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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d916bcf --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #56090 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/56090) diff --git a/old/56090-0.txt b/old/56090-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index d0f2a06..0000000 --- a/old/56090-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5334 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Woman's Profession as Mother and Educator, -with Views in Opposition to Woman Suffrage, by Catharine E. Beecher - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Woman's Profession as Mother and Educator, with Views in Opposition to Woman Suffrage - -Author: Catharine E. Beecher - -Release Date: November 30, 2017 [EBook #56090] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WOMAN'S PROFESSION AS MOTHER *** - - - - -Produced by Larry B. Harrison, Lisa Reigel, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - -Transcriber's Notes: Words in italics in the original are surrounded -by _underscores_. A row of asterisks represents a thought break. A -complete list of corrections as well as other notes follows the text. -The following Table of Contents has been added for the convenience of -the reader. - - DEDICATION - INTRODUCTION - AN ADDRESS ON FEMALE SUFFRAGE - AN ADDRESS TO LADIES OF HARTFORD, CONN. - AN ADDRESS TO THE CHRISTIAN WOMEN OF AMERICA - NOTE A - NOTE B - NOTE C - NOTE D - - - - - WOMAN'S PROFESSION - - AS - - MOTHER AND EDUCATOR, - - WITH VIEWS IN OPPOSITION TO - - WOMAN SUFFRAGE. - - - BY - - CATHARINE E. BEECHER. - - - PHILADELPHIA AND BOSTON: - GEO. MACLEAN. - NEW YORK: MACLEAN, GIBSON & CO. - 1872. - - - - -DEDICATION. - -TO THE MINISTERS OF RELIGION IN THE UNITED STATES. - - -FATHERS AND BRETHREN: - -As the daughter and sister of nine ministers of Jesus Christ you will -allow me to address you by those endeared names; and also because there -is an emergency that demands unusual measures. - -This _woman movement_ is one which is uniting by co-operating -influences, all the antagonisms that are warring on the family state. -Spiritualism, free-love, free divorce, the vicious indulgences -consequent on unregulated civilization, the worldliness which tempts -men and women to avoid _large_ families, often by sinful methods, -thus making the ignorant masses the chief supply of the future ruling -majorities; and most powerful of all, the feeble constitution and poor -health of women, causing them to dread maternity as—what it is fast -becoming—an accumulation of mental and bodily tortures. - -Add to this, that extreme fastidiousness which not only excludes -needful instruction from the pulpit, but makes mothers shrink from -learning and teaching those dangers which their daughters most need to -know, and prevents medical men and even women physicians from uttering -needful warnings. - -I once said to a lady physician with an enormous practice, in reply to -some of her statements, "why do you not call the mothers of this city -together and tell them all this?" She replied "it is impossible—they -would not hear me—I should have to nail the doors and windows to keep -them—and if they did hear, they would not believe." - -It is the _women teachers of our common schools_ who must be instructed -to become lecturers on health in all our school districts and teach -mothers how to instruct children in all the laws of health and the -dreadful penalties which in certain directions are but little known and -now threaten the ruin of the rising generation. There is no duty more -difficult than this; for it is one which if done properly saves from -danger, and if improperly leads to it. - -If the clergy of this nation will give their powerful influence to -promote the aims of this work in modes they will more wisely devise -than I can suggest, success will be ensured; and to them I appeal (as I -used to do to a beloved father and as I often do to dear brothers,) to -help me where my own strength and courage fail. - -With christian love and respect, - - Yours truly, - - CATHARINE E. BEECHER. - - - - -INTRODUCTION. - - -The object of the following pages is to present the subject of woman's -profession as mother and chief educator of our race in connection with -the present demand that she shall also assume the responsibilities of -civil government. - -However great or small may be the probabilities as to the imposition -of woman suffrage, it is certain that there is just cause for alarm -at organizations all over the land sending out women of talents and -benevolence to lecture, and scattering tracts and newspapers by -hundreds of thousands, advocating principles and measures destructive -both to the purity and the perpetuity of the family state. - -This little volume consists of _unpublished_ addresses—all but the -first—to meetings of ladies only, and its design is to meet the false -principles and false reasonings on the subject of "woman's rights" now -working extensive evils that are little realized. - -It is offered with the deep conviction that an important crisis in -our national history is impending, and that it is the intelligent and -conscientious women of our country who eventually will decide whether -the result shall be beneficial or most disastrous. - - - - - AN ADDRESS - - ON - - FEMALE SUFFRAGE, - - DELIVERED IN THE MUSIC HALL OF BOSTON, IN - - DECEMBER, 1870. - - -I appear this evening to present the views of that large portion of my -sex who are opposed to such a change of our laws and customs as would -place the responsibility of civil government on woman. - -This may be done without impugning the motives, or the character, or -the measures of that respectable party who hold the contrary position. -As in the physical universe the nicely-balanced _centripetal_ and -_centrifugal_ forces hold in steady curve every brilliant orbit, -so, in the moral world, the radical element, which would forsake -the beaten path of ages, is held in safe and steady course by the -conservative; while that, also, is preserved from dangerous torpor by -the antagonistic power. - -And so, while claiming to represent the conservative element, I meet -with respect and kindness my centrifugal friend. - -First, let me state the points in which we agree, that we may more -clearly appreciate those in which we differ. - -We agree, then, on the general principle, that woman's happiness and -usefulness are equal in value to those of man's, and, consequently, -that she has a right to equal advantages for securing them. - -We agree, also, that woman, even in our own age and country, has never -been allowed such equal advantages, and that multiplied wrongs and -suffering have resulted from this injustice. - -Finally, we agree that it is the right and the duty of every woman to -employ the power of organization and agitation, in order to gain those -advantages which are given to the one sex, and unjustly withheld from -the other. - -My object, in this address, is not to discuss the question of woman's -natural and abstract right to the ballot, nor to point out the evils -that might follow the exercise of this power, nor to controvert the -opinions of those advocating woman's suffrage in any particular point. - -Instead of this, I propose, first, to present reasons for assuming -that it must be a very long time before woman suffrage can be gained; -so that the evils it is hoped to cure by the ballot would continue and -increase for a long period; and, secondly, to present another method -for gaining the advantages unjustly withheld; and thus to remedy wrongs -which both parties are seeking to redress. - -The first reason for believing that the gift of the ballot must be long -delayed is, that it is contrary to the customs of Christian people, by -which the cares of civil life, and the outdoor and heavy labor which -take a man from home, are given to the stronger sex, and the lighter -labor and care of the family state, to woman. - -The more society has advanced in civilization and in Christian -culture, the more perfectly have these _distinctive_ divisions of -responsibility for the two sexes been maintained; and in no age or -country more strictly than in our own. - -Those of us who oppose woman suffrage concede that there are -occasions in which general laws and customs should yield to temporary -emergencies; as when, in the stress of family sickness, the husband -becomes nurse and cook; or, in the extremities of war, the women plow, -sow, and reap; and it were well if every boy and girl were so trained -that they could wisely meet such emergencies. - -But while this is conceded, the main question is still open, namely, -Is there any such emergency in our national history as demands so -great a change in our laws and customs as would be involved in placing -the responsibilities of civil government on our whole sex? For, with -the gift of the ballot, comes the connected responsibility of framing -wise laws to regulate finance, war, agriculture, commerce, mining, -manufactures, and all the many fields of man's outdoor labor. And -the charge of these outdoor responsibilities would be assigned by the -ballot; and not alone to that class of women who are demanding woman -suffrage, but _to our whole sex_. - -For, whenever the time comes that a single vote of one woman may decide -the most delicate, the most profound, and the most perilous measures of -the state and nation, it will be the duty of every woman, not only to -go to the polls, but to vote intelligently and conscientiously. - -It is in view of such considerations that, at the present time, a large -majority of American women would regard the gift of the ballot, not -as a privilege conferred, but as an act of oppression, forcing them -to assume responsibilities belonging to man, for which they are not -and can not be qualified; and, consequently, withdrawing attention and -interest from the distinctive and more important duties of their sex. -For the question is not whether a class of women, who have no family -responsibilities, shall take charge of civil government; but it is -whether this duty shall be imposed on the whole of our sex. With the -chivalrous tenderness toward woman so prevalent in our nation, this -would never be done till at least a majority of women ask for it; and -the time must be afar off ere such a majority will be found. - -I wish to verify this statement by an extract from one of the many -letters of sympathy and approbation received since it became known that -I am publicly to present my views on Woman Suffrage: - - "MY DEAR MADAM: Though personally a stranger, I feel - strongly impelled to write and thank you for coming before the - public in opposition to the advocates of woman suffrage. - - "I have no doubt that an exceedingly large majority of the - educated and thoughtful women of the country feel a strong - personal repugnance to becoming voters, as well as a conviction - that this proposed innovation, far from working a beneficial - change in the condition of the country, would actually lower - the present standard of political morality. But they form a - class but little accustomed to make their voices heard outside - of their own social circle, and therefore in danger of being - overlooked by those reformers who, with a thankworthy zeal for - 'woman's rights,' are, as I think, striving to perpetrate a - great _woman's wrong_. - - "It is sometimes said that all women ought at least to have a - chance to vote, if they wish it; but none are obliged to do so - unless they like. And when compliant men have said this, they - consider themselves magnanimous and chivalrous, and think the - whole question happily settled. - - "It might be so if we had _no conscience_. But wider privileges - mean wider duties. From the bottom of my soul I hate the idea - of meeting women at the polls; and yet, if woman suffrage - ever becomes a fact, I can not stay away. For my fraction of - power inevitably makes me thus much responsible for the civil - government of my country. If I _may_ vote, I _must_ vote. I - have no right, by withholding my vote, to throw its weight - into the wrong scale. And yet, held back as I am, and must - be, from the life of the street, the caucus, and the primary - political meetings, and not more by my incapacity for man's - work than by his incapacity for mine—living chiefly at home, - because my work is home work—what can I know of the fitness of - candidates for local offices, or of the machinery of political - parties?" - -This perspicuous statement expresses the present views of probably -nine tenths of the most intelligent and conscientious women of our -country. Were it the question whether the responsibilities of civil -government should be assumed by this class of women alone, the risks of -an affirmative decision would be small. But let us consider the other -classes that would be included in universal woman suffrage. - -Next to the more intelligent class represented by this letter-writer, -would come a large body of those whose generous _impulses_ take the -lead, rather than the cool deductions of reason and experience. - -It is this class of enthusiasts that would most confidently attempt to -conduct the affairs of the state. - -Next to these would come the great body of busy and easy women, who, -from pliant kindness and confidence, would vote as fathers, brothers, -and husbands advised. - -Next to these most respectable classes would come the superficial, the -unreflecting, and the frolicsome, to serve only as tools for political -wire-pullers. - -Then would come the lovers of notoriety, the ambitious—the lovers of -power—the caterers for public offices, and the seekers for money. -Of these, the most unprincipled would employ the distinctive power -of their sex in caucuses, in jury-boxes, and in legislative and -congressional committees; thus adding another to the many deteriorating -influences of political life. - -Next would come that vast mass of ignorant women whose consciences and -votes would be controlled by a foreign and domestic priesthood. - -Lastly would come the most degraded and despised, who would like -nothing better than to insult and oppose those who look down upon them -with disgust and contempt. - -Lead all these classes to the polls, and the result would be a vast -increase of the incompetent and dangerous voters. It would, to a -still greater extent, place the wealth and intelligence of the nation -under those without intelligence, who, for their own advantage, would -lavish wealth on useless schemes, and vote away the property of the -industrious to support the indolent and vicious. In many of our large -cities we are witnessing the beginning of this impending danger. - -Still another reason for such a conclusion is the fact that, though -the Woman's Suffrage party at present is increasing in numbers, the -discussion it has produced is gradually changing the views of many -sensible persons who at first were its advocates. That has been the -case with myself. For, on the first consideration of the matter, it -seemed right and proper that women should have a voice in deciding -who should be their rulers and make their laws; and that the simple -dropping a vote into the ballot-box could be done without risk to -womanly delicacy, and without danger of any kind. This was before -discussion had revealed the more comprehensive bearings of the -question, which finally removed me, as it has many others, to the -opposite side of the question. - -If, then, agitation increases the party seeking the ballot, and -yet discussion is constantly withdrawing large numbers of the more -intelligent and reflective, the time must be far distant when woman -suffrage will be secured. - -Another reason for believing that woman suffrage is afar off is the -character of the men who appear to favor this change of our political -status, and also their modes of meeting the question. The estimate of -women by the other sex depends very greatly on the character of the -mothers, wives, and sisters with whom they have associated, or on the -character of the female society they most frequent. Those who associate -with superficial, weak, or unprincipled women, form a low opinion -of the whole sex which is false and unjust. On the contrary, those -associated with the highest class of women place a halo of purity, -strength, and honor on the brow of the whole sex, which is equally -exaggerated. It is this last class of men who are foremost advocates of -woman suffrage, and their estimate of woman's ability to manage civil -government is to be taken with considerable though honorable deductions. - -Another class of amiable, unreflecting men, having had a chivalrous -training, are ready to give the "dear creatures" any thing they will -please to ask. - -Still another class of kind-hearted men say, "Yes, oh! yes, let them -have the ballot and all the duties it involves, and they soon will wish -to relinquish such responsibilities." - -Then there are the political wire-pullers, who perceive that by -catering to this, which they secretly deem a folly, they can make it -subserve their selfish plans. - -Lastly, there is a large number of intelligent and patriotic men -who have not, as yet, so investigated the probable results of so -fundamental a change in civil matters as to feel prepared to make any -practical decision on the question, and so they give no decided answers. - -These several classes of amiable and intelligent men are those who -finally will decide the question, and they are the last who would force -the responsibilities of the civil state on an unwilling minority of our -sex; much less would they force it on a majority who would regard it as -an unjust and unchivalrous exercise of power. For this reason it seems -almost certain that the ballot will not be given to American women till -it is clear that a majority are willing to take such responsibilities; -and the time when this assurance can be gained must be at a very remote -period. - -Another reason for this conclusion is the powerful influences at the -command of those of my sex who are opposed to this measure. Multitudes -of women are now quiet and silent because they have little fear of -danger in this direction. But should a time come when the woman -suffrage party seem near achieving their aim, there would be measures -instituted the power of which, as yet, is little known or appreciated. -For _they too_ would organize all over the nation and summon to their -aid both the pulpit and the press. All the Catholic clergy, to a man, -would lend their influence against a measure so contrary to the tenets -and spirit of a church that enforces subordination and obedience as -prime virtues. Not less decided would be the influence of all the -Jewish rabbis. - -The Protestant clergy, who have ever been like their Master, the -sympathizing friends of woman, would be the last to enforce new and -heavy responsibilities on our sex, contrary to the wishes even of a -small, intelligent, and conscientious minority. - -Not less decided are the great majority of the conductors of the -press; and if an emergency calls for it, by the coöperation of such -powerful auxiliaries, we could bring such an array of petitions and -remonstrances in bulk and respectable names as never before entered -congressional halls. - -The attempt to force woman suffrage on us by making it a political -question would also be met by a counter-influence that would convince -every demagogue that any man or party which forces us to the polls -will be ostracized by the votes of every woman who is thus dragged from -her appropriate sphere to bear the burdens of the state. - -Another and the final reason for believing female suffrage at a distant -future is the proposed circuitous and indirect mode of remedying evils -which could be relieved by a much more direct and speedy method. As -things now are, men have the physical power that can force obedience; -in most cases they have the power of the purse, and in all cases, they -have the civil power. They can not be forced by the weaker sex to -resign this power. It must be sought, then, as the gift of justice and -benevolence. If, then, there are laws and customs that we deem unjust -and oppressive, the short and common sense mode would be to petition -the law-makers to change these laws according to the rules of justice -and mercy. Instead of this the plea is, "We can not trust you to make -laws; give us the ballot, and we will take better care of ourselves -than you have done or will do." Now, any class of men who, after such -an implication of their intelligence and justice, would give the -ballot to woman, would most surely be those most ready to redress any -wrongs for which the ballot is sought. Why should we not rather take -the shorter and surer mode and _ask for the thing needed_, instead of -the circuitous and uncertain mode involved in the ballot? Any man who -would grant the ballot would grant all for which the ballot is sought. - -As one proof of this, we have the changes which have been made in -the laws of New-York State, as reported in a New-York paper. The -agitation for women's rights commenced in that State, and now its laws -give not only as many but more advantages to women than to men. For -in that State, the wife has unlimited control of her own property, -independently of her husband, while by law he must support her and her -children. What is _his_ is _hers_, but what is hers is _not_ his. She -may be rich and the husband poor, and yet he must pay all her debts. -Her creditors can seize his property to pay her debts, but must leave -hers untouched. He is obliged by law to support her; but however rich -she may be, she is not obliged to support him. She may turn her husband -out of the house she owns, but the law will not sustain the husband in -such an act. The husband can not compel his wife to follow him if he -changes residence. She may absent herself night and day, and, unless -criminality is proved, the law gives no redress. At the same time, -_divorce_ is more easily obtained by a woman than a man. - -With such an example before us, will it not be wisest to ask for such -laws as we need before we seek the more uncertain ballot? - -At the commencement of this discussion, it was stated that the parties -at issue agree in these general principles, namely, that woman's -usefulness and happiness are equal in value to man's, and consequently -that she has a right to equal advantages for gaining them; that she is -unjustly deprived of such equal advantages, and that organization and -agitation to gain them is her privilege and duty. - -The points of difference are as to the nature of the advantages -of which she is deprived, the consequent evils, and the mode of -remedy. One party regard woman's exclusion from the professions, the -universities, and the civil offices of men as the leading injustice -from which most of the evils complained of are the result, and that the -gift of the ballot will prove the panacea for all these wrongs. The -other party believe the chief cause of evils which both are striving to -remedy is the want of a just appreciation of woman's profession, and -the want of such a liberal and practical training for its duties as men -secure for their most honored professions. - -Here we again may refer to a patent maxim of common sense, which is -this: that the more difficult and important are any duties, the more -scientific care and training should be bestowed on those who are to -perform them. It has been in obedience to this maxim that, in Christian -countries, the highest advantages have been given to those men who have -charge of the spiritual and eternal interests of our race. Most of the -universities of Europe and of this country were founded to educate the -clergy. Next came the training of those who administer laws, and then -of those who cure the sick. These are named the _liberal professions_, -because society has most liberally provided for the scientific training -of those who perform these duties. - -That women need as much and even more scientific and practical training -for their appropriate business than men, arises from the fact that -they must perform duties quite as difficult and important, and a much -greater variety of them. A man usually selects one branch of business -for a son, and, after his school education, secures an apprenticeship -of years to perfect his practical skill; and thus a success is attained -which would be impossible were he to practice various trades and -professions. - -Now let us notice the various and difficult duties that are demanded of -woman in her ordinary relations as wife, mother, housekeeper, and the -mistress of servants. - -First, she has charge of the economies of the family state; for, as the -general rule, men are to earn the support and women administer these -earnings. In this must be included the style in which a house shall -be prepared and furnished, so as best to secure pure air, sunlight, -and the best arrangement and conveniences for labor. If women were -scientifically trained in this particular, their influence would have -saved much labor and much expense. But let the graduates of our female -colleges be questioned as to the position and swing of doors to avoid -draughts; or of windows, to secure sunlight where most needed; or of -chimneys, to secure ventilation and economize fuel; or on the most -successful modes of ventilation; or on the most economical arrangement -of closets, store-room, and pantry, to save time and steps; and it will -be found, ordinarily, that nothing at all has been done to prepare them -to answer intelligently such important practical questions. - -There is no department of domestic economy where there is more enormous -waste than in the selection and management of fuel. Much science is -involved in learning what fuel is made of; what kinds best furnish -warmth without waste; what methods waste heat; what methods preserve -it; what spreads it equally; what creates draughts and thus colds and -headaches, and many other connected subjects. Having devoted more than -usual attention to this topic, and especially to the proper selection -and management of furnaces and cook-stoves, it is my firm belief that -if I could impart to the housekeepers of our country the knowledge I -have gained, (and that without any help from scientific schools,) it -would enable them to save millions of money and an enormous amount of -ill health and discomfort. - -Again, a housekeeper has charge of the selection and preparation of the -food on which family health and enjoyment so much depend. To prepare -her for this duty she should be taught what kinds of food are most -healthful and nutritious; what kinds are best for the young and what -for the aged; how each should be cooked to secure most nutriment and -least waste; the relative value of buying wholesale or retail; the -best modes of storing food and of preserving it from vermin or decay; -what dishes are at once economical, comely, and inviting and how a -husband's earnings can secure the most comfort and enjoyment with the -most economical outlay. A woman needs training and instruction in this -department of her duties as much as her sons need similar instruction -and training in agriculture or watch-making, when that is to be their -profession. - -Again, the mistress of a family controls the selection and making of -the clothing and furniture, and will be called to decide what is most -suitable and economical; what stuffs wear longest; what hold colors -best; what parts wear out soonest, and how they can be made to last the -longest; how much is needed for each garment; and what is the proper -way to cut and fit each article; what is the proper way of mending; -what is the most economical and easiest mode of washing and ironing; -and so on through a long list of duties that demand judgment, science, -and care. - -Again, the health of a family is especially a responsibility that -rests upon woman. There is no such wise and needed physician as a -well-instructed mother and housekeeper; not to cure—for that is the -physician's part, but to prevent—disease, or stop it at the starting. -Our gravest illnesses come from neglected colds, indigestion, and -headaches. - -Who first finds out when one is ill, and is best prepared to search for -the cause? Why should not every housekeeper know the first symptoms of -common illnesses, the cause and the cure? Not chiefly in the hospital -or by the bedside is a well-instructed nurse needed, but by the family -fireside, where she can observe the first symptoms, give early warning, -and apply the simple cure. There is no technical training so valuable -to a woman as that which enables her to keep the doctor out of the -house, and to send for him when he is needed. - -Again, to woman must be committed the charge of new-born infants—and of -the mothers at the most perilous and most anxious period of life, and -one demanding so much discretion, tenderness, and self-denying labor. -Thousands of young, uninstructed mothers are sent out of life or made -suffering invalids from their own ignorance of all they most need to -know, or from the neglect or ignorance of untrained nurses. - -The departments of practical life, to which the majority of women -are ordained, ought to receive the honors and aid of lectures, -professorships, endowments, and scientific treatment; the same as -is bestowed to fit men for practical life. The care of a house, the -conduct of a home, the management of children, the instruction and -government of servants, are as deserving of scientific treatment and -scientific professors and lectureships as are the care of farms, the -management of manure and crops, and the raising and care of stock. -Shall man secure for himself endowments, and professors, and lectures -on stock-raising, the diseases of domestic animals, and the laws -by which they are preserved in health, and woman be denied equal -advantages for learning the laws by which health, beauty, and mental -soundness may be secured to the more precious children under her care? - -It is granted by all parties that it is women who are to nurse and -train the children the first years of life, and they must do it either -ignorantly and blunderingly, or intelligently guided by scientific -knowledge. For this reason every college and high-school for women -should have a well-instructed woman professor, whose duty it shall be -to instruct young women (in the last years of their education) in all -they need to know as wife, mother, nurse, and guardian of infancy and -childhood. - -For young men we find endowed scientific schools to teach them -agricultural chemistry, that they may learn wisely to conduct -a farm; why should not women be taught domestic chemistry and -domestic philosophy? The more civilization advances, the more do -complicated contrivances multiply for the charge of which women are -mainly responsible. The laws that regulate heat, as applied in the -construction of furnaces, stoves, ranges, and grates; the principles of -hydraulics, as applied in constructing cisterns, boilers, water-pipes, -faucets, and other multiplied modern conveniences, demand scientific -and intelligent supervision impossible to a woman untrained in this -department of her domestic duties. - -Again, young men are provided with lectures on political economy, while -domestic economy, as yet, has not been so honored. Most women come -to the duty of providing for a family utterly ignorant of the science -of comparative values, and of the greater or less economies of the -articles they are to provide and preserve. - -But the most important of all the departments of a woman's profession -is one for which no college or high-school for women has made any -proper provision. - -Woman, as mother and as teacher, is to form and guide the immortal -mind. She, more than any one else, is to decide the character of her -helpless children, both for this and the future eternal life. And for -this, liberal provision should be made; so that no woman shall finish -her education till all that science and training can do shall be -bestowed to fit her for this supernal duty. The preparation of young -ministers for the duties of the church does not surpass in importance -the training of the minister of the nursery and school-room. The -clergyman meets his parishioners two or three times a week to train -them for an immortal existence. But the mother and school-teacher have -their ministry in charge every hour of the day, and with a power of -influence such as no clergyman can command. - -In this review of the varied and complicated duties of a woman's -profession, we find that she needs not only the general discipline -and training for the development of mental faculties, but a special -training for a far greater diversity of duties than are ever to be -undertaken by men. We claim that woman's profession demands such very -diverse training from the professions of the other sex that access -to universities for men does not meet her most sacred necessities. A -university education for woman should be as diverse from that of man's -as are her duties and responsibilities. - -We will now notice what has been done to prepare young men for their -several professions, that we may sustain our position, that such -advantages are unjustly withheld from their sisters, and that this has -engendered multiplied evils to our sex, and thus to the commonwealth. - -The mode of providing for the professions of men has been, not to -trust chiefly to tuition fees for the support of instructors, but to -secure the highest class of teachers by endowments insuring a salary -independent of popular whims and changes. By means of such endowment, -such _a division of labor and responsibility_ is secured that each -teacher is responsible for only one or two branches of instruction, and -to only _one_ class, and for only one or two hours each day. - -The president of a college teaches only one class, and has no care or -responsibility as to the proper performance of the several professors. -Each professor has charge of only one class in one or two branches, and -is responsible for only those branches; while neither president nor -any other officer has any control or responsibility except in his own -department. For the president is only _primus inter pares_ (first among -equals) as presiding officer of a faculty, in which every question -is decided by majority vote. He has not (as do principals of most -female colleges) the selection and direction of all the teachers, the -supervision of finance and expenditure, the authority to inspect and -control in every department, and the regulation of all salaries and -expenditures for apparatus and libraries. - -By this college method, every professor is made the honorable and -independent controller of his own department, responsible to no one -but the corporation or trustees. By this method, each teacher having -in charge only one or two classes, and a single department, is able -to devote much time to self-improvement and the advancement of his -specialty. - -Endowments also render the college permanent in its course of -instruction and in retaining a permanent faculty, which can never be -the case in schools that must change with every changing principal. - -Endowments