The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-11-25
school Girl Life.

There was probably never n time when
the subject of health received more Thoughts
ful consideration, or when more iudicious
plans were laid TO secure IL, than at present.
AHf aES paSt ts9R h iqS lS tB tPs tq Se
sT4abg5d Ae tS crpKalaG eFsteS fa
strained eyesights gymnastic and ether ex-
ercises are introduced, and long study hours
shortened and broken up by recesses.. SO
much has been done of late ia this respect
that we may almost be thought rssumptu-
Gus for claiming more, and yet there is one
class of youth who suffer much from an in
iudcious mode of life. We allude TO the
-girls who are still ut school. though no
longer Chased among 1.-THE little girls
Fortunately this class is every year becoming
u more numerous one. The truth is dawn
ing upon us that mental LABOR is Tar more
valuable and efficient after the physical
frame has attained a certain maturity and
firmness than before, and many courses OF
study for our daughters are now arranged
to begin at an age when formerly they all
left off We cannot too highly reccommend
this idea, nor too strongly urge upon parents
to give their daughters the full benefit OF
an advanced education. With the rapid
progress OF female education has sprung up
quite naturally an ambition to make IL 80
| rapid and to crowd such a variety ii objects
| into the girls life, between the ages OF four
teen and twenty, that she - 10 imminent
danger of being overwhelmed mentally and
| physlcally. Too many valuable studies and
| desi able mplishments present them
| selves, each asserting its own advantage 30
persistently that we admit them all into our
| daughters programme, and thus place upon
| her young shoulders burden too heavy for
| her physical endurance. This is oftener tho
/ ..E "a al n NJ
ton than Of the requirements Of the school.
i Most instructors appreciate the limits OF
/ Young girls powers, and know that no real
good can be accomplished by straining
Them. The regular course 10 most Of our
best school is not too much for young girl
of average ability and good health, and ex-
ceptions may always be provided for. II
the expenditure of vital force which the
faithful discharge Of her school dulies de-
mands were all that were expected OF her,
! and if the waste were regularly made up by
plentiful rest, wholesome food. and exer-
cise. there would be little need for any re-
monstrance. But how different is the real
state of the case in most instanccsi Extra
lessons in music, drawing, or some other
accomplishment are given, long practice for
which is urged. No longer a child. she
must exchange her outdoor plays for exciting
and feverish indoor amnsements; she must
dress. make calls, receive visits, attend and
give parties, 90 TO lectures. eoDcerts. balls,
, fairs, ETC., cutting short her sleep and tax
ing afTesh her exhausted powers 20 prepare
for daily recitations. This Is scarcely ah
. exaggeration OF the life Of many OF our city
, school girls, and when We add the I'M
, healthy and cumbersome dress that fashion
imposes, and the irregular habits Of eating
so general among them. We can hardly won
der at the prevalence Of delicate health ana
2 fraiI constitutions among the women We
would therefore urge upon the mothers IA
our community 10 take this matter into Sc
c rious consideration. II there . ever q time
! when the health Of their daughters demands
q care il is when they are leaving the ranks
!. Of ..the little girls" and joining those Of the
n vouno ladies. n u DO difficult matter then
: 70 establish the health which their chiidisi
8 exercise and freedom from care have imam
e gurated, and a. the same lime 20 carry on u
q the best way their mental culture. RegulaI
] hours, wholesome food, light snd warm
a clothing. abundant sleep, aud plenty Of ex
e ercise SHOULD be made ~ inevitable 70 theil
. mode Of lIIe ss the air they brratiir. Abofi
6 al. their powers should nos % oveftaxeG,
{ No ambition, emulation, fashion oF popnla.
: custom should be SLOWED % press Their ten
. der minds to the ps,Int Of exhaustion krel,
D careful mother Will study her dar8htef
g constitution With . special view o. SAYING
Q her from the rDck upon which 20 manj
+ young and delicate nsfufes have pesn a1At
tered.