ornament worn by
each profusely dressed lady met in n crowd
cd street, and will need many minutes to
describe the perceptions of n single glance;
her mind acting us the camera, which ut the
same instant images each tree, twig, and
grass blade of whole landscape. II is
doubtful whether any training would give
men the same degree of power, or enable
them to exert II with as little effort. On the
other hand, it is doubtful whether she rs Of
ten asks, or cares to know, 'Ohy things are
so; or rs naturally seeks for the principles
about which to group facts. In her mind
perception and feeling seem naturally donli-
nant: and in his, reasoning. If be claimed
that all this is the result of u different educa-
ton, we ask Tor the proof of the assertion.
The mental action of the uneducated classes
shows the same characteristics. And II 1T
be said that this is of itself AN indirect re-
suit of the influence exerted by the educated
classes, then, the skill and taste of the squaw
woven into the buffalo robe, rs compared
with that of the warrior, or the mental
adaptedness of tho female slave to house
work and of the male to field work, equally
show that these differences spring from
something back of education. And it is
clearly immaterial whether they arise from
distinct mental structure from the action OF
the same structure modified by physical
causes. or from education. Tho fact that
there is practical difference of some sort
seems undeniable, be the cause one thing or
n dozen.
The educational system is based upon the
idea that the mind, like tho body, grows upon
what it cats, and is strengthened by eXer-
else and, that some kinds of knowledge are
more nutrltive to ono faculty than to anoth-
er, or give better gymnastic drill. Thus, the
Imagination is enriched by familiarity with
tho best poets; the perceptlve power Is
strengthened by tho mastery of those scienc-
es requiring the closest observation, and the
reasoning power by the labor Of welding linh
| after link in IL mathematical or logical dem
onstraiion. Surprising the idea correct,
should the same mental diet and exercise DO
given to the girl that Is prescribed for the
boy? What is to be aimed at in her educa-
ton? Is her mind to be made as much like
his as possible, that she may perform his
work; or, are her faculties to be developed
along their own natural line, that she may
perform woman's mental work in the hest
way9 In other words, do we want to dcvel-
! op manlinesS or womaniness In womanP II
the former, then her educational regimen
should be the same rs the boys; il the latter
1t should be determined by its supposed eff
feet upon the faculties sought to be strength
ened; in each case, due respect being paid tC
the periodicity of her mental action.
Apart from bodily structure, is it advlsa
ablo to have mentally-male women any more
than mentally female men? Does cithe
man or woman desire to marry mental
any more than u physical, counterpart
Would there be rs much pleasant variet.
in the home, were it AN exact intellectual
repetition of the street, and were the SAINT
facts viewed from the same stand point, AM
argued, in the same way, to the same con
illusions? If so. men would only assocat
with men; and home would become merel.
- continuation oil the days business. Thu
truth is, that man Graves something intel
lectuRlly different from the foil and thrust o
daily life, Us does the woman something dill
ferent from her routine; and this craving q
mature protests alike against intellectually
masculine women and feminine men. Oh
would prosperity be the gamer by the trans
mission of identical mental qualities? IL Sc
, family intermarriages would not be physic
logically prohibited by the death penalty {
insanity and idiocy. individuality is tn
law of nature, everywhere stamped on mai
ter and mind. Without it, variety Is impo'
sible; and nature nbhors monotony. lder
ticalness only characterzes the articles turn
ed out by machines which man builds; nev
err those machines which God builds. III
: machanicalness of the attempt to make tn
+ mental woman AN exact copy OF the ment'
man clearly indicates that man, not Coz
originated it. II is the twin brother of III
mechanical garden; in which, nice lltt
4 beds, slraighl-sightod and right-angled, NJ
: separated by lean little walks cut oil,
3 lengths to suit. from the post holes of space
, and where Maynard plants are perpetual
= clipped into primness. and the surroundln
: trees are eternally abused for not growing
/ line: all of which, every one can see, is
9 vast improvement on the valleys, hills IN
9 plains of continent, with its wlndll
Q streams, wild flowers, forests, and snow-vei
G ed peaks! However desirable that natu
It should be conlormed to such u standard,
o would cost deal less to conform the STAN
!, ard to nature; and, possibly, tho wor
g might be just MS beautiful. Perhaps, in Il
0 matter of female education, AS in that
t grnvitation, IL may be rs well for us to Il
/ low the laws of nature; certainly the tur
i bles will BIO fewer, the pain less, and, likel
+ the progress greater.
!. The system OF female education prevailiI
It in the United States has made fair trial
st tho effort to develop the girl into ment
r man. In common and graded schools,
-, | san,inariaS and fn,nala pnllnUt