also open avenues of honor and support to large numbers -of young men who eventually become professors, or who are stimulated -to exertion by the hope of winning such permanent and honorable -positions. No such opening for independence is provided for women. - -Endowments have secured to young men not only a thorough training in -branches of literature and science which enlarge the mental powers, -but also have served to honor and elevate several of the trades -and professions to which they are devoted, so that they are now on -an honorable equality with the so-called liberal professions. The -scientific schools, the art schools, and the schools of technology -are fast elevating many heretofore degraded professions to equal -honor with law, medicine, and divinity. The more these various arts -and professions are made honorable by endowments to support learned -professors, the larger the number of honorable and remunerative -professions are provided for young men; and, as yet, woman (with one -or two exceptions) has had no such opportunities provided. To support -such institutions for young men, every State in the Union has been -taxed, and large grants of land made by the general government, while -individual benefactions have been still more abundant. Our oldest -colleges all count their endowments as valued from half a million to -four and five millions each. There are now more than two hundred well -endowed colleges and scientific schools for young men, supporting many -hundred professors. The State of New-York has twelve endowed colleges, -having doubled the number in twenty years. Connecticut has three -endowed colleges, and four endowed professional schools. Massachusetts -has four colleges and six professional schools for young men, and other -States in similar proportions. - -As a contrast to this liberal provision for young men, I may be allowed -to narrate some of my own experience. When I commenced my profession -as teacher, the most popular boarding-schools taught little except the -primary branches, though occasionally was executed by the pupils a -"mourning piece," that is, an embroidered tombstone under an apparition -by courtesy called a weeping willow, with a row of darkly-clad weeping -friends approaching it. I was among the first to introduce what are -called the higher branches. My school soon numbered over one hundred; -and yet I had only one room and one assistant, while I had both to -teach the higher branches and to study them myself; not having been -taught them in my school days. I also had to prepare my teachers, who -like myself had never been trained for these departments. And as my -school rose in popularity, other schools followed the example, so that -as fast as I trained reliable teachers, they were drawn off by the -offers of higher salaries. - -Meantime all the responsibilities, which in colleges are divided among -the president, the professors, the tutors, and the treasurer, rested -on me. Ten years of such complicated labor, study, and responsibility -destroyed health, as it has done for multitudes of other women, who -have thus toiled unaided by any of the advantages given to college -teachers. - -Ever since that time, I have devoted my income, strength, and time to -efforts for securing professional advantages of education for my sex -equal to those bestowed on men. It is over forty years that these -efforts have been continued. And now, after remarkable and unexpected -restoration to health, the institution I founded so many years ago is -again committed to my charge. - -In all this period, not a single institution has been founded which -includes in its curriculum the course of practical training that -prepares a woman for the complicated responsibilities I have enumerated -as included in her profession. The Mount Holyoke plan does not even aim -at any thing of this kind, but is only a method of economy to lessen -expenditure. Vassar College has no endowment to support teachers, -and so its tuition fees far exceed those of colleges for men. Nor -is the industrial training of woman for her distinctive profession -any part of its aim, while the largest portion of the income of that -institution goes for the support of men instead of women teachers, -five out of seven professors being men. And the excuse for this is, -that well-trained female teachers can not be found, and so more highly -educated men must be taken. But if woman had received the advantages -given to men, most of these honorable and remunerative positions would -have been hers. - -The fact that men have been so much more highly educated in literature -and science than women, causes the unjust discrimination in giving men -the most honorable and remunerative positions even in female schools, -where women equal or surpass them as successful teachers; so also in -the comparatively unjust wages given to them in public schools. - -The history of some of the most prominent female institutions shows -that women are equal if not superior to men, in ability to educate -their own sex, even when so little has been done for them and so -much for men. For example, about the time I commenced my school, -Mrs. Willard petitioned the Legislature of New-York to bestow some -endowments on her flourishing institution, but without success; and yet -without any such aid that institution has carried out a high course of -literary education for woman, has had uninterrupted success, and still -offers equal advantages with most female colleges where college-trained -men are the chief recipients of the income, and are chief managers. - -The Ingham University, of Central New-York, was founded by two women, -and when it numbered over two hundred, sought endowments in vain. A -man was then placed at its head, hoping thus to gain endowments; but -under his administration the institution ran down, and was restored to -prosperity only by restoration to woman's care. - -The institution I founded at Hartford has always run down with -college-educated men as principals, and flourished most under the -charge of women. - -The Milwaukee Female College, established by my influence, rose to -prosperity under women, failed under a man, and was restored to -prosperity by a woman. - -The Mount Holyoke Female Seminary was founded by a woman, and has been -sustained forty years by women alone. In all these cases, the men had a -college education, and the women gained an education chiefly by unaided -personal efforts. I think similar illustrations can be found all over -the nation. - -It is the unvarying testimony of the supervisors of public schools -that women teachers are equal to men in ability and success, and yet -to men, as the general rule, are given the best places and the largest -salaries. While so many avenues to wealth and honor are open to men -and so few to women, all will allow, that this is neither just nor -generous, and if women can do so well at such disadvantage, what would -they do if equal in privileges? - -To illustrate still further the unjust discrimination in educational -advantages, I will state that in Hartford, close beside my institution, -is a college founded at nearly the same time, the numbers being about -the same as in my school. The president teaches only one or two hours -a day, and has no responsibility for any department except his own. -The college treasurer has all the care of the finances, and, having -endowments for this purpose, pays salaries to the president and five or -six other teachers which would provide a house and support for a family -to each. There are only four classes, and each teacher is required to -instruct only one or two hours a day, having the remaining time for -self-improvement and for literary labor to add to his income. - -In the same city is a theological seminary with only twenty-five -young men.[39:A] For them are provided spacious accommodations, with -furniture frequently provided by generous women. Women also are among -the most liberal founders of those endowments, valued at nearly or -quite half a million, by which four professors and their families are -supported and the board and expenses of a good portion of the pupils -are paid. In Middletown is another endowed theological seminary, where -ten instructors are provided for only thirty-six students. At New-Haven -is another endowed theological seminary, where six instructors are -employed to teach fifty-two young men, and so endowed that four -professors and their families are supported by funds. And in all these -cases, each professor teaches only one or two hours a day in only one -or two branches. And in more than half the States of our Union, are -similar institutions to train young men for church ministries, a large -portion of them largely endowed by women; while not even one has yet -been established to train woman for her no less sacred ministry. - - [39:A] These statistics are taken from the Report of the - National Bureau of Education for 1870. - -When I took charge of the Hartford Female Seminary, this fall, the -trustees and former principal had established a course of study, and -pupils were preparing to graduate as in past time; while many reasons -were urged for making no great changes. - -The list of branches to be taught, as exhibited in the circular, is no -larger than is common in many women high-schools and colleges, each -one requiring a text-book, and reads thus: Spelling, reading, writing, -grammar, arithmetic, higher arithmetic, algebra, history of the United -States, physiology, physical geography, geometry, natural philosophy, -chemistry, astronomy, mental philosophy, Butler's Analogy of Natural -and Revealed Religion, æsthetics, English literature, history of -Greece, history of Rome, philology, ancient and modern history, -composition, natural history, history of England, history of France, -botany, geology, rhetoric, trigonometry, moral philosophy, history of -literature, history of arts and sciences, Latin, Greek, French, German, -Italian, Spanish, drawing, painting in water-colors, painting in oil, -vocal music, instrumental music, and gymnastics; _forty-four_ in the -whole. - -For all these I am responsible to select teachers, to examine -text-books, to decide on the modes of teaching, and to see that all -departments are administered properly. - -I can not carry out all these without at least seven English teachers, -and four or five for the languages and accomplishments. And in -arranging classes in so many branches, these teachers, on an average, -must teach four or five hours a day, and have charge of six or seven -classes in nearly as many different studies. - -Though tuition charges have ever been larger than young men pay in -colleges, in my former experience forty years ago, I could not retain -the best teachers and furnish apparatus and advantages needed, only -by using the whole income, except what I paid for my own board and -my very economical personal expenses. And now, the income from one -hundred pupils would not save me from embarrassing debt had I not other -resources. - -If I worked my teachers at the risk of their health, and employed those -of humbler qualifications, I might, perhaps, make a small profit, but -not otherwise. And as fast as teachers are trained, so as to be most -valuable, (as in my earlier experience,) they will leave for posts -offering higher pay and less labor. Neither Mrs. Stowe, nor myself, -nor any of the most highly qualified ladies of our country, could take -charge of such an institution without a sacrifice of an income counting -by thousands. Will not a time come when ladies, the most highly -qualified to educate their own sex, shall receive such advantages -and compensation for these duties as now are exclusively given to -men? My extensive acquaintance with ladies of this class all over -the land enables me to predict an abundant supply of highly-trained -educators to the duties of our sex, if the appropriate facilities, -such as college professors obtain, were offered to them. But to take -such a post as I now occupy, or to become a hard-working, ill-paid -subordinate, or to become a family assistant, would not tempt them from -present advantages of usefulness, independence, and comfort. - -The present agitation as to woman's rights and wrongs is the natural -and necessary result of the want of appreciation and neglect of the -claims and duties of the family state. It is the manifest design of -our Creator that each man should seek a wife and establish a family. -And the family state has two ends to be accomplished; one is the -increase and perpetuity of our race, and the other is its education -and training; not chiefly to enjoy this life, but mainly to form a -character that will secure endless happiness in the life to come. - -The distinctive feature of the family state is, _the training of a -small number by self-sacrificing labor and love_. Abraham, the friend -of God, and the great model of faith and obedience to both Jews and -Christians, was not allowed to have a child of his own till he had -trained six hundred servants, each man dwelling in his tent with a -family of his own, forming a religious community that obeyed the true -God. This shows that it was not for personal gratification as the chief -end that God instituted the family, and that those who are childless -may have as great a work to perform as the parental. - -But the more our nation has advanced in wealth and civilization, the -more have the labors and the duties of the family state been shunned. -Many virtuous young men are withheld from it from the incompetence and -the extravagant habits and tastes of those they would otherwise seek -for wives. Another class is withheld by guilty courses that destroy -the hope of family love and purity. Another large class shun the toil, -self-denial, and trials of married life, and prefer their ease and the -many other enjoyments wealth will secure. - -To these add the hundreds of thousands of young men who perished -in our destructive war, and the emigration to new settlements where -early marriage is impracticable, and as the consequence, the census -shows hundreds of thousands of women who can never commence the family -state as wife and mother. This is the great emergency that agitates -society and forms the chief moral problem of our age. The question in -its simplest form is this, What is to be done to secure the highest -usefulness and happiness of _woman as a sex_, when marriage and the -family state are more and more passing away? Our customs and our laws -are all framed on the assumption that women are to be supported by -husbands to rear up families; and yet marriage and the family state -are more and more avoided. And what is the remedy to be sought? Will -the ballot relieve this difficulty? Can any laws be enforced that -will oblige men to marry? and if not, what are we to do to meet the -emergency? - -In reply, I will first state some important facts developed here in -Massachusetts, where well-educated marriageable women most abound; not -in employments for which God designed them, but in shops and mills and -employment detrimental both to health and morals. - -The report of the Massachusetts Board of State Charities states that -the present mode of collecting special classes of the helpless, the -unfortunate, and the vicious into great establishments, managed by paid -agents, is not the best method to secure their physical, moral, and -social improvement, and that it involves many unfortunate influences. - -Then it is suggested that the better way would be to scatter these -helpless and unfortunate ones in families of Christian people. Now, -as before stated, the family is God's mode of training our race to -self-denying love and labor; and the _Christian_ family, in contrast -to the worldly, is the one in which a small number is given to one or -two, who have the spirit of Christ and live as he lived, to labor for -others, and not for self-indulgent ease and worldly enjoyments. - -Hundreds of Massachusetts women have this spirit of Christ and are -pining for this ministry, which is as sacred and as effective as that -of the church. Thousands of neglected orphans, or worse than orphans, -abound on every side. The homeless, the aged, the weak, the sick, and -the sinful, also, are all around us. - -And how can truly Christian homes be established where there are no -young children to train, no aged persons to watch over, no invalids -to nurse, and no vicious to reclaim? Why are orphans thrown upon the -cold world, and why are the aged held in a useless, suffering life -except to furnish opportunities for Christian love and self-sacrifice? -Here is the problem for Massachusetts. Let her do for her daughters as -liberally as for her sons, and it will speedily be solved. - -There are multitudes of women in unwomanly employments, who, if -educated to the scientific duties of a nurse for young infants and -their mothers, with all the advantages of high culture given to medical -men, and with the social honor accorded to high culture, would be -greeted in many a family, be sought as the most welcome benefactors of -the family state, and take a superior position to that now given to the -teachers of music, French, and drawing. - -Again, there is no agent of the family state who has a more constant, -daily influence on the character of childhood than the one who shares -with a mother the cares of the nursery. And yet where shall we find an -institution in which young women are properly trained for these sacred -offices? The heir of an earthly kingdom is surrounded by the noblest -and the wisest, who deem the humblest office an honor in his service. -But the young heir of an immortal kingdom, whose career, not for a few -earthly days, but for eternal ages, is to be decided in this life, to -whom is he committed, and _where_ and _how_ were they trained for these -supernal duties? The bogs of Ireland—the shanty tenement-houses—the -plantation huts—the swarming, poverty-stricken wanderers from Europe, -China, and Japan are coming to reply! - -The influx of wealth, the building of expensive houses demanding many -servants, and the increasing demands of social life, are changing -mothers from the educational training of their own offspring to the -training and care of servants; and yet, in our boarding-schools and -colleges for women, how much is done to train them for such duties? - -When I read the curriculum of Vassar and other female colleges, -methinks their graduates by such a course as this will be as well -prepared to nurse the sick, train servants, take charge of infants, and -manage all departments of the family state, as they would be to make -and regulate chronometers, or to build and drive steam-engines. - -The number of branches introduced into female schools has nearly -doubled since I commenced my school, while the real advantages gained -by this increase have been lessened. And as yet little or no progress -has been made in preparing women for the practical duties of their -profession. The expenses of most popular boarding-schools confine their -advantages to the rich, who do not aim to have daughters trained to do -woman's work, or to earn their own independence. - -The evils that women suffer from the want of proper training for their -appropriate duties, few can fully realize. The Working-Woman's Union, -in New-York City, reports that of the 13,000 applicants for work, not -one half were qualified to any kind of work in a proper manner. The -societies for aiding poor women report as their greatest embarrassment -that but few can sew decently, or do any other work properly. The -heads of dress-making establishments complain that few can be found -who can be trusted to complete a dress properly, and say that those -properly trained find abundant work and good pay. The demand for good -mantua-makers in country towns is universal. In former days, plain -sewing was taught in schools; but now it is banished, and mothers are -too pressed with labor, or too negligent, to supply the deficiency. - -In the middle classes, unmarried women and widows feel that they are -an incumbrance on fathers and brothers, who, from pride or duty, feel -bound to support them, and yet no openings offer for them to earn an -independence. Thousands of ladies of good families and good education, -with aged mothers or young children to support, can find either no -employments or those offering starvation wages. The school or the -boarding-house is the chief alternative for such persons; and yet every -opening for a school-teacher has scores, and sometimes hundreds of -applicants. - -The factory-girls, and those in shops and stores, must stand six, -eight, or ten hours a day in bad air and unwholesome labor. The influx -of ignorant and uncleanly foreigners into our kitchens, and the -exactions of thriftless young housekeepers from boarding-schools, drive -self-respecting American women from many of our kitchens. - -Meantime, in our more wealthy classes, those who have generous -and elevated aspirations feel that they have no object in life—no -profession, like their brothers, by which they can secure their own -independence, and aid in elevating others. Our young girls are trained -only for marriage; and when that fails, fathers and brothers forbid -their earning an independence, as implying disgrace to themselves. - -The remedy for all this would soon be achieved were woman's work -elevated to an honorable and remunerative science and profession, -by the same methods that men have taken to elevate their various -professions. The establishment of _Woman's Universities_, in which -every girl shall secure as good a literary training as her brothers, -and then be trained to some profession adapted to her taste and -capacity, by which she can establish a home of her own, and secure an -independent income—_this_ is what every woman may justly claim and -labor for, as the shortest, surest, and safest mode of securing her own -highest usefulness and happiness, and that of her sex; a mode which -demands only what, if once achieved as practicable, every intelligent -and benevolent man would approve and delight to promote. - -Here I feel bound to express dissent from the frequent implication that -men are alone responsible for the present disabilities and wrongs of -woman, owing to a selfish and tyrannical spirit not existing in my sex. -There is no nation in the world, and never has been one, in which all -classes of men were so trained to honor, protect, and provide for women -as in our own. On the contrary, women with us have been trained to -expect care and protection, and not to a chivalrous and tender regard -for their own sex, such as has been cultivated in brothers, fathers, -and husbands. - -Moreover, women are trained to economy in details more than men, and -have not the free use of money as have those who earn family support. -As a consequence, when the raising of the wages of a school-teacher, or -the charges of a seamstress, or the pay of a cook is discussed, it is -often the case that women are no more ready than men thus to increase -the advantages of their sex. - -In the matter of educational benefactions, women have given liberally -to endow colleges and professional schools for men; and it is a -remarkable fact that, if we except Roman Catholic nunneries, I know -not of even one case in this nation where a woman is supported as an -educator by an endowment given by a woman. - -As previously indicated, the main causes of the evils that now press -on my sex are the want of appreciation of the honor and duties of the -family state, and the decrease of marriage, owing to war, emigration, -self-indulgence, and vices consequent on increase of civilization and -wealth. - -There is every evidence that men are as sympathetic, and as anxious to -devise remedies for the evils complained of, as are our own sex; and -the impolitic and unjust manner in which they have been treated by some -who are generously laboring for the relief and elevation of woman, is -greatly to be regretted. In all my past efforts, I have depended mainly -on the powerful influence of my sex in gaining what was sought; for I -believe there is no benevolent plan, which is so approved by judicious -and benevolent women as to secure their earnest efforts, which will -not receive from fathers, brothers, and husbands all that is sought. -My only difficulty in the past has been to secure such appreciation -from my sex of the honor and duties of the family state, of the need -of scientific and practical training for these duties, as would secure -their earnest attention, influence, and efforts. - -While I would urge these views on the attention of all women who have -any influence, I beg leave to suggest other modes by which the same -ends may be promoted. Thus, every cultivated woman who dignifies -domestic labor, by living in such a style as enables her to work -herself, and to train her sons and daughters to work with her, is a -co-laborer in this beneficent enterprise. Every woman who goes to her -kitchen in the spirit of Christ, by self-denying efforts to train her -servants to intelligence, honesty, and benevolence, is another blessed -laborer on the same field. Every young lady who seeks to impart some -of her advantages to those who labor in her service will be preparing -to hear from their and her Lord, "Inasmuch as ye did it to these the -least of my brethren, ye did it to me." Every school-teacher who -trains her pupils to value home labor, and to learn to do all woman's -proper work in the best manner, is also a minister of good to the -family state. Every woman who uses her influence to introduce sewing -into public schools, or to establish sewing-schools among the poor, is -another co-laborer for the same high aim. Every woman who can bring the -views here presented to the notice of wealthy and influential men and -women, may be sowing seed that will yield rich fruits even for ages to -come, by endowments secured through such quiet influences. - -_A Woman's University_, that will realize the ideal aimed at, may, -perhaps, come by no sudden growth, but by many experiments in different -fields and diverse departments, each aiding to advance every other, -till all eventually will be combined in a harmonious and perfected -result. And for this consummation my good friend and opponent is as -ready to labor as those of us who have not her courage and hopes as to -the results of woman suffrage. - -I stated that I have resumed the charge of the seminary I founded forty -years ago, to teach the higher branches, with Mrs. Stowe, then, as -now, my associate. We began when women were trained to domestic labor, -and almost nothing else. We have seen the pendulum swing to the other -extreme, till, both in families and schools, women are taught the -higher branches, and almost nothing else. We now begin at the other -end, and, by the aid and counsel of the judicious women of Hartford, we -hope to set an example of a woman's university which shall combine the -highest intellectual culture with the highest practical skill in all -the distinctive duties of womanhood. - -Our good friends of the women suffrage cause often liken their -agitation to that which ended the slavery of a whole race doomed to -unrequited toil for selfish, cruel masters. When so many men are -toiling to keep daughters, wives, and mothers from any kind of toil, it -is difficult to trace the resemblance. - -Moreover, we of the other side are believers in slavery, and we mean to -establish it all over the land. We mean to force men to resign their -gold, and even to forge chains for themselves with it; and when we -have trained their fair and rosy daughters, we will enforce a "Pink -and White Tyranny" more stringent than any other earthly thraldom. And -we will make our slaves work, and work from early dawn to dark night, -under the Great Task-master, the Lord of love and happiness, until -every one on earth shall fear him, as "the beginning of wisdom;" and -then "do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God," as the whole -end and perfection of man. - - For want of time, only a part of this address was delivered at - the Boston Music Hall. Mrs. Livermore followed, and at Note A - are remarks in reply to some of hers. What follows will present - further views on the subject of Woman's Profession. - -After resigning the charge of the Hartford Female Seminary, many -circumstances combined to give me unusual facilities for observing -educational influences in various institutions for both sexes. - -Continued ill health led to extensive travels, and to protracted -visits to a widely dispersed family and to former pupils settled in -every section of the country. My father was president of a theological -seminary, and my brother-in-law has been professor in two colleges -and one theological seminary. One brother was valedictorian and tutor -at Yale, and then president of one of the first Western colleges. Six -brothers were educated in five different colleges, and thirteen nephews -were students in six different colleges. Thirty-four nieces and nephews -have been connected with a great number of different boarding-schools -as scholars or teachers, while several hundred of my former pupils have -been teachers or pupils in almost every State of the Union, and have -extensively reported to me their experiences and observations. - -I have also been connected with two organizations for establishing -schools and female colleges in such a way as to make it a part of my -duties to select teachers for schools and to organize faculties for -large female institutions. - -These opportunities, extended over a period of nearly forty years, have -secured principles and conclusions of such importance as warrants not -only general statements, but some details to illustrate. - -A fundamental principle thus gained is, that the school should be an -appendage of the family state, and modeled on its primary principle, -which is, _to train the ignorant and weak by self-sacrificing labor and -love; and to bestow the most on the weakest, the most undeveloped, and -the most sinful_. - -It is exactly the opposite course to which teachers are most tempted. -The bright, the good, the industrious are those whom it is most -agreeable to teach, who win most affection, and who most promote the -reputation of a teacher and of a school or college. To follow this -principle, therefore, demands more clear views of duty and more -self-denying benevolence than ordinarily abound. - -Moreover, the common practice of schools and colleges is, after a -certain amount of trial, to turn out those who are too dull to reach a -given line of scholarship, or too mischievous to conform to rules. It -is assumed that the interests of the more intelligent and docile are -to override those of the stupid and disobedient, and that schools and -colleges are not to adopt the great principle illustrated in the story -of the prodigal son, the strayed lamb, and the heavenly joy over one -that was lost more than over the ninety and nine that went not astray. - -The results of attempts to carry out this divine principle in school -management, in my earlier years, were very encouraging. The frequent -teachers' meetings were made the means of discovering the intellectual -and moral deficiencies of each pupil, and then the difficult cases were -apportioned to the care and watch of the several teachers, according to -their adaptation to the duty assigned. Each was to consult and devise -methods, report to me, and to receive counsel from me as to further -measures. A few specific cases will illustrate some results. - -For example, one of our best pupils and very intelligent in certain -directions, was reported as utterly incapable of understanding the -reasoning process in geometry. After experiments for more than a year, -this pupil became not only one of our best mathematical scholars, but -one of our most successful teachers in that study. - -In another case, the pupil was one of a numerous class that have -imagination and fancy undeveloped and apparently wanting, having little -or no appreciation of poetry, fine writing, or works of imagination. -A long course of discipline and practice so developed these dormant -powers that this pupil not only became an admirer and critic of poetry -and fine writing, but presented, as her closing public exercise, a -specimen of poetry, devised and completed without aid, which would -favorably compare with half of that which is written and admired in our -current literature. - -In other cases, in my school and among my friends, I have noticed -that, while some children have all the mental faculties equally -developed, others appear to possess small capacities, except in one -or two directions, which in some cases are prominent and in others so -undeveloped as to appear wanting. - -For example, the son of a dear friend had been trained by good teachers -and sent to a first-class college, where every ordinary method was -employed to carry him through with at least moderate respectability, -and all proved an utter failure. The young man was then placed with a -good private teacher, who, after repeated experiments, ascertained that -in certain directions the mental faculties were above mediocrity, but -in points not reached by college training. Another method was adopted, -and the result was, that the young man became distinguished in one -branch of practical science, and eventually a popular and successful -professor in a scientific school. - -In treating both intellectual and moral deficiencies, great attention -and care are demanded, so as not to deal with the willing but weak -as with the careless or mischievous. Both efforts demand the labor -of self-sacrificing love, and the rewards for such efforts have been -witnessed in such abundance as to cause great regret that so seldom our -higher schools and colleges aim at such results. - -Another very important principle, especially in the training of women, -is, that the duties of the family state, as performed when parents and -children are united in domestic labors, have a direct and very decided -influence in training the intellectual powers. - -In such families, the first-born, especially if a daughter, begins -almost in infant days to aid the mother in the care of the younger. -Discretion, quickness, invention, and many other faculties are -cultivated in the care of the little one, in regulating its caprices -and controlling its mischievous impulses. She learns to wash and dress -a younger child, to execute contrivances for its amusement, to regulate -its habits, and to aid as a teacher in its first school lessons. She is -trained to sew, mend, and to make family clothing, and then to aid in -teaching these arts to the younger. The first rudiments of culture in -the fine arts commence when assisting in ornamenting garden and parlor -with flowers and with various contrivances. She learns to cook food, -and to understand the varieties and the modes of preservation. And so -of many other household duties which demand quickness of apprehension, -discretion, energy, and perseverance. It is an unconscious intellectual -training, usually enforced by limited means, and insuring benefits -which the offspring of the rich rarely enjoy. - -It is on this principle that Frobel arranged his system