The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-10-24
Tho Necessity of Strong Foundation
UpOn Which To EniId.

mo |'SSeSsty VI - cTUuS
Upon Which TO Build.
Editor Womdn's Column, Morning Call:
great deal has been said and written in
recent years with regard to the so-calied
higher education of women; from all quar-
tiers Of the civilized world the cry has gene
up, and after many severe struggles and
noble efforts it has been answered. Educa-
tlonal institutions throughout the country
have thrown open their doors, anneXes have
been established and independent colleges
endowed. Our young women have made
good use of their opportunities: have sue
cessfully competed with their brothers in
every branch of learning, and fairly silenced
the narrow minded remonS trants who feared
for the less Of their health and woman
illness.
This is all we'll and good. but it seems
never to have occurred 10 many Of the zeal
Gus advocates of the higher education that
something besides height is needed for full
and complete development-to add study
to study. accomplishment to accomplish
ment, to continue to heap
EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS.
One on top of tie other, is often, it seems to
me, to attain results similar TO those pro-
duced by the building of house of blocks
by child. The structure seems secure,
and he regards it admlringly, but suddenly
it moves and topples over. We must have
breadth and solidlty and strength as well as
height IL we wish our work 10 endure.
With all respect | ask of our leading edu-
Gators, is not the structure they are rearing
very much like the child's block house? Ii
is a sad fact that many of our young women
enter college entirely unprepared by their
state of health and previous training Tor the
arduouS duties and severe mental strain
they are called upon to perform and endure;
that consequently they leave it with en-
feebled constitutions anu Slapped vitality,
entirely unified for The work IN the world
for which their college course Is supposed to
have prepared them.
THE TROUBLE Is
That the foundation has been defective.
Educ alton is one-Sided. The mental facul-
ties are developed at the expense of the
moral and physical nature. Dr.. Buchanan
in The New Education" shows cOnclu-
SiVely The utter failure OF our present edu-
catiUnal system. But the evil in regard to
the neglect Of ply steal education fails much
more heavily upon our girls than boys. The
latter, from the time they are able TO walk,
run and jump indulge in all sorts OF games
and exercises, While their little sisters sit IN
the house and practice scales. Every
thoughtful person must deplore the preva-
lance Of ill-health among the women of our
day, not only the self-indulgent, wasp
wasted members of society, but the sensl
bic, superior women. Ali are Afflicted with
dIIlHtlllS, lle ItSuil, IL LAS uetu SaIIl, VI LIS
MARVELLOUS FEATs
Of our much-lauded grandmothers, who bore
eighteen children and did the entire work
of the household besides OF their Ignorant,
selI-sacrihcing defiance of the laws Of nature
we are now paying the penalty.
Let US set about repairing the mischief as
soon as possible Let us educate our daush-
tiers TO be fine, strong, healthy, wlde-awake
specimens OF young womauhoOd and the
ole IN Ike of themselves
| am glad 10 see a movement started in the
city in the direction of physical culture for
women. 1t Will surely receive the support
aud approval Of every sensible man and
woman, every physician, every true edu-
Gator i'll the community. The Nv omen's
Union" has, it seems, recognized tie need
Of gymnastics for its patrons by adding to
its numerous classes one for the cultivation
of health and strength. Not until a sound
mind is given a sound dwelling-place will
the faculties of women be seen at their best;
VIII she really become the equal OF man.
San F,nlcisry oct. % 1872