Letters to young ladies

Front matter

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Preface

I have been requested to address a few thoughts to the youth of my own sex, on subjects of simple nature, and serious concern. The employment has been pleasant, for their interests are dear to me; and several years devoted to their instruction, have unfolded more fully their claims to regard, and the influence they might exercise in society. Should a single heart, in "life's sweet blossoming season," derive, from this little volume, aid, guidance, or consolation, tenfold satisfaction will be added to the pleasure with which it has been composed.

ADDRESS

TO THE

GUARDIANS OF FEMALE EDUCATION.

In preparing " Letters to Young Ladies," some reflections have arisen, which claim the attention of the guardians of their education — of those who either prescribe its limits, conduct its details, or rule the mighty engine of publick opinion . They are offered without apology, since the subject of education is now considered worthy to dictate the studies of the sage, the plans of the political economist, and the labours of the patriot. " The mind of the present age acting on the mind of the next," as it has been happily defined by a living writer, is an object of concern to every being endowed with intellect, or interested either through love or hope, in another generation.

Nor has the importance of education in the abstract, been alone conceded. Practical researches for its improvement, have signalized our age and incorporated themselves with its vigorous and advancing spirit. Our most gifted minds have toiled

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to devise methods for the instruction of the humblest grades of community, and to make useful knowledge the guest of the common people.

In this elevation of the intellectual standard, our sex have been permitted freely to participate. No Moslem interdict continues to exclude them from the temple of knowledge, and no illusion of chivalry exalts them to an airy height, above life's duties, and its substantial joys.

We are grateful for our heightened privileges. We hope that those who have bestowed them, will be no losers by their liberality. Still we believe that an increase of benefits may be made profitable both to giver, and receiver. We solicit them in the name of the blooming and the beautiful — those rose-buds in the wreath of our country's hope.

It is desirable that their education should be diffused over a wider space of time, and one less encumbered by extraneous objects, and that the depth of its foundation should be more correctly proportioned to the imposing aspect, and redundant ornament of its superstructure. Is it not important that the sex to whom Nature has intrusted the moulding of the whole mass of mind in its first formation, should be acquainted with the structure and developments of mind ? — that they who are to nurture the future rulers of a prosperous people, should be able to demonstrate from the broad annal of history, the value of just laws, and the duty of subordination — the blessings which they inherit, and the

OF FEMALE EDUCATION. 11

danger of their abuse ? Is it not requisite, that they on whose bosom the infant heart must be cherished, should be vigilant to watch its earliest pulsations of good or evil ? — that they who are commissioned to light the lamp of the soul, should know how to feed it with pure oil ? — that they in whose hand is the welfare of beings never to die, should be fitted to, perform the work, and earn the plaudit of Heaven ?

That the vocation of females is to teach, has been laid down as a position, which it is impossible to contravert. In seminaries, academies and schools, they possess peculiar facilities for coming in contact with the unfolding and unformed mind. It is true, that only a small proportion are engaged in the departments of publick and systematick instruction. Yet the hearing of recitations, and the routine of scholastick discipline, are but parts of education. It is in the domestick sphere, in her own native province, that woman is inevitably a teacher. There she modifies by her example, her dependants, her companions, every dweller under her own roof. Is not the infant in its cradle, her pupil 1 Does not her smile give the earliest lesson to its soul ? Is not her prayer the first messenger for it in the court of Heaven ? Does she not enshrine her own image in the sanctuary of the young child's mind, so firmly that no revulsion can displace, no idolatry supplant it ? Does she not guide the daughter, until placing her hand in that of her husband, she reaches that pedestal, from whence, in her turn, she

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imparts to others, the stamp and colouring which she has herself received ? Might she not, even upon her sons, engrave what they shall take unchanged through all the temptations of time, to the bar of the last judgment ? Does not the influence of woman rest upon every member of her household, like the dew upon the tender herb, or the sunbeam silently educating the young flower? or as the shower, and the sleepless stream, cheer and invigorate the proudest tree of the forest ?

Admitting then, that whether she wills it or not, whether she even knows it or not, she is still a teacher — and perceiving that the mind in its most plastick state is yielded to her tutelage, it becomes a most momentous inquiry what she shall be qualified to teach. Will she not of necessity impart what she most prizes, and best understands. Has she not power to impress her own lineaments on the next generation 1 If wisdom and utility have been the objects of her choice, society will surely reap the benefit. If folly and self-indulgence are her prevailing characteristicks, posterity are in danger of inheriting the likeness.

