The Savannah morning news., 1901-12-01

Inc GduCdtlOndI routine already ue-
scribed differs but little from that pur-
sued in the school days of my daugh-
ters. In these, it is true, the study of
English grammer gave place to that of
the Latin tongue, Spelling was no long
er so strictly considered, a theory haV-
ing come into vogue that correct spell
ing is a natural gift, bestowed on some
individuals and withheld from others. l
heard experts complain, some thirty or
more years ago. that the young people
of that time were scarcely trained at
all in chirography.
In reviewing the girlhood of forty
years ago the effect of our Civil War
must not be overlooked. The intensest
interest of that time conferred in it's
military operations. Fashion forsook it's
round of dress. dance and dinner, and
hung with keen anxiety upon the latest
reports from the battlefield.
Many Young women rendered brave
service in the care of the sick and
wounded. The sharp lines of social de-
marcation were for the moment forgot
ten. The women of the North were as
a unit in the strength of their patriotic
feeling. Those of the South were no
doubt equally ferVent in their devotion
to the cause which they held to be
just.
Among us of the North the practical
faculty came into increased demand.
The knitting of socks for our soldiers,
the preparation of lint and bandages
occupied fingers familiar with the ele-
giant trifies of life. Huge bazars in aid
of the sanitary commission were plan
ned and successfully carried out, with
large pecuniary results. Young ladies
took orders for cakes and embroidery,
to be sold for the benefit of the soldiers.
ha nx-io ,niac ~ he had lad
into the field much of the young man
hood of the community. The places of
the elder sons were taken by very
youthful set of partners who desired
to meet "the girls" if at all, upon a
footing of easy fellowship. Culture was
now no longer at a premium. and the
more thoughtful girl graduates from
schools began to take refuge from the
prevailing nonsense in classes and
clubs.
But now comes upon the scene a new
agency. College education, long sought
by the few. derided and denied by the
many, is at last conceded to girls who
are wise enough 10 desire it, Oberlin
in far Ohio, had granted it many years
earlier, as did Antioch when Horace
Mann became it's president. But when
Vassar and Wellesley opened their
doors the new feature appeared in our
very midst. The pros and cons of the
question at first divided society pretty
sharply. The greater number opposed
the new departure and preferred ad-
herence to the old lame curriculum.
Rut the measure soon spoke for itself
and the right of our sex to a full par
ttcipation in the advantages of the
higher education became established
throughout the land.
Upon the results of this great en-
largement il is scarcely necessary for
me to dwell. The entrance of women in
to the professions their acceptable
services in many departments of public
work, the independence of position Sc
cured to them by the cultivation of
their natural abilities-these are facts
so familiar as not to need a special
mention in the present connection.
The rehabilitation of the drama in
this middle period opened for our youth
a new source of enjoyment and instruc-
ton. The elder Booth. Forrest and Mac
ready had already gained among us the
favor of limited public, but by the
time that Edwin Booth came upon the
stage the ancient prejudice had gradu-
ally given away. | can not but esteem
this change an evidence of our advance
in polite culture. II pains me even now
to recall the old time uncharity shown
to plays and players. These last were
regarded by the sober people of my
young days as outlaws, a view which
even their authority could not induce
me to share. ! am proud to-day to have
enjoyed the friendship of Charlotte
Cushman, of Edwin Booth and of Tom
maso Salvini. Our Indebtedness to these
artist and to others of their grade is
such no amount of money can repay.