If say that it is not in accordance with the strong powers and stirring energies of his mind to rest contented in the prison of a school-room; yet to women, less gifted with confidence in their own abilities, and having so few objects of pursuit, it would furnish an employment congenial as well as honorable. There is no branch of learning taught in our common schools, which females would not be capable of teaching; they ought to be employed as assistants in our free schools, and in every seminary where there are children of their own sex. One very important object to be effected. by this arrangement, would be the saving of expense. Women can afford to teach for a less reward than men, even though they should prove, as they often doubtless would, the most capable instructors. To make education universal, it must be made cheap. It is a false principle which estimates the benefits of a privilege by the money it costs. it were true, our Republican government would be a miserable one, in comparison with those of royal magnificence. It is usually the abuses of our privileges which form the largest item in their expense. Our nation has need of all the talents and industry of its citizens, exerted in the most beneficial manner, to keep pace with the spirit of the age. Why refuse the assistance of female intellect, when it might be so usefully and appropriately exerted! Of the several thousand schoolmasters in the State of New-York, one half might undoubtedly be engaged in business more profitable and pleasant to themselves, and their duties as teachers, better as well as cheaper performed by intelligent women. are many such to whom even a moderate compensation would be wealth, and would stimulate to unwearied exertion. But above all, women should be at the head of establishments for the education of their own sex. If it be found necessary, let gentlemen be employed as professors and lecturers occasionally, but a lady should always preside as directress. This is invariably practised in every country save America; and such a preposterous fashion as committing the scientific education of young girls mostly to men, cannot much longer continue here. Women will feel what is due to their own character and dignity sufficiently to rouse themselves to educate, at least, their own The success of the late Mrs. Rowson in this city demonstrates that a lady, if uniting talents, energy, and those sex. There truly feminine accomplishments, which a man cannot know or teach, would be encouraged. The example of Mrs. Willard, Principal of the Troy Female Seminary, demonstrates that women are capable of understanding the philosophy of the human mind, and of preparing works which facilitate the acquisition of knowledge. Her history of the United States is a book which teachers-men-would be wiser for studying. In short, though there should be no encroachment on the prerogative or privileges of the men, yet women should remember they too have privileges which they ought not, which they cannot, consistently with duty and delicacy, surrender. One of these is the superintending the education of their own sex. This must not be abandoned. Then, should the men commit to their care the tuition of boys till the age of eight, ten or even later, they would probably find their confidence rewarded. The influence of a sensible, intelligent and pious woman, has a tendency to soften the turbulent dispositions, and foster the kindly affections of boys-to instil the love of virtue, and a horror of vice. Remember, the culture of the heart as well as the head is essentially necessary to make men good citizens of a Republic. A strong argument in favor of employing women as instructors of children, may be found in their purity of principles. A female advocating infidelity, or endeavoring to weaken the bonds of moral and social order, is a phenomeCan the same be said of the other sex? But more of this hereafter. non. A traveller in Scotland mentions having seen two large eagles teaching two of their young the manœuvres of flight. The old, or parent eagles, arose from the top of a high mountain towards the sun-the young birds slowly followed, apparently flying better as they mounted, until both they and their tutors became mere points in the air, and afterwards totally disappeared in the distance. STANZAS. LONE as I wander by the mountain rock, Lead up and onward, till no longer scen- Those young were reared upon the beetling crag, I see the light cloud, as a fairy isle, Fast by its wave that speeds away in haste; All, all is faint-the roseate hue were black, When he his kingly heritage assumed. 