of the -Kindergarten, which develops many mental faculties and trains to -intellectual exercises before book knowledge is sought, chiefly by -exercises that cultivate taste, ingenuity, contrivance, and skill in -the use of the hand and eye. - -The early training in my own personal and family history is a -remarkable illustration of this principle. This was at a time when -book-learning for the young was at its lowest stage. The whole of -my childhood was a play-spell, where my chief contrivances were to -avoid all kinds of confinement to study, or any kind of intellectual -taxation, except in practical employments, for which happily I had a -decided taste. - -The death of a wise and tender mother at sixteen, and the consequent -responsibilities that came on the eldest of eight children, still -further developed the intellectual powers which are cultivated in -domestic employments. But school duties were never relished, except as -opportunities of furnishing merriment and various amusing contrivances -for escaping study. No discipline by book knowledge was gained, and no -reading attempted except in works of imagination. - -It was not till school-days were over, that the discipline of sorrow, -and the consequent forces of religion, sobered an exuberant nature and -led to preparation for the office of a teacher. - -Then, for the first time, commenced a training in book knowledge -under the care of a college-trained brother, and then a few months -accomplished what, with most school-girls, demands as many years. And -this speed and success were secured by aid of faculties developed -and strengthened chiefly by domestic training, together with the -conversation and intellectual influence of the parents and family -friends who were my educators. - -The mental history of these family friends is an additional -illustration of this principle. My father had a college education; my -mother and an aunt, who was a member of our family, had only that of -a country home, when reading, writing, and arithmetic were the only -branches in children's schools. My mother had a natural taste for -profound investigation, and, with no aid but a small encyclopedia, -performed some remarkable mathematical calculations where my father was -helpless. But apparently she had no talent for poetry or fine writing, -though having a high appreciation of both. On the contrary, my aunt was -a fine writer, and composed poetry of a high order. Both the ladies -were extensive readers of the best English classics, much more so than -my father. - -And now in my recollections of home discussions, and of the admiration -universally accorded to my mother's intellectual gifts, I should say -that by the common school, by domestic duties, by English literature, -and by the sciences studied in one small encyclopedia and two or three -other scientific books, my mother was, if not superior, fully equal to -my father in mental power and culture. And in fine writing and most -æsthetic developments my aunt was superior to both, though she was -their inferior in several other directions. - -Moreover, five of my father's sons were trained in the best colleges, -while his daughters all knew little or nothing of the chief branches -included in the college course. And yet the domestic training of the -daughters and their more extensive reading, as I view it, made them -fully equal to my brothers in intellectual development. - -Similar observations met me in general society when comparing the -mental development of sisters having only a common school education -with that of college-trained brothers, and this at all periods and in -every direction. And it is in view of such multiplied illustrations -that I understand how it is that women, with much fewer advantages of -classic and mathematical training than college graduates enjoy, prove -better educators than men for children and for the more mature of their -own sex. - -Here I wish it to be understood, that my aim in remarks on colleges is -not to present their advantages or deficiencies, except so far as they -are influencing female institutions to the same courses of study and -organization. I am not qualified to advise as to institutions for men; -but the profession and pursuits of women as a sex are to be so widely -diverse from those of men that they should secure as diverse methods of -training. - -I regard the effort to introduce women into colleges for young men as -very undesirable, and for many reasons. That the two sexes should be -united, both as teachers and pupils, in the same institution seems very -desirable, but rarely in early life by a method that removes them from -parental watch and care, and the protecting influences of a home. - -There will always be exceptional cases when children have no suitable -parents or guardians; while at a maturer period, after the principles -and habits are largely solidified, there are advantages in sending a -child from home. The true method, at the immature periods of life, is -the union of the home and the school in protecting from dangers and in -forming good habits and principles. - -I have repeatedly resided in the immediate vicinity of boarding-schools -for boys, embracing the children of my relatives or intimate friends, -and never without wonder and distress at the risks to some and the -ruin to others constantly going on. Such institutions always have had -inmates shrewd and often malignant, while the rash curiosity of youth -is ready to meet any danger. - -Withdrawn from parents and sisters, and all home influences, the young -boy is lodged, often in isolated dormitories or in negligent private -families, with class-mates of all kinds of habits. And so tobacco, -creating an unnatural thirst for other exciting stimulants, is secretly -introduced; then alcoholic drinks; then the most gross and licentious -literature; and all so secretly that teachers can not meet the evil. I -have known these results repeatedly in schools under the most careful, -pious, and celebrated teachers. - -Thus, at the age most susceptible and most dangerous, the young boy is -taken from mother and sisters and the safe guardianship of a home, and -amid such perils committed to strangers who, with multitudinous pupils -and cares, can give no special care to any one child. - -Another general principle attained by my experience is, that both -quickness of perception and retention of memory depend very greatly on -the _degree of interest_ excited. It is not the most learned teacher -that always has most success in imparting permanent knowledge. As an -illustration, when I commenced teaching Latin, it was under the care of -a very accurate and faithful brother, who stood first in scholarship in -Yale as valedictorian. I was then only a few pages ahead of my scholars -in the _Liber Primus_, and yet, when they had finished most of Virgil -and selections from Cicero, this brother and several other examiners -said that they had never seen any classes of boys superior to my class -in accurate and complete scholarship. - -Even in the pronunciation of the French, I have found that it was not -the best educated teacher, speaking with the purest Parisian accent, -who was most successful, but rather a lady whose enthusiasm and -perseverance and carefulness would not allow a single syllable to be -mispronounced by her pupils. This explains how it is that women with -less education so often prove more successful than men in managing -female institutions. - -By this same general principle of quickening intellect by exciting -interest, I learned the importance of educating every young girl with -some practical aim, by which, in case of poverty, she might support -herself; and also, of selecting for this end some pursuit suited to her -natural tastes and character. To study what is liked and with the hope -of thus securing some agreeable and substantial advantage in future -life more than doubles the interest, and thus quickens and exalts the -intellectual powers. - -In this view of the case, it became an important inquiry as to which of -the employments and studies of our higher female seminaries could be -made available in securing a remunerative profession to a woman, and -one that would be suitable for her sex. Here, again, I may be allowed -to introduce some of my own experience as guiding to a conclusion, at -least in one particular. - -All through my childhood, my father daily read the Bible, in course, at -family prayers, and when his inquisitive children asked questions as -to matters of delicacy, they were told that the Bible was given by God -to instruct men in all their duties, and that some things were not for -children to know till they were men and women; that this inquiry was -about things they could not understand, and that it was wrong to try to -do so. - -After such wise training, my first experience as a teacher of Latin was -to a class of young girls as ignorant as myself of all the wickedness -of the world; and then I was plied with questions I could not answer -except by aid of a brother; when to my dismay and disgust I found the -worst vices of heathenism, and those most likely to tempt young boys, -made respectable and attractive by the charms of classic poetry, and -forming a part of a boy's training for college. - -And here I would ask why it has come to pass that the Bible, in its -original Greek, is turned out of the college course of most of our -leading colleges, (for it formerly was required,) while the vulgarity -and vice of heathenism are preserved and made attractive in fitting -boys for college? Is it not time for woman to have a more decided -ministry in training young boys for their college life? Should not -women be trained in Latin and Greek, so that mothers and sisters thus -taught could fit young boys for college, instead of sending them at -the most perilous age away from the watch and care of a home and all -female influence, to boys' boarding-schools, to mix with all sorts, and -there be taught all manner of evil? Teachers trained in these languages -could go into families to aid a mother in these duties, and would be -liberally compensated. This, then, is a profession for which a woman -can be trained even in our common schools as well as in female colleges. - -Another very interesting fact revealed by personal experience is, -that there is no knowledge so thorough and permanent as that gained -in teaching others. Repeatedly, in my own case, and still oftener in -the case of my teachers, has it been observed that a lesson or problem -supposed to be comprehended, was imperfect, and corrected only in -attempts to aid others in understanding it. In no other profession is -the sacred promise, "Give and it shall be given unto you," so fully -realized as in that of a teacher. - -This view of the case has led me to devise methods by which every -pupil, in school-days, shall have an opportunity to attempt to teach, -and be taught how to do it in the best manner; and that, too, in every -stage of advancement from lowest to highest. There are methods which -secure this advantage with great economy of time and labor which can -not be detailed here. - -Another very important principle in acquiring knowledge is the -taking of a few branches at one time, and especially in having -these associated in their character, so that each is an assistance -in understanding and remembering the other. For illustration, let -geography, history, polite literature, and composition, for a certain -period, be the leading studies of a class which has completed a short -course in these studies in the preparatory school. Then let history -be studied by successive periods, marked by some great events or by -some distinguished characters; and as each country is introduced, let -its civil, political, and physical geography be fully studied; its -animals and productions be illustrated by drawings and by selection -from travels read to the class; this might be done either in connection -with the history or as a separate class in geography, conducted in -connection with the class of history and reciting at a different hour. - -At the same time, the teacher of the class in literature and -_belles-lettres_ could be presenting at another hour the state of -science, literature, and the fine arts, with illustrative drawings, -and also an account of the prominent learned men and authors of that -period, with some account of their most celebrated works, reading -some selections. For example, suppose, the period that of Alexander -the Great, by this method, one teacher would introduce most of the -geography of countries of the ancient world, while the literature -and the fine arts of Greece in its palmy days would, under another -teacher, be connected with the study of its history. At the same time -the exercises in a daily class in composition might have topics and -exercises to correspond. - -So in the period of the crusades; in one class, the history would be -studied; in another, the civil, political, and physical geography of -the countries introduced; in another, the history of literature, the -fine arts, and the distinguished authors, with some account of their -works. This period might be still more vividly presented in standard -works of fiction, such as Scott's _Talisman_ and _Ivanhoe_, to be read -in hours of social gathering or at home. - -To make room for such a method, much of the minute and uninteresting -details now so excessive in our geographies and histories, which are -forgotten as soon as learned, would be omitted for these more valuable -and more interesting exercises. On such a plan, the pupil would have -three or four recitations on diverse topics, and yet so connected that -each would illustrate and vivify the other, while the interest thus -excited would make permanent in the memory all these details. - -There is great loss of time and labor in the common method of pursuing -four, five, or six disconnected branches of study. The mind is -distracted by the variety, and feels a feeble and divided interest -in all. In many cases, this method of _cramming_ the mind with -uninteresting and disconnected details serves to debilitate rather than -to promote mental power. The memory is the faculty chiefly cultivated, -and this at the expense of the others. This method has been greatly -increased since the honors of graduating have become so popular in -female colleges and high-schools. - -The excess of uninteresting details is a serious objection to many -text-books of history and geography. It is very much to be regretted -that the plan introduced in Woodbridge and Willard's Geography, by -which details are systematized under general heads, is so widely -neglected. - -No experience has been more valuable to me than that relating to -physical training. Few are aware how much can be done in schools to -promote development, health, and the proper and graceful use of the -body and limbs. My residence in such a large number and variety -of health establishments, in studying the causes and cure of the -prevailing debility and diseases of American women, has led to the -conviction that there are very few diseases or deformities which a -teacher properly trained may not remedy by natural methods, and those -which may be made a part of school training. - -Here I would invite the special attention of mothers and teachers to -a work on the Diseases of Women, by Dr. George H. Taylor, published -by G. Maclean, 85 Nassau St., N. Y., in which such natural methods -are presented, many of which can be employed in the family and school -without the attendance of a physician. - -In the early part of my school experience, a European lady artist of -fine personal appearance offered to teach in my school a system of -exercises by which she herself, once a humpback cripple, was restored -to a perfect and graceful figure. These were disconnected exercises, -one portion of which I introduced into my work on physiology and -calisthenics as what could be easily used in all schools without -demanding a separate room and dress for the purpose. - -Other portions I combined into a system of calisthenic exercises -_set to music_, and demanding a separate room, and this method was -extensively introduced into schools until Dr. Dio Lewis prepared his -system, now extensively used. - -The difficulties of Dr. Lewis's method are, that it demands a separate -dress and room for the purpose, which multitudes of schools will not -adopt, and also is so violent as to endanger the health of delicate -young girls, while it has but little tendency to promote ease and -gracefulness of person and movements. For these reasons it is -constantly passing out of use after a short trial. - -In place of this, I have originated another method by which personal -defects and deformities are remedied, and gracefulness in the movement -of head, body, and limbs promoted. It includes exercises which _gently_ -train all the muscles, which are varied and entertaining, and which -are performed to music, the pupils singing songs prepared for each -exercise. - -The results in curing defects and promoting health, ease, and -gracefulness of movement and manner have been so remarkable as to -excite some wonder that, even in dancing-schools, so little has been -attempted in these particulars, when so much might be so easily -effected. The proper and graceful mode of walking, sitting, and -using the hands and arms is rarely taught in any schools. So, also, -the training of the voice to agreeable tones and enunciation in -conversation is almost never attempted, and yet few things have a more -constant influence in giving pleasure. - -The regulation and use of amusements as a part of education is, as -yet, scarcely recognized as a school duty. There is nothing that gains -more personal regard and influence with pupils than joining in their -amusements, while opportunities are thus given to promote both health -and literary improvement. And teachers need this kind of exercise and -relaxation as much or more than their scholars. - -One very valuable method is combining the reading of interesting works -of fiction with the period of history pursued in school hours, and also -with ornamental needle-work pursued while listening to reading. In long -winter evenings, an hour for study, an hour for active amusements, and -an hour for this kind of reading and needle-work would unite health, -pleasure, and literary improvement in an unusual degree. - -In resuming the religious training of an institution embracing pupils -whose parents hold views differing essentially from mine, it becomes -my duty to state the method I shall pursue. I propose to avoid all -conflict with opinions taught to my pupils by their parents and -clergymen. I shall simply take the teachings of Christ as my only -guide, and present, as he did, "Our Father in heaven" as a kind and -sympathizing parent, who loves and cares for _all_ the children he -has created more tenderly than any earthly parent can do; who ever is -seeking their best good; who is pleased when they strive to do right, -and grieved when they do wrong. - -If any come to me for help in regard to theological doctrines, I shall -teach them the simple laws of interpretation used in common life, and -how to employ them in studying for themselves the teachings of the -Bible. I shall assume the foundation principle of the teachings of -Jesus Christ as the basis of religious training. I mean _the dangers of -the future world_. For it was the prime object of his advent to teach -us these dangers, and the way of escape. - -Here I shall avoid all theories and all speculations, and confine -myself strictly to _the facts_ taught by Jesus Christ. I shall assume -as true _the fact_ revealed by the only person who has died and -returned to this life to tell us what awaits us in that dark and silent -land toward which we all are hastening; the solemn and dreadful _fact_ -that there are such awful dangers in the world to come that the chief -end and aim of this life should be to save ourselves and all we can -influence, and, if need be, at the sacrifice of every earthly plan and -enjoyment. - -Still more solemn to each individual mind is _the fact_ taught by our -Lord, that the number of those who escape an awful doom in the future -life depends on the character and efforts of the followers of Christ. - -I shall assume as true the _fact_ revealed by Jesus Christ that -the _only_ way of salvation is by _faith_ in our Creator; not a -mere intellectual belief in his existence and laws, but a faith -including this belief and also practical obedience to his laws; by -_repentance_, not a mere emotion of sorrow, but including the ceasing -of disobedience; by _love_, not chiefly emotional, but rather that -which is thus defined by inspiration, "This is the love of God, that ye -keep his commandments." - -_Obedience to the laws of our Creator_, physical, social, and moral, -being the chief element of the _faith_, _repentance_, and _love_ by -which alone we escape the dangers of the future world, the question -will be urged as to _the degree_ of obedience which will secure safety. -Here we find in Christ's teachings that _perfect_ obedience is not -indispensable to salvation. The demand is that "the heart" (that is, -the chief aim and interest) be devoted to such obedience. We are to -"seek _first_" the kingdom of God and _his righteousness_. And all -who do this, in both the Old Testament and the New, are recognized as -the righteous, as the children of God, and as heirs to the eternal -blessedness of his kingdom. - -It is the revelation of the dangers of the life to come which decides -the character of the worldly educator in contrast to that of the -Christian. The one has for the leading interest and aim to secure the -enjoyments of this life; the other has as the chief interest and aim to -follow Christ in self-denying labors to save as many as possible from -the dangers of the life to come. The one lives as if there were little -or no danger in the future world. The other toils, as if in the perils -of a shipwreck, to save as many as possible and at whatever personal -sacrifice of ease or worldly enjoyment. The one finds little occasion -for self-sacrificing labors; the other is constantly aiming to save -others from sin and its ruin by daily self-denying efforts. - -It was "for the joy that was set before him" that "the Shepherd and -Bishop of souls" "endured the cross, despising the shame." And when he -invites his followers to take and bear the same cross, he encourages -with the assurance that this yoke is easy and this burden light, and -that it brings "rest to the soul." - -And here, for the encouragement of my pupils and friends, I feel bound -to give my testimony to the verity of these promises. - -It is now more than forty years that my chief interest and aim has been -to labor to save my fellow-men to the full extent of my power. To this -end I have sacrificed all my time, all my income, my health, and every -plan of worldly ease and pleasure. With sympathies that would naturally -seek the ordinary lot of woman as the ideal of earthly happiness, -with no natural taste for notoriety or public action, with tastes for -art, and imaginative and quiet literary pursuits, I have, for all -that period, been doing what, as to personal taste, I least wished to -do, and leaving undone what I should most like to do. I have been for -many years a wanderer without a home, in delicate health, and often -baffled in favorite plans of usefulness. And yet my life has been a -very happy one, with more enjoyments and fewer trials than most of my -friends experience who are surrounded by the largest share of earthly -gratifications. And since health is restored, except as I sympathize -in the sorrows of others, I am habitually as happy as I wish to be in -this world. And this is not, as some may say, the result of a happy -temperament; for in early life, at its most favored period, I was happy -chiefly by anticipations that were not realized, and never with that -satisfying, peaceful enjoyment of the present, which is now secured, -and is never to end. - - * * * * * - -The preceding views lead to inquiries of great practical importance, -such as these: - -Is it consistent with Christian principles to take children from the -care of parents at the most critical period of life, and congregate -them in large boarding-schools and colleges, where temptations multiply -and individual love and care are diminished? - -Is it practicable, in public and private schools, to institute -methods by which each pupil shall be trained according to peculiar -wants, so that deficient faculties shall be developed, and unfortunate -intellectual, physical, and moral traits or habits be rectified? - -Can such schools institute methods by which every pupil shall, at -least, _commence_ a training for some business in future life, to which -natural abilities and tastes incline, and in which success would be -most probable? - -Can woman's distinctive profession be made a large portion of her -school education? - -To aid in deciding these questions, the following is given as the -_ideal_ at which I have been aiming in efforts to establish a _Woman's -University_; by which I mean, not a large boarding-establishment of -pupils removed from parental care, but an institution embracing the -whole course of a woman's training from infancy to a self-supporting -profession, in which both parents and teachers have a united influence -and agency. - -According to this ideal, such an institution would be divided into -distinct schools; all under the same board of supervision, and all -carrying out a connected and appropriate portion of the same plan. -These are: - -1. The _Kindergarten_, for the youngest children, who are not to use -books; - -2. The _Primary School_, for children just commencing the use of books; - -3. The _Preparatory School_, introductory to the higher; - -4. The _Collegiate School_, embracing a course of four years; - -5. The _Professional School_, to prepare a woman for all domestic -duties and for a self-supporting profession. - -For the control of all these there would be such a _division of -responsibilities_ as follows: - -1. The first would be the _department of intellectual training_; -committed to a woman of high culture in every branch taught in the -collegiate school; possessing quick discernment, intellectual and -moral force, and great interest in her special department. To her -would be committed the superintendence of all the schools, except the -professional, and it would be her duty to secure _perfect lessons_ from -every pupil by the following method. - -She would first gain from the teachers such an arrangement of lessons -for every child as is fitted to its ability, and, if need be, have -classes so divided that those of nearly equal ability shall be in one -class, that the brighter or more advanced might not be retarded. Then, -at the close of the daily school, it would be the duty of every teacher -to send every pupil who has not a _perfect_ lesson, whatever might be -the cause, to the charge of this lady superintendent, who would keep -them with her until each had studied and recited the imperfect lesson -in the most satisfactory manner. By this method perfect lessons will be -secured every day from every pupil. - -It would also be her duty to carry out a method, which will not here be -detailed, by which, after due training, every pupil shall occasionally -act as teacher under her supervision. By this and another method, -not here indicated, great economy of time will be secured to pupils -who ordinarily are obliged to spend much time in recitation-rooms in -hearing others recite, without any special benefit to themselves, -and involving great trial of their patience, and also temptation to -irregularities. Likewise it would be the duty of this teacher to -ascertain intellectual defects, and adapt measures for the remedy; -also to ascertain, by aid of both parents and teachers, natural tastes -and aptitudes, with reference to special school-training in branches -preparatory to a self-supporting profession. - -2. The department of _moral training_ would be given to a woman of -high moral and mental culture, whose tastes, talents, and experience -prepare her to excel in this department. It would be her duty to study -the character and discover the excellences of every pupil, by aid both -of the other teachers and the parents, and then to devise methods -of improvement; instructing the other teachers how to aid in these -efforts. She also would seek the aid and coöperation of the most mature -and influential pupils, and direct them how to exert a coöperating -influence. The general religious instruction of the institution also -would be conducted under her supervision and control. - -3. The department of the _physical training_ of all the institution -would be committed to a woman of good practical common sense, of -refined culture and manners, and one expressly educated for this -department. By the aid of both parents and teachers, she would study -the constitution and habits of every pupil, and administer a method of -training to develop healthfully every organ and function, and to remedy -every defect in habits, person, voice, movements, and manners. - -Here I would remark that my extensive investigations in many -health-establishments as to the causes of the decay of female health, -and my extensive opportunities for gaining the opinions and counsels -of the most learned and successful physicians of all schools, lead me -to the belief that there are few chronic maladies, deformities, or -unhealthful habits that may not be entirely remedied by a system of -physical exercise and training _in schools_, under the charge of a -woman properly qualified for these duties. - -If a similar officer were provided for our colleges, whose official -duty should be to train the body to health, strength, grace, and good -manners, should we not see much fewer sallow faces, round shoulders, -projecting necks, shambling gaits, awkward gestures, and gawky and -slovenly manners, such as now too frequently mark the college-graduate? -Why have the heathen youth of ancient Greece so excelled those of our -age and religion in manly strength, beauty, and grace? - -And if a department in colleges should be instituted, on the plan here -indicated for _moral training_, would not the barbarous and vulgar -practices that so often degrade the manners, and endanger life and -limb, be ended? - -It is a great evil in many of our colleges and professional schools, -that when a professor has once gained his chair, no degree of dullness -or neglect will oust him, especially if supported by nepotism or a -clique. This I have so often heard reported of institutions with which -my family and personal friends have been connected, that it would -seem as if few such institutions escaped this evil. And it seems to be -one which might be remedied by means of such an officer as has been -described as head of the department of intellectual training, whose -official duty it should be to examine every department and report -deficiencies to the faculty and corporation for remedy. - -In this connection I would entreat special attention to the perils of -young girls in most large boarding-schools, and such as are little -realized. The collecting of many into buildings and rooms imperfectly -warmed and ventilated, the overtasking the brain by excessive study, -the excitements of boarding-school life in contrast to home quietude, -the unhealthful food and condiments bought at shops or sent from -home and distributed to companions, the want of proper healthful -exercise, the want of maternal watch and care at critical periods and -at commencing disease, the debilitating practices taught at the most -dangerous period to the ignorant by the thoughtless or vicious, and -many other unfortunate influences, combine to a greater or less extent -in all large boarding-schools. - -Having had charge of one myself for nearly ten years, in which, as it -seemed to me, every thing was done that could be to abate such evils, -I have concluded that such institutions for both boys and girls may -be called successful only on the same calculation as would be made in -cultivating a garden on the top of a house. The best of soil, seed, -manure, and labor, with water and sun and awnings, may be provided, -and yet the proper place to make a good garden is on mother earth. And -so the proper place to educate children before maturity is under the -mother's care, with the coöperating aid of a school. - -If I could narrate one half of the sad histories of the ruined boys and -girls, and the consequent agonies from blasted parental hopes, that -have come to my personal knowledge, where health or morals, or both, -were destroyed for a whole life at large boarding-schools, this false -and fatal method would be greatly abated. - -And here I would direct attention to one item so pernicious, and yet so -common and so misunderstood as to excite constant wonder and regret as -connected with boarding institutions for both sexes, and that is _the -want of effective methods for providing pure air_. In private families, -only a few lungs vitiate the inhaled air; but the larger the number in -one building, the larger are the arrangements needed for emptying out -the foul air and introducing the pure. - -An open fire is a sure and certain method. But when buildings are -warmed by hot-air furnaces, or by hot-water or steam-pipes, the almost -inevitable results are pernicious. In the case of heated air from a -furnace, it always will find exit from a building in the shortest or -most available direction, and then all the rooms not in this line of -draught will have the air nearly stationary, to be breathed over and -over again by their inmates. - -Heating by steam or by hot-water pipes involves still greater -difficulties, when no arrangement is made for carrying off the foul -air, inasmuch as it is the air _in_ the house which is heated without -introducing pure air. - -This is the most dangerous of all methods of warming when there is -no connected ventilating arrangement, while it is the best and most -agreeable of all methods when properly managed. Mr. Lewis Leeds, -ventilating engineer in New-York City, has invented the following -method. The coils of steam or hot-water pipes are placed close to a -window, with an opening at the bottom of it, regulated by a register -which admits pure air directly on to the coils, and thus it is warmed. - -Thus a person can sit by the coils and secure radiated heat as from a -fire, have the light of the window and the influx of perfectly pure and -yet warm air. In addition, every room has an opening both at top and -bottom into a warm-air flue, through which the impure air of the room -is constantly carried off. - -_Any_ room can be perfectly ventilated which has openings at the top -and bottom of a flue, through which warm air is passing. But no flues -filled with cold air will ventilate a room, though housebuilders, and -householders, and school committees have been ignorantly providing such -useless arrangements all over the land. - -And here I affirm with heart-felt sorrow that never, in a single -instance, have I known or even heard of a large boarding-school with -any proper arrangements for ventilation. Even Vassar