Year: 1859

We fear that this question will have
to be answered in the negative. Among
the many high Accomplishments Of the
ladies of this country, we fear that few
can claim to be readers Of the papers,
They read the standard and current lite.
rature Of the day: they study with assidu-
ity, and many Of them with success, mu-
sic and the modern languages; they per-
feet themselves in all the nameless arts
which charm the eye and lead captive the
heart, but it cannot be said that they take
much interest in the passing events of the
day. The peace with China the momens
tary pressure, the Kansas mbroglio. and
other important matters, are subjects up
on which the male part Of creation are
all absorbed at this time, and about which
they do all their talking. But how many
ladies have read the papers with sufi-
cient care 10 be able to converse upon
either Of these topics? Besides these there
are various subjects Of minor Importance
and interest--the amusements Of the day,
the fashions, and all the public gossip,
and even scandal-which are chronicled
in the newspapers Of the country. What
fund is thus afforded for pleasant and
profitable conversation! II a lady, by reg
ular and systematic reading of the daily
papers, has kept up with all these topics,
she has fund of conversation by which
she can render herself far more agreea.
BILE in society than she can possibly do
with the light gossip floating about in the
atmosphere of any little inland town.
How much more pleasing would lady
render herself by expressing clear and in
teligent views upen the leading topics of
the day, than by common everyday talk
about the next ball, or the remote posi-
bility Of certain matrimonial alliance;
or discussing the grave and momentous
question, whether or not Mr.. A. is serious
in those two visits which he made in the
very same week, TO the charming Miss
B.; or whether or not, il he should turn
out to be in earnest, the lady would fa-
vor his suit; and If so when will the we'd
ding probably be; will they marry in the
church or at home; in the morning or in
the evening; who will be the bridesmaid
and groomsmen; and will they probably
take European tour? Now if the ladies
would read the papers. and post them
selves upon the important events which
are occurring in the world, they would
always have rich fund Of conversation;
their minds would be expanded and ele-
waited, and their whole characters i'm
proved. The lighter accomplishments
are certainly very necessary, and local
gossip will do we'll enough give favor
10 more serious discourses; but we do in
sist that there is in our society too little at
tention paid to the more important parts
Of thorough education.


Why is it that our ladies take SO little
interest in reading the papers? Is it not
attributable mainly to the objectionable
neglect Of husbands and parents to place
the papers in their hands? We think it
is the absolute duty Of every man who is
able, to have at least two or three papers
thrown daily into the door ofhis dwelling.
The ladies of the household should then
rise early in the morning, and read care
fully before breakfast, all they contain
Their minds will thus be frightened up
for the whole day, and they will soon ac-
quire such knowledge Of the great events
Of the times that even the men will have
to quicken their pace to keep up with
them.


A ToAsr.-An exchange says that the