The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1880-02-14

comparison, they have exhibited an equal,
II not superior aptitude 10 acquiring a
knowledge o. these studies.
The objection that higher female edu-
cation would prove deleterious to Tonanly
modesty, and unfit her for home duties, has
some apparent foundations and show Of
truth in it--,herofOre, before considering 1t,
will make discrimination between what
consider the genuine and spurious article.
II has been remarked by some one that
everything has its imitator, and We know
that this is true in morals, that vice
often attempts to put on the garb
Of virture, and ] am afraid it applies
with equal force to the educational world.
True education has for its object (cr the
derivation Of the word Educo clearly
shows) the bringing out Of the latent pow
ers Of the mind. It is mental training
ideas Of course should be presented to the
mind-but only such as best calculated 70
excite its action aud strengthen its power.
The mind is like weak stomach, such food
only should be given at first as the digestive
organs can seize and thoroughly manipu-
late-by degrees stronger food, thus by due
exercise its powers strengthen and grow
but at no time should it be overloaded.
Realizing this, even the best colleges in our
and, attempt not 80 much to stuff the mind
with learning az to put it in such condition as
to acquire knowledge by its own force and
activity, so that a graduate of our most
noted institutions can only be said just To
| have made a beginning-tO be on the very
bottom round Of the laider Surely such
mental training as this cannot be said to be
destructive Of modesty. On the contrary,
its tendency is to ill the possessor
with humility, for he has just found
how little he knows-a degree Of
knowledge some never seem TO arrive at
1t is noted fact that the thoroughly edu
Gated are the most mO1est-and | venture
to say that not single example can be
found where female has enjoyed the OPP
portunity Of having genuine higher edu
cation it has had Il tendency either to destroy
her modesty, or TO unfit her for home duties
The spurious article, on the other hand
while il assumes the name of higher edu
cation is very different in its results il
aims at ostentation and display, and feeds
the vanity and conceit of its possessor it i,
merely superficial there is nothing sole
about it-and is, above all things, despicable
Very truly has the poet said, "a LITTLE
learning is dangerous thing" am alraiC
there is too much of this spurious article
abroad in our land, especially as regards
mostof the institutions proposing to furnish
a higher female education. A pupil re
ceives high.sounding diploma, having
perhaps read little Caesar, studied littl,
algebra, with smattering of French
knows how to sing few Italian
songs which she or no one else un
derstands can paint and draw little ha
taken course of bellies lettres--exactl,
what is included in which have nevel
been able to find out-taught to recite
few poems in an affected manner; appear OF
the stage at commencement; is pulled il
the papers then goes home thoroughly
convinced that she is superior being t
those around her, and that she has nothing
in the world to do now but "exhibit hel
various requirements" With such q
higher female education as this, no wonder
we hear the remark that educating girl
destroys their modesty and units them fol
domestic duties. But surely this is not
WnHI We Htdu ny nlEneT female euuCa-
ton. An institution for females, with
curriculum of study corresponding some
!, what say to the A. B. course of our State
University, requiring four or five years tC
complete the course and the proficiency Of
the pupil tested by sem-annual and annual
written examinations before entering q
higher class, and by final examination on
the whole course before granting diplo
ma, would prove of an nestimable
blessing to our State-producing a revolu.
ton in the character of female education
most beneficial in its effects. | know of no
more plausible plan of accomplishing this
than for the Legislature to act upon the sug
gestion of "A Mississippi Woman" and
confer with Dr. Walden, aud see if he would
be willing to apply the funds which he SC
literally proposes to bestow on the educa
tional interests Of our State in the direction
indicated.
As have now extended this communica-
ton further than | intended, will reserve
until my next, treatment of the subject
as to its bearing on our common schoo
system.
| M ACTcTEp