College, now so -extensively regarded as a model institution, has adopted the most -dangerous mode of warming without any arrangement but doors and windows -to supply pure air to its recitation-rooms and sleeping-rooms. - -And so, as in all similar cases, the strong and well, who are -distressed for want of pure air, will have windows open, and then the -delicate, who are not inured to sudden changes or to great extremes, -will take colds. There is no doubt that the reports of the miasmatic -diseases and lung affections of teachers and pupils in this institution -have been greatly exaggerated; but not because there has not been -abundant reason for expecting such results. - -When I took charge of my present school, I found neither the -boarding-house nor school-building provided with any proper modes of -ventilation, and after making all changes for improvement at command, -it is still needful to make it the constant duty of one teacher to see -that, so far as practicable, every room in school and boarding-house is -properly warmed and ventilated every hour of the day and night. - -In regard to the course of study in the collegiate department of a -woman's university, there should be as great an amount as is required -in any of our colleges, yet only a few studies carried to so great -an extent as in many sciences pursued by men. But there should be a -much _greater variety_, together with an accuracy and thoroughness -that colleges rarely secure. And all should have reference to women's -profession, and not to the professions of men. Much in this department -at first must be experimental, having in view the ideal indicated. - -So in regard to introducing _practical_ training for woman's domestic -duties _as a part of common school education_; although it is certain -that much more can be done than ever has been attempted, and that, too, -as a contribution to intellectual development rather than the reverse, -this also must be a matter of experiment. - -In regard to a _special_ training in the preparatory and the collegiate -schools for future self-supporting employments, much more can be -done than has ever been supposed, and a few particulars will be -enumerated to illustrate. Young women of affectionate disposition, good -intelligence and morals, having only limited means, might be trained -to become a _mother's assistant_ in charge of a nursery, partly by the -studies of the primary and preparatory schools and partly by learning -the methods of the Kindergarten. Thousands of parents in all parts of -our nation would offer liberal wages to young women thus trained for -one of the most sacred offices of the family state. - -Women of suitable social and moral character might be trained, _in -connection with school studies_, to be superior seamstresses and -mantua-makers, and thus be enabled to gain liberal wages. - -If young ladies knew how much usefulness and comfort may be connected -with this domestic art, they would seek it with more interest than any -school study. The scarcity of well-trained mantua-makers in all parts -of the land has made my early training in this art a great blessing -to me and to many others whom I have been thus enabled to aid and to -teach; and there is no branch of school training that can be made so -directly available in promoting economy, comfort, and usefulness. - -Women trained to fit young boys for college, in private families or in -small neighborhood schools, would command very high remuneration in -many quarters. _Every_ young girl whose means will allow it ought to be -prepared for this duty. - -Pupils who have a decided talent for either music, drawing, or -other fine arts, might have a _special_ training for one of these -professions; while those without any such tastes or aptitudes should -be dissuaded from wasting time, labor, and money, as is so absurdly -and widely practiced, in learning to play the piano and acquiring other -accomplishments never pursued in after-life. Nine tenths of young girls -thus instructed lose all they learn in a very short period. - -Some pupils have fine voices and a talent and taste for elocution, and -such might be trained for teachers of this art or for public readings. - -Some pupils have talents that prepare them to excel in authorship, and -to such an appropriate and more extensive literary culture could be -afforded. - -The art of book-keeping and of quick and legible penmanship insures -remunerative employment; and many other specialties might be enumerated -in which, _during school-days_, a woman might be trained to a -self-supporting profession. And _every_ woman should be trained for -all the duties that may in future life be demanded as wife, mother, -nurse, and school-teacher, if not in the ordinary school, in a separate -professional school. - -When institutions are endowed to train women for all departments -connected with the family state, domestic labor, now so shunned and -disgraced, will become honorable, will gain liberal compensation, and -will enable every woman to secure an independence in employments suited -to her sex. And when this is attained, there will be few or none who -will wish to enter the professions of men or take charge of civil -government. - - * * * * * - -Having expressed so strongly my views in reference to large -boarding-schools for both sexes, I will add some further details of my -_ideal_ for organizing a Woman's University. This has been suggested -by recent interviews with some who may have much influence in managing -the large funds recently bequeathed in Massachusetts for establishing -institutions for women, in one case a lady having bestowed what will -probably amount to nearly half a million, and in another case a -gentleman has bequeathed a million and a half for this purpose. - -This, I believe, is but the beginning of similar benefactions that will -be provided for women in all parts of our country. There are men of -wealth who have lost a dear mother, wife, or daughter, who would find -comfort and pleasure in perpetuating a beloved name by an endowment -that for age after age will minister to the education and refinement of -women and the support and training of orphans. - -In this view, it seems very important that the first endowed -institutions of this kind should adopt plans that may be wisely -imitated. - -It seems desirable that such endowed institutions should be placed in -or so near a large town that the pupils of all the schools, except -the professional one, should reside with their parents instead of -congregating in a great boarding-house. The professional school would -ordinarily embrace only women of maturity, and might demand a location -with surrounding land for floriculture, horticulture, and other -feminine professions. - -The Kindergarten, the primary school, and the preparatory school might -each have a principal and an associate principal, supported partly by -tuition fees and partly by endowment. These principals might establish -a family, consisting of the two, who would take the place of parents -to several adopted orphans and to several pay-pupils whose parents, -from ill health or other causes, would relinquish the care of their -children. - -The collegiate schools might have endowed departments corresponding -to professorships in colleges, each having a principal and associate -principal, who also could establish families on the same plan. When -completed, the university would then consist of a central building for -school purposes, surrounded by fifteen or twenty families, each having -a principal and associate principal, acting as parents to a family -of from ten to twelve pupils, and all in some department of domestic -training. - -Thus some thirty or forty ladies of high character and culture would be -provided with the independence and advantages now exclusively bestowed -on men, while at the same time the institution would practically and to -a considerable extent be an orphan asylum offering unusual advantages. - -In regard to the practicability of finding women properly qualified to -carry on such a university with success, there is no difficulty. Few -know so well as I do how many women of benevolence and high culture -are living with half their noblest energies unemployed for want of the -opportunities and facilities provided for men. There is nothing needed -but _endowments_ to secure the services of a large number of ladies of -the highest culture and moral worth, well qualified to establish not -only one but many such institutions. - -In my attempts to organize female institutions on the college plan -of independent principals of endowed departments, responsible not to -an individual but to a faculty and corporation, I have been met with -objections that apply as much to colleges for men. The jealousies -and jars incident to all complex institutions are the result of the -frailties of humanity common to both sexes. I have, in a large number -of instances, organized institutions on the college plan, which for -years were conducted with perfect harmony, some of them are still -prospering, and others were ended only for want of endowments to retain -the highest class of teachers. - - - - - AN ADDRESS TO LADIES OF HARTFORD, CONN., - - INVITED FROM ALL RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS; - - DELIVERED AT THE - - Calisthenic Hall of the Hartford Female Seminary, - - MAY, 1871. - - -LADIES AND KIND FRIENDS: - -At a former meeting I stated that, as former principal of this -Seminary, I so exhausted my nervous system that I have never been able -to assume responsibilities involving obligations which, by my failure, -would cause disappointment to others. My method, therefore, has been to -originate plans, and then induce others, more capable than myself, to -execute them, and in such a way that I could help without taking any -responsibility. - -Thus I originated the plan for transferring teachers to the West, -executed by Gov. Slade. And thus also I organized the American -Women's Educational Association, for securing _endowed_ collegiate -and professional schools for women, which has established several -flourishing institutions at the West. The most important of these -is the Milwaukee Female College, which for more than fifteen years -has been conducted by the chief agent of this Association, Miss Mary -Mortimer; and which now numbers 180 pupils, and exhibits many of the -benefits of our plan, although only partially endowed. The object of -this meeting is to gain your influence in order to secure, not only -what has been gained at Milwaukee, but to accomplish the whole plan of -a fully endowed Woman's University, as the model which we hope to see -reproduced all over the nation. - -In all these educational efforts, I have been led by a deep and painful -sense of the depressed and suffering condition of large portions of our -sex, and to an extent little realized by women in easy and prosperous -circumstances. I introduce here an extract from a published article of -mine that gives some small exhibition of these painful facts. - - That there is something essentially wrong in the present - condition of women, is every year growing more and more - apparent, while the public mind is more and more perplexed with - diverse methods proposed for the remedy. In one of our leading - secular papers we read this statement of the case from the pen - of a working woman: - - "There are so few departments of labor open to women, - that, in those departments, the supply of female labor - is frightfully in advance of the demand. The business - world offers the lowest wages to eager applicants, - certain that they will be ravenously clutched. And, - indeed, to see the mob of women that block and choke - these few and narrow gates open to them—the struggle—the - press—the agony—the trembling eagerness—you might - suppose they were entering the temple of fame or wealth, - or, at least had some cosy little cottage ahead, in - which competence awaited the winner. Nothing of the - sort. These are blind alleys, one and all. The mere - getting in, and keeping in, are the meagre objects of - this terrible struggle. A woman who has not _genius_, - or is not a _rare exception_, has no opening—no - promotion—no career. She turns hopelessly on a pivot; - at every turn the sand gives way, and she sinks lower. - At every turn light and air are more difficult, and - she turns and digs her own grave. Do you say these are - figures of speech? Here, then, are figures of _fact_. - There are _now thirty thousand_ women in New York, whose - labor averages from _twelve to fifteen hours a day_, and - yet whose income seldom exceeds _thirty-three cents a - day_. Operators on sewing-machines, and a few others, - enjoy comparative opulence, gaining five to eight - dollars a week, though from this are to be paid three or - four dollars for a bed in a wretched room with several - other occupants, often without a window or any provision - for pure air, and with only the poor food found where - such rooms abound. Thousands of ladies, of good family - and education, as teachers receive from two to six - hundred dollars a year. Few women get beyond that, and - a large proportion of them are mothers with children. - Over these poorly-paid laborers broods the sense of - hopeless toil. There is no bright future. The woman who - is fevered, hurried, and aching, who works from daylight - to midnight, loathing her mean room, her meaner dress, - her joyless life, will, in ten years, neither better - herself nor her children. The American working-woman - has no share in the American privilege given to the - poorest _male_ laborer—a growing income, a bank account, - and every office of the Republic, if he have brain and - courage to win them." - - This describes the condition and feelings of not all, but of - a large class of women in many of our larger cities, who must - earn their own livelihood. But, in the medium classes, as it - respects wealth, the unmarried or widowed women feel that - they are an incumbrance to fathers and brothers, who often - unwillingly support them from pride or duty. For such, also, - there is "no opening—no promotion—no career;" and they must - remain dependent chiefly on the labor of others till marriage - is offered, which to vast numbers is a positive impossibility. - - This has lately been proved, from the census, by a leading - New York paper. In that it is shown that, in all our large - cities, the male inhabitants, under fifteen and over the usual - marriageable age, are greatly in excess of the females, and, - consequently, the women at the marriageable age are greatly - in excess of the marriageable men. Thus, in New York City, - according to the statements of the _New York Times_, there are - eleven thousand more females than males, of all ages, while - there are one hundred and thirty-two thousand more women of - marriageable age than men of that age. This is perhaps a large - estimate, but the disproportion is at all events enormous. - - And, in the rural districts of New York State, we find a - similar state of things; for the excess of females, of all - ages, is twenty-one thousand, while the excess of marriageable - women, if at the same ratio as that stated in New York City, - would be two hundred and sixty-three thousand. A similar state - of things will be seen in all our older States. - - The most mournful feature in this case is the fact that - most of these women have never been trained for any kind of - business by which they can earn an independent livelihood. The - Working-woman's Protective Union, of New York City, reports - that, of thirteen thousand applicants, not one-half were - qualified to do any kind of useful work in a proper manner. - The societies that are formed to furnish work for poor women - report that their greatest impediment is that so few can sew - decently, or do any other work properly. - - The heads of dress-making establishments report that very few - women can be found who can be trusted to complete a dress, - and that those who are competent find abundant work and good - wages. The demand for really superior mantua-makers is almost - universal in country places, and even in many of our cities. - - In former days sewing was taught in all schools for girls, but - now it is banished from our common schools, and the mothers at - home are too neglectful, or too ignorant, or too pressed with - labor, to supply the deficiency. - - It was reported in the _New York Tribune_, not long since, that - there are at least twenty thousand professed prostitutes in - New York City alone, while Boston, in proportion to its number - of inhabitants, shows a larger number, and all our cities - give similar reports. This, it is hoped is an estimate much - in excess of the reality; but the truth is mournful enough. - Multitudes of these unfortunates have only two alternatives—on - the one hand, poor lodgings, shabby dress, poor food, and - ceaseless daily toil from eight to ten or fifteen hours; on - the other hand, the tempter offers a pleasant home, a servant - to do the work, fine dress, the theatre and ball, and kind - attentions, with no labor or care. Where is the strength of - virtue in those who despise and avoid these outcasts, that - might not fall in such perilous assaults? - - It is this dreadful state of temptation which accounts for - the fact that crime increases faster among women than among - men. Thus, in Massachusetts, during the last ten years, among - the men of that State, crime _decreased_ at the rate of eight - thousand five hundred and seven less than during the ten - preceding years, while, among women, crime _increased_ at the - rate of three hundred and sixty-eight during the same period; - that is, over eight thousand _less_ men, and over three hundred - _more_ women, were guilty of crime than in the previous ten - years. - - But, turning from these to the daughters of the most wealthy - class, those who have generous and elevated aspirations also - feel that for them, too, there is "no opening—no promotion—no - career," except that of marriage, and for this they are trained - to feel that it is disgraceful to seek. They have nothing to - do but wait to be sought. Trained to believe marriage their - highest boon, they are disgraced for seeking it, and must - affect indifference. - - Meantime, to do any thing to earn their own independence is - what father and brothers would deem a disgrace to themselves - and their family. For women of high position to work for their - livelihood, in most cases custom decrees as disgraceful. And - then, if cast down by poverty, they have been trained to - nothing that would earn a support, or, if by chance they have - some resource, all avenues for its employment are thronged - with needy applicants. Ordinarily, and with few exceptions, - there are only two employments for such women that do not - involve loss of social position, viz., school-teaching and - boarding. - - But every opening for a school-teacher has scores, and - sometimes hundreds, of applicants, while often the protracted - toils in unventilated and crowded school rooms destroy health. - To keep boarders demands capital to start, and an experience - and training in household management and economy rarely taught - to the daughters of wealth. In this country housework is - dishonorable, and rich men make no attempts to train their - daughters to any other business that would be a resort in - poverty. - - Few can realize the perils which threaten our country from the - present condition of women. The grand instrumentality, not only - for perpetuating our race, but for its training to eternal - blessedness, is the family state, and in this woman is the - chief minister. As the general rule, man is the laborer out - of the home, to provide for its support, while woman is the - daily minister to train its inmates. But there are now many - fatal influences that combine to unfit her for these sacred - duties. Not the least of these is the decay of female health, - engendering irritable nerves in both mother and offspring, and - thus greatly increasing the difficulties of physical and still - more of moral training. - - The factory girls, and many also in shops and stores, must - stand eight and ten hours a day, often in a poisonous - atmosphere, causing decay of constitution, and forbidding - healthful offspring. The sewing-machine lessens the wages of - needlewomen, while employers testify that those who use it - for steady work become hopelessly diseased, and cannot rear - healthy children. In the more wealthy circles, the murderous - fashions of dress make terrible havoc with the health of young - girls, while impure air, unhealthful food and condiments, lack - of exercise, and over-stimulation of brain and nerves, are - completing the ruin of health and family hopes. - - The state of domestic service is another element that is - undermining the family state. Disgraced by the stigma of our - late slavery, and by the influx into our kitchens of ignorant - and uncleanly foreigners, American women forsake home circles - for the unhealthful shops and mills. - - Then the thriftless young housekeepers from boarding-school - life have no ability either to teach or to control their - incompetent assistants, while ceaseless "worries" multiply in - parlor, nursery, and kitchen. The husband is discouraged by the - waste and extravagance, and wearied with endless complaints, - and home becomes any thing but the harbor of comfort and peace. - - Add to all this, the now common practice which destroys - maternal health and unborn offspring—the loose teachings - of free love—the unfortunate influence of spiritualism, so - called—the fascinations of the _demi-monde_ for the rich, and - of lower haunts for the rest, with the poverty of thousands - of women who but for desperate temptations would be pure, and - the extent of the malign influences undermining the family - state—that chief hope of our race—is appalling. - - Woman, in the Protestant world, is educated only _for - marriage_, hoping to have some one to work for her support, - and, when this is not gained, little else is provided. - - The Roman Catholic Church, while it honored the institution of - marriage as a sacrament, and upheld its sanctity, yet taught - that woman had a still higher ministry; and for this, large - endowments, comfortable positions, and honorable distinction, - were provided. The women who devoted their time and wealth and - labors to orphans, to the sick, and to the poor, were honored - above married women as _saints_, who not only laid up treasures - in heaven for themselves, but also a stock of _merits_ to - supply the deficiencies of others. The idea of self-sacrifice - and self-denial in that church was so honored as to run into - mischievous extremes, so that rich establishments of celibates - of both sexes multiplied all over Christendom till they became - burdens and pests. - - This drove the Protestant world to the other extreme, so that - no provision at all has been made for the single woman. In - most cases she must marry, or have no profession that leads to - independence, honor, and wealth. To fit young men for their - professions, thousands and millions are every year provided, - securing by endowments the highest class of teachers, in - addition to every advantage of libraries, apparatus, and - buildings. But woman's profession has no such provisions made - for its elevated duties. - - In the Roman Catholic Church the woman of high position, - culture, and benevolence, is honored above all others if she - remains single and devotes her time and wealth to orphans, to - nurse the sick, to reclaim the vicious, and to provide for - the destitute. She becomes a lady abbess, or the head of some - sisterhood, where high position, influence, and honor, are her - reward. - - And the priesthood of that Church employ all their personal and - official influence to lead women of benevolence and piety to - devote time, property, and prayers, to the salvation of their - fellow-creatures from diseases of body, ignorance, and sin. - - But Protestant women, as yet, have been influenced to endow - institutions for _men_, rather than for their own sex. The - writer obtained from the treasurers of only six institutions - for men the following statement of benefactions from women: - - Miss Plummer, to Cambridge University, to endow one - professorship, gave $25,000; Mary Townsend, for the same, - $25,000; Sarah Jackson, for the same, $10,000; other ladies, - in sums over $1,000, to the same, over $30,000. To Andover - Professional School of Theology ladies have given over $65,000, - and, of this, $30,000 by one lady. In Illinois, Mrs. Garretson - has given to one professional school $300,000. In Albany, - Mrs. Dudlay has given, for a scientific institution for men, - $105,000. To Beloit College, Wisconsin, property has been - given, by one lady, valued at $30,000. - - Thus half a million has been given by women to these six - colleges and professional schools, and all in the present - century. The reports of similar institutions for men all over - the nation would show similar liberal benefactions of women to - endow institutions for the other sex, while for their own no - such records appear. Where is there a single endowment from a - woman to secure a salary to a woman teaching her own proper - profession? - -It is the depressed and suffering condition of our sex, here indicated, -which is the exciting cause of the agitation to gain woman suffrage. -To me, success in this effort appears not as a remedy, but rather as a -curse. But there are favorable results involved in this agitation that -deserve consideration. One is, the exhibition of the moral power now -held by women in our nation. For if women urging measures so contrary -to our customs and prejudices—not to say so contrary to common sense -and the Bible—with many prominent leaders so destitute of discretion -and political foresight, yet can move society so powerfully, what -could not be accomplished by the organized influence and action of that -vast majority of intelligent women opposed to such innovations? - -Another beneficial result it is hoped will be, systematic and concerted -measures by judicious and benevolent women to organize agencies to -remedy the evils all must lament, and by measures more wise and more -practicable. What such measure will probably be, may be indicated by -a series of resolutions adopted first by two previous meetings, and -afterwards by a large public meeting at Steinway Hall, New York, of -ladies invited by the Managers of the American Woman's Educational -Association, from all religious denominations in the city, as follows: - - "Resolved, That one cause of the depressed condition of woman - is the fact that the distinctive profession of her sex, as the - nurse of infancy and of the sick, as educator of childhood, and - as the chief minister of the family state, has not been duly - honored, nor such provision been made for its scientific and - practical training as is accorded to the other sex for their - professions; and, that it is owing to this neglect that women - are driven to seek honor and independence in the institutions - and the professions of men. - - "Resolved, That woman's distinctive profession, in its various - branches, involves more important interests than any other - human science; and, that the evils suffered by women would be - extensively remedied by establishing institutions for training - women for her profession, which shall be as generously endowed - as are the institutions of men, many of which have been largely - endowed by women. - - "Resolved, That the science of domestic economy should be - made a study in all institutions for girls; and that certain - practical employments of the family state should be made a part - of common school education, especially the art of sewing, which - is so needful for the poor. - - "Resolved, That every young woman should be trained to some - business by which she can earn an independent livelihood in - case of poverty. - - "Resolved, That in addition to the various in-door employments - suitable for woman, there are other out-door employments - especially favorable to health and equally suitable, such as - raising fruits and flowers, the culture of silk and cotton, - the raising of bees, and the superintendence of dairy farms - and manufactures. All of these offer avenues to wealth and - independence for women as properly as men, and schools - for imparting to women the science and practice of these - employments should be provided, and as liberally endowed as - are the agricultural schools for men." These resolutions were - adopted unanimously and then published in all the leading - secular and religious papers with equally unanimous approval. - The following from the _N. Y. Evening Post_, is a fair specimen - of the whole. - - "These resolutions contain sound sense; and their claim that - practical schools for women deserve as much attention as - similar schools for men, is undeniably just. If we are to have - industrial schools at all, if it is important that anybody - should be able to secure systematic and thorough instruction - as a preparation for useful industries, girls would be as much - benefited by such instruction as boys; and women need it as - much as men. - - "There is no doubt that the present arrangement of society - bears more hardly upon women than upon men; and all wise - efforts to make them more independent of the mischances of life - deserve encouragement." - -Although the plan aimed at is large, this Association commenced with -only a small portion. At Milwaukee, where is their first institution, -a school already organized was taken as the nucleus. The citizens were -to furnish land, and building, and pupils enough to support by tuition -fees a given number of teachers. On these conditions the Association -agreed to provide endowments to support a certain number of teachers, -so long as the plan of the Association was carried out, but if it was -relinquished, to remove their patronage to another place. The Lady -Agent of the Association is still at the head of this Institution, -which has prospered on this plan for more than fifteen years, the -Association supporting by their funds a portion of the teachers. - -In my former address in this place, I showed how in this and other -cities, the more wealthy, and best educated classes, and those who pay -the most taxes for public education, provide for their own daughters -inferior advantages to those given to the humblest poor. Our own -High School in this city compared with this Seminary and all private -schools, will illustrate this remarkable fact. - -For our High School has a building healthfully and thoroughly warmed -and ventilated, as can be said of neither this Seminary, nor any -private school of this city; while its apparatus and library are -superior to any except those of the College, and the Theological -School, to which no girls have access. By reason of subordinate graded -schools, only well prepared pupils are admitted, or this is the rule -which can be enforced; while all scholars must enter at regular -periods. Thus, only four classes are formed and only a small number -of studies are pursued at any one time. The teachers are thus allowed -time to prepare themselves, and other great advantages for instructing, -while their salaries are much higher than can be given to assistant -teachers in most private schools. Thus the best class of teachers are -tempted to forsake private schools for these superior advantages. - -In contrast to these advantages, although this Seminary is warmed and -ventilated as well as most private schools, it is necessary to employ -much of the time of an intelligent and careful teacher to keep the -rooms at proper temperature, well ventilated and free from poisonous -gases, and yet with but imperfect success. - -Then the pupils enter this and all private schools, at any time and at -all grades of advancement, making it necessary to multiply classes and -to tax the teachers in order to bring forward the new comers to certain -classes. The method of arranging certain studies at one time of the -year, and others only at other times, as in colleges and our public -high schools, often cannot be enforced without dissatisfying patrons, -and thus lessening income. Then the accomplishments, especially Piano -music, to which classes must conform, greatly increases the difficulty -of classification in this and in all private schools. - -The result usually is, a most inferior, desultory, and unsatisfactory -course of education. There are cases where by overworking poorly paid -assistant teachers, and by small profits to proprietors, some private -schools turn out as fine scholars as our best managed High schools. But -these are exceptions, and exceptions that bear very severely on the -subordinate women teachers. - -Thus comes to pass the remarkable fact that the most wealthy and -cultivated pay the largest taxes to furnish the poorer classes a -gratuitous and a better education than they gain for their own -daughters by paying the largest tuition fees, or at expensive boarding -schools. - -There is great misconception as to the advantages of education -for daughters of the more wealthy classes, owing to the fact that -the ambitious name of "college" is given to schools that have no -proper claim to this appellation. For the distinctive feature of a -college heretofore has been its _endowments_, by which a permanent -faculty of superior and co-equal teachers are maintained to a great -extent independent of tuition fees; and also supporting professors -as independent heads of departments, instead of subordinates to a -principal, as in High Schools and academies. This being the fact, there -is not a single college for women in this country, nor in the whole -world. - -The only feature of a college in any institutions for women is a -similar course of study and graduating diplomas, and these without -endowments only increase the branches taught, and decrease the -thoroughness of instruction and overwork the teachers. - -There is also great misconception as to the influence of woman's -domestic duties in developing and training the intellect. A problem -in arithmetic or geometry is far more interesting, and therefore more -quickening to the intellect, when it is directly applied to some -useful, practical purpose. Thus a woman who is daily calculating her -butcher's and grocer's accounts, or trading at stores, is cultivating -her intellect as much or more than she would by studying arithmetic -in college or school without any end but to escape reproof or marks -of imperfection. So the planning and cutting garments and the various -other calculations and measurements of carpets, curtains, and -furniture, are daily exercises in both geometry and arithmetic, while -the practical interest and the handicraft involved tend to quicken -intellectual vigor. - -Then in kitchen affairs, domestic chemistry, though on a small scale, -is constantly studied and practically applied. Again in the care -of infants and of the sick, the discipline of the physiologist and -the physician are united. Then in the government of servants and -children, the same mental exertion and principles are employed as are -demanded