The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-12-28

mime humanity
N&oNz&AE is the American
NJ Ez grin OF the
~ dollhouse va
riety, reared for the adornment of
luxury, but the everyday, everywhere
girls that throne the roads leading to
the public schools and the normal
schools; and who even in a higher
state of culture fill the halls of
learned colleges with wondrous
charm and brightness-girlsw who have
an aim in life, mission to fulfill, a
home to order, who know the worth
of money, who are not ashamed to
earn it. and who manage out of limit
ed means to compass all their desires
for pretty dresses and summer vaca-
tons, and even their pet dream of an
ocean voyage and sight of the old
world.
Physically, these girls enjoy life at
Its highest point. Look at their
flushed cheeks and bright, fearless
eyes, and watch their light, swift,
even steps. They have no complaint
to make of the heat or the sunshine
or the frost; they have not yet heard of
the east wind. Rain does not make
them cross; and, as for the snow, it
throws them into , delicious excite
ment; while the wind, blowing their
dresses about them in colored clouds,
only makes them the more eager to
try their strength against It.
That these girls, so physically lovely,
should have the proper mental training
is point of the gravest personal and
national Importance. And it is the
glory of our age. that this necessity
has been nobly met. For the American
girl, wisdom has builded her house
and hewn out her seven pillars" and
as she points to the lofty entrance she
cries to all alike: go up: the door is
openr' If the girls of fifty years ago
could have known the privileges Of our
era how would they have marveled and
rejoiced, an desired ''to see their day."
But MANIFOLD as her privileges are,
the American girl generally knows
how to use them. She proves daily
that the parable of the ten talents did
not refer to men only. Indeed the
fault girls are most likely to fall into
is the belief that they each and all
possess every one of the talents. In
reality this is so seldom the case that
it is impossible to educate all girls
after one pattern; and it is therefore
grand thing for a girl to know just
what she can, and cannot, do. For if
she have only five talents, there is no
advantage to be gained by creating
fictitious ones; since the noblest educa-
ton is that which looks to the develop
ment of the natural abilities, whether
they be few or many-fashionable or
unfashionable.
Ask the majority of people "what is
education" and they will be apt to
answer ''the improvement of the
mind" But this answer does not take
us one step beyond the starting point.
Probably the best and most generally
useful rule for girl is a deliberate
and conscientious inquiry into her own
nature and inclinations as to what she
wants to do with her education. When
she has faithfully answered the in
quiry she is ready to prepare herself
for this end. For it Is neither neces-
,sary. nor yet possible, that every girl
should know everything. Besides
which, the growth of the individuality
has made special knowledge thing Of
great value; and on all occasions of
Importance, we are apt TO defer to it
If we cross the Atlantic, we look for
captain who has a special knowledge
of its stormy ways. If we are really
- .,l, go
ment, no matter what ''pathy" we pre-
fer. Special knowledge has prima
facie worth, and without inquiry into
a subject we are inclined to consider
specialists on tho subject better in
formed than those who have not this
qualification. Hence the Importance
of cultivating some one talent to such
perfection as will enable girl, if needs
be, to turn it into money.
There is another point in the prep
aration Of the American girl for the
duties Of life which is often under.
valued, or even quite ignored-it is
the little remembered fact that all our
moral and intellectual qualities are
very dependent for their value on our
surroundings The old Quakers used
to lay great stress upon being ''in ones
right place" When the right person
is in the right place there is sure to be
q success in life; failure in this respect
is almost certain misfortune-a fine
accountant before the mast, q fine
lady in the wilderness, are out of their
places and have lost their opportunity.
And 50 educational accomplishments,
which would bring wealth and honor
In great city, may be detrimental &c
happiness and a drag on duty in an
isolated position