This influence is most visible and operative in a republick. The intelligence and virtue of its every citizen have a heightened relative value. — Its safety may be interwoven with the destiny of those, whose birthplace is in obscurity. The springs of its vitality are liable to be touched, or the chords of its harmony to be troubled, by the rudest hands.

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Teachers under such a form of government should be held in the highest honour. They are the allies of legislators. They have agency in the prevention of crime. They aid in regulating the atmosphere, whose incessant action and pressure causes the life-blood to circulate, and return pure and healthful to the heart of the nation.

Of what unspeakable importance then, is her education, who gives lessons before any other instructor — who pre-occupies the unwritten page of being — who produces impressions which only death can obliterate — and mingles with the cradle-dream what shall be read in Eternity. Well may statesmen and philosophers debate how she may be best educated, who is to educate all mankind.

The ancient republicks overlooked the value of that sex, whose strength is in the heart. Greece, so susceptible to the principle of beauty, so skilled in wielding all the elements of grace, failed in appreciating their excellence, whom these had most exquisitely adorned. If, in the brief season of youthful charm, she was constrained to admire woman as the acanthus-leaf of her own Corinthian capital, she did not discover that, like that very column, she was capable of adding stability to the proud temple of freedom. She would not bev convinced that so feeble a hand might have aided to consolidate the fabrick, which philosophy embellished, and luxury overthrew.

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Rome, notwithstanding her primeval rudeness, seems more correctly than polished Greece, to have estimated the " weaker vessel." Here and there, upon the storm-driven billows of her history, some solitary form towers upward in majesty, and the mother of the Gracchi still stands forth in strong relief, amid imagery over which time has no power. But still, wherever the brute force of the warrior is counted godlike, woman is appreciated only as she approximates to sterner natures : as in that mysterious image which troubled the sleep of Assyria's king — the foot of clay derived consistence from the iron, which held it in combination.

In our own republick, man, invested by his Maker with the right to reign, has conceded to her, who was for ages in vassalage, equality of intercourse, participation in knowledge, dominion over his dearest and fondest hopes. He is content to " bear the burden and heat of the day," that she may dwell in ease and affluence. Yet, from the very felicity of her lot, dangers are generated. She is tempted to be satisfied with superficial attainments, or to indulge in that indolence which corrodes intellect, and merges the high sense of responsibility in its alluring and fatal slumbers.

These tendencies should be neutralized by a thorough and laborious education. Sloth and luxury must have no place in her vocabulary. Her youth should be surrounded by every motive to

OF FEMALE EDUCATION. 15

application, and her maturity dignified by the hallowed office of rearing the immortal mind. While her partner toils for his stormy portion of that power or glory, from which it is her privilege to be sheltered, let her feel that in the recesses of domestick privacy, she still renders a noble service to the government that protects her, by sowing seeds of purity and peace in the hearts of those, who shall hereafter claim its honours, or control its destinies.

Her place is amid the quiet shades, to watch the little fountain ere it has breathed a murmur. But the fountain will break forth into a rill, and the swollen rivulet rush towards the sea; — and who can be so well able to guide them hi right channels, as she who heard their first ripple, and saw them emerge like timid strangers from their source, and had kingly power over those infantwaters, in the name of Him who caused them to flow.

And now, Guardians of Education, whether parents, preceptors, or legislators — you who have so generously lavished on woman the means of knowledge — complete your bounty, by urging her to gather its treasures with a tireless hand. Demand of her as a debt, the highest excellence which she is capable of attaining. Summon her to abandon selfish motives, and inglorious ease. Incite her to those virtues which promote the permanence and health of nations. Make her accountable for the character of the next genera-

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tion. Give her solemn charge, in the presence of men and of angels. Gird her with the whole armour of education and of piety — and see if she be not faithful to her children, to her country, and to her God.

Letter I. Value Of Time

As nothing truly valuable, my dear young friends, can be attained without industry, so there can be no persevering industry, without a sense of the value of time. Youth would be too happy, might it add to its own beauty and felicity, the wisdom of riper years. Were it possible for it to realize the worth of time, as life's receding hours will reveal it, how rapidly would it press on towards perfection. It is too often the case, that the period allotted to education, is but imperfectly appreciated, till it approaches its close, or has actually departed. Then, its recollections are mingled with regret or repentance ; for experience is more frequently the fruit of our own mistakes and losses, than the result of the admonitions and counsels of others.