for legislatures, statesmen, and magistrates. Then in the -religious training of children, all the most profound questions of -the metaphysician and the theologian are daily objects of enquiry and -reflection as childhood urges the most difficult problems of mental -science, and of natural and revealed religion. - -A man in his daily toils, or in the learned professions has only -one or two subjects that hold his practical attention and interest, -but a woman as mother and housekeeper has a constant succession of -employments that tax all her intellectual and her moral powers. These -views are remarkably illustrated by some of the women of a former -generation whose intellectual training was chiefly in domestic pursuits -with little else except the humblest kind of common school, a very -small library, and a vigorous pulpit ministry. Let such be compared -with multitudes of women who with little domestic training and exercise -have graduated from the High Schools and Colleges of the present day, -and we shall have occasion for serious reflection as to the diverse -results. - -I can best illustrate this by an individual case that may fairly -represent a large class of women forty or fifty years ago. In early -youth I lived in Litchfield, Conn., where a law school was conducted -by Judge Reeves, and Judge Gould, two of the most talented and learned -jurists of the nation, and gathered from forty to over one hundred law -students from the first colleges and the first families of every state -in the Union. There were also eight or ten other gentlemen of liberal -education and some of more than ordinary talents and culture, in the -same circle. - -Then of the ladies I met in that circle, were Mrs. Judge Reeve, Mrs. -Judge Gould, Miss Sarah Pierce, to whom I owe my school education, Miss -Mary Pierce, Miss Amelia Ogden, Miss Lucy Sheldon, my father's sister -Esther, my mother's sister Mrs. Mary Hubbard, and my mother. In my own -family circle I used to hear my mother and aunts discussing a variety -of literary and scientific topics, and especially remember their -enthusiastic interest in the new discoveries of chemistry by Lavoisier, -and their practical test experiments in the kitchen and study. Aunt -Esther was deeply interested in medical science, and probably had read -medical works as extensively as most physicians of that day. - -Then Mrs. Judge Reeve, and my mother and aunts, would meet and read -works of history, or travels, or some classic English literature. -Miss Mary Pierce was an accomplished elocutionist, and when Judge -Gould suffered from weak eyes, would go day after day to read works -of literature and discuss the topics introduced. Miss Sarah Pierce -was head of the largest and most celebrated female school of the -nation, and was overflowing with acquired knowledge, as well as poetic -treasures. - -Now not one of these ladies had studied a line of Latin or Greek, or -of mathematics or other college studies which women are now seeking -so earnestly at the sacrifice of health and all domestic culture. -And yet when they met these gentlemen of the highest talents and -education, they were regarded as fully their equals in mental power -and intellectual debate. Indeed, some of my brothers educated in this -circle, honestly maintained that women were endowed by nature with -intellectual powers superior to men; and one brother argued in defence -of this position in a public college exercise. Moreover, six brothers -had a college education, while none of my sisters studied any part of -the college course; and yet there has been no marked inequality of -mental power and culture in this diverse training. - -In that day, novels, by most women, were either deemed an unlawful -indulgence, or were taken as condiments only, while the substantials -of literature and science were their chief intellectual pabulum. And -having but few books and those the choice works of the best English -classics, they were perused and reperused with such interest as rarely -is given in colleges to the literature of Greece and Rome. And it was -a frequent fact, that women were far better read in English classic -literature than were their brothers and friends in colleges. - -Now at the present day, when mothers and housekeepers meet gentlemen -in social gatherings, is there anything in their conversation and -pursuits to show the superior advantages of the female High Schools -and Colleges, which have nearly supplanted the intellectual domestic -training of a former generation? Have not novels, magazine stories, -newspaper literature, and the fashions and accomplishments of the age -taken the place of the more vigorous mental culture so common at a -former period? - -A variety of intellectual training which is pursued in connection with -such interesting practical results as woman's employments involve, -tends to produce a vigorous and well balanced mind, far more than -devotion to one or two professional pursuits such as the business -of most men requires. And even in science and literature, we not -unfrequently find some of the most learned men entirely deficient in -intellectual balance and executive power; while their less learned -mothers or wives are respected as wise and practical counselors. - -The diminution of domestic exercise in the family state by mothers -and daughters has equally tended to the loss of physical development -and vigor in the present generation of women. The Creator has wisely -adapted the physical organization of woman to her appropriate duties, -so that the alternating sedentary and active exercises of the nursery -and household are exactly those best fitted to sustain and invigorate -the organs which now are so extensively displaced or diseased. And the -artificial modes of exercise to remedy these evils, now so successful -in the Movement Cure, are to a large extent in imitation of these -domestic muscular movements demanded in the nursery and in other -household labors. The tending of infants, the bending, twisting, and -stooping constantly practiced in these domestic labors are exactly -what are demanded to preserve in health and activity the muscles most -important to womanly development and vigor; while the interchanging -employment of the needle and other sedentary domestic pursuits, when in -proper proportion, equally tend to healthful results. Very different -are the influences on woman's health as she stands six and eight hours -behind the counter or in shops and mills in one continuous and unvaried -toil, or sits day after day over the needle without intervening -healthful exercises. Not less are the evils to the daughters of wealth -and ease, whose brain and nerves are never relieved and strengthened -by the exercises of domestic life. Still more lamentable is the common -practice of those who, when sending daughters to the public schools, -free them from domestic labor, that they may give their whole time -to study and school duties. If instead of this, these pupils were -required to engage in domestic labor two hours each day and this amount -of time was deducted from school duties, not only health but higher -intellectual development would be secured. - -If a time should come when the aims of the Woman Suffrage party are -attained, and women are trained for the pulpit, the bar, the political -arena, and other professions drawing woman from domestic life, still -more disastrous influences will show the great mistake of taking woman -from her true sphere and giving her the work designed for man. If, on -the contrary, women are trained to both the science and the practice of -their true profession in all its varied departments, and with the honor -and emolument that now are given exclusively to the professions of men, -every woman will be in demand for the services of the family and the -school, and will regard the employments of men as less important and -less inviting than her own sacred ministries. - -It is often said that it is mothers who must give the domestic training -to daughters, and that school duties should be confined to literature -and science. This might have been true in former days, when daughters -and mothers performed most of the family labor, and when the style of -living was simple and economical. But with the present style of houses -and expenditures, demanding two, three or more servants, it is utterly -impossible for a mother and housekeeper to add to her multiplied cares -the scientific domestic training of her daughters; nor can anything -of this kind be successfully connected with large boarding schools. -The demand for _scientific_ domestic training is greatly increased by -improved modern conveniences. - -The one item of selecting and superintending the management of stoves -and furnaces, demands much scientific study and practical instruction, -and there is no one point where family health and economy suffer more -than for want of them. The inhaling of poisonous gases, the sudden -changes of temperature, and the want of proper ventilation probably are -doing more to destroy the constitution and health of families than any -other cause, and owing greatly to the want of needed science and skill -in housekeepers. - -In various other departments, the increase of civilization and -its elegancies and conveniences have greatly increased the need of -scientific training for mothers and housekeepers, who, never having -been thus instructed themselves, are not qualified to train their -daughters. - -As to the virtue of economy, in our nation among the more wealthy -classes, it seems to have become one of "the lost arts." The art and -skill of domestic economy can no more be acquired without instruction -and training, than any of the mechanical trades. As eldest daughter -of a poor minister, and the pupil of a most ingenious mother and a -vigorously economical aunt, I know that by proper training, a young -lady can dress with taste and propriety at one half the expense -required by one untrained; and that a housekeeper without such a -preparation needs double the means of one who is properly instructed. -Not that there are not women as well as men, who have natural gifts -that enable them to excel in handicraft and skill without any training, -so as to equal those properly instructed. But these are exceptional -cases. - -To illustrate the fact that the more civilization increases the -enjoyments and refinements of the family state, the more it multiplies -the responsibilities and cares of a mother and housekeeper, I will -reproduce a specimen of such conversations as I have repeatedly had -with familiar friends. The lady introduced, is a mother of five young -children all attending some primary, or some higher schools, and in -reply to her remark that she had no time for solid or systematic -reading, I enquired, - -"How many servants have you?" - -"Three; a cook, a chambermaid, and a boy for errands and care of yard -and garden." - -"Now suppose," said I, "that you give me an outline of your ordinary -daily routine, that I may appreciate your difficulties; for I think -few understand how much is demanded of mother and housekeeper in these -days. At what hour do you rise?" - -"Usually about seven; and then beside dressing myself, I must see that -the little ones are washed and dressed properly, as all the servants -are busy. Their hair must be combed and braided, their teeth and nails -in order, and their clothing be all whole and clean for school, which -often demands an extra stitch, or some change that I must regulate. -This takes till near breakfast hour, when I go down to see that all is -right on the table and in the kitchen. When I have a good cook, and -second girl, I have not much to do; but the frequent changes oblige me -often to be training, or overseeing one or the other. Then at table, I -serve the tea and coffee, and also take care of the two youngest, to -supply proper food, and see that they behave properly." - -"Cannot your husband take some of this care." - -"Oh, no; he is so hurried in business and so anxious to get off as soon -as possible. - -"Then we have prayers, and I must collect all the family, and see that -all the children behave properly. Then I make a memorandum of errands -or purchases for my husband to execute. Then I must see that all the -children are prepared for school, their books all collected, their hair -dressed, and shoes in order, and all their little wants supplied. - -"Then I go to the kitchen and make arrangements with the cook for the -day, giving written orders for the grocer and butcher. Then I arrange -the work for the second girl for the day. I go over all the rooms and -chambers myself, and always find in my drawers and closets something -that needs care or labor, that I must do myself, or arrange for others -to do. Oh, the making, the mending, the altering, the washing, and the -care of clothing for young children which our present fashions require! -And yet I always hang back and do as little as possible without being -odd, or making the children fear lest all their companions should outdo -them. - -"By noon I am so tired and nervous I can not do anything more than -sit down quietly and look over the morning paper. Then comes the noon -lunch, when I again have all the table serving and care of children. -After lunch, I send out the children to play, and then comes the family -sewing and mending, the shopping—to buy dresses, bonnets, shoes, -gloves, trimmings, and all the numerous et ceteras of the wardrobe for -husband, children, and self. The mantua-maker must come some days, and -then what worry and work! Then the sempstress comes other times; then -company calls that I must entertain; and then comes the children's -music practice, and their hard lessons in arithmetic or geometry, where -I must help or oversee. - -"Then comes the dinner at 5 or 6, when company often is added, and I -must see that all is in order, and the children well behaved, and the -table served aright. For an hour or two after dinner comes a little -time to talk with my husband and children; but again I am called on to -help in the lessons of the older children, or to aid them when sewing -or drawing. Then I must go to prepare the little ones for bed, as both -servants are busy after dinner. - -"All this is what I do when I have no visitors, and when there is no -baby. But when there is a nurse and a baby, and visitors staying in -the family to entertain, I am sure I do not know how I get through -all. I only know that most of my married life I have suffered constant -weariness, and a pain in head or back, and that all put together make -life such a burden that often I should willingly lay it down were it -not for my dear husband and children. - -"And all these beautiful things around me, and my lovely home, seem -to double my cares because I have so much to keep in order. For all -these rich and delicate things are soon ruined if left in the hands of -servants, and the more we get, the more we have to watch and work to -save from injury or waste." - -"If we lived in such a convenient little cottage as you have put in -your American Woman's Home, and had a highly educated governess, -and then all of us united to do the family work, except washing and -ironing, how much easier and happier life would be!"[140:A] - - [140:A] This book is enlarged and has questions for a text - book for schools. Its title is "_Principles of Domestic - Science_," and it is published by J. B. Ford, Park Place, New - York. The second part entitled _The House Keeper & Health - Keeper_ is in press and will be published in the fall by the - Harpers. - -But at present my thoughts and efforts are most engaged to accomplish -that department of a Women's University which relates to the -preservation and restoration of health. When often asked what is the -reason that our women are so delicate and unhealthy, and that our -young girls so often suffer what in former days was rare and then only -in connexion with maternity, my reply often is, that it is because -parents and teachers are doing every thing they can do to produce such -mischiefs. - -Sleeping in unventilated chambers; living in schoolrooms and parlors -heated to excess and charged with poisonous gases; exposed to sudden -variations of temperature from mismanagement; eating unhealthful food -at irregular hours and to a dangerous excess; supplied with unhealthful -confectionery to eat at any hour; indulged in exciting amusements -with late hours for sleep; the brain stimulated by a multitude of -school duties and studies unrelieved by muscular exercises; the dress -contrived to impede vital functions, compressing the most yielding -parts so as to force the upper organs on to the lower, generating the -most cruel displacements and mental and bodily diseases; over-heating -the parts most injured by such treatment, and exposing the parts most -important to keep warm; compressing feet and ankles so as to impede -circulation, with high heels throwing all the muscles out of natural -play so as to increase all the dangerous tendencies to internal -displacement; these are only one portion of the many contrivances -adopted or allowed by parents and teachers to destroy the health of -women and young girls. - -The public press is now circulating such charges against the most -cultivated Protestant women of our country as, if true, will verify -the assertion that in one important respect, "Protestantism is a -failure." For maternity in its normal aspect, involves what scripture -represents as the extremity of physical suffering. If to this is added -the protracted tortures of mind and body consequent on such outrages -on nature as are narrated above, it is not the graduates of boarding -schools, and High Schools and Colleges who are to be the mothers and -educators of this nation, but those rather who are protected from these -sins and sufferings by humble means, daily toil, and a vigilant and -politic priesthood. - -All through my early days, no such charges against womanhood were -even imagined, for I saw a cheerful, healthful mother each second or -third year of her whole married life with another healthful infant, -and all received by my father as a precious "heritage from the Lord" -and through his long life his "chief joy and crown of rejoicing." And -this, which is now so rare an example, was a common experience, in that -more simple and healthful generation. - -My opportunities for noticing the decline of health in women of this -generation, and forming opinions on medical subjects, have been -extensive, as for over forty years I have been taxing the science -and sagacity of medical men in all parts of the nation, residing in -many health establishments, reading medical works, and consulting all -classes of medical practitioners. In this course I have secured perfect -health and also learned many lessons that I hope will enable me to aid -others in gaining the same blessing. - -And the most important of these lessons is, that most diseases are -consequences of violating the laws of health, (which are as really -the laws of God as any in the Bible), and that the surest and -safest remedies are found in conforming to these laws. This will be -illustrated by a short account of my experiences while so long a -wandering invalid. - -During this period, as results have proved, I had no organic or -functional disease, except extreme prostration of the overworked brain -and nerves, increased by a punctured nerve, adding to the debility -of the connected sciatic nerve. Thus came inability to walk without -supporters, and little ability for any kind of either mental or -physical exercise. - -The treatment to be narrated was in all cases but one, by regularly -educated physicians, most of whom were regarded as among the highest -in talents and skill, often the professors of medical colleges. The -first physician prescribed a heaping teaspoonful of carbonate of iron -three times a day, which was taken with no benefit. Next, a learned -professor, for a slight fever bled twice, and, to allay consequent -nervous excitement, gave camphor till temporary deafness ensued. Next, -another medical professor conjectured that the lameness resulted from -the state of the stomach, and gave small doses of rheubarb three times -a day with no advantage. Then another considered the spine as the -diseased point, and applied irritating ointments. Another prescribed -galvanism, but could give no rule as to time or manner, or expected -effects, but hoped that somehow it might do some good. Several -prescribed local applications to the limb, which in all cases increased -the difficulty. - -These all failing, I commenced my rounds to health establishments. The -first was conducted by a sagacious and learned German physician, who -conjectured that the cause of the lameness was the state of the blood, -and used cold water to produce a skin eruption which came without any -good result. But during a year's residence there, I saw most remarkable -cures of many diseases, by treating the skin with alternations of -heat and cold connected with simple food, and outdoor exercise. In -repeated cases I saw thin, pale victims of tubercular consumption, some -apparently in the last stages, changed to rosy, plump and vigorous -women by this treatment. Here I also gained in vigor of mind and body, -though under the most heroic water treatment, but the weak limb was -unrelieved. - -Then I resorted to an establishment where the treatment was confined -to simple food, only one or two articles being allowed at one meal. -To this was added short gymnastic exercises, alternating with short -periods of rest. Here I found that by reducing the quantity of food, -and taking only one or two articles at a meal I gained both in flesh -and strength, but the weak limb prevented the required exercises and -was unrelieved. - -Then resort was had to an establishment where many women were cured of -internal displacements and consequent evils, but a lady physician by -proper investigation, decided that my lameness resulted from no such -cause. There the physician instructed me in a course of exercises by -which a forward curvature of the spine, caused by debility and use -of supporters, was remedied, and the figure restored to the natural -position, while at the same time the chest, and thus the breathing -capacity, were enlarged so as to demand three inches added to waists -and belts. Other cases I often have met of similar restoration of the -figure, and enlargement of the chest, and compressed lungs, in several -health establishments. - -In addition to all these, I have tried Sulphur and Vapor baths, -Russian baths, Chemical baths, Turkish hot air bath, and the Sun bath, -and have seen patients benefited in all. Owing chiefly to my own -knowledge and caution I was not injured myself by any, though I saw -others, who, from ignorance, imprudence, or want of skill and care in -the physician were seriously injured in every one. - -I have also met persons who were benefited by the Grape Cure, and the -Lifting Cure. Several friends have been treated by an ignorant tailor -who taught his patients that the centre of the nervous system was the -navel, and that he cured by operations that disentangled the nerves -that were gathered in bunches and knots. His method was to spend an -hour daily with each patient in a continuous pressure and pinching of -all parts of the body, which resulted in some remarkable cures in spite -of his ridiculous theories. - -My final and only successful experiment was at the Swedish Movement -Cure, under the care of Dr. Geo. H. Taylor. This method so far -as I have observed, is the most reliable and efficacious remedy -for debilitated nerves, and for the internal displacements and -diseases consequent on the courses by which so many women weaken the -constitution or ruin the health. By this method the weak limb was -first relieved, and after this, by a strict obedience to all the laws -of health, for several years I have enjoyed perfect health. I have -also been every year gaining in strength and in the increased power of -faculties usually diminished by age. And should burnings, and crushings -of railroads, and other casualties be escaped, I have a fair chance for -at least another twenty years of health, and active usefulness. - -But this result has been gained not by any one method of medical -treatment, but rather by faithful obedience to the laws of health, -while it is preserved and continued only by the same. For whenever I -failed in any one respect, my enfeebled nervous system, especially the -weaker member, reported the wrong with marvelous precision. - -What has been gained is continued only by a faithful and diligent -course, securing pure air by night and day; regular and abundant sleep -in the hours of darkness, and no mental or physical labor except by -day; a daily towel bath in cool water in the sun or by a fire, except -in hot weather; living in light and well ventilated rooms, and often -sitting in the sun; abstinence from stimulating drinks of all kinds; a -simple diet of properly cooked food in a moderate quantity, and only at -regular hours; daily outdoor exercise by walking, riding, and use of -the muscles of the arms and trunk; clothing that never compresses any -part and always protects from chills; abstinence from over excitement -of all kinds; the cultivation of a cheerful and quiet spirit; healthful -amusements; benevolent activity never to exceed the strength; and all -this prayerfully pursued as a religious duty owed to God, to my fellow -men, and to myself. - -Another lesson illustrated by my experience, is the advance of medical -science in detecting the _causes_ of diseases so as to apply remedies -intelligently. My case was simply prostration of the nervous system -by mental care and labor, increased by a punctured nerve. And yet my -medical advisers, most of them distinguished in their profession, -treated me, one, for diseased stomach, another for diseased spine, -another for diseased blood, and most of them applied stimulants to the -weak part, always thus increasing the weakness. That was nearly forty -years ago. Since then nervous diseases are better understood, while -animal chemistry, the microscope, and the thermometer have furnished -new means for intelligent search for _causes_ of disease. - -And yet our most learned physicians complain of the deficient education -given to medical students, and their negligent practice in comparison -with European methods. I have before me the Richmond and Louisville -Medical Journal of 1869, which claims to be the largest medical monthly -in this nation. In it I find a letter from Dr. W. O. Baldwin, late -President of the National Congress of physicians, asking from Dr. Wm. -Neftel, of New York, late physician of the Russian Imperial Guard, an -account of the course of medical study in Europe, and remarking that -Dr. Neftel "beautifully illustrates by his example and by his valuable -contributions to science, the wisdom of the system in which he was -educated." - -In reply, Dr. Neftel states that the first requisition in Europe for -medical license, is a course of general study equal to that demanded -in our colleges, and in addition, a thorough knowledge of physics. -Next follows four summer and four winter sessions in the medical -department. The first two years are devoted to anatomy, histology, -physiology, chemistry, pathological anatomy, general and special -pathology and therapeutics, the principles of operative surgery and -obstetrics, working at the same time in the chemical, physiological -and pathological laboratories. In the last sessions only the student -attends the different clinics—medical, surgical, obstetrical, -opthalmological, dermatological, and psychological. Then, under a -professor some special branch of medical science is pursued. - -Dr. Neftel states as one cause of the advance of medical science in -Germany and Russia, is the institution of free teachers or _privat -docents_. These are students distinguished by original genius or great -research, who in connexion with the faculty, become teachers, and -have full access to laboratories, museums, and libraries. Many young -physicians of talents thus rise to high positions, and from this class -have risen the greatest men of science. Thus it is, also, that the -German Universities secure the best professors who devote their lives -to science and instruction, with most admirable results. - -Another advantage to medical science in Germany, is the close connexion -of the medical departments in the Universities with the other faculties -of philosophy, law, and theology. In consequence of this, we find the -greatest chemists and natural philosophers to be medical men, and a -number of physiologists are great mathematicians. - -Dr. Neftel, after completing this course, was connected with medical -departments in the Universities of London, Paris, and Germany for four -years. After this the adoption of republican opinions prevented his -return to Russia, and led him to this country. - -It is by frequent intercourse with Dr. Neftel, and by observing his -methods of detecting the _causes_ of disease, that I have been -deeply impressed with the imperfect modes pursued by inexperienced -practitioners, and even by some who stand high in the profession. -For example, I took a friend to him who had been examined by several -physicians of high standing. One of them decided that the disease was -of the heart, another that it was of the liver, and a third that it was -of the kidneys. But by the microscope and by chemical tests, it was -proved that neither of these organs were diseased, and that all the -symptoms were caused by miasmatic fungi in the blood. - -In the case of another lady I witnessed investigations to detect the -_cause_ of the frequent re-appearance of carbuncles, which had not been -sought for by other medical advisers; they only prescribing modes of -hastening and diminishing the crisis. To look at the tongue, feel the -pulse, and hear a statement of the symptoms, is the common method, and -then prescriptions are given of powerful chemical agents, which, if not -suited to the case are injurious. - -Thus it comes to pass that the most learned and careful physicians are -demanding an increase of medical educational advantages in our country. - -Thus also it has come to pass that health establishments abound, in -which the natural agencies of water, light, pure air, exercise, and -simple diet are the chief medical agents employed. And in most cases -the patients are those who have vainly tried the regular medical -treatment. - -The great defect in all these institutions, so far as I have observed, -is confinement to one special method, and a neglect of enforcing -obedience to _all_ the laws of health. For in not even one such -institution have I ever known proper arrangements for securing pure air -both night and day; while in some the diet is at war with healthful -digestion. To these evils add the ignorance of the patients in -over-doing, and the want of skill, or care of the physician, and the -result has been more mischief than benefit in many cases. For there is -as much need of science and care in the physician in the use of these -natural agents as in the more common methods. - -Recently some of the most efficacious methods employed in Water Cure -Establishments have received the sanction and approval of the highest -medical practitioners in Europe. - -For in the _Medical Record_, the leading periodical of N. York -physicians, I find a paper read before the New York Academy of -Medicine, in October, 1868, by Dr. Neftel, in which he states that the -most distinguished writers and practitioners in Europe now employ cold -water for reducing fevers, just as for twenty years or more has been -practiced in Water Cures. - -In this paper he says: "My first acquaintance with the use of water -in diseases, was during the Crimean war, when a murderous epidemic of -typhus fever prevailed, _resisting every known method of treatment_. -Following the instincts of patients and watching the effects of cold -water, I commenced treating with cold sponging and effusions and the -result surpassed my hopes, and was _far better than that obtained by -any other method_. I myself was attacked by the disease and was saved -from death only by my own mode of treatment. But still my treatment -was purely empyrical and symptomatic. Soon after, this method was -confirmed in the large hospitals of Russia, with excellent results." - -"The principal rule observed is never to allow the temperature -(ascertained by a thermometer placed under the shoulder) to rise -higher than 103 Fahrenheit. The mildest degree of cooling is attained -by sponging the whole body with cold water or by keeping the patient -continually in a wet sheet. A wet cloth is laid on the head, and if not -asleep, every quarter of an hour the patient is offered a little cold -water to drink, and every three hours nourishing fluid food. The room -is to be kept well ventilated and stimulants avoided." - -Dr. Neftel adds, "the effect of this treatment is so wonderful that -those familiar with typhoid patients will not recognize them. By -keeping the temperature below 103.1 Fahrenheit the exacerbations are -avoided and the fever kept in a continuous remission. The patients are -never unconscious, never delirious, the tongue always remains moist and -clean, the bronchial catarrh is very slight, and so is the diarrhœa, if -any at all. There is no tympanites, no hemorrhage, no complication, and -we have reason to believe the intestinal ulcerations do not occur at -all. Under this treatment the course of typhoid fever is very mild and -short, the convalescence very rapid, and the mortality none whatever. -A great number of patients treated by myself on this method, have -recovered without exception. In this city I had a patient whose morning -temperature once reached 106.34° Fahrenheit—_a case absolutely fatal -under every other treatment_—and she is now recovering." - -"The thermometer indicates with the greatest exactness, the condition -of the animal heat, the presence of fever, its degree, intensity and -danger. It also traces the laws of the course of different types -of disease, indicates transitions from one stage to another, the -ameliorations and aggravations, and the return of the normal condition. -It enables us to form a correct diagnosis and prognosis, and gives us -positive therapeutical indications." In conversation I enquired if all -kinds of fevers should be subdued by this method, and was assured that -this was the safest and surest mode for all. - -A scientific and very successful practitioner who managed a Water Cure -Establishment, and was largely employed in the town around, stated that -after a year or two of instruction in the use of cold water, he lost -all his outside patients, as the mothers and housekeepers had learned -to treat by his methods, and no longer needed his attention except in -rare cases. - -I have stated that it was at the Swedish Movement Cure, under charge of -Dr. Geo. H. Taylor, that the cause of my long invalidism and its remedy -were ascertained. In addition to this personal benefit, I have learned -the cause and the proper remedy of a class of female diseases which -have baffled the most skillful practitioners and introduced methods in -many