Letters to school girls

Front matter

f [SMITHSONIAN DEPOSIT.] f f UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.^

LETTERS

BY

Preface

These "Letters" were originally prepared in the form of "Lectures," and read to the pupils of the Oakland Female Seminary, in 184:8 and '49. Such things as were peculiar to that institution, have been omitted, and they are addressed to school girls generally, in the hope that they may do some good. The author has ever felt a deep interest in female education. He labored under many disadvantages in his boyhood, but he was always cheered on in the pursuit of knowledge by his riwtlier. He has found the acquisition of knowledge such a continual source of pleasure to him, that out of gratitude to that mother, he resolved to devote himself to the advancement of female education. Kext to the pulpit, he esteems it the most useful field in which he could labor. Feeble health has pre-

6 PREFACE.

vented liiiii from much pulpit labor for many years, and for nearly fourteen years he has had charge of a female school.

There is no danger of spoiling our daughters by too much education. Some educated ladies are eccentric, and negligent of household affairs, but they would be equally so witiiout education. God, who gave woman intellect, also gave her affections. The cultivation of her intellect, will not cause her to love her children or her household less, for a mother's heart will be true to the instinct of nature, unless corrupted by vice. A woman that is fond of fashionable amusements, often sadly neglects her family; but one fond of books, will be desirous of sharing her enjoyments with her children, and will love them more.

The best education that we can give her, will be none too much to qualify her for her responsible duties. Boys are apt to break away from a mother's influence; but if they feel that their mother is possessed of superior knowledge, they will

PREFACE.

submit to her authority perhaps to mature age. It will not be necessary for the mother to make any pedantic display of her learning, but its influence will be imperceptibly diffused in the ordinary, every-day intercourse of the family.

If, in addition to being well educated, she is also religious, what a blessed and powerful influence may she exert ! If aU the mothers in the land were such, what a different generation would the next be from the present or the past !

In the hope that this little volume may contribute something to a result so desirable, it is sent forth with the prayer that God's blessing may attend it.

Oakland Seminary, Dec. 24, 1852.

Female Education* • 239

LETTERS

TO

SCHOOL GIRLS.