LETTERS TO FARMERS' DAUGHTERS.

Southland Times, Issue 1278, 12 July 1870, Page 3

LETTERS TO FARMERS' DAUGHTERS.

(From the American Cultivator.) n. — edttcatioh; Mt Deab GraLs;— Education, stric% speaking, covers all we owe our Maker, the ; world, and ourselrea. Nature, experience, reason, duty, and affection are our teachers, v Few are educated aright. That which is obtained in our organised schools, and from hired teachers, and

printed books, is as a rivulet to the ocean compared with the numberless outside sources, bringing their pressure to bear upon the intellect and character of these life-students. There are mauy who are longing for opportunities, "who are wasting precious months and years in neglect of the educational sources about them. Nature is a kindly teacher, and rich in resources for the unfortunate. "What lessons of strength, endurance, and beautiful patience may be learned at the bedside of a sick mother, or tending a fretful child, or in the heat and toiU ok the kitchen ! ..,,-._-. "What scope for tact and lady-like culture, to fill well and cheerfully such hours as these — stepping with ease from these to do the graceful honors of the tea-table. Ah I one may learn much and fast in such a school as this ! The majority of young women chatter like magpies, but cannot talk soundly or forcibly. When a woman will cease to trifle,, and deliver, herself from, the barbarous rule of Fashion — when she will become a solid thinker, and, with the key of knowledge, unlock the doors of praclical wisdom — -when "she wakes to the interests of human progress — then, and then only, will men cease to speak of her " inferior " powers. ■■ Nor is this all ; young women should have some one paramount-object in life." A lad says, " lam going to be a merchant,, or lawyer, or carpenter," and to this end* he makes all influences bend. Now, every woman should educate herself with, some distinct purpose of and independence. To be dependent is degrading — even upon husbands, parents, or brothers, except in case of accident or illness. What you are doing daily, whether it be study, housework, needlework, ornamental or plain, let it be done thoroughly and well. Understand all the secret and practical beariugs of your work; anil alongside of to-day's duties ever be strengthening your grasp upon tbe main object which you have placed before you, to acquire independence and a distinctive place. Women are naturally the best managers in the .world ; they are prominent for tact, ingenuity, and putting the best foot forward. Oh I my dear young readers, waste not your gifts on trifles. There is one department of educational culture of whichrl have said nothing, deeming it worthy of a separate letter. No young woman is educated until sb«> understands the laws of healthy and no amount of intellectual and moral training wili fit her for life's duties if her: knowledge is confined in a sickly shattered frame. This entire subject is so vast' and beautiful a theme that the pen and thought would gladly linger past the writer'slimits. Eemember, as mother, wife, and daughter, woman wields a aceptre of wond«*ous power and beauty. To wield this sceptre as is befitting, you must educate yourselves to greater vigor of body and mind. Be strong in will, thought, and action. Be: stout-hearted ; but always womanly. A high-toned writer says upon this subject — "If t;he world were mine, and I could educate but one sex, it should be the girls. Strengthen the Komanl-hearfc, and you strengthen the world. Give me a nation of noble women, and I will give you a noble nation."— Truly yours, T. S. H.