Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-06-13
DOn,esticanaA
ritz Training OF GIRLs-ANNIvERsAR AIRY
JOTTINGS-A FEW FASHIONS.

JOTTlNGS-A FEW FASHIONS
Miss Louisa M. Alcott, VIII has made n
study OF girl life and has presented it in
all It's phases so delightfully."- and satisfac-
torily, has now the little daughter sent to
her protection by her dying sister to give
her fresh interest in girls. She finds al
once that all the theories presented IN her
books must be made now into tangible
plan of education. The little girl left in
her care must be carefully led in the right
paths, far more anxious task than
placing the book heroines in their proper
positions. Yet, the thoughts about girls
now concentrated upon one are decided
and firm. Miss Alcott writes in n little
New York paper her general plan of
education for her one living girl. She
says: "Heallh comes first, and an earl Y
knowledge of truth, obedience and self
control; then such necessary lessons as all
must learn, and later such accomplish
ments as taste and talent lead her to
desires a profession or taste to fall back
upon in time of need. that she may not be
too dependent or too proud 10 work for
her bread" And she sensibly adds "No
late hours, unwholesome pleasures and
dress. no mixing of school and Irritation,
but simple amusements, daily duties and
a purpose in life to keep them girls at
heart, even while preparing for the work
and happiness of women"
In her description of the way in which
she desires her charge to grow TO woman
hood, Miss Alcott has in reality sketched
the plan for producing the new fashioned
girl, girl quite different in character and
manners from the supposed product OF
10. day, represented by the James schoo
of novelists. Health is the first requisite
gained not by late hours, unwholesomt
pleasures and dress, and mixing of schoo
and Irritation, but by simple amusements,
healthful exercise and daily duties. Will
health the knowledge of truth, obedience
and self-conirol will be made easier o
attainment, though perfect knowledge
of the worth of truth, obedience and self
control can only come after many years o
patient endeavor, stimulated by kline
and firm direction. Finally, the purpose
in lfe,' the profession or taste, must bt
cultivated This idea, which is fast coming
out of the timid, experimental stage, is al
the basis of the character of the newest
fashioned girl. Most parents, like Mis-
Alcott think of the profession 10 be cult
waited only as something to fall bach
upon in time of need" but girls who have
spent years in preparation for an obiec,
are not often willing to wait for THAI
time of need" but with health ant
opportunity wish TO try their fate in the
working field OF the world. Wholesome
exertion will be thought pleasurable and
hard discipline desirious. Still, the new
| fac hipnpd GIRL noCd NOT n wave ba profoc O.
onal. Her nature may be thoroughly
domestic. Would one desire TO push hel
from her home nest where she is happier
10 follow "the purpose" or might there
not be home professional exalted above
the idea OF drudgery for the housekeeping
grip The best fashioned girl is one who
has found her proper sphere and who
glories in it. She will be the happiest, the
most womanly who maintains her place
conlentcdly, modestly and proudly.