Still, the young are sometimes found sedulously regarding the flight of time, and zealously marking it with mental and moral excellence. Illustrating in their practice, the aspiration of the Psalmist, they learn " to number their days, that they may apply their hearts unto wisdom."

Suffer me, then, with the urgency of true friendship, to impress on you the importance of a just estimation of time. Consider how much is to be performed, attained, and conquered, ere you are fitted to discharge the duties which the sphere of woman comprehends. Think of the brevity of life. The most aged have compared it to a span in compass — and to a shuttle in flight. Compute its bearings upon the bliss or wo of eternity, and remember if mispent, it can never be recalled. Other errors admit of reformation. Lost wealth may be regained, by a course of industry ; — the wreck of health, repaired by temperance ; — forgotten knowledge, restored by study ; — alienated friendship soothed into forgiveness : — even forfeited reputation won back by penitence and virtue. But who ever again looked upon his vanished hours ? — recalled his slighted years and stamped them with wisdom ? — or effaced from Heaven's record, the fearful blot of a wasted life ?

The waste of time in youth, is a greater evil than at any other period of existence. " The misimprovement of youthful days," says an elegant writer, " is more than the mere loss of time. Figure to yourself the loss that the year would sustain were the spring taken away : such a loss do they sustain who trifle in youth."

When there is so much to be done for individual improvement, in the formation of correct habits, and preparation for untried duty — so much for parents and benefactors, to pay even imperfectly the debt of gratitude — so much for brothers, and sisters, and friends — so much for the poor, the uneducated, the afflicted — so much in obedience to Him who hath commanded us to " work out our own salvation with fear and trembling ;" how unreasonable is it to do but little, and to do that little carelessly ! how sinful to trifle away our time in light amusement, or profitless pursuit ! It is no excuse for us, that others waste their days in desultory pleasures, or pass their youth without .motive and without improvement. Every one must stand alone to give account at last. The example of an associate will not be accepted as a palliation, nor the habit of excuse, however it might have deceived men, justify us before a judge who readeth the intents of the heart.

The successful improvement of time, is aided by order in its distribution. A division of the day into parts, facilitates the successful discharge of its duties. Many of those who have become eminent in science and literature, have adhered to a systematick arrangement of time. King Alfred, who so remedied the defects of early education, as to gain distinction in the field of intellect, as well as in the annals of royalty, was an example of regularity. He divided the twenty-four hours into three equal portions. One of these periods of eight hours was, devoted to the duties of religion, one to repose, recreation and literature, and the other to the cares of his realm. Sir William Jones, who acquired the knowledge of twentyeight languages, and whose attainments in all thai ennoble man were such, that it was pronounced a " happiness to his race that he was born," persevered in a regular allotment of his time to particular occupations, and a scrupulous adherence to the distribution which he had established. Thus his great designs went on without confusion ; and so convinced was he of the excellence of daily system, and so humble in the estimation of his native endowments, that to the inquiry how his wonderful attainments in every branch of knowledge had been made, he was accustomed to reply, only by industry and regular application.

Though the path of distinction in science and literature may not be the object of our ambition, yet in the sphere allotted to our sex, order and method are of essential importance. The assigning daily duty to particular hours, helps to ensure its performance. The system must often yield to circumstances, and be subject to interruptions, yet by keeping its general features steadily in view, more will be accomplished, and to better purpose than by desultory effort.

Consider every day, my dear young friends, as a sacred gift from the Author of your being. Divide it between the duties you owe to Him, to yourselves, and your fellow-creatures. Remember that you are held responsible at a higher tribunal than that of earth, for the manner in which they are discharged. Keep these three great departments before the eye of the mind. Propor-

ViLUE OF TIME. 21

tion the day between them, as the promised land was divided by lot among the chosen tribes. Consult those whom it is your duty to obey or to please, respecting the appropriation of hours to employments. Use discretion and kindness in not interfering with the convenience of those around, and then evince decision in not yielding to slight obstacles. When your system is once correctly established, let it be understood that it is not lightly to be set aside. When it must unavoidably yield, make use of it as an exercise of patience and gentleness.

With the first light of the morning say to your waking heart : " Behold another day, to be divided between the Giver, your own improvement, and the good of those with whom you are associated." Secure by early rising, those hours, when the frame is refreshed by repose, and the mind clear and vigorous with consciousness of renovated existence. Commence your day with devotion, the reading of the Scriptures, and meditation. As far as possible, let these sacred duties be in solitude and secrecy between yourself and your Maker. Raised by his hand from the helplessness of slumber, dependant on it for protection throughout the unknown changes of a day which may be your last on earth, let the young heart pour out its gratitude and hope, as living incense on the breath of the rising morn.

