New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-26
VOMAN'S YORK IN EDUCA1ION.

A LETTER FROM MISS EMILY FAITHFUL.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR; THE TRIBUNE's report of DR.. Dix's lecture
,nduces mo 70 saw few words on what is certainly
one of the most delicate and important problems Oh
the nineteenth century, and too often dismissed
under the obnoxious title of women's rights" ana
therefore grossly Misunderstood.
Iyield to no one in my reverence for woman as
the centre of that sacred home life which Is the true
safeguard of the Nation; and in common WIN al
whose opinions are worth consideration, reearo
marriage as the crown and completion OF the lie OF
both man and woman-when it is what God meant
II TO be. a marriage founded on love and esteem
not on the desire for position or need of support.
But Mt a period of the worlds history when ma
cbinery has taken so much of womans work out OF
tho homo into the factory; when the excess OF
women renders It impossible that all should marry,
unless we allow plurality Of wives; when reck-
less speculatiOn and modern extravaganza bring
many a family to ruin, it is no rare occurrence III
the old country for an educated woman to ind her-
self suddenly dest ute and homeless. Ihat Ameri-
can ladies too often find themselves in similar di-
iculties. a pile of sad letters lying by my side at
this moment proves too cOnvincingly. Leu
ma onote one instance: few years ago,
when first visited this country, was hosphaDiy
entertained by q lady whose husband was q gen.
eral in the United States Army. Since his death
she has had terrible struggle for subsistence anu
is now working in this very city, Is 1t far TO sug-
Matte as public enemies those who are trying
to help such ladies to honorable work
In the face of such facts how can we help urging
on those who have the care Of the coming genera
ton. TO save them from the evils the present IS
enduring and there is only one way OF doing IL.
We must adjust ourselves to the alterations which
have taken place in our social system, and give the
girls of to-day definite training and definite pur-
suits; unless we can make some sure and certain
provision for their future maintenance. tive
every girl a trade" said Lady Morgan, years ago !;
" a profession IL the word suits You better Guilt
vate what is necessary to the position she Is porn
to cultivate all things in moderation, but one
thing in perfection for which she has talent
drawing. music, embroidery. or housekeeping, even
Give her a staff to loan on let her feel ths VIII
carry her through life without dependencies" AT
present women are not even trained IN uoihest'c
economy. They enter the very province respec ing
which there 10 no dispute-the nome spheIe-lu
total ignorance of all its requirements; anu many
husbands pocket and temper have been oVer-taAesi
IN consequence The want OF definite training anu
habits of precision and accuracy are quite
90 disastrous in the household in the
world and until they can pe
secured for women little will be accomplished Dy
those who have to fill places OF trust In either
sphere. . .o. s,,,,nosa
Then ma 10 education, surel y we cannot suppose
tot methods of instruction found illadVIsed when
anniied to hoys can be adapted for girls. May we
moi as reasonably argue that women must eat ohly
| mutton and men only beef lest the two sexes lose
their distinctive characteristics, as fear that the
same tree OF knowle will not afford the iood best
| fitted for the mental growth OF both
| some of u.s. 1T any rate. on both sides OF the Az
lanIc nave begun to realize that serious study Is less
| likely 10 inlure women than pinched waists, late
| honrS hot rooms and unwholesome 1000, ana we
| think il 10 better for our girls 70 be gfauuatel
AT schools for science rather than at schools tor
| scandal We think il will better prepare thom ior
! the grave responsibilities OF martmony ana mo'hef
hood than rapid life IN which personal adorhmeh'
IL their chief aim, ard how 20 XII time and secure
! n rich husband their principal anXioty Inc men,
| f,l companionship which is improving, IS colnuu-
| Mon between active minds and the women OF q
| mans household must be either stimulus 70 ms
| highest aspirations or drag upon them. FOR the
interests therefore of mon as well as Il women ana
| of human improvement in its widest sense, there
sbould be n purpose in The education OF women quite
| opnrt from questions of what they are to learn
| ana preparation for so wide sphere
! OF domestic or social duty admits OF no such loV
standard rs that of custom or fashion. 40 not ASH
! that women should have greater influence thaL
! they now possess. only ask that they be trained
TO make the best possible use OF IT, ms VIII maze
marriage noblcr and mora complete, enrch anC
| atrcngthcn the mothers influence, and give TO SIN
gle life dignity and strength. remain, ST. yOnr
! sincerely EMILY rAllib oil~
| Ncr- ORR Feb. "a, 1883.