The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-05-27

men can keep UP with the women-cquai
opportunities being given to all.
We need not go back and walk with
Caroline Herschell and Mrs. Somerville
amid the far off words of light, nor ex-
plose with George Elliot the labyrinthian
mazes of human nature; nor contemplate
the marvellous genius Of Rosa Bonheur as
she almost touches the canvas
into life; nor listen to the
enchanting strains Of Eliza
beth Barrett Browning as in sweetest
notes they awake the echoes of the soul;
such a review Of feminine gifts in the
past is not necessary to satisfy our minds
Of woman intellectual capability, for we
have right in the present the demonstra-
ton Of living examples that teach us of
what the female mind is capable under
favorable circumstances of growth. The
present, awakened by the memorable logic
Of living facts, is demanding for woman
broader and higher culture than has
ever before been asked for her.
One of the distinguishing glories
of the age in which we live
is in the fact that it is the first to endow
woman with the opportunity Of a thor
0ugh and liberal education
One very striking and interesting
feature in the education Of the young
woman of THE present, is the prominence
given to that training which prepares
for useful activity. There was time
when it was regarded by some as an ac-
complishment on the part of the young
LADY not to be able to anything useful
and some have actually been known to
boast Of their utter ignorance Of the
practical; but the busy world now calls
for that education which not only pro
notes polite accomplishments. but also
prepares for useful and desirable oc-
cupatiOn.
Do not understand me, young ladies,
to advocate the doctrine thu our young
women should thrust themselves upon
any arena in life's struggles that would
be unbecoming the true womanly char
acter. Yet / would enter my
solemn protest against that prudish con-
servatism that holds our women back
from any useful occupation that they
might fill with the utmost propriety.
No woman should be restrained
from any proper work she is competent
to do, and if in that work she can excel
her brother man-why, all / have to say
is, she has Il perfect right to do so; and
after she has so done, she ought to re-
ceive as much pay for it as any man
would receive for doing the same work.
But our young women must bring
trained skill to the contest. That edu-
cation fails of the mark that does not in
sure capacity for good work Our wide
awake colleges for women are looking
this fact in the face-and are Fastening to
ha mi nd nm
addition to the sciences and literature
and the fine arts, we have taught in our
female schools typewriting, stenography,
telegraphy bookkeeping and others of the
useful arts, and thus the culture Of our
women is broadening not only in the
direction Of the higher intellectual, but
also in the direction Of the practical and
useful. It is to my mind q very significant
fact that our universities and colleges for
men are throwing open their doors for the
admission Of our girls. In this very gal
liant movement there is an unequivocal
concession to the fact that the girls are
capable of, and justly entitled to as high
and broad and complete culture as their
brothers.
In the meantime our progressive col
leges for women are hearkcning to the
imperous demands of the present and
are adjusting themselves to the require
| ments of the day. In this onward march
| and higher reach, / rejoice to see Green's
| boro Female College moving grandly i'm
| the very front ranks of the procession,
| led by her young and gifted president,
who himself so worthy q successor to the
distinguished educators who in other
years guided the destinies of this dear old
| institution, and | know whereof / speak
when | say that he, aided by his worthy
| and efficient faculty, is standing right
| abreast with the progress of the age-and
with keen alertness, is watching every
need of the times, that every possible adj
vantage may be afforded the young
ladies who are placed under the foster