When the celebrated Boerhaave was inquired of, how he was able to acquire and to perform so much, he answered : " It is my morning hour of prayer and meditation that gives me spirit and vigour during the labours of the day." He enjoined this practice on his friends, as one of the best rules in his power to give, conducive both to health of body, tranquillity of mind, and right conduct under the various allotments of providence. Were it necessary to multiply arguments, the example of the pious in all ages might be adduced to sanction the practice of hallowing the morning by devotion. The changes of the day, though it open with the smile of hope, are unknown. It may lead to unexpected trial. It may test the firmness of your soul by sudden prosperity. It may open the fountain of tears. It may summon you to that pale assembly, who have no longer any share in the things done under the sun. It will certainly bring you nearer to their narrow house. Take therefore with you a blessing, the solicited guidance uf divine grace, the leadings of that pure spirit which can sustain the infirmities of our nature, and " what is dark, illumine ; what is low, raise and support."

The second division of the duties of the day regards yourself. Much is required of the young to fit themselves for respectability and usefulness in life. Much is required of our sex, in the present state of society, and by the spirit of an age rapidly advancing in improvement. Be true to every just expectation. Regard it as a privilege that much is expected of you. The care of your health, the advance of your mind in knowledge bystudy and contemplation, dexterity and diligence in the varied circle of dome stick employment, attention to such accomplishments as your station may require, the whole field of physical, mental and moral culture, which opens before her who is determined that her husbandry shall not be faithless, nor her harvest light, is too wide and diversified to admit of rules being given you by another, except the injunction that as far as is in your power, each portion should have its allotted period.

The third department of daily duty regards our fellow-beings. To be engrossed wholly by our own pursuits, creates selfishness. It is possible for the intellect to be cultivated at the expense of the heart. Therefore our obligations to those with w r hom we travel on " time's brief journey," should be clearly denned. This interchange aids in forming habits of disinterested kindness, and in preparing our nature for some of its most delightful affections. The duties which we owe to parents, benefactors, and teachers, claim a pre-eminent place in our regard. Though we may not hope to repay according to what we have received ; let us not be deficient in any testimony of gratitude which it is in our power to render.

There is one virtue which I wish to recommend to your attention, my young friends, in which the present age has been pronounced deficient. I mean, respect to the aged. To " honour the hoary head, and rise up before the face of the old man,"

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is a command of Jehovah. Those who have borne the burdens of life until strength has failed, in whose bosoms are treasures of experience to which we are strangers, whose virtues are confirmed beyond the fear of change or fluctuation, and who by the short space that divides their ripened piety from its reward, may be literally said to be " but a little lower than the angels," are surely worthy of the veneration of youth. Even when age is seen united with infirmity of purpose, or decay of those organs, through which the mind has been accustomed to act, it is entitled to tenderness from those who must themselves tread the same path of withered and wearied energies, unless they go down to an earlier grave. The aged are soothed by the marked respect of the young, and the tribute is graceful to those who render it.

Attention to brothers, sisters, and companions, culture of social feelings, punctuality in promises, kindness and courtesy to all, open an important and interesting sphere of action. Good offices to the poor, the uneducated, the afflicted, you will also as you have opportunity, comprehend within your social or relative department of duty.

Close the day by the same sacred services with which it commenced. Add also the exercise of self-examination. Compare the performances in each division of duty with the requisitions enforced in the morning. Inquire of the first allotted period, what hast thou done to render the soul more acceptable to pure eyes ? — of the second,

VALUE OP TIME. 25

what armour hast thou given the mind for life's warfare ? — of the third, how hast thou aided the heart to advance the happiness of others 1 Let each hour bring its report. Marshalled under their respective leaders, bid them pass the review of conscience. May it be found that none have slumbered at their post, none broken their ranks, none deserted to the enemy. Something will be gathered from the tablet of the most faultless day — for regret. Something also for encouragement. Something for praise, to the Giver of " every good and perfect gift."

One useful adjunct in this work of self-inspection is a Journal. It seems like the visible presence of a friend, whose frown makes folly ashamed, and whose smile gives confidence to virtue. It preserves what else might be forgotten, and plants way-marks and scatters mementoes, at every footstep of our pilgrimage. It gives an artificial length to life, by clothing the buried past in fresh and living imagery, and aiding us to retrace,

As in a map, the voyager his course, The windings of our way for many years.

