Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-10-03
Our Girls,

"higher education" so much discussion of
the question whether or not our young
women are having all the advantages
VIII ch they can make use Of that one
would naturally think the females of our
timo were favored and cared for beyond
all complaint. But alas if the wisdom,
the modesty, the gentleness, the womanli-
ness of the coming woman are to be
judged and measured Ly the character of
the present girl,-then have we fallen
upon sad days indeed The question has
forced itself upon my mind again and
again in these times of liberal education,
of excellent schools, of wide knowledge,
and abundant literature. What is done
for our girls? That there is IL great lack
somewhere, no one can fail to see who
notices carefully that large portion of evei
communicable school girls. who from
the age OF twelve to that of sixteen, thruno
the streets of the city. and the promenades
of our summer resorts. Does education
reach them all with its beautiful, civilizing
touch? There is scarcely difference, in
respect to education $50 called,) between
the pretty girl of wealthy parents, who
attends "private" educational establish
ment, and the poorest child, whose name
is upon the roll" of any of our public
schools. All are equally we'll taught. To
rich and poor alike the pages lie freely
open. | have sometimes listened with
surprise, in passing through crowded
streets, toward evening, when the young
folks were all abroad, to hear the very
rrect and perfectly turned sentences from
the lips of all, even of those who dwelt in
the humbest homes. This is the work of
our public schools, of the grand scheme
whereby the child of lowest estate is lifted
out of all poverty of mind, and is given
that most enduring of riches-a good
education. 1t is noble. 1t is worthy of
our great, free, advancing country! But
as watch these girls of our land every
where find one great blank, which the
schools, and the books, ahd the fine plan
OF education have failed to supply! Per
chance the "hgher education" will fill the
need. If so, then let us have that higher
education without another months delay
For verify for one sweet, modest, quiet
girl, whose cheek can blush, and whose
eye droop, who shrinks from the public
presence and seeks the background shad.
ows, whose voice falls gently. and who
does not assert herself-we would give all
the modern female Students" sixteen.
year. old "essayists," classical scholars,
and wondrous girl graduates" We do
not find the old time school girl. She is
not in any group in the park, upon the
street, or the public conveyance. There
are no soft voiced, bashfu, timid girls,
who leave US at nine in the evening. Oh,
no! The modern girls talk loudly, stare
boldly; they are upon the sidewalk or the
beach, or the hotel piazza, as late as any
one-they 60 up and down, arm in arm,
with noisy laughter, and distinct conver-
sation; perhaps, even, with snatches of
song from some operetta. Occasionally,
during their promenade, there occurs
something comical at which they make
no effort 10 repress the laughter which
attracts so much attention Shall we never
have again our Old fashioned retiring
school glrl whom we looked upon with
pleasure, thinking of the woman she
would grow to? Where does the fault lie?
Doubtless with the mothers in most cases.
But we have thought much lately of that
higher female education theory, and Won
dered if our faithful, earnest teachers
might not add this to their list of duties
to teach the girls the great value of
modesty and of quiet demeanor every
where; t. tell them of the beauty of soft
voices and gentle speech; 10 give them
instruction in that true "wisdom" whose
price is above rubios; to show them
their proper paths, lying narrowly along
the unseen valleys, where birds sing and
flowers bloom, and not upon the thronged
highway where older feet must tread.
Would it not be the first great movement
toward that "higher education" of women,
if our teachers should give each day-sde
by side with mathematics and Latin, if
YOU please--some careful instruction
regarding the beauty of grlhood as shown
by modesty, unsefishness, by unOstenta-
tous acts for others, and especially for
those who are older, by quiet ways and
words in all public places. by the gentle
yielding to those in authority. Let the
schools make it an important study. Give
it high grade. Let it be put into imme
diate practice under the watchful eye OF
the teacher. Let our girls be taught to be
true girls, with girlhood ennobed and set
apart for pure and special work. Yes, we
have come to believe in II higher education. .
We see the need of it. Let our girls no
longer be deprived of their rights. AT
fourteen they are capable of higher and
better things. Let them be admitted to the
full course Let them 60 as high as
may be, until they are surrounded and
upheld by that rare and radient atmos-
phere which widens and colors into
perfect womanhood. Then may we walk
in our streets and public resorts, and be
no more annoyed and ashamed-as we
now are-at the bold manners and loud
voices of our girls.-Jennie Harrison, in
NeD Yorh Observer.