Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1881-05-28
EDUCATlON OF WOMEN.

BY request we give below an article
ON the above subject, written by Rev.
John S. Park, of the Presbyterian
Church, that will repay perusal 1t
presents points that every one should
reflect upon, and in his own experience
see whether he cannot recall instances
similar in effect to those named by the
writer; and, since woman has so much
Influence in shaping the character
of the great men o! the world, would
it not be well to give more attention to
her early training and education than
is usually given:-
There are many professions IN which
women cannot engage. but literature Is not
one of them. Here, the opportunities
offered 10 women are fully equal to those
of men. Perhaps half of the best written
articles in the periodicals are written by
women. And what an influence does this
give her, Among the Greeks and Ro-
mans. the pursuit of literature by women
was a badge of infamy. Now, 1t Is her
glory. we'll remember the day when
strong-minded woman was an object OF
contempt. But that day has passed. The
writer who can express Thoughts that
breathe in words that burn, Is considered
Il bcncfactor TO the race, no matter Wheth-
cr man or woman. \ few years ago the
only means of support offered 4 dependent
woman were the needle and the broom.
To-day. she occupies the editors Sanctum.
The artists studio, and the place OF teach
Il, = anu she
maiutainS her position well. Women have
never before had so high Il purpose in life
presented to them; and hence they hau no
idea of their own capabilities.
And what Il power does 1t give them
over their husbands, brothers and sons,
when they have lost their beauty There
i nothing more charming than literary
ole woman still capable of welding
men. still capable of enjoying the books
read by her husband AMI grown sons, ana
of commenting upon them. Sucl Il woman
j. the pride of her family; and L. SAFE
Guard TO them against triyOlity ana vice.
She never OutliVeS her usefulness, because
she never grows old in her feelings. Her
husband delights TO read over his articles
for her criticism before publication. Her
sons send home their college speeches Tor
her aDDrobaiiOn before their delivery.
Her pastor looks to her for counsel. III
there had been progress nowhere else than
in the literary attachments OF women,
mis- are would have cause for profound
gratitude TO God for its advancement.
Not that the women of former genera
tions were To blame for their want OF liter
arv opportunities. Far from it. They
acted MOLLY in diSchargim% The arduous
duty of clothing their families by their
own labor r. cir lot WAS one of inccSsant
IL, al, u, rho memory of
our prandmOthcrS ~ oar choicest legacy,
let IL be grateful that the women OF the
present dav are not compelled to 80 tnro'
their hardShipS. If a higher type OF Wo-
men and men are not reared by mothers
who have literary tastes, then all relation
between cause and effect will he removed.
The women of the present day have little
enough time for literature Is ii Is.
I'm those States where education has
made the greatest advancement, nine
tenthS Of the teachers are women. Inc
standard of female education Is advancing
year by year until it has attained an equal
itv with that OF men. When the girls OF
the Senior Glass at Mount IlOlyokc were
twittcd by the seniors of Amherst College
with the sneer that women could not UNI
derstand the higher mathematics, they
challenged the class to a competitive exam
iuation. and carried Oft the hOnOrS. The
reason that women have accomplished so
little i'm past ages is because they have not
possessed equal advantages with men eH-
cept in rare cases. Exceptions prove the
general rule.
We hcara great deal of SentimentaltSm
about woman : sphere being that OF nome.
4 woman who has no influence away
from home will have but little. at home.
The prevalent idea with many l., that pro-
vided a woman has Il knowledge OF spell
ing, writing, grammar and music, sui
iicient TO catch 4 husband, she needs MOTH
inc more. As though il did not require
more education TO keep a husband than TO
catch him. What has an educated hus-
band in common with an uncducated VIE!
If he read nothing else, he at least reads
political newspapers; hears political
speeches, and talks largely either for the
government or against it.
He travels, he meets men on the streets
more intelligent than himself, and hears
them talk. IN short, he i receiving I'm
education every day. But the woman who
learns nothing ut school, learns nothing
;,fterward She i not compelled to leave
home, and feeling her own lnterl0rlty,
she seeks ObScurity and makes merit of
il. No woman can be her husbands CONF
panion through life who has not improved
her opportunities at school. She wonders
why he so soon grows tired other society
and seeks the store, the club, the society
hall, as soon Is supper Is over; leaving
her TO her sewing or embroidery. III Is
because he knows nothing about sewing
and embroidery, and she knows nothing
about politics, literature, or whatever
happens to interest him.
But 1t is not every woman that has
home. And many Il one who has house
IL will not call it a home) would be far
better off if she had none. Many woman
has allied herself to Il man far inferior to
herself in education and refinement; just
because she had been reared i'll utter help
leSsuesS. Said one my parishioners to
me few years ago, Il am not able to edu-
cate both my boys aud girls. Which must
educate - l replied, ''Io our girls by all
means. The boys can take care of them
selves some way or other, or else they can
starvc. But your girls must he made self
sustaining" Nor does 1t matter about
present wealth or poverty. Those whoa
reared in wealth will become poor. The
youn0 woman who Is able TO take care OF
herself possesses Il fortune which no war,
no fire. no financial crisis, can take from
her. It is worth more than Nanderbilt's
fifty millions in government bonds. She
would soon find some one who would
souander her bonds for her, but no one can
take away her self-depcndence, which
sooner or later she will need. Such wo-
man is not compelled 10 marry the first
man who proposes. Nor is she compelled
TO live with relations who only tolerate
her because of family pride, She can go
out into the world if need be, and support