Though in the seclusion of the domestick sphere, the course of passing events will usually be too monotonous to justify narration, yet the current of feeling and sentiment, the authors with whom we are conversant, and the reflections of a mind in search of knowledge and truth, will always furnish something worthy of memorial, so that " no

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day need be without its line." If the habit of writing a Journal is commenced, it should be daily observed, as its interest declines with any irregularity. Like a true friend, it cannot bear neglect unmoved* Those who have tested its utility for years, have pronounced it a valuable assistant in fixing the eye of the mind on the never-staying flight of time, and in keeping vivid in the heart, the lessons taught by the discipline of Heaven. They have also supposed that they found benefit by copying in its pages, questions like the following, with their correspondent replies, and adopting them as rules of conduct : —

1. Will you endeavour to establish a daily systematick division of time, with a view to improvement ?

2. Will you ask the concurrence of those whose wishes and convenience you are bound to consult ?

3. Will you not unnecessarily recede from your system, nor renounce it in despair because it is often interrupted ?

4. At what hour will you rise ?

5. How much time will you allow to the sacred duties of the morning ?

6. What part of the day will you devote to the careful perusal of books for the attainment of useful knowledge ?

7. What period will you allot to the needle, and the various departments of domestick industry ?

8. What part to healthful exercise, accomplishments and recreation ?

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9. What part to the comfort of relatives, friends and the family circle ?

10. What period to the relief of poverty, affliction and ignorance ?

1 1 . At what hour will you retire to repose ?

12. Will you close the day by religious exercises, and a careful retrospect of its several hours and duties ?

Perseverance in such a course will render the remembrance of your days delightful, and give to your life a diadem of beauty, and a crown of wisdom. Do not relinquish your attempts to realize the value of time, until you have learned to estimate its smaller portions. An hour faithfully improved may accomplish much. It was a rule of the excellent Bishop Taylor, that at the striking of every clock, we should enter with renewed vigour upon the appropriate duty of the new hour, and lift up the heart for God's assistance and blessing. The philosopher was wise who affixed to his studydoor the inscription, " Time is my estate. If I lose an hour how shall I repay the debt ?" In the science of economy, the sage Franklin enjoined the care of half pence. In a system of thorough improvement of time, the care of half hours, is equally essential. With respect to many of the other gifts of Heaven, our perception is quick, and our attachment ardent. We prize beauty because it charms the eye, though it fades like the summerrose ; wealth, because it purchases the things that we call good, though they perish in the using ;

reputation, because the consciousness of it is pleasant, though a breath may blast it ; let us not then forget to value above all these possessions — time, which may be so improved as to purchase the bliss of eternity.

" Great God !" says the eloquent Massillon, " for what purpose dost thou leave us here on earth, but to render ourselves worthy of thine eternal inheritance ! Every thing that we do for the world shall perish with it, whatsoever we do for thee shall be immortal. And what shall we say to thee, on the bed of death, when thou shalt enter into judgment with us, and demand an account of the time which thou didst grant to be employed in glorifying and serving thee ? Shall we say, we have had friends to boast of on earth, but have acquired none to ourselves in heaven ; we have made every exertion to please men, and none to please the Almighty? And shall it be written upon our lives — time lost for eternity?

Letter II. Religion

In the education of the young, one of our first inquiries should be, what pursuits are the most indispensable, and what attainments best adapted to their probable sphere of action. In estimating the sciences, we take into view, both their present utility, and their future gain. The most assiduous attention should be allotted to those, which Avill be most imperatively demanded. We persevere in teaching a child to speak, to read, and to write his native language — because through these mediums alone, is he to acquire and communicate ideas.

The relative value of attainments is affected by the different stages and conditions of human life. Those are held most valuable, which extend their influence over the greatest space of time. Some accomplishments are adapted to the season of youth, and with it pass away. These possess a fugitive value, when compared with the whole extent of life. They are like the tint upon the blossom, which fades that the fruit may ripen.

Some acquisitions depend on the perfection of the senses. Their standard of value, must be also fluctuating. Where is the exquisite skill of the en-

3* graver — or the delicate touch of the miniaturepainter — when the eye grows dim ? Where is the power of the master of sweet sounds, when the harp of the ear is broken ? — or of the constructer of delicate mechanism, when the hand is paralyzed ? — or of the orator, when the valve of the lungs plays no more at the bidding of eloquent thought ?