'Mid scenes of hope, bright vision, hie the back. New-Haven, January, 1829. U. LETTER TO THE EDITOR. MRS. HALE. Our good friends, the ladies, accuse our sex of frequently estimating things by their external appearance-because, on account of a certain affinity of taste, between the eye and the affections, a pretty woman charms us more easily, than one to whom nature has not been kind. I do not meet the charge with a direct denial, because I am willing to acknowledge its justice to a certain extent; and I think it no stigma upon us to confess it; for, nature in bestowing the faculty of sight, intended that it should be open to enjoyment, in the same degree that indulgence is granted to the ear, the palate, and the other grosser senses, It is not my intention to notice the extent, to which this organ may be indulged, because it must differ materially in different individuals, according as the animal or intellectual propensities predominate; for, as the physical powers of different individuals are widely disproportionate, and the ratio also of mental to corporeal strength is not the same us. through the whole circle of mankind, so it is necessary also, that some individuals of our species should draw the larger proportion of their enjoyments from the gratification of the corporeal senses; while others derive their highest pleasures, from the exercise of the intellectual faculties. But I wish to ask, whether the same accusation may not be justly made against our fair friends, which they so liberally heap upon Will not a coat of a particular cut, a few trinkets attached to a watch-guard, a hat of peculiar shape, or the flowing drapery of an opera cloak, excite their admiration, as much, or perhaps more, than an hour's rational and sensible conversation, upon any subject that can be named? I was led to this inquiry, by an incident that took place in Cornhill, a few days ago, which has afforded me considerable merriment, at the expense of the sincerity of a few fair friends, whom I am in the habit of meeting pretty frequently at social parties, and who have heretofore contributed much to the high estimation in which I had held their sex. It was but the evening before, that I had met several of these dear creatures, one of whom had twice been my partner in a cotillion; the second, at a hand of whist, while the third had gratified me, by listening to the remarks suggested by the literature of the day, during the intervals she allowed me in her own pretty periods. On the following morning, as I was returning from my place of business, at an earlier hour than usual, to prepare for an unexpected invitation to dinner, dressed as I usually am for business, in a suit which, like that of old mortality, "though still in decent repair, had obviously seen a long train of service," I encountered the three damsels abovementioned, and grateful for the honors I had received, on the previous evening, I prepared my most respectful, and at the same time, most sincere salutations. But just as I had uttered the sentence, "Good morning ladies," or, "your humble servant ladies," (either of which is my usual mode of address,) and had raised my hand to what remained of my beaver, (the nap of which had been previously considerably worn in such service) I perceived to my utter astonishment and dismay, that there was not the slightest sign of recognition on their part, except on their cheeks, where honesty seemed to have written in red letters, that I had not been presumptuous in claiming their acquaintance. I passed on, and arriving at home, I was quickly re-apparelled, and throwing my opera cloak carelessly over my shoulders, I hurried back on an errand I had forgotten in the morning. Chance threw me in the way of these same fair friends, almost in the very spot where I had met them scarce a half hour before. I felt as I approached them, that I was really in a dilemma. Pride counselled me to brush by-politeness whispered, be still a gentleman, self-respect said pretty loudly, do not make yourself too cheap,-courtesy suggested the privileges of the sex-justice vociferated, they do not know you; while fashion declared, it was merely the manners of the day. Fortunately I was not required to decide the point among these opposite opinionists, for as I drew nearer to the fairer ones, I was noticed by a very familiar nod from one, a smile from the other, and a pretty loud salutation from the third. "Good morning, Mr. U. R. if you had not led that knave last evening, we should have beaten them a love game." Thinks I to myself, madam, you play the knave too much in the streets, for me ever to play a love game with you. "Have you seen the last new waltz?" says the second, “there is a beautiful turn in the second strain." "I believe I have, madam," said I; "we shall both agree as to its singularity, but we must differ in opinion as to its beauty." "Have you read P.'s and Q.'s?" says the third. "No ma'am," I re plied, "but I shall in future mind mine.” Now, my good Mrs. Editress, be so kind as to tell me whether these fair ones are not taken up more with the outside appearance, than with any thing else; and whether I ought not to keep separate lists of acquaintance for every different costume I happen to wear. For instance, Mrs. This, and Miss That, and Miss T'other are among the acquaintances of a frock coat; and Madam S. and Miss T. are the friends of my cloak,-these ladies are acquainted with my new beaver hat,-and those ladies, the very particular friends of my surtout coat-while alas, my every day suit must be cheerless and unsocial, recognized only by my laundress and my landlady. Yours Respectfully, U. R. The Editor would suggest that an answer to U. R. by the young ladies alluded to in his epistle, would be very welcome to a place in the Magazine for next month. Women |