LEARNED WOMEN.

North Otago Times, Volume 1, Issue 5, 24 March 1864, Page 3

LEARNED WOMEN.

It is strange, but true, that that degree of learning which places one section of the human family above the reach of irreverent sport, should be made the very instrument of jocular torture to disturb the learned leisure of the other. The otium cum dignitate is not allowed to erudite ladies. But why is this? Upon what does this singular fact rest? Does it ground on mere caprice, or is theie some solid aversion for learned women? Of course the ladies in question say, we want to monopolise literature — that we are full of jealousy— that it is nothing but sheer pride that shuts them up to their cookerybooks, knitting fancy work, fashionable visiting, or the last new novel ; but we readily forgive any little exaggeration on these points of which the fair ones may be guilty. For ourselves, we would say, let them by all means mount to Parnassus if they like. It would be the height of nar-row-mindedness to hinder them. But, whether our lady friends like it or not, it is an indubitable fact that the ludicrous prejudice against educated women is common to all civilized nations. All readers of history must recollect the story of the dispute ainong-t the Roman chieftains about the comparative excellence of their wives, and who, when they discovered what kind of employment they severally inclined to, the honors were unanimously awarded to that matron who was found busy at the spinning-wheel Does not the legend toll the same old story which the ladks say ib untrue and a shame ? There is a story told of a strong-minded i lady, who was fond of making walking | tours among the Alps, and who left at i every halting-place a number of cuiious and interesting traditions of her condition. In these traditions she is represented as a lady of a certain age, with strong nailed boots, an alpenstock, a huge flapping hat, a knapsack, and in that knapsack a Hebrew Bible and sundry othei intellectual piuzles, making her Alpine tour iilone. unblessed by any companion, and without e v en a guide. It' the male reader can survive this effort | of imagination, we can fancy him gi\ing Aent to his feelings by a groan, and quoting to himself that line in Tennyson's Maud, with some mental uvservations as to one word : — * "Ah' maid' you milk-white fiwn, you are all] unmeot for a ■\\iie " j But there is another, and totally different aspect, in which this whole question may be viewed, somewhat more f.ivoi ably to feminine scholais. We have seen in English papers from time to t.me hints l about a scheme for an arrangement for J granting certain University degrees to ladies. The scheme at fiist seems lidiculous, but on examination its apparent absurdity vanishes. Its piimary object is to assist that numerous and important class ' of ladies who teach in scliooK and la i ilies. For them, no doubt, the plan Avould be a j great boon. It would enable a lady who had to gain her bread bv her brain, to take the exact measuie of her own ability. It would improve the standaidof education j in schools It would sti ike a fatal blow at the excess of accomplishment and mere eilufalional tinsel which spoils so many gills in their school days. It would make governesses and teachers independent to some extent oi tie capiice of their nu's- j tress. It would also insure for those who attained these degrees better remuneration for their sen ices than they can now command. These are advantages of no small importaii'e, and therei'oie much to be desired. But the question has a powerful bearing on ordinary domestic life as Avell. It may be that, at the mention of this, the masculine reader is up in anus against us, filled with hoiror at the thought of taking to his home some lady fresh from college. Let him not be alarmed ! We should be vcrj sorry to see the learned initial " M A.," after e\ery young miss's name, when it appears among the list of maniagesin the daily paper; or to find frills and crinolines supplanted by robes and hoods. There is a medium in all things. It is not sound learning that is hostile to domestic life KnoAvledge docs not unfit a lady for the discharge of home duties A lady who knows Latin or English literature well, has a better chance of making a uood Avife than one who has a little French, Italian, Spanish, and German — who can strum the " Battle of Prague" on the piano — who can sciatch with a pencil Avhat are called drawings, and get through endless fancy j Avork. Many a man fond of literatuie is ; doomed to pass his manied life in an utter intellectual solitude. It is an easy thing to find a wife for his home and his heart, but not for his head. Women aie by no means better companions because they are thoughtless and ignorant, Dome&tic hap-

piness is not destroyed by a hetiTP?y"sympathy with genuine knowledge.' The library is no foe to the nursery. There is indeed more union between them than in that forced community of the drawing, iooin and the kitchen. We are convinced that encouragement of a zeal for thorough mental training amongst ladies, will have a most beneficial effect ; and if the mothers of this new country take the lead in this matter, they will deserve the thanks of pvery section of society. How elevating would be the tone given to society by bloomincr maidens of eighteen carrying off the highest prizes for intellectual attainments, and the most cowted honors won in open and fair contest with the sterner sex by "Sweet girl-graduates in their goHon hair."