ways so unfortunate, that my whole sex will eventually recognize -as a great benefactor, the physician who has rendered them needless, -and introduced others at once philosophical, modest, and efficacious. - -Dr. Taylor's discoveries and methods are presented in his work on the -Diseases of Women, published by George Maclean, 47 John Street, N. Y. -This work has the approval of the leading physicians of Philadelphia -and New York, and other distinguished practitioners whose specialty has -been in this department. If this work should find its way into every -school and family, it probably would do more for the health of women -and of the next generation than any other similar measure that can be -urged. - -The information I have gained in the modes narrated, has increased my -conviction of the importance of giving to every woman a _scientific_ -training for her profession as _healthkeeper_ of the family state. -Not that the long course needed for general medical practice should -be attempted, which in the chief European Universities would demand -ten and twelve years of study and training. Instead of this, I -would propose a moderate course in physiology and animal chemistry, -accompanied with instruction in practical scientific methods of -employing water, light, heat, cold, air, exercise, and diet—both to -prevent and to remedy diseases—nor should the application of these -remedies be left entirely to the judgment and skill of women, even -after such training, but be under the guidance of a physician, highly -educated, so as to detect by careful investigation the _causes_ of -disease, and of such another as Dr. Taylor, who has practised in both -the Water and Movement Cures. - -I have stated that in one large town a Water Cure physician lost all -his outside practice by instructing mothers and housekeepers how to -use properly the methods of the Water Cure. If to these were added -the practical methods of the Movement Cure, as conducted by Dr. G. -H. Taylor, with the enforcement of _all_ the laws of health in a -given community, it is probable that all the physicians but those -superintending these methods, would lose all their practice. - -One of the most judicious and well educated physicians I know, -expressed the opinion that if a number of families in a town would -unite to provide a salary to a good physician (the same as to a -clergyman) who should visit each family to watch over the habits and -health, and see all methods employed to keep them well, that in the -end, it would prove a great piece of economy in money as well as -in health. The sagacious Chinese have learned this, and pay their -physicians so long as they are well, and stop paying when they are ill. - -But with us it is for the pecuniary interest of physicians to have -sickness general in a community, and there is need of a profession -whose honor and emolument depend on the _prevention_ of all diseases. -For this profession every woman, and especially every school-teacher -should be carefully trained. - -If all the women teachers of this nation could be trained to be -_health-keepers_ under the supervision of the highest class of educated -physicians, and then sent forth to lecture in all our school districts -teaching mothers and housekeepers the laws of health, and the methods -of the Water and Movement Cures, it is probable that health and long -life would be doubled all over the nation. - -And here I would urge renewed attention to the state of female health -in our country as exhibited in statistics published in a work of mine -fifteen years ago, and introduced in a chapter placed at the end of -this volume. I have never found any reason to doubt the correctness -of the impression made by these statements at first, nor to suppose -any marked improvement at the present time. For the diminution of -domestic labor by school girls of all ages and classes; the increase -of mental labor in public schools; the increase of cares to mother -and housekeepers in country as well as cities, from increase of -the refinements of civilization; the increased use of stoves and -furnaces without proper arrangements for ventilation; the increase of -unhealthful labor for women in unventilated stores, shops, and mills; -the unhealthful fashions of dress, and the fact that at this day women -receive more delicate constitutions than those given by mothers of a -former generation; all these things indicate an increase rather than a -diminution of the causes that undermine the health of women. - -This brings me to the main object of this meeting, which is to enlist -the interest and influence of the ladies present, in devising and -executing plans for the proper education of the daughters of this -city—by methods that shall remedy the evils that have been set forth, -and which shall serve as a model to other cities and towns through our -nation. - -In detailing an outline of the plan aimed at, I will first state that -it has already received the approval of ladies of good judgment, and of -practical experience as mothers and housekeepers; and also is approved -by the Trustees of the H. F. Seminary. - -I appear at this time as the Secretary and Gen. Agent of the American -Woman's Educational Association. This consists of ladies of high -character and position in various states which meets annually to -receive reports of agents and direct their operations. This Association -has established several institutions at the West, the most important -being the Milwaukee Female College. The method employed was to take -a school already organized as the nucleus, and then offer to the -citizens to secure endowments to support teachers, on condition that -they provided a suitable building and tuition fees to support a -certain number of superior teachers. This was done, and for fifteen -years that institution, in its primary, preparatory, and collegiate -schools has successfully carried out one portion of the plan of the -Association, some teachers being supported by endowments provided by -the Association, and others by tuition fees. The chief agent of the -Association has had the control and supervision of this institution now -numbering nearly 200 pupils from all the Protestant denominations. The -chief difficulty has been the fact that the Association is located at -the East, and its work done at the West. - -It is now proposed to carry out the plans of the Association more -completely in an institution at the East, under the immediate charge of -an Executive Committee, resident in the same place as the Institution. - -It is proposed to organize the H. F. Seminary like that at Milwaukee, -with Primary, Preparatory, and Collegiate schools all under the care -of the Trustees as at present. These schools to be furnished by the -citizens, with building, library, and apparatus equal to those of the -High School, and a course of study instituted allowing entrance only -at certain periods, and limiting the number of studies each term, as -is done in the College and High School. Also to raise endowments to -support two of the highest class of teachers, so that they can secure -homes and salaries equal to those given to college professors. - -This being secured by the citizens, the Association will appoint -their Executive Committee from ladies of this city, one from each -denomination, and others be added, selected by them, also a certain -number of the Trustees of the Seminary to become members. Then the -managers will appoint a collecting agent to raise funds to establish -a University School with diverse departments, in which pupils of the -Seminary and others shall be trained for all the distinctive duties of -women, and all who wish it also be trained for some suitable womanly -employment or profession by which to earn an honorable independence. - -The first organized departments of the University would be the Normal -and Health departments. Two highly educated ladies would become the -Principals, and Dr. Neftel, and Dr. Taylor have engaged to act as -superintending physicians. The Association will aim to provide land and -buildings for these departments, and support the two lady principals -so that they can receive into their families two classes. During the -months of July and August, when most teachers have vacations, the class -will consist of enfeebled and exhausted teachers to be restored and -trained to teach our system of Calisthenics, and to administer the -methods of the Water Cure, and Movement Cure, and also to lecture on -the laws of health in the communities to which they will return. - -At all other periods of the year, these families will consist of young -girls of delicate constitutions or poor health, to be trained to health -and vigor, and at the same time to pursue a moderate course of study in -the Seminary classes. These lady principals will also take charge of -the Seminary classes in Domestic Science, Physiology, Animal Chemistry, -Botany, and Calisthenics under direction of the Principals of the -Seminary. On this plan two teachers will be supported by endowments -provided by the citizens, and two by endowments provided by the -Association. - -The Trustees of the Seminary will control all funds given for the -Primary, Preparatory, and Collegiate schools, and the Executive -Committee of the Association will control the funds given for the -University department. As to the probability of raising endowments, -the former agent of the Association testifies that he was cordially -welcomed to the pulpits of almost every Protestant denomination and -sometimes took larger collections than were given for any other objects. - -There is one reason for endowing the H. F. Seminary, little -understood. Three female institutions are soon to go into operation in -Massachusetts, one endowed with a million and a half, another with half -a million, a third very largely provided. These will offer advantages -and salaries commanding the best teachers, and the public High Schools -will do the same. Thus the boarding and other pay schools not endowed, -will soon lose their best teachers and take up only with a humbler -class. This, and the multiplication of studies and classes, will make -boarding and day schools for the wealthy class, unless endowed, very -inferior to the public High schools and endowed institutions. - -Many female colleges have attempted a regular course of study demanding -few classes for each term, and that all pupils enter at regular -periods. But not one that I know of, has raised endowments to support -teachers. Not even Vassar, though provided with over half a million, -has a single endowment to support a teacher. All has been spent -in expensive grounds, buildings, and furniture to draw pupils from -parental watch and care. - -If this half million had been devoted to providing endowments for this -Seminary, some ten or twelve of the highest class of women teachers -might have permanent positions and incomes. - -In reference to the patronage to be expected for the health department, -Dr. Dio Lewis gained very large patronage by taking charge of young -girls in delicate health who thronged from every part of the nation. - -I will close by giving a specimen of the applications constantly made -to me from all quarters for teachers out of health. I think if it -were notified in the public prints that help could be given to such -applications, they would count more by thousands than by hundreds. - -So much and so often have I been pained to turn away from such -piteous appeals, that nothing but the hope of some day meeting such a -sympathizing and influential body of friends and followers of Christ, -has sustained me. - - "Dear Miss Beecher: - - "Having read of your plans for aiding teachers in regaining - health, I address you in behalf of a dear and only child. I - myself was a teacher, and by intense interest and labor lost my - health. My marriage afterwards was unfortunate, and ever since - the birth of this child I have had to struggle alone and with - poor health to support her and myself by my needle. - - "My child is fond of study, is a graduate of one of the best - public schools, and afterward attended an excellent Grammar - school in N. York city. The principal told me she was the - brightest in her class, and had a depth and clearness of mind - unusual in her age. She was much beloved in her classes, - especially by her teachers. - - "But her studies were too severe, and for a long time she has - not been able to study or do much except practice on the piano, - for which she had the best of teachers, and would like to teach - it when her head gets stronger. I have consulted one of the - best physicians, and he says she may recover in time, that too - much study is the cause of her trouble, and that she must not - study at all. - - "Dear Miss Beecher, you cannot imagine how great is my interest - in your plans, and how I long to place my daughter under your - care. I thought the anxieties of a mother would prove some - claim on your kindness, and that you would excuse me for - applying to you for advice and help. If my child could go into - some christian home near the sea-side and do light work to pay - for her board, she would be willing to do so; and perhaps could - teach one or two scholars in music. The poor child now feels - distressed and discouraged, and I know not what to do. She is a - Christian believer and a member of the church, and I hope our - Heavenly Father will show us some way of help and comfort in - this our low estate." - - - - -AN ADDRESS TO THE CHRISTIAN WOMEN OF AMERICA. - - -MY DEAR AND HONORED COUNTRYWOMEN: - -When I wrote the first address in this volume, I had a very imperfect -idea of the scope and magnitude of the questions which the women of -this nation, who aim to be followers of Jesus Christ, will soon be -called to investigate and to decide—questions which are the very -foundation principles of both morals and religion—questions which every -woman must settle for herself aided by common sense, the Bible, and the -Divine aid obtained by prayer. - -To us Jesus Christ appears as the only one born into this world who -lived to maturity, then died and then returned to life again; first to -prove that death does not end our existence, and next to teach what -awaits us in the invisible world to which we all are hastening. - -Let those who have mused in lonely sorrow by the grave of the dearest -friends and asked with infinite longings—where are they? is this the -end? are we too to lie down in utter annihilation?—say how we could -have these questions answered so as to best secure a comforting belief? -Should we not say let our well-known, well-beloved friends, come forth -from the tomb and live with us again—walk, talk, eat, sleep, and act, -as in past times—and this for days and weeks and not alone with us, -but with many others who had known them through life? Can we imagine -anything to ask more satisfactory than this, to prove that death does -not end our existence? - -Suppose that Abraham Lincoln, after his body had lain in state for -three days, had risen from his coffin and for thirty days had been -surrounded by his family, his cabinet, his personal friends, and by as -many as three hundred persons who knew him well; can we conceive of -anything more satisfactory to prove that death does not destroy the -soul? And would not his honest teachings of what is to be experienced -after death, be sought as the most reliable evidence possible of what -awaits us all when we pass to the invisible world? - -This is exactly what the believers in the Christian religion claim was -done for us when Jesus Christ came and dwelt on earth for thirty-three -years, then was slain by enemies determined to prevent his predicted -resurrection, and then arose from the dead, bringing life and -immortality to light. And why did this good Being come and dwell on -earth, then die, and then arise from the dead? It was to teach us not -only that an immortal existence stretches before us after death, but -that the happiness of that immortality depends on _the character which -is formed by education here_. - -What then is the character which we are to seek in order to attain -immortal blessedness? The first sermon of our Lord has this very topic -as its burden: - -"Blessed are the poor in spirit,"—those who feel the need of knowledge, -guidance, and help. - -"Blessed are the meek,"—those that receive rebuke and instruction -without anger. - -"Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness,"—those -that long to know what is the right way, and to walk in it. - -"Blessed are the _happiness makers_,"[173:A]—those who make happiness -the right way, as taught by the Master—"for they are the children of -God,"—having His nature as the child has the father's nature, and they -are to dwell with Him forever. - - [173:A] This is a more exact translation than "Blessed are the - peace-makers." - -It is such who are to "rejoice and be exceeding glad" even when -persecuted, hated, and reviled, for right words and actions. It is such -who are to enter the kingdom of Heaven. - -And what is this kingdom? It is one made up of the righteous, those -who long to know what is right and to do it, who hunger and thirst -after righteousness, and so are forever to be satisfied. And then the -Master teaches that His kingdom is not of this world, but exactly the -opposite. For the children of this world do not feel poor in spirit, -but rather seek to be called Rabbi, and to teach others. They do not -wish to be told of their ignorance, mistakes and sins, and are angry -when it is done. They do not hunger and thirst to find the lowly way of -righteousness, but rather the way of riches, honor, and power. - -They do not seek to become true "happiness makers" as taught by the -words and example of the Master, taking a humble place, going about -and doing good, and working for others more than for self. Instead of -this they work and plan for self, first, and then for those belonging -to self, and care little for the world that the Master came to save. -They seek to be at the top and to have all below look up to them. - -Now the family state is instituted to educate our race to the Christian -character,—to train the young to be followers of Christ. Woman is its -chief minister, and the work to be done is the most difficult of all, -requiring not only intellectual power but a moral training nowhere else -so attainable as in the humble, laborious, daily duties of the family -state. - -Woman's great mission is to train immature, weak, and ignorant -creatures, to obey the laws of God; the physical, the intellectual, the -social, and the moral—first in the family, then in the school, then -in the neighborhood, then in the nation, then in the world—that great -family of God whom the Master came to teach and to save. And His most -comprehensive rule is, "Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy -heart," and "this is the love of God that ye keep His commandments." -And next, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." These two the -Master teaches are the chief end of man and includes all taught by -Moses and the prophets. This then is woman's work, to train the young -in the family and the school _to obey God's laws_ as learned partly -by experience, partly by human teaching and example, and partly by -revelations from God. - -But the most solemn duty of the Christian woman is the _motives_ she -is to employ in training to this obedience. The motives used by the -worldly educator are the gain or loss of earthly pleasures, honors, and -comforts. But the truly Christian woman feels and presents as the grand -motive, the dangers of the future life from which our Lord came to save -us, and these so dreadful that all we most value in this life are to be -made secondary and subordinate, while the chief concern is, not mainly -to save self, but rather to save ourselves by laboring to save others -from ignorance of God's laws and to secure the obedience indispensable -to future eternal safety. - -And this is to be done at a period when this great motive of Christ's -religion is more and more passing out of regard, even in the Christian -church. So much is this the case, that the world has good reason to -say that while most creeds and preachers teach it in words, few really -believe it. For "it is actions that speak louder than words," as to -what is believed. - -For example, if a company of amiable persons were told that a shipwreck -was close at hand and help needed to save the struggling passengers, -and yet, after a few enquiries, all went on as before, it would justly -be said that these persons do not believe in the messenger and his -message. But suppose another company, on hearing the news, rush out -amid the darkness and danger, to help; this would prove their _faith_ -in the messenger and his story. - -Now no earthly danger can compare with those revealed by our Lord as -threatening every child born into this life; and He also teaches that -_the number saved depends on the self-denying labors of His followers_. -With small exceptions, all the Christian churches profess to believe -this, and that the first concern of Christian life is to _save as many -as possible_. And yet where is the _practical_ evidence that this is -believed? - -If these teachings of Christ were fully and practically believed, would -it not so divide the church from the world that there could be no -mistake as to who are Christians and who are not? And is there any such -marked divisions in most of our churches? - -It may be urged that this doctrine has been set forth with such hideous -detail and additions entirely unwarranted by the Bible and so abhorrent -to the best feelings of humanity, that the more men become humane and -Christ-like the more they revolt from it.[178:A] - - [178:A] Note C. - -Yet if this be so, the fact remains that Jesus Christ, the only -reliable messenger from the invisible world, has in the strongest -language both literal and figurative, set forth these dangers and -enjoined on his followers as their _first_ concern, to save as many as -possible, by training them to a knowledge of God's laws and to habitual -obedience to them. And is there not a want of _belief_ in this—that -is, a want that _practical faith_ in Christ and his message, which it -is the great and chief mission of woman to secure by her ministry in -the family and school? She it is who daily is to train all under her -care to become _righteous_, that is, to _feel and act right_ according -to the rules of right revealed by Jesus Christ. She is to teach that -"repentance" which consists in such sorrow for wrong doing as involves -turning from it, and such love as secures obedience to the Lord and -Savior. - -Now the Christian woman in the family and in the school is the most -complete autocrat that is known, as the care of the helpless little -ones, the guidance of their intellect, and the formation of all their -habits, are given to her supreme control. Scarcely less is she mistress -and autocrat over a husband, whose character, comfort, peace, and -prosperity, are all in her power. In this responsible position is she -to teach, by word and example, as did Jesus Christ? Is she to set an -example to children and servants not only of that of a ruler, but also -of obedience as a subordinate? In the civil state her sons will be -subjects to rulers who are weak and wicked, just as she may be subject -to a husband and father every way her inferior in ability and moral -worth. Shall she teach her children and servants by her own example -to be humble, obedient, meek, patient, forgiving, gentle, and loving, -even to the evil and unthankful, or shall she form rebellious parties -and carry her points by contest and discord? God has given man the -physical power, the power of the purse, and the civil power, and woman -must submit with Christian equanimity or contend. What is the answer of -common sense, and what are the teachings of Christ and His Apostles? - -Let every woman who is musing on these questions, take a reference -Bible and examine all the New Testament directions on the duties of the -family state, and she will have no difficulty in deciding what was the -view of Christ and His Apostles as to woman's position and duties. She -is a _subordinate_ in the family state, just as her father, husband, -brother, and sons are subordinates in the civil state. And the same -rules that are to guide them are to guide her. She and they are to be -obedient to "the higher powers"—those that can force obedience—except -when their demands are contrary to the higher law of God, and in -such a conflict they are "to obey God rather than man," and take the -consequences whatever they may be. And a woman has no more difficulty -in deciding when to obey God rather than man in the family state -than her husband, father, and sons have, in the civil state. And -obedience in the family to "the higher power" held by man, is no more a -humiliation than is man's obedience to a civil ruler. - -If this be so, then the doctrine of woman's subjugation is established -and the opposing doctrine of Stuart Mills and his followers is -in direct opposition to the teachings both of common sense and -Christianity. - -There is a moral power given to woman in the family state much more -controlling and abiding than the inferior, physical power conferred -on man. And the more men are trained to refinement, honor, and -benevolence, the more this moral power of woman is increased. This -is painfully illustrated in cases where an amiable and Christian man -is bound for life to an unreasonable, selfish, and obstinate woman. -With such a woman reasoning is useless, and physical force alone can -conquer, and this such a man cannot employ. The only alternatives are -ceaseless conflicts, at the sacrifice of conscience and self-respect, -or hopeless submission to a daily and grinding tyranny. - -The general principles to guide both men and women as to the duties of -those in a subordinate station, have been made clear by discussions -relating to civil government. But the corresponding duties of those -invested with power and authority have not been so clearly set -forth, especially those of the family state. While the duties of -subordination, subjection, and obedience, have been abundantly enforced -on woman, the corresponding duties of man as head and ruler of the -family state have not received equal attention either from the pulpit -or the press. And this is not because they are not as difficult, as -important and as clearly taught by the Master and the Apostles of -Christianity. - -St. Paul, who, while he dwelt in retirement in Arabia, received the -direct instructions of Jesus Christ, claims to have full authority from -the Master to instruct on this important and fundamental topic, and in -his Epistle to the Ephesians we have his express and full teachings. -In this most interesting passage we find that the family state is the -emblem to represent Jesus Christ and the Church—the Church "which is -the great company of faithful people" in all ages and all lands—those -who are appointed to guide and save the world—the true educators of our -race, who, by self-denying labors are to train men for Heaven. Of this -body the Apostles teaches that Jesus Christ is the head—those whom He -has redeemed by His labor and sacrifice, and who are to train as His -children all whom they can rescue from ignorance and sin, by similar -labor and sacrifice. - -It is in this connection that he sets forth the duties of the family -state, Ephesians v: 22 to 33, "Wives submit yourselves unto your own -husbands _as unto the Lord_. For the husband is head of the wife, even -as Christ is head of the Church: Therefore, as the Church is subject to -Christ so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything." - -"Husbands love your wives even as Christ also loved the Church and -gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the -washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself, a -glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that -it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives -as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man -ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it even as -the Lord the Church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and -of His bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother -and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh." - -No wonder these directions close with "this is a great mystery"; for -the most advanced followers of Christ have but just begun to understand -the solemn relations and duties of the family state—man the head, -protector, and provider—woman the chief educator of immortal minds—man -to labor and suffer to train and elevate woman for her high calling, -woman to set an example of meekness, gentleness, obedience, and -self-denying love, as she guides her children and servants heavenward. - -It is this comprehensive view of the family state as organized to -train immortal minds for the eternal world that indicates the reason -for the stringency of the teachings of our Lord as to the indissoluble -union of man and wife in marriage. - - "And he said unto them, Moses, _because of the hardness of your - hearts_, suffered you to put away your wives; but from the - beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, whosoever shall - put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall - marry another committeth adultery; and whosoever marrieth her - that is put away doth commit adultery." - - "Have ye not read that He which made them at the beginning - made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a - man leave father and mother and shall cleave to his wife, and - they twain shall be one flesh. What therefore God hath joined - together let not man put asunder." - -This then is "the higher law" which abrogates all contrary human -statutes and forbids to marry more than once, except when death or -adultery breaks the bond. This statute brings all the advocates of -free divorce in direct antagonism with the teachings of Jesus Christ. -And it is a striking fact that the great body of those who advocate -free divorce and free love, deny the authority of Jesus Christ as the -authorized teacher of faith and morals. - -In the discussions as to woman's rights and wrongs, it is assumed on -one side that she is not to take a subordinate position either in the -family or the State. And the apparent plausibility of the claim is -owing to a want of logical clearness in the use of words. When it is -said that "all men are created free and equal and equally entitled to -life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," and that women as much as -men are included, it is true in one use of terms and false in another. -It is true in this sense, that woman's happiness and usefulness are -equal in value to man's, and ought to be so treated. But it is not true -that women are and should be treated as the equals of men in _every_ -respect. They certainly are not his equals in physical power, which is -the final resort in _government_ of both the family and the State. And -it is owing to this fact that she is placed as a subordinate both in -the family and the State. At the same time it is required of man who -is holding "the higher powers" so to administer that woman shall have -equal advantages with man for usefulness and happiness. - -Hitherto the laws relating to women in the civil state have been -formed on the assumption that society is a combination of families, in -each of which the husband and father is the representative head, and -the one who, it is supposed, will secure all that is just and proper -for the protection and well being of wife and daughters. And if the -teachings of Christianity were dominant, and every man loved his wife -as himself, and was ready to sacrifice himself and suffer for her -elevation and improvement, even as Christ suffered to redeem and purify -the Church, there would be no trouble. - -But both men and women have been selfish and sinful, neither party -having attained the high ideal of Christianity, and very many have not -even understood it so as to aim at it. But it is woman's mission as the -educator of the race to remedy the evil, not by giving up the ideal but -by striving more and more to conform herself and all under her care -to its blessed outlines. And in past times those families have been -the most peaceful and prosperous where the wife and mother has most -faithfully aimed to obey the teachings of Christ and His Apostles, in -this as in every other direction. - -The principle of subordination is the great bond of union and harmony -through the universe. At the head is the loving Father and Lord whom -all are to obey with perfect faith and submission. Then revelations -teaches that in the invisible world are superior and subordinate ranks, -each owing obedience to superiors in station and described as "thrones, -dominions, principalities, and powers." Again, in this world are also -superiors and subordinates, not only in the family state but in all -kinds of business where heads of establishments and master workmen -demand implicit faith and obedience. - -This being so, one of the most important responsibilities of a woman -in the family state is to train the young in this duty, not only by -precept but also by example. And a woman who clearly understands the -importance of this, will pride herself on her implicit obedience to -the official head of the family state, as much so as the citizen or -soldier does to his superior officer, or the subordinate operator to -his master-workman. - -But at the same time, such a woman will demand and expect a return for -this submission, that the husband and father fulfil his corresponding -and more difficult duties; to love his wife as himself; to honor -her as _physically_ the weaker vessel needing more tender care and -less exposure and labor; to suffer for her in order to increase her -improvement, usefulness, and happiness, even as the Lord suffered to -elevate and purify his followers. - -The duty of subordination, though so fundamental and important, is one -to which all minds are naturally averse. For every mind seeks to follow -its own judgment and wishes rather than those of another. Especially -is this the case with persons of great sensibilities and strong will. -It is owing to this that so many women of this class are followers of -Stuart Mills' doctrine that a wife is not a subordinate in the family -state. And it is for want of clear instruction on this subject from the -pulpit and the press that this doctrine spreads so fast and so widely. - -The agitation at the present time in regard to woman's right and -wrongs is greatly owing to the fact that, from various causes, large -multitudes of women are without the love and protection secured by -marriage. And yet the laws and customs of society are framed on the -general rule that every man is to be head of a family and every woman -a wife. But war, emigration, vicious indulgencies, and many other -causes have rendered marriage impossible to multitudes of women; -counting by tens of thousands in the older States, and by hundreds -of thousands in our nation. A large portion of these women must earn -their own independence, while those who are