Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-07-19
BOSTON.
The Higher Education of Women Ought
10 Be Conducted on a Common
Sense Basis.
Hiss SeidmOre's Book On AiesEa-1r-
ehestraI COnceris-Tbe COnseryas
tory of Music.
IooRnEsposDrsor OF TEE AprEaL.L


BosToN, July 16.-There ID no subject
to-day OF more universal interest than the
"Higher Education of Women," and there
is none which stands in so great danger of
appearing ridiculous. Education is, or
ought to be, first, an equipment for the
battle OF life; and, second, a cultivation OF
the finer faculties by which we are ena-
bled to appreciate whatever is best in hu-
manity, in nature aud in art. The time
has come when the choice of pro esaiun
with women is largely a question ct abil-
ity and adapubihty; and, possessing these
qualifications, there are few avenues closed
to her. Take the represe ntative cultured
woman of Bcston and contrast her with
the college graduate, and the insutficiency
Of mere book-ieerning to fit woman for
,u,, ~. ~qrtment of life is at once appar-
err. I have ~ my mind a lady who is
known on b5th sides of the Atlantic in
the department of letters. Ter home is a
bower of beauty and taste, ana more
than any person who has come
under my observation, sne never
fails in the duty which lies nearest. NOW
contrast this woman OF real learning ana
sense with the pedantic, begogglea booS-
worm and my meaning viii be readily
perceived. / have in my mind college
graduate whose knowledge of all the
oligies is only equaled by her indifference
tn the complexion OF her collar ard a con.
tempt OF the bath. After a four years
course in physiology she neglects the COM
monest laws of health and Is about as much
| in sympathy with the needs OF struggling
world as a sixteenth century fossil. In
| society, being totally unlnterested, she
| is totaliy uninteresting, and any society
| girl" so called, with an atom of tact and
| kindliness, is infinitely her superior. Per-
| sonaliy the writer has no objection to
| Greek roots and logarithms, but there is
| q prodigious 2hsurdity in numbering up
mental apartments with useless rubbish
for the doubtful glory of being pedant
| What we need is women with less intro
| spection" and more common sense.
Speaking OF women reminds me OF that
| sparkling writer L. Ruhsmah scidmore,
whose book on Alaska and tie Silken Archi-
peldgo has Just appeared from the pbblls b.
ng house of D. Lothrop 4 Co., 32 Frank
lin street. For several years she has been
one of the most delightful OF newspaper
correspondents from Washiu gtoH, where
she lives with her widowed mother; but
her love of travel and taste for the piqusnt
induced her to visit our isolated territory
in the Northwest. Her impressions OF
Alsska-graceful, picturesque and huHor-
ous-appeaIed in series of letters to the
ST. Louis Globe Democrat, HGrper'S Weekly
| and the New York Times, all of which cor
respondeace, With addition snd revision,
appeared in the book above mentioned,
making the most reliable and, Nithal, fas-
cinating book which has ever appeared
concerning orr acquisition in the far
Northwest.
The orchestral concerts given at the
Music Hall this summer, which wag
designated diluted symphonies" are De
servedly popular, for while they are moi
| hoe fhns yfun
enough for a healthy musical appetite
Speaking nf musical affairs reminds me oi
the New England Conservatory, which
offers greater inducements this year in the
way of teachers and lectures than it ha;
ever done before. Those who have moi
visited this institution can hardly realize
how ably il is conducted. The building /:
| sava,, stori high, covering sn eDtirt
block, with ce,,.,' ce,r'ments IN every orancI
OF music, art, htera,u. ofa'ory' an: an,
languages, with boarding acconmooar.v.-.
for more than 500 lsdy students. Amons
the celebrities which will be added to the
corps of teachers the coming year is Car
Foelton, pianist, formerly of celebrated
German conservatorium, and from Italy
will come one of her few great voice
masters-Signor Augusta Rotoli-a mu
: sieian who was chosen from among sll hi:
contemporaries to conduct the requiem
: mass at the magnificent funeral obsequie:
OF King Victor Emanuel.
, Prof. William J. Rolfe, of Harvard
(widely known by his edition of Shakes
peGre) will take charge of the literary de
partment, and native teachers of the mos
scholarly sttsinments will give inst:ue
, tions in the modern Languages.
: One of the dsntiest costumes | hav,
seen this summer was one that an arts
: would call "a symphony in black an,
/ white" The gown was delicate shee
I gray, with long ttstuesque drapsries ans
: bonnet OF the same shade, trimmed il
, creamy lace and null black gloves of un
. dressed kid, black brocade parasoi, line,
with white silk, each side having tsl
OF escurisl lace TO Itch, and the lates
, novelty in dress fabrics is the tanvs
I cloth, both fancy and plain, and an ex
, qnis te dinner dress was dark Ottoman
silk, with drsperies of Oriental lace, tn,
latter being overshot with delicate spray
: of pink and green silk embroidery. Ii
my next will give you an idea of Bostol
! rsformstory Institutions, including tn,
preachers who were arrested for holdin
forth on Boston common,