Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-10-21
The Education Of Girls,

tiers What studies ought they to
pursue in order to be fitted for the
practical pursuits of liiei Where
shall We send them, aid what will
be the expensef These are ques.
tons often asked by parents who
have several daughters to educate.
Some will say, send them away to a
good boarding school where they
will get u fashionable and polished
education. Let them take music
and dra wing lessons. We are sOr,
ry that so many parents think it
necessary to send their children,
dau gllters in particular, away to
neutrality-suspicious., when they have
ust as good schools ut home, and in
many cases better. No wisa parent
will do this, M he sees the advan.
tage of having his children under
his own care, while not actually en-.
gagged IN school duties. We claim
lha: our home schools are adequa, e
to the wants OF the people in every
particular, ara putting dollars aud
cents into the pockets of those who
have children to educate in the
shape of saving expenses that would
be incurred by sending them abroad
to school, and, consequently. should
be patronized by all having children
to educate, especially it they be
girls. Some parents think theil
daughters must get all their educ;l'
ton III the schOOl.rOom, when in
fact, only comparatively small
portion Of it ever comes through
hat channel. Now while it il very
necessary that these daughters
should attend some good institution
of learning, it is more essential that
hey be taught q good many things
outside OF the school room. While
they will learn much that will he of
use to them by attending q good
school, yet good part, indeed, near.
~ all of their practical education
receives no attention. They 60 folt'l
from the boarding. school, in most
cases, with little else than a few ac,
complislments. which will be Of no
practical benefit to them in at, or life,
unless perchance, they happen to
marry wealthy"-the main object
being to marry as soou as II good
opportunity presents itself. And
while many of them are on the Qui
rice for erich husband" compara.
lively few are ever fortunate, or we
might more truthfully say unf'rtun.
ate, enough to succeed. While these
accomplishments may also be a sat
isfactiOm to themselves AMI seem to
amuse their friends for the time be.
ing, the real value of them in prac.
tical life has never been discovered
by us.
Alas! many, too many, fond pa.
rents now "a days think if their
daughters have attended some fash
ionable and high.priced boarding.
school, ard have made some little
progress in Instrumental music, aud
in drawing, and have got little
Smattering of Latin and French
just enough to be positive injury
TO them-tllat they are ready to
"graduate," and be palmed off on
the public as young ladies of refine
ment and culture. We do not say
that these accomplishments are not
very good and perhaps desirable,
but We think as we said before, that
the education of girls consists Of
something more than that which
they get at school. The following,
expressed in homely verse, might
he suggestive Of a 1e,o things that
mothers might teach their girls at
home;
Teach them to make good pies and cake;
To stockings darn and warm shoes wear !;
10 sew on buttons and good shirts make,
nd to never lace or wear false hair.
Teach them good meals of victuals to cook.
To make, wash and iron their own Clothes
To scrub and sweep out every corner and
nook,
And to regard the morals, not the money of
their Deaux.
Teach them to never use powder or paint,
TO wear calico dresses and d" it like queens,
10 he ohliging aud graceful without re-
straint.
And to keep their income within their means.
Teach them simple accounts to keep
Music and drawing. if you are able,
And to never on the side walk sweep
When there's plenty Of dirt under the table.
Teach them the value Of practical common
SENSE
To be tidy and neat at home and abroad.
That dollar is only II hundred cents,
Aud that u loppish youth is always IL fraud.
Now teach your daughters all these things,
And it will your trouble we'll repay,
For happiness aud comfort it surely brings
As you will see at some future day.
A. n +.
NJ