The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1883-07-14
RefOrmer w n N tsa New Branch
IntrOd uc cod into the Schools.

To the Editor New DOMINION:
l visited the Teachers Institute
one day last week to see what pro-
oress our Teachers were making.
During my stay Mr.. Fleming, the
Conductor, said in answer to a query
prepounded to him. "That If the
object in attending dancing schools
was to learn to be graceful, to learn
gestures properly, and to learn de-
pertinent, then he would advise every
school teacher to attend dancing
school," In reply ] would say that
this is just what every conscientious
and earnest dancing teacher aims to
teach. This is the primary object,
and dancing is only secondary with
first class dancing teachers. think
every school teacher should thorough
~ understand these three branch s
and that they should be taught in
every school, especially department.
Now / am aware that a great many
young people imagine that they know
all about it, and think that no one
can teach them any more. / will adj
NIT that many do understand por-
tions of it, but the most important
part is sadly neglected, because, so
far as l can learn, there are no schools,
excepting dancing, where this is
taught as a branch of ed ucation, and
it appears to me that we should
have teachers to teach these branches
without connecting dancing with
them. If all understood the science
of department and strictly obeyed it's
teaching the world would be all the
better for it.
Thousands of women who are to-
day outcasts, living in vice and
wretchedncss, would have been hon
ored members Of society, had they
been taught the science of deport-
ment Thousands Of others who are
in the path to ruin, and thousands
upon thousands in the future will
follow for want of this instruction.
Many of these possess gifts of the
highest order and might fill positions
of honor and distinction if they were
saved from this downward path to
ruin and shame. Thousands of
homes that have been made desolate
by unfortunate sons and daughters,
might have been homes of peace and
happiness. Thousands of fathers
and mothers who are sinking to I'M
timely graves, might have spent their
full days in peace and contentment,
and might have spent their last mo-
ments in the arms of loved ones, who
are now eking ont life of shame
and misery because of want Of
proper knowledge Of department..
Among other things department.
teaches us just what We should, and
what we should not do when in COM
pany. 1t teaches us what we may
say, and what we should not say.
Consequently it teaches us just when
any one has oyerstepped the bounds of
propriety in our presence, and teaches
us just what we should do if any
such thing should-occur. There are
two things which cause young girls
to become ruined. The first is, they
are ignorant of the ules of deport-
ment, and often do something which
is contrary to the strict rules of pro
priety, in the presence of young men.
Then parents if you love your
daughters and want to see them hon
ored and respected, which know
every intelligent parent does. Then
teach them if you can, but il You
cannot, then have them taught the
whole science of department., for
devils in human form are lurking in
almost every society, Disgusting
themselves in every form, often put
ting ON the robe of sanctity and their
eager eyes watching like the accused
snake, for some blunder or want of
firmness in order to blast the reputa-
ton and destroy the happiness Of
some poor innocent female.
REFoRMER.