Lectures to young ladies, comprising outlines and applications of the different branches of female education, for the use of female schools, and private libraries

Front matter

v

°o

W o V

Dedication

To MADAME LOUISE S. W. BELLOC,

AND

To you, sisters in affection, and united in your efforts to promote human virtue and improvement, associated with the friend and benefactor of America the good Lafayette, in the important care of selecting a national library for your beloved country, the following pages are respectfully and affectionately inscribed by one, who is proud to have been acknowledged by you as a friend and an associate in the cause of education. For this distinguished honor, as well as the affection manifested by you for my beloved sister, during her residence in France, permit me thus publicly to express my gratitude. May the friendship which in so interesting a manner has been commenced between us be elevated and permanent in its nature, as the objects which have given rise to it are noble and imperishable.

Preface

The following Saturday Lectures were delivered to the pupils of Troy Female Seminary, while the Author presided over that Institution, during the visit of the Principal in Europe, in 1830 and 1831. Although in being revised for the press, they have received alterations and additions, they are now offered to the public substantially the same, as to the plan and execution, as they were originally delivered.

This volume, which comprises the first series of a course of Lectures on Female Education, is principally devoted to subjects connected with Intellectual Improvement. It is the author's intention to prepare the remaining series for publication within the ensuing year.

The second series will, in part, be devoted to the consideration of those Affections of the Mind called Emotions, comprehending our Moral and Religious Feelings, the Duties of Woman in domestic life, as a teacher of youth, in society, and towards her Maker.

It was at first designed that the whole series should be comprised in one volume ; but the subjects which presented themselves were too numerous and important to be compressed within the small compass at first intended, and there seemed also to be a natural division between the subjects which constituted the whole course.

Although Intellectual Improvement is not in reality to

be separated from Moral Cultivation, since .both should

proceed together, it is more convenient to treat of them

separately. Thus we may give the distinct history of 1#

PREFACE.

some one kingdom, without carrying on that of another with which it is intimately connected, any farther than may be necessary in the furtherance of our principal design ; but when we have traced the history of the one, we may then commence that of the other.

The object of these Lectures was to awaken in the minds of the pupils, habits of thought with respect to the nature and design of education, and the practical application which ought to be made of its various branches. The young ladies to whom they were addressed were pursuing studies of different kinds ; and it was important that they should know the ' why and the wherefore,' with the broad and general principles of literature and science. Their teachers in the individual classes would no doubt endeavor to point out these ; but every teacher is well aware that by long dwelling upon a particular department of education, he becomes minute, and that there is always danger that the general scope of a science may be lost sight of, in the microscopic views which he is obliged to take. Many a pupil who has studied each page of a text book with close attention, has been found unable to give an explanation of the outlines and general character of the work, or the science on which it treated.

It was intended in these Lectures to exhibit the nature and objects of female education, with outlines of the various sciences connected with it : in nearly all of these the author had at different periods personally instructed, and her views of them were the result of her own experience and observation.

In appearing again before the public as an author, I feel a degree of timidity unknown on former occasions. In my first work, ' Familiar Lectures on Botany,' my steps were supported by guides who, if not infallible, were de-

PREFACE. 7

serving"of veneration and confidence. If I wandered from the path of true science, it was with Linnaeus, with Jussieu and Mirbel. If, leaving these guides for a time to converse familiarly with the fair young beings, of whom the flowers of summer are no unapt emblems, — if, pausing to discourse with them of the goodness of that Great Benefactor whose blessings are so profusely shed around our pathway, or to suggest from the consideration of the works of nature and the bounties of Providence, reflections touching our own moral and religious obligations, — still my venerable instructers were patiently bearing with my garrulity, and ever ready to help me forward in my attempt to unfold the beautiful system which arranges the objects of an important part of the kingdom of nature.

In my Dictionary of Chemistry, a work of more severe labor, and less cheered with the glowing hues with which imagination invests the subjects of botanical research, I was secure from apprehension, by the responsibilities of the authors whom I translated, and the approbation and encouragement of two friends of science who kindly encouraged me in my labors, and gave them the sanction of their names.* Under such auspices, I had little reason to fear that even the parts of that work in which I ventured at originality would meet with severe criticism. The call for three large editions of the Lectures on Botany within two years, with the adoption of my Dictionary of Chemistry into academies, colleges, and medical schools, have encouraged me to offer these Lectures to the public.

But notwithstanding so many unexpected encouragements, it is with hesitation that I now unveil to public observation those scenes ever to be remembered, when

* Professors Silliman and Eaton.

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surrounded by a numerous assembly of young females,* among whom were my own daughters, and many little less dear to me, I endeavored to impress upon youthful intellects the truths of science, and upon yet unsophisticated hearts the love of virtue and sentiments of religion. Although the partial affection of these dear pupils led them to believe that these instructions might be useful to others, strangers may judge differently ; they may view with the cold eye of criticism, attempts to do good which were prompted by a warm heart and zeal to elevate the female character and discharge a sacred obligation.

Those, who with me, feel deeply on the subject of human improvement, and who may perceive errors of judgment, or faults of execution in the following pages, will, I trust, be willing to communicate with me as friend with friend ; and such may be assured that any criticism or counsel thus offered, will be gratefully received and acknowledged.

It has been suggested by teachers of experience, that these Lectures would prove valuable assistants in education, by affording a kind of Synopsis for weekly reviewing lessons in the various departments of study, as well as a suitable reading book for young ladies' schools. f It was indeed partly in the anticipation of such an object that the lectures were originally committed to writing, as the author was little confined to notes, but often pursued the train of thought which was suggested at the mo* ment.

Amongst the numerous works on education which are

* The number of pupils was nearly two hundred.

t Among the number of those who have expressed this opinion, I have pleasure in naming Miss Beecher, the respected Principal of the Hartford Female Seminary, to whom the plan of this work was early communicated.

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now before the public, the author knows of none similar in plan to this. Abridgements and compilations differ much from compounds, which, though formed of previously existing elements, come fresh from the crucible of mind, bearing upon them the author's 'own image and superscription.'

The names which appear in the dedication of this work may not be extensively known in this country. To those not conversant with French literature, the most distinguished writers are not generally known until time engraves their names upon the records of history. In America, the names of the distinguished women of England are almost as familiar as if the Atlantic did not separate the two countries. The reason of this is obvious; we speak and write a common language, and thought, meeting with no impediment, is wafted across the ocean with a rapidity almost equal to its own operations. Thus the name and writings of Maria Edgeworth, are known to almost every child of our country, while those of Madame Belloc and Madamoiselle de Montgolfier, although no less celebrated in Europe, are by no means familiar to Americans. These two ladies, witha singular devotion of friendship, mutually share in fortune, literary labor and fame.* They have been connected with M. Jullien, one of the most enlightened men of the age,f in conducting the Revue Ency-

f For an interesting sketch of this Savant see a late communication of Mr. Willis, for the New York Mirror.

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clopedique, a distinguished Literary Journal of Paris ; they take a deep and active interest in many of the schools and charitable institutions of France, and the literature of their country is enriched by many of their valuable and joint productions.