provided with a support -are embarrassed by false customs or unjust laws. In regard to the -multitudes of women who flock to our cities and to such direful -temptations it is often said, why "do they not become servants in -families?" Let any woman who has a young daughter ponder this question -as one that may reach her own family. Does not almost every woman feel, -more or less, the bondage of _caste_ and shrink from taking the _lowest -place_ even though the Lord of Glory set the example? - -And is it not the chief attraction toward our pitying Saviour that He -loves and tenderly cares for the weak, the wandering and the lost? -And are we not walking in His steps when we try to help the weak and -foolish who will not take care of themselves? - -That there is an emergency which demands changes in our customs and -laws, all well informed and benevolent persons will concede. But the -main question is, what should be the nature of these changes and how -shall they be secured? - -There are certain customs of society which are based on the assumption -that all women are to marry and be supported by husbands, and that -all men are to provide for the support of a family. It is on this -assumption that, in cases where men and women do the same work and do -it equally well, men receive much larger wages than women. - -But as emigration, war, and the vices of unrestrained civilization have -interfered with this normal condition of society, the laws and customs -should be modified to meet the emergency. For there are many wrongs, -both to married and unmarried women, consequent on the present false -and unchristian state of things. - -As one example of injustice, it is granted by all who superintend -public schools, that women are as good and often better teachers -than men, and yet they are unjustly denied equal compensation. In -many other directions the same unjust custom prevails. Still more -unjust is the custom which gives superior advantages to men for -the scientific and practical training for a profession by which an -honorable independence may be secured and almost none at all are -provided for women. So also in the distribution of public offices of -trust and emolument which secure an income from the civil state, there -are several in which woman can perform the duties as well or better -then men, especially in the care of schools, hospitals, jails, and all -public institutions of benevolence. - -Almost all persons of intelligence will concede that justice and -mercy call for changes and improvement in these particulars. The main -question is, what is the best method for securing such improvement? - -The party of men and women who are demanding woman suffrage claim -that this is the only sure and effective remedy for these and all -other wrongs that oppress women both in the family and in the civil -state. The party is organized and led by intelligent, energetic, and -benevolent women; they have well-conducted periodicals to urge their -views and to excite sympathy by details of the various ways in which -women suffer from unjust customs and laws; and they are sustained -by the approval and co-operation of many gentlemen of talents and -benevolence. - -But the great majority of intelligent and benevolent men and women -are opposed to this measure, first, on account of the probable evils -involved and next because the good aimed at may be secured by a safer, -more speedy, and more appropriate method. - -In enumerating the evils that would result from introducing woman -to the responsibilities and excitements of political life, the most -prominent is her increased withdrawal from the more humble, but -more important offices of the family state. At the present time, -the services of the seamstress and the mantua-maker are imperfectly -supplied, and when obtained it is often from those who are poorly -trained. An economical, trustworthy, and competent cook, is a treasure -growing more and more rare, which often the highest wages cannot -procure. A kind, intelligent, and affectionate woman, to aid a mother -in the cares of the nursery, is still more rare. - -If the good mothers and grandmothers, who have trained their own -offspring, would take pity on the young mothers all over the land -who are suffering for want of just such sympathy and help as only -such women can bestow, they would soon find, especially in the poorer -classes, a field of usefulness far more in keeping with the tender -spirit of Christian love and humility than any offices that political -action would provide. - -Again, the demand for well trained governesses and family teachers is -unsupplied, while multitudes of children all over the nation have no -teachers and no schools of any kind. To open avenues to political place -and power for all classes of women would cause these humble labors of -the family and school to be still more undervalued and shunned. - -Another evil to be apprehended from introducing women into political -life is increasing the temptations to draw them from the humble, -self-sacrificing Christian labor among the ignorant and neglected, -which now is so imperfectly supplied. To be a member of the -Legislature, a member of Congress, a Judge, a Governor, or a President, -are temptations heretofore unknown to women. Who shall say what -would be the result should every woman of _every class in society_ be -stimulated by such temptations? - -Another danger to be feared, is the introducing into political strifes -the distinctive power of sex, an element as yet untried in our form of -government. In some short experiments that have been made we have seen -how pure and intelligent women can be deceived and misled by the baser -sort, their very innocence and inexperience making them credulous and -the helpless tools of the guilty and bold. - -Another danger from universal woman suffrage would result from -the course that would be taken by many of the most virtuous and -intelligent women. Of those who would regard this measure as an act -of injustice and oppression, forcing duties on their sex unsuited to -their character and circumstances, many would refuse to assume any -such responsibilities. Thus a large number of the most intelligent and -conscientious women would be withdrawn from the polls, increasing the -relative proportion of the ignorant and incompetent voters, a class -that already bring doubt on the success of republican institutions. -On the other hand, another portion would be forced to the polls by -conscientious motives, and there meet the lowest and vilest of their -sex as those who are to appoint their rulers and decide their laws. How -would it be possible for such women to honor the rulers and respect the -laws instituted by such agencies? - -The final objection to universal woman suffrage is that there is -another safer, surer, and more speedy method at command which would -secure all the benefits aimed at without any of these dangers. - -This method is based on the general principle that in seeking either -favors or rights it is a wise policy to assume the good character and -good intentions of those who have the power to give or withhold. The -law-making power is now in the hands of men, and the advocates of women -suffrage practically are saying, "you men are so selfish and unjust -that you cannot be trusted with the interests of your wives, daughters, -and sisters; therefore give them the law-making power that they may -take care of themselves." - -As a mere matter of policy, to say nothing of justice, how much wiser -it would be to assume that men are ready and willing to change unjust -laws and customs whenever the better way is made clear and then to ask -to have all evils that laws can remedy removed. Whenever this course -has been practiced it has always been successful and therefore should -first be tried. For any men who would give up the law-making power to -women in order to remedy existing evils, would surely be those most -ready to enact the needful laws themselves. - -The woman suffrage party is so extensively organized, with such -energetic and persistent leaders and such ably conducted papers and -tracts, that those of our sex who are opposed to this measure begin -to feel disturbed and anxious lest it should finally be consummated. -Instead of meeting this danger by ridicule and obloquy I would suggest -that practical methods be instituted in which conservative men and -women can unite, and which the most radical will approve and aid. - -There are many ways in which great influence can be exerted without any -regular organization or establishing newspapers or circulating tracts -as is now so vigorously carried on by those favoring woman suffrage. -One method might be enlisting editors of newspapers and magazines -to promote the circulation of this little volume and also to insert -extracts of some of the most effective portions in their columns. -Another might be to present this work to the clergymen and seek their -influence and counsel in promoting its aims.[198:A] - - [198:A] A small periodical, published in Baltimore, Md., - entitled the _True Woman_, ably edited by Mrs. Charlotte E. - McKay, is valuable as a cheap and excellent tract with the same - aim. - -Still another might be, efforts to promote the establishment of such a -University for Women as the one here indicated, commencing with seeking -endowments for the Health and Domestic departments in connection with -some flourishing literary institution, for the purpose of restoring -women teachers to health, and also for training pupils to become -health-keepers in families, schools, and communities. - -The importance of this last measure will appear in the following -extract from a public address of a regularly educated American -physician: - - It is much to be deplored that we have no chair devoted to - _Hygiene_ in any of our medical colleges. During four courses - of Lectures, that I attended, one of them in Paris, I never - heard a single lecture upon the Laws of Health; and when on one - occasion I asked one of our Professors if he would not devote - one or more of his course to this subject, he replied, that he - ought to, but feared he would not find time; and then jokingly - remarked, that we would find it more to our interests to learn - how to cure people than to keep them well; that we would get - gratitude and money for healing the sick, but neither the one - nor the other for preserving the health of the people, however - well we might do it. - - I have since found that there was more truth in the remark then - I was then willing to admit. Still, I cannot help thinking - that we should have such Lectures in every medical school, - if for no other purpose but to enable its graduates to heal - the sick—confident that more can be gained in this way by - a thorough knowledge of Hygiene, than by any other means - whatever. No drug or medicine is as powerful for good in - disease as a wise advantage of Nature's laws. - - We spent in one Session over three weeks in the study of - Mercury, its different preparations, effects, etc.; not - one hour in learning the value of Light, Air, Sleep, Food, - and Clothing. The result was we know much about Calomel, - and literally nothing about the Laws of Health; so we sat, - something over four hundred students, for five or six hours - daily, in a room—an amphitheatre—the seats extending from - the floor to the ceiling—so small, that another hundred - could not possibly be packed into it—and not a window opened - all winter—no ventilation whatever—a regular "black hole of - Calcutta"—the air heavy, foul, offensive with bad breaths—the - odors of tobacco, liquor, onions—poisonous in the extreme—not a - fresh cheek among the four hundred. Many of the students drank; - most of them used tobacco, coffee, sausages, pork, in short - lived like barbarians. A large proportion of them were ill - all the time, and some died before the session closed, others - soon after, and many since. The professors themselves were - often ailing—not very healthy men. If any of my readers will - step into any of the medical lectures in any of the colleges - of this city, some winter afternoon, he will be able to verify - the truth of this description. Their presiding genius seems to - have no respect for fresh air, sunlight—in short for the laws - of health. How then shall these schools inspire respect for - these laws in others? How can they teach them when they know so - little of them? - -Dr. Willard Parker, of New York, in a recent public address also has -lamented the fact that a Woman's Medical College should be the first -one sustaining a Chair for instructing in Hygiene, as if it were a -conceded fact that it is not the business of physicians to _prevent_ -disease in a community, but only to cure their patients with medicines. - -Is it not a proper time and measure for the women of our country to -ask for benefactions, both private and legislative, to secure equal -advantage for their professional duty as _health-keepers_, such as have -so long and so liberally been bestowed on men to train them for their -professions? - -Believing that such a measure would meet wide approval, the following -form of petition is drawn up, which might be used in every State: - - _To the honorable members of the Senate and House of - Representatives of the State of ——_: - - We the undersigned, ladies of the State of —— and gentlemen - citizens of the same, respectfully petition that an - appropriation be made to endow one department of a _Woman's - University_ under charge of the Trustees of —— Seminary; - the object of which shall be to train school-teachers and - house-keepers in all that relates to health in schools and - families, and that this endowment be made equal to what has - been or may be given to endow Scientific Schools for young men; - and also that this be given on condition that the citizens - of the place give an equal sum to promote the scientific and - practical training of women for their distinctive professions. - -It is believed that there is not a single state in the Union where such -a petition signed by a large portion of the intelligent women of the -state, would fail. The difficulty is not that the fathers, husbands, -and brothers are not ready to bestow all that such women would unite -in asking, but rather that women do not so feel the importance of such -measures as to unite in such a petition. - -It appears in the preceding pages that the daughters of the more -wealthy classes who are educated in boarding schools and most academies -and female colleges cannot enjoy advantages equal to what are given -gratuitously in our best public High Schools to the children of the -poor. Instead of following in the rear of public schools, those who -have wealth should aim to elevate the public schools by the example of -institutions of the highest order for their own daughters. And they -also would be doubly blest if they would set an example that should -both dignify labor and protect their daughters from helpless poverty -should reverses come, by having them _trained to some profession_ by -which they could earn an honorable independence. - -When the precepts and example of Jesus Christ fully interpermeate -society, to labor with the hands will be regarded not only as a duty -but a privilege. - - -TO THE FORMER PUPILS AND PERSONAL FRIENDS OF THE WRITER. - -If this enterprise succeeds in Connecticut its example will be followed -in other States, and this volume is sent to many former pupils and -personal friends that they may co-operate in the several ways suggested. - -As the writer in former times has received such aid and co-operation, -with funds also to employ at her discretion, and for several years -has had no official organs to report results, it is proper to state -that her personal expenditures for many years have been in a style of -economy which she has seen practised to such a degree nowhere else, and -that _all_ her income not thus employed has been devoted to plans from -aiding her own sex to prepare for and perform their sacred ministry. - -The question as to _how much_ of our income it is _our duty_ to give -for the cause for which our Lord came and suffered is a difficult -one to settle. But He instructed the rich young man, "Sell all that -thou hast and give to the poor and come and follow us," and he also -approved the poor widow who gave her last mite to the service of God. - -In following out the spirit of these teachings, even in this life, to -the writer has been fulfilled His gracious promise, "Give and it shall -be given, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over." -And the added rewards will increase through eternal ages, as immortal -spirits, rescued from ignorance and sin, will carry forward the same -noble work of training immortal minds to virtue and happiness. - -Those who spend their money and time for earthly enjoyments that perish -in the using "have their reward" in the short lived pleasures. Those -who most literally follow the Divine Master lay up treasures that fail -not, but draw interest through everlasting ages. This is written for -the comfort and encouragement of those who by the writer were trained -to "seek _first_ the kingdom of God and His righteousness." - - - - -NOTE A. Mrs. Livermore, in her address which followed this, -expressed the wish that I had noticed more directly the main point, (i. -e.) woman's natural, as well as constitutional right to the ballot. -This I will briefly attempt here. - -It will be conceded by all, that neither man nor woman has any right -to anything which is contrary to the _best_ good of society. The -question then is, does the best good of society demand a _division of -responsibilities_, so that man shall take those out of the family, and -woman those in it? In other words, shall man take the responsibilities -of nursery and kitchen in addition to his outside business, and shall -women take charge of government, war, and the work men must do in -addition to her home duties? Past laws and customs demand the division, -and it is probable that it will be retained. - -As to the constitution of the United States, and the 14th and 15th -amendments, the question all turns on the use of the terms _citizen_ -and _people_. Both these words, (as the dictionaries show,) have two -uses, a wide, and a limited. In the widest sense they include men, -women, and children. In the limited sense they include only a portion -of society with certain qualifications which the _best_ good of society -requires. It is not probable that any court will ever decide that the -framers of the constitution, or of the two amendments, used these terms -in the widest sense, thus including not only women, but children. - -If the best good of society requires women to be law-makers, judges -and juries, she has a right to these offices; if it does not, she has -no right to them. As to taxation, it is probable that the best good -of society _does_ require that _women holding property_ shall have -the ballot, for this would increase the proportion of responsible and -intelligent voters, and not add a mass of irresponsible and ignorant -ones, as would universal woman suffrage. - -It is owing to this that in Europe the statesmen are aiming to give -suffrage, not to _all_ women as demanded here, but only to those -who hold property and pay taxes; for this, in reality, is a method -of increasing the proportion of intelligent voters. And if this -measure were adopted here it probably would add to the safety of our -institutions. - -It is worthy of notice that a large portion of those who demand woman -suffrage are persons who have not been trained to reason, and are -chiefly guided by their generous sensibilities. Such do not seem to be -aware that all _reasoning_ consists in the presentation of evidence -to prove that a given proposition is included in a more general one -already believed and granted, and also that in this process there must -be definitions of the sense in which terms are used that have several -meanings. - -Instead of this, they write and talk as if _reasoning_ were _any kind_ -of writing or talking which tends to convince people that some doctrine -or measure is true and right. And so they deal abundantly in exciting -narratives and rhetorical declamations, and employ words in all manner -of deceptive senses. - -For example, when Mrs. Livermore pleads that women should have equal -rights with men before law, everybody grants it in _some_ sense. But -the question is in what sense is she to be made equal? All will allow -that law should be so framed that woman's highest usefulness and -happiness shall be treated as equal in value to that of man's. But this -is not relevant to the question whether laws be framed by fathers, -husbands, and brothers, or by women. Most women believe that it is for -their best good that the responsibility of making and enforcing laws be -taken by men and not by women. - -But however clearly these distinctions are urged, Mrs. Livermore and -her party will keep on saying that women should be made equal with men -before the law, without stating in what sense they used these terms. So -also they will insist that all "citizens" and all the "people" have a -right to vote, without stating what they mean by "a right," or in which -sense they use the words "people" and "citizens." - - - - -NOTE B. The author of this volume is preparing a new edition -of her works on Domestic Science and Economy with many improvements. -Its name is to be _The Housekeeper and Healthkeeper_, and it is -designed for a complete Encyclopædia of Domestic Science and Practice. -It will be published this winter by the Harpers. - -It will offer these new and peculiar features: - -1. The recipes for food and drink will be in two portions. The first -portion will embrace a _very_ large collection of simple and economical -dishes, which, according to _all_ medical and physiological rules, are -_perfectly healthful_. The second portion will be a collection of more -elaborate and expensive articles, which, according to _all_ rules, -are of at least doubtful character as to healthfulness. Thus, every -housekeeper will have safe and intelligent guidance in her selections. - -2. There will be _exact directions_ as to _flavors and seasonings_, -such as in most receipt-books are to be "according to the taste," thus -leaving young housekeepers to the mercies of untrained cooks. - -3. It will contain exact directions for preserving and restoring health -by the _scientific_ use of the _natural agencies_ of water, heat, cold, -light, diet, exercise, and pure air, and such only as will be approved -by scientific men of _all_ medical schools. - - - - -NOTE C. All the creeds of the large Christian denominations -agree in the following, viz.: that God created angels and our first -parents with a "holy nature," and also created such a constitution -of things, that by a single sin they changed their holy nature to -a "depraved nature" and also transmitted to all their posterity -not the holy nature but the depraved one. In consequence of this -constitution of things made by God, all our race, except those who are -"regenerated," go to everlasting misery in Hell. - -As intelligence and Christian feeling have increased, multitudes -educated in these views deny the doctrine of future punishments and -hold that the righteous and the wicked all go to Heaven at death. - -Others hold that God creates all infant minds perfect as to _nature_, -being "in his image," yet imperfect in development, and that holy -_character_ and action can be secured only by training, knowledge and -self-control; that "the deeds done in the body" influence character -and happiness through an eternal existence; that _some_ form such a -character in this life as secures eternal happiness and that _some_, by -voluntary resistance to the highest possible good influences, form a -changeless character of selfishness and consequent misery, so that it -were "better never to have been born"; that with others the training to -virtue goes on during the intermediate state, in Hades where Christ, at -his death, went and preached to those that lived before the flood; (see -I Peter, 3: 18, 19, 20,) that the day of judgment is the time when the -final separation of the righteous and the wicked will take place; that -the punishment of the wicked is only the natural result of perpetuated -selfishness in a world from which all the good are removed; and that -this separation will not take place until God and all good beings have -done all in their power to rescue as many as possible from selfishness -and sin. - -There are many modifications of these general views in various -denominations; but all except a small number agree that Christ teaches -that there are awful dangers in the life to come; and that it should -be the chief aim of every parent and educator to train all within the -reach of their influence so to live and act in view of these dangers as -to follow Him in self-denying labors to save as many as possible. - -It will be found that in all ages the _fear_ of dangers in the life to -come has been the basis of the most earnest labor and self sacrifice -to save men from ignorance and sin. "The _fear_ of the Lord is the -_beginning_ of wisdom," and those who throw aside this principle loose -the most powerful motive in training to safety both for this and the -future life. And there are modes of presenting this doctrine so as not -to implicate the justice and mercy of our Heavenly Father as do some -representations from which humanity more and more revolts. - -The fact that sin and suffering exist in a universe created by a -perfectly benevolent, wise, and almighty Being, is proof that "almighty -power" is not the power to work contradictions, and therefore _in -this respect_ is limited. In the words of my venerated father, "God -cannot govern the stars by the ten commandments, nor free agents by the -attraction of gravity." This limitation of God's power in governing -free agents, is expressly taught in the Bible. For our only idea of -power is causing anything by _willing_ it, and _want_ of power is -inability to cause a thing by willing it. And God repeatedly declares -that he is not willing that any should perish; and that he did all for -the people of Israel that he could do to make them obedient. - -The parents and teachers who hold that _all_ are to come out good -and happy at last, however negligent or criminal in this life, or -that _all_ have a second probation, never can train the young to the -self-denying labors to save men which Jesus Christ has taught by both -precept and example, to be the duty of his followers. It is very -certain that the whole course of my life would have been changed for -the worse had I believed either that there was little or no danger in -the life to come or that _all_ had a second probation after death. - - - - -NOTE D. The following chapter is a part of my small work -entitled _Letters to the People on Health and Happiness_, published by -the Harpers, who have loaned the stereotype plates here used. - -Before reading it, I would ask that my _definitions_ be borne in mind -when I class the degrees of health, and also the fact that when I give -my own observations I am confined to those persons whom I know well -enough to ascertain exactly their state of health, while there may be -others in close vicinity not noticed, whom on enquiry I might find to -be vigorously healthy women. - -Every woman who has any kind of liability to be a mother, or a nurse of -the sick, or to meet other exhausting emergencies of the family state -needs a _reserved_ force of vital strength which many women who seem -to be in perfect health find lacking in such emergencies. This want of -this is one cause of the frequent failure of health after marriage, and -is one result of a transmitted delicate constitution. - -I also ask special attention to the fact that women in the country -of the industrial classes have not the robust health of earlier -generations. In addition to other causes, for this, is the overworking -and anxiety consequent on increased civilization. The fashions and -expenditures of cities stimulate the country, and the mothers strain -every nerve to secure for sons and daughters a style of dress and -furniture in former days unknown. This and the desire to accumulate, -wears out many a wife and mother before half her days are accomplished, -making her a perpetual invalid or sending her to an early grave. - - - LETTER EIGHTEENTH. - - STATISTICS OF FEMALE HEALTH. - - During my extensive tours in all portions of the Free States, - I was brought into most intimate communion, not only with my - widely-diffused circle of relatives, but with very many of my - former pupils who had become wives and mothers. From such, I - learned the secret domestic history both of those I visited - and of many of their intimate friends. And oh! what heartaches - were the result of these years of quiet observation of the - experience of my sex in domestic life. How many young hearts - have revealed the fact, that what they had been trained to - imagine the highest earthly felicity, was but the beginning - of care, disappointment, and sorrow, and often led to the - extremity of mental and physical suffering. Why was it that - I was so often told that "young girls little imagined what - was before them when they entered married life?" Why did I so - often find those united to the most congenial and most devoted - husbands expressing the hope that their daughters would never - marry? For years these were my quiet, painful conjectures. - - But the more I traveled, and the more I resided in health - establishments, the more the conviction was pressed on my - attention that there was a terrible decay of female health - all over the land, and that this evil was bringing with it - an incredible extent of individual, domestic, and social - suffering, that was increasing in a most alarming ratio. At - last, certain developments led me to take decided measures - to obtain some reliable statistics on the subject. During my - travels the last year I have sought all practicable methods of - obtaining information, and finally adopted this course with - most of the married ladies whom I met, either on my journeys or - at the various health establishments at which I stopped. - - I requested each lady first to write the _initials_ of _ten_ - of the married ladies with whom she was best acquainted in her - place of residence. Then she was requested to write at each - name, her impressions as to the health of each lady. In this - way, during the past year, I obtained statistics from about two - hundred different places in almost all the Free States. - - Before giving any of these, I will state some facts to show how - far they are reliable: In the first place, the _standard of - health_ among American women is so low that few have a correct - idea of _what a healthy woman is_. I have again and again been - told by ladies that they were "perfectly healthy," who yet, on - close inquiry, would allow that they were subject to frequent - attacks of neuralgia, or to periodic nervous headaches, or - to local ailments, to which they had become so accustomed, - that they were counted as "nothing at all." A woman who has - tolerable health finds herself so much above the great mass of - her friends in this respect, that she feels herself a prodigy - of good health. - - In the next place, I have found that women who enjoy universal - health are seldom well informed as to the infirmities of their - friends. Repeatedly I have taken accounts from such persons, - that seemed singularly favorable, when, on more particular - inquiry, it was found that the greater part, who were set - down as perfectly healthy women, were habitual sufferers from - serious ailments. The delicate and infirm go for sympathy, not - to the well and buoyant, but to those who have suffered like - themselves. - - This will account for some very favorable statements, given - by certain ladies, that have not been inserted, because more - accurate information showed their impressions to be false. As - a general fact, it has been found that the more minute the - inquiry, the greater the relative increase of ill health in all - these investigations. - - Again, I have found that ladies were predisposed usually to - give the _most favorable_ view of the case; for all persons - like to feel that they are living in "a healthy place" rather - than the reverse. - - Again, I have found that almost every person in the result - obtained, found that the case was worse than had been - supposed, the proportion of sick or delicate to the strong and - healthy being so small. - - It must be remembered, that in regard to those marked as - "sickly," "delicate," or "feeble," there can be no mistake, the - knowledge being in all cases _positive_, while those marked as - "well" may have ailments that are not known. For multitudes of - American women, with their strict notions of propriety, and - their patient and energetic spirit, often are performing every - duty entirely silent as to any suffering or infirmities they - may be enduring. - - As to the terms used in these statements, in all cases there - was a previous statement made as to the sense in which they - were to be employed. - - A "perfectly healthy" or "a vigorous and healthy woman" is one - of whom there are _specimens_ remaining in almost every place; - such as used to _abound_ when all worked, and _worked in pure - air_. - - Such a woman is one who can through the whole day be actively - employed on her feet in all kinds of domestic duties without - injury, and constantly and habitually has a feeling of perfect - health and perfect freedom from pain. Not that she never has a - fit of sickness, or takes a cold that interrupts the feeling of - health, but that these are out of her ordinary experience. - - A woman is marked "well" who usually has good health, but - can not bear exposures, or long and great fatigue, without - consequent illness. - - A woman is marked "delicate" who, though she may be about - and attend to most of her domestic employments, has a frail - constitution that either has been undermined by ill health, or - which easily and frequently yields to fatigue, or exposure, or - excitement. - - In the statements that follow, I shall place first those - which are _most reliable_, inasmuch as in each case personal - inquiries were made and the specific ailments were noted, to - show that nothing was stated without full knowledge. As a - matter of delicacy, the _initials_ are changed, so that no - individual can thus be identified. - - - MOST RELIABLE STATISTICS. - - _Milwaukee, Wis._ Mrs. A. frequent sick headaches. - Mrs. B. very feeble. Mrs. S. well, except chills. - Mrs. L. poor health constantly. Mrs. D. subject to - frequent headaches. Mrs. B. very poor health. Mrs. C. - consumption. Mrs. A. pelvic displacements and weakness. - Mrs. H. pelvic disorders and a cough. Mrs. B. always - sick. Do not know one perfectly healthy woman in the - place. - - _Essex, Vt._ Mrs. S. very feeble. Mrs. D. slender - and delicate. Mrs. S. feeble. Mrs. S. not well. Mrs. - G. quite feeble. Mrs. C. quite feeble. Mrs. B. quite - feeble. Mrs. S. quite slender. Mrs. B. quite feeble. - Mrs. F. very feeble. Knows but one perfectly healthy - woman in town. - - _Peru, N. Y._ Mrs. C. not healthy. Mrs. H. not healthy. - Mrs. E. healthy. Mrs. B. pretty well. Mrs. K. delicate. - Mrs. B. not strong and healthy. Mrs. S. healthy and - vigorous. Mrs. L. pretty well. Mrs. L. pretty well. - - _Canton, Penn._ Mrs. R. feeble. Mrs. B. bad headaches. - Mrs. D. bad headaches. Mrs. V. feeble. Mrs. S. - erysipelas. Mrs. K. headaches, but tolerably well. Mrs. - R. miserably sick and nervous. Mrs. G. poor health. Mrs. - L. invalid. Mrs. C. invalid. - - _Oberlin, Ohio._ Mrs. A. usually well, but subject - to neuralgia. Mrs. D. poor health. Mrs. K. well, but - subject to nervous headaches. Mrs. M. poor health. Mrs. - C. not in good health. Mrs. P. not in good health. Mrs. - P. delicate. Mrs. F. not in good health. Mrs. F. not in - good health. - - _Wilmington, Del._ Mrs. ——, scrofula. Mrs. B. in good - health. Mrs. D. delicate. Mrs. H. delicate. Mrs. S. - healthy. Mrs. P. healthy. Mrs. G. delicate. Mrs. O. - delicate. Mrs. T. very delicate. Mrs. S. headaches. - - _New Bedford, Mass._ Mrs. B. pelvic diseases, and every - way out of order. Mrs. J. W. pelvic disorders. Mrs. W. - B. well, except in one respect. Mrs. C. sickly. Mrs. C. - rather delicate. Mrs. P. not healthy. Mrs. C. unwell - at times. Mrs. L. delicate. Mrs. B. subject to spasms. - Mrs. H. very feeble. Can not think of but one perfectly - healthy woman in the place. - - _Paxton, Vt._ Mrs. T. diseased in liver and back. Mrs. - H. stomach and back diseased. Mrs. W. sickly. Mrs. S. - very delicate. Mrs. C. sick headaches, sickly. Mrs. - W. bilious complaints. Mrs. T. very delicate. Mrs. T. - liver complaint. Mrs. C. bilious sometimes, well most - of the time. Do not know a perfectly healthy woman - in the place. Many of these are the wives of wealthy - farmers, who _overwork_ when there is no need of it. - - _Crown Point, N. Y._ Mrs. H. bronchitis. Mrs. K. very - delicate. Mrs. A. very delicate. Mrs. A. diseased in - back and stomach. Mrs. S. consumption. Mrs. A. dropsy. - Mrs. M. delicate. Mrs. M. G. delicate. Mrs. P. delicate. - Mrs. C. consumption. Do not know one perfectly healthy - woman in the place. - - _Batavia, Illinois._ Mrs. H. an invalid. Mrs. G. - scrofula. Mrs. W. liver complaint. Mrs. K. pelvic - disorders. Mrs. S. pelvic diseases. Mrs. B. pelvic - diseases very badly. Mrs. B. not healthy. Mrs. T. very - feeble. Mrs. G. cancer. Mrs. N. liver complaint. Do not - know one healthy woman in the place. - - _Oneida, N. Y._ Mrs. C. delicate. Mrs. P. scrofula. Mrs. - S. not well. Mrs. L. very delicate and nervous. Mrs. L. - invalid. Mrs. L. tolerably well. Mrs. A. invalid. Mrs. - W. broken down. Mrs. D. feeble. Mrs. W. pale but pretty - well. - - _North Adams, Mass._ Mrs. R. scrofula and liver - complaint. Mrs. R. consumption. Mrs. C. consumption. - Mrs. B. liver complaint. Mrs. B. consumption. Mrs. - B. general debility. Mrs. F. consumption. Mrs. W. - paralytic. Mrs. W. confined always to her bed. Mrs. R. - scrofula. - - _Charlotte, Vt._ Mrs. W. spinal complaint. Mrs. D. - spinal complaint. Mrs. N. spinal complaint. Mrs. R. - bilious and paralytic. Mrs. R. pelvic disorders. Mrs. - H. heart disease and dropsy. Mrs. B. dropsical. Mrs. - H. pelvic disease and palsy. Mrs. H. scrofula and - consumption. Mrs. S. quite delicate. Knows but one - perfectly healthy woman in the place. - - _Maria, N. Y._ Mrs. H. consumption. Mrs. E. dyspepsia. - Mrs. T. dyspepsia. Mrs. D. consumption. Mrs. P. - dyspepsia. Mrs. R. sickly. Mrs. M. sickly. Mrs. R. - delicate. Mrs. S. sickly. Mrs. R. consumption. Knows not - one perfectly healthy woman in the place. - - _Vergennes, Vt._ Mrs. L. delicate. Mrs. H. consumption. - Mrs. H. consumption. Mrs. C. sickly. Mrs. S. liver - complaint. Mrs. S. asthma. Mrs. S. sickly. Mrs. B. - bronchitis. Mrs. S. consumptive. Mrs. B. delicate. Does - not know a perfectly healthy woman in the place. - - _Brooklyn, N. Y._ Mrs. B. very delicate. Mrs. G. - scrofulous. Mrs. R. pelvic displacements. Mrs. I. - nervous headaches. Mrs. A. pelvic diseases. Mrs. W. - heart disease. Mrs. S. organic disease. Mrs. B. well but - delicate. Mrs. L. well but delicate. Mrs. C. delicate. - - _Berlin, Conn._ Mrs. A. dyspepsia. Mrs. B. quite - delicate. Mrs. C. nervous headaches. Mrs. G. pelvic - disorders. Mrs. M. weak lungs. Mrs. F. not sound. Mrs. - C. delicate. Mrs. N. vigorous and healthy. Mrs. C. well. - Mrs. A. delicate. - - _Whitestown, N. Y._ Mrs. A. consumptive. Mrs. P. well - but delicate. Mrs. M. well but delicate. Mrs. S. pelvic - disorders. Mrs. R. dropsy. Mrs. B. pelvic disorders. - Mrs. H. sick headaches. Mrs. K. organic disorder. Mrs. - B. well but delicate. Mrs. T. bronchitis. - - _Proctorville, Vt._ Mrs. B. well. Mrs. H. well. Mrs. S. - pelvic and stomach disorders. Mrs. S. not healthy. Mrs. - F. not healthy. Mrs. B. sickly. Mrs. C. not healthy. - Mrs. W. not healthy. Mrs. A. vigorous and usually well. - Knows no other strong and healthy woman. - - _Saratoga, N. Y._ Mrs. M. pelvic disorders. Mrs. H. - pelvic disorders. Mrs. A. pelvic disorders. Mrs. - C. well. Mrs. C. neuralgia. Mrs. P. well. Mrs. - T. consumptive. Mrs. J. tolerably well. Mrs. B. - consumptive. Mrs. B. not well. Knows only one more well - one among her acquaintance. - - _Saratoga, N. Y._ (by another resident). Mrs. T. pelvic - disorder. Mrs. C. pelvic disease. Mrs. H. not well. Mrs. - S. well and strong. Mrs. B. tolerably well. Mrs. M. - usually well. Mrs. O. headaches. Mrs. H. O. well. Mrs. - S. delicate. Mrs. P. not well. - - _Canandaigua, N. Y._ Mrs. A. well. Mrs. B. an invalid. - Mrs. C. delicate. Mrs. H. delicate. Mrs. H. an invalid. - Mrs. J. well. Mrs. P. delicate. Mrs. A. well. Mrs. C. an - invalid. Mrs. W. well. - - _Livonia, N. Y._ Mrs. H. rheumatic. Mrs. R. healthy - and vigorous. Mrs. S. well. Mrs. R. good health. Mrs. - P. very poor health. Mrs. B. well. Mrs. G. an invalid. - Mrs. S. delicate. Mrs. T. poor health. Mrs. ——, pelvic - disorders. - - _Turkhannock, Penn._ Mrs. P. delicate and sickly. Mrs. - L. delicate and well. Mrs. R. well and vigorous. Mrs. - S. tolerably well. Mrs. C. well. Mrs. S. healthy. Mrs. - T. consumption. Mrs. M. healthy. Mrs. R. well. Mrs. ——, - pelvic disorders. - - _Bath, N. Y._ Mrs. H. an invalid. Mrs. H. rheumatic. - Mrs. H. healthy and vigorous. Mrs. S. vigorous. Mrs. - K. delicate. Mrs. K. very healthy. Mrs. W. broken down. - Mrs. W. tolerably well. Mrs. W. an invalid. Mrs. H. poor - health. - - _Castleton, N. Y._ Mrs. S. sickly. Mrs. W. healthy. Mrs. - S. very delicate. Mrs. H. delicate. Mrs. H. delicate. - Mrs. B. delicate. Mrs. W. not healthy. Mrs. H. not - healthy. Mrs. D. not healthy. - - The following were furnished by ladies who simply arranged - the names of the ten married ladies best known to them in the - place of their residence, in three classes, as marked over the - several columns: - - +------------------------+----------+---------+---------+ - | |Strong and|Delicate |Habitual | - | Residence. |perfectly | or |Invalids.| - | | Healthy. |Diseased.| | - +------------------------+----------+---------+---------+ - |Hudson, Michigan | 2 | 4 | 4 | - |Castleton, Vermont | Not one. | 9 | 1 | - |Bridgeport, Vermont | 4 | 4 | 2 | - |Dorset, Vermont | Not one. | 1 | 9 | - |South Royalston, Mass. | 4 | 2 | 4 | - |Townsend, Vermont | 4 | 3 | 3 | - |Greenbush, New York | 2 | 5 | 3 | - |Southington, Connecticut| 3 | 5 | 2 | - |Newark, New Jersey | 2 | 3 | 5 | - |New York City | 2 | 4 | 4 | - |Oneida, New York | 3 | 2 | 5 | - |Milwaukee, Wisconsin | 1 | 3 | 6 | - |Rochester, New York | 2 | 6 | 2 | - |Plainfield, New Jersey | 2 | 4 | 4 | - |New York City | 3 | 6 | 1 | - |Lennox, Massachusetts | 4 | 3 | 3 | - |Union Vale, New York | 2 | 5 | 3 | - |Albany, New York | 2 | 3 | 5 | - |Hartford, Conn. | 1 | 5 | 4 | - |Cincinnati, Ohio | 1 | 4 | 5 | - |Andover, Mass. | 2 | 5 | 3 | - |Brunswick, Maine | 2 | 5 | 3 | - |Southington, Connecticut| 3 | 5 | 2 | - |Rochester, New York | 2 | 6 | 2 | - |Albany, New York | 2 | 4 | 4 | - |Milwaukee, Wisconsin | 1 | 3 | 6 | - |Plainfield, New Jersey | 2 | 4 | 4 | - |New York City | 3 | 6 | 1 | - |New York City | 2 | 4 | 4 | - |Worcester, Massachusetts| 1 | 6 | 2 | - |Newark, New Jersey | 2 | 3 | 5 | - |Bonhomme, Missouri | 3 | 5 | 2 | - |Painted Post, New York | 1 | 3 | 6 | - |Wilkins, New York | 2 | 3 | 5 | - |Johnsburg, New York | 3 | 6 | 1 | - |Burdett, New York | 4 | 3 | 3 | - |Horse Heads, New York | 3 | 2 | 5 | - |Pompey, New York | 4 | 4 | 2 | - |Tioga, Pennsylvania | 3 | 4 | 3 | - |Lodi, New York | 2 | 5 | 3 | - |Seymour, Connecticut | 3 | 7 | 0 | - |Williamsville, New York | 4 | 2 | 4 | - |Herkimer, New York | 3 | 2 | 5 | - |Hudson, Michigan | 2 | 4 | 4 | - |Kalamazoo, Michigan | 3 | 6 | 1 | - +------------------------+----------+---------+---------+ - - The following are those not so reliable as the preceding, as - the papers were some of them not clear, and some uncertainty - about others for want of personal inquiry: - - _Cattskill, N. Y._ Three vigorous, two well, three - delicate, two sickly. - - _Batavia, N. Y._ One vigorous, two well, three delicate, - one sickly. - - _Ogden, N. Y._ Three well, five well but delicate, two - sickly. - - _Utica, N. Y._ Nine well but not vigorous, one invalid. - - _Rhinebeck, N. Y._ One vigorous, six well but not - vigorous, one delicate, one invalid. - - _Cooperstown, N. Y._ Two vigorous, five well, two - delicate, two sickly. - - _Lima, N. Y._ Five well, three delicate, two sickly. - - _Rockaway, N. Y._ Two vigorous, five well, one delicate, - two sickly. - - _Brockport, N. Y._ Three vigorous, six well, one - delicate, one sickly. - - _Buffalo, N. Y._ Five well, five delicate. - - _Potsdam, N. Y._ Eight tolerably well, two sickly. - - _Rome, N. Y._ Two well, seven tolerably well, one sickly. - - _Rochester, N. Y._ Four well, three delicate, three - sickly. - - _Princeton, N. J._ Four well, five well but delicate, - three sickly. - - _Muncy, Penn._ Two vigorous, six well but delicate, two - sickly. - - The remainder of accounts furnished being less reliable, for - want of opportunities of definite inquiry on my part, and will - therefore be omitted. But they do not essentially differ from - these presented. - - I will now add my own personal observation. First, in my - own family connection: I have nine married sisters and - sisters-in-law, all of them either delicate or invalids, except - two. I have fourteen married female cousins, and not one of - them but is either delicate, often ailing, or an invalid. In my - wide circle of friends and acquaintance all over the land out - of my family circle, the same impression is made. In Boston I - can not remember but one married female friend who is perfectly - healthy. In Hartford, Conn., I can think of only one. In New - Haven, but one. In Brooklyn, N. Y., but one. In New York - city, but one. In Cincinnati, but one. In Buffalo, Cleveland, - Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, those whom I have visited are - either delicate or invalids. I am not able to recall, in my - immense circle of friends and acquaintance all over the Union, - so many as _ten_ married ladies born in this century and - country, who are perfectly sound, healthy, and vigorous. Not - that I believe there are not more than this among the friends - with whom I have associated, but among all whom I can bring to - mind of whose health I have any accurate knowledge, I can not - find this number of entirely sound and healthy women. - - Another thing has greatly added to the impression of my own - observations, and that is the manner in which my inquiries have - been met. In a majority of cases, when I have asked for the - number of perfectly healthy women in a given place, the first - impulsive answer has been "not one." In other cases, when the - reply has been more favorable, and I have asked for specifics, - the result has always been such as to diminish the number - calculated, rather than to increase it. With a few exceptions - the persons I have asked, who had not directed their thoughts - to the subject, and took a favorable view of it, have expressed - surprise at the painful result obtained in their own immediate - circle. - - But the thing which has pained and surprised me the most is - the result of inquiries among the country-towns and industrial - classes in our country. I had supposed that there would be a - great contrast between the statements gained from persons from - such places, and those furnished from the wealthy circles, and - especially from cities. But such has not been the case. It will - be seen that the larger portion of the accounts inserted in the - preceding pages are from country-towns, while a large portion - of the worst accounts were taken from the industrial classes. - - As another index of the state of health among the industrial - classes may be mentioned these facts: During the past year I - made my usual inquiry of the wife of a Methodist clergyman, who - resided in a small country-town in New York. Her reply was, - "There are no healthy women where I live, and my husband says - he would travel a great many miles for the pleasure of finding - one." - - In another case I conversed with a Baptist clergyman and his - wife, in Ohio, and their united testimony gave this result - in three places where his parishioners were chiefly of the - industrial class. They selected at random ten families best - known in each place: - - _Worcester, Ohio._ Women in perfect health, two. In - medium health, one. _Invalids, seven._ - - _Norwalk, Ohio._ Women perfectly healthy, one, but - doubtfully so. Medium, none. _Invalids, nine._ - - _Cleveland, Ohio._ Women in perfect health, one. Medium - health, two. _Invalids, seven._ - - In traveling at the West the past winter, I repeatedly - conversed with drivers and others among the laboring class on - this subject, and always heard such remarks as these: "Well! it - is strange how sickly the women are getting!" "Our women-folks - don't have such health as they used to do!" - - One case was very striking. An old lady from New England told - me her mother had twelve children; eleven grew up healthy, and - raised families. Her father's mother had fifteen children, and - raised them all; and all but one, who was drowned, lived to a - good old age. This lady stated that she could not remember that - there was a single "weakly woman" in the town where she lived - when she was young. - - This lady had two daughters with her, both either delicate or - diseased, and a sick niece from that same town, once so healthy - when the old lady was young. This niece told me she could not - think of even one really robust, strong, and perfectly healthy - woman in that place! The husband of this old lady told me that - in his youth he also did not know of any sickly women in the - place where he was reared. - - A similar account was given me by two ladies, residents of - Goshen, Litchfield Co., Connecticut. - - The elder lady gave the following account of her married - acquaintance some forty years ago in that place: - - Mrs. L. strong and perfectly healthy. Mrs. A. healthy - and strong as a horse. Mrs. N. perfectly well always. - Mrs. H. strong and well. Mrs. B. strong and generally - healthy, but sometimes ailing a little. Mrs. R. always - well. Mrs. W. strong and well. Mrs. G. strong and - hearty. Mrs. H. strong and healthy. Mrs. L. strong and - healthy. - - All the above persons performed their own family work. - - The following account was given by the daughter of the lady - mentioned above, and the list is chiefly made up of daughters - of the above healthy women living at this time in the same town: - - Mrs. C. constitution broken by pelvic disorders. Mrs. - P. very delicate. Mrs. L. delicate and feeble. Mrs. R. - feeble and nervous. Mrs. S. bad scrofulous humors. Mrs. - D. very feeble, head disordered. Mrs. R. delicate and - sickly. Mrs. G. healthy. Mrs. D. healthy. Mrs. W. well. - - These last three were the only healthy married women she knew - in the place. - - * * * * * - - I have received statements from more than a hundred other - places besides those recorded here. The larger portion of these - were taken by others, or else by myself in such circumstances - that I could not make the inquiries needed to render them - reliable, and some I have lost. The general impression made, - even by these alone, would bring out very nearly the same - result. The proportion of the sick and delicate to those - who were strong and well was, in the majority of cases, a - melancholy story. But among them were a few cases in which a - very favorable statement was verified by close examination. - In several such cases, however, most of the healthy women - proved to be either English, Irish, or Scotch. In one case, a - lady from a country-town, not far from Philadelphia, gave an - account, showing eight out of ten perfectly healthy, and the - other two were not very much out of health. On inquiry, I found - that this was a Quaker settlement, and most of the healthy ones - were Quakers. - - In one town of Massachusetts, the lady giving the information - said all the ten she gave were healthy, but two. Her associates - were all women who were in easy circumstances, and did their - own family work. These two places, however, are the _only_ - instances I have found, where, on close inquiry, the majority - was on the side of good health. - - There is no doubt that there are many places like these two, - of which some resident would report that a majority of their - acquaintance were healthy women; but out of about two hundred - towns and cities, located in most of the Free States, only two - have as yet presented so favorable a case in the line of my - inquiries during the year in which they have been prosecuted. - - Let these considerations now be taken into account. The - generation represented in these statistics, by universal - consent, is a feebler one than that which immediately preceded. - Knowing the changes in habits of living, in habits of activity, - and in respect to _pure air_, we properly infer that it must be - so, while universal testimony corroborates the inference. - - The present generation of parents, then, have given their - children, so far as the mother has hereditary influence, - feebler constitutions than the former generation received, - so that most of our young girls have started in life with a - more delicate organization than their mothers. Add to this the - sad picture given in a former letter of all the abuses of - health suffered by the young during their early education, and - what are the present prospects of the young women who are now - entering married life? - - This view of the case, in connection with some dreadful - developments which will soon be indicated, proved so oppressive - and exciting that it has been too painful and exhausting to - attempt any investigation as to the state of health among young - girls. But every where I go, mothers are constantly saying, - "What shall I do? As soon as my little girl begins school - she has the headache." Or this—"I sent my daughter to such a - boarding-school, but had to take her away on account of her - health." - - The public schools of our towns and cities, where the great - mass of the people are to be educated, are the special subject - of remark and complaint in this respect. - - Consider also that "man that is born of a woman" depends on her - not only for the constitutional stamina with which he starts - in life, but for all he receives during the developments of - infancy and the training of childhood, and what are we to infer - of the condition and prospects of the other sex now in the - period of education? - - - - -TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES: - - -Grammatical errors remain as in the original. Variations in spelling -and hyphenation remain as in the original. - -The following typographical errors have been corrected: - - Page 3: of civil government on woman.[period missing in - original] - - Page 104: The Kindergarten[original has "Kindergarden"], the - primary school - - Page 111: excess of marriageable[original has "marriagable"] - women - - Page 121: "[quotation mark missing in original]These - resolutions contain sound sense - - Page 121: "[quotation mark missing in original]There is no - doubt that the present arrangement of society bears more - hardly upon women than upon men; and all wise efforts to - make them more independent of the mischances of life deserve - encouragement.[quotation mark missing in original]" - - Page 155: far better[original has "bettter"] than that obtained - - Page 193: mantua-maker[original has "mantau-maker"] are - imperfectly supplied - - Page 196: power to give or withhold[original has "withold"] - - Page 208: form a changeless[original has "changless"] character - - Page 216: Mrs. L. delicate[original has "deliicate"] and well. - - Page 218: Horse Heads,[comma missing in original] New York - - Page 218: Pompey,[comma missing in original] New York - - [173:A] Blessed[original has "Blesssd"] are the peace-makers - - [178:A] Note C.[period missing in original] - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Woman's Profession as Mother and -Educator, with Views in Oppositi, by Catharine E. 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- padding: 1em; - border: solid black 1px; - } - - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Woman's Profession as Mother and Educator, -with Views in Opposition to Woman Suffrage, by Catharine E. Beecher - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Woman's Profession as Mother and Educator, with Views in Opposition to Woman Suffrage - -Author: Catharine E. Beecher - -Release Date: November 30, 2017 [EBook #56090] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WOMAN'S PROFESSION AS MOTHER *** - - - - -Produced by Larry B. Harrison, Lisa Reigel, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - - -<div class="notebox"> -<p>Transcriber's Notes: The following Table of Contents has been added -for the convenience of the reader.</p> - -<ul class="list"> - <li><a href="#DEDICATION">DEDICATION</a></li> - <li><a href="#INTRODUCTION">INTRODUCTION</a></li> - <li><a href="#An_Address_on_Female_Suffrage">AN ADDRESS ON FEMALE SUFFRAGE</a></li> - <li><a href="#AN_ADDRESS_TO_LADIES_OF_HARTFORD_CONN">AN ADDRESS TO LADIES OF HARTFORD, CONN.</a></li> - <li><a href="#AN_ADDRESS_TO_THE_CHRISTIAN_WOMEN_OF_AMERICA">AN ADDRESS TO THE CHRISTIAN WOMEN OF AMERICA</a></li> - <li><a href="#Note_A">NOTE A</a></li> - <li><a href="#Note_B">NOTE B</a></li> - <li><a href="#Note_C">NOTE C</a></li> - <li><a href="#Note_D">NOTE D</a></li> -</ul> - -<p>A complete <a href="#TN">list</a> of corrections as well as other notes -follows the text.</p> -</div> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="newchapter" /> -<div class="title"> -<h1 title="Woman's Profession as Mother and Educator">WOMAN'S PROFESSION<br /> - -<small>AS</small><br /> - -<span class="smcap">Mother and Educator</span>,<br /> - -<small>WITH VIEWS IN OPPOSITION TO</small><br /> - -WOMAN SUFFRAGE.</h1> -</div> - - -<p class="tpother">BY</p> - -<p class="tpauthor">CATHARINE E. BEECHER.</p> - - -<p class="tppublisher">PHILADELPHIA AND BOSTON:<br /> -<span class="smcap">Geo. Maclean</span>.<br /> -NEW YORK: MACLEAN, GIBSON & CO.<br /> -1872.</p> -</div> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="newchapter" /> -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="DEDICATION" id="DEDICATION"></a>DEDICATION.<br /> - -<small>TO THE MINISTERS OF RELIGION IN THE UNITED STATES.</small></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">Fathers and Brethren</span>:</p> - -<p>As the daughter and sister of nine ministers of Jesus Christ you will -allow me to address you by those endeared names; and also because there -is an emergency that demands unusual measures.</p> - -<p>This <em>woman movement</em> is one which is uniting by co-operating -influences, all the antagonisms that are warring on the family state. -Spiritualism, free-love, free divorce, the vicious indulgences -consequent on unregulated civilization, the worldliness which tempts -men and women to avoid <em>large</em> families, often by sinful methods, -thus making the ignorant masses the chief supply of the future ruling -majorities; and most powerful of all, the feeble constitution and poor -health of women, causing them to dread maternity as—what it is fast -becoming—an accumulation of mental and bodily tortures.</p> - -<p>Add to this, that extreme fastidiousness which not only excludes -needful instruction from the pulpit, but makes mothers shrink from -learning and teaching those dangers which their daughters most need to -know, and prevents medical men and even women physicians from uttering -needful warnings.</p> - -<p>I once said to a lady physician with an enormous practice, in reply to -some of her statements, "why do you not call the mothers of this city -together and tell them all this?" She replied "it is impossible—they -would not hear me—I should have to nail the doors and windows to keep -them—and if they did hear, they would not believe."</p> - -<p>It is the <em>women teachers of our common schools</em> who must be instructed -to become lecturers on health in all our school districts and teach -mothers how to instruct children in all the laws of health and the -dreadful penalties which in certain directions are but little known and -now threaten the ruin of the rising generation. There is no duty more -difficult than this; for it is one which if done properly saves from -danger, and if improperly leads to it.</p> - -<p>If the clergy of this nation will give their powerful influence to -promote the aims of this work in modes they will more wisely devise -than I can suggest, success will be ensured; and to them I appeal (as I -used to do to a beloved father and as I often do to dear brothers,) to -help me where my own strength and courage fail.</p> - -<p>With christian love and respect,</p> - -<p class="signoff">Yours truly,</p> - -<p class="author"><span class="smcap">Catharine E. Beecher</span>.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="newchapter" /> -<p><!-- Page 1 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="INTRODUCTION" id="INTRODUCTION"></a>INTRODUCTION.</h2> -</div> - - -<p>The object of the following pages is to present the subject of woman's -profession as mother and chief educator of our race in connection with -the present demand that she shall also assume the responsibilities of -civil government.</p> - -<p>However great or small may be the probabilities as to the imposition -of woman suffrage, it is certain that there is just cause for alarm -at organizations all over the land sending out women of talents and -benevolence to lecture, and scattering tracts and newspapers by -hundreds of thousands, advocating principles and measures destructive -both to the purity and the perpetuity of the family state.</p> - -<p>This little volume consists of <em>unpublished</em> addresses—all but the -first—to meetings of ladies <!-- Page 2 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span>only, and its design is to meet the false -principles and false reasonings on the subject of "woman's rights" now -working extensive evils that are little realized.</p> - -<p>It is offered with the deep conviction that an important crisis in -our national history is impending, and that it is the intelligent and -conscientious women of our country who eventually will decide whether -the result shall be beneficial or most disastrous.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="newchapter" /> -<p><!-- Page 3 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak" title="An Address on Female Suffrage"><a name="An_Address_on_Female_Suffrage" id="An_Address_on_Female_Suffrage"></a>AN ADDRESS<br /> - -<small>ON</small><br /> - -FEMALE SUFFRAGE,<br /> - -<small>DELIVERED IN THE MUSIC HALL OF BOSTON, IN</small><br /> - -<small>DECEMBER, 1870.</small></h2> -</div> - - -<p>I appear this evening to present the views of that large portion of my -sex who are opposed to such a change of our laws and customs as would -place the responsibility of civil government on woman.</p> - -<p>This may be done without impugning the motives, or the character, or -the measures of that respectable party who hold the contrary position. -As in the physical universe the nicely-balanced <em>centripetal</em> and -<em>centrifugal</em> forces hold in steady curve every brilliant orbit, -so, in the moral world, the radical element, which would forsake -the beaten path of ages, is held in safe and steady course by the -conservative; while <!-- Page 4 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span>that, also, is preserved from dangerous torpor by -the antagonistic power.</p> - -<p>And so, while claiming to represent the conservative element, I meet -with respect and kindness my centrifugal friend.</p> - -<p>First, let me state the points in which we agree, that we may more -clearly appreciate those in which we differ.</p> - -<p>We agree, then, on the general principle, that woman's happiness and -usefulness are equal in value to those of man's, and, consequently, -that she has a right to equal advantages for securing them.</p> - -<p>We agree, also, that woman, even in our own age and country, has never -been allowed such equal advantages, and that multiplied wrongs and -suffering have resulted from this injustice.</p> - -<p>Finally, we agree that it is the right and the duty of every woman to -employ the power of organization and agitation, in order to gain those -advantages which are given to the one sex, and unjustly withheld from -the other.</p> - -<p>My object, in this address, is not to discuss <!-- Page 5 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span>the question of woman's -natural and abstract right to the ballot, nor to point out the evils -that might follow the exercise of this power, nor to controvert the -opinions of those advocating woman's suffrage in any particular point.</p> - -<p>Instead of this, I propose, first, to present reasons for assuming -that it must be a very long time before woman suffrage can be gained; -so that the evils it is hoped to cure by the ballot would continue and -increase for a long period; and, secondly, to present another method -for gaining the advantages unjustly withheld; and thus to remedy wrongs -which both parties are seeking to redress.</p> - -<p>The first reason for believing that the gift of the ballot must be long -delayed is, that it is contrary to the customs of Christian people, by -which the cares of civil life, and the outdoor and heavy labor which -take a man from home, are given to the stronger sex, and the lighter -labor and care of the family state, to woman.</p> - -<p>The more society has advanced in civilization <!-- Page 6 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span>and in Christian -culture, the more perfectly have these <em>distinctive</em> divisions of -responsibility for the two sexes been maintained; and in no age or -country more strictly than in our own.</p> - -<p>Those of us who oppose woman suffrage concede that there are -occasions in which general laws and customs should yield to temporary -emergencies; as when, in the stress of family sickness, the husband -becomes nurse and cook; or, in the extremities of war, the women plow, -sow, and reap; and it were well if every boy and girl were so trained -that they could wisely meet such emergencies.</p> - -<p>But while this is conceded, the main question is still open, namely, -Is there any such emergency in our national history as demands so -great a change in our laws and customs as would be involved in placing -the responsibilities of civil government on our whole sex? For, with -the gift of the ballot, comes the connected responsibility of framing -wise laws to regulate finance, war, agriculture, commerce, mining, -manufactures, and all the many fields <!-- Page 7 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span>of man's outdoor labor. And -the charge of these outdoor responsibilities would be assigned by the -ballot; and not alone to that class of women who are demanding woman -suffrage, but <em>to our whole sex</em>.</p> - -<p>For, whenever the time comes that a single vote of one woman may decide -the most delicate, the most profound, and the most perilous measures of -the state and nation, it will be the duty of every woman, not only to -go to the polls, but to vote intelligently and conscientiously.</p> - -<p>It is in view of such considerations that, at the present time, a large -majority of American women would regard the gift of the ballot, not -as a privilege conferred, but as an act of oppression, forcing them -to assume responsibilities belonging to man, for which they are not -and can not be qualified; and, consequently, withdrawing attention and -interest from the distinctive and more important duties of their sex. -For the question is not whether a class of women, who have no family -responsibilities, shall take charge of civil government; but it <!-- Page 8 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span>is -whether this duty shall be imposed on the whole of our sex. With the -chivalrous tenderness toward woman so prevalent in our nation, this -would never be done till at least a majority of women ask for it; and -the time must be afar off ere such a majority will be found.</p> - -<p>I wish to verify this statement by an extract from one of the many -letters of sympathy and approbation received since it became known that -I am publicly to present my views on Woman Suffrage:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>"<span class="smcap">My Dear Madam</span>: Though personally a stranger, I feel -strongly impelled to write and thank you for coming before the -public in opposition to the advocates of woman suffrage.</p> - -<p>"I have no doubt that an exceedingly large majority of the -educated and thoughtful women of the country feel a strong -personal repugnance to becoming voters, as well as a conviction -that this proposed innovation, far from working a beneficial -change in the condition of the country, would actually lower -the present <!-- Page 9 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span>standard of political morality. But they form a -class but little accustomed to make their voices heard outside -of their own social circle, and therefore in danger of being -overlooked by those reformers who, with a thankworthy zeal for -'woman's rights,' are, as I think, striving to perpetrate a -great <em>woman's wrong</em>.</p> - -<p>"It is sometimes said that all women ought at least to have a -chance to vote, if they wish it; but none are obliged to do so -unless they like. And when compliant men have said this, they -consider themselves magnanimous and chivalrous, and think the -whole question happily settled.</p> - -<p>"It might be so if we had <em>no conscience</em>. But wider privileges -mean wider duties. From the bottom of my soul I hate the idea -of meeting women at the polls; and yet, if woman suffrage -ever becomes a fact, I can not stay away. For my fraction of -power inevitably makes me thus much responsible for the civil -government of my country. If I <em>may</em> vote, I <em>must</em> vote. I -have no right, by withholding my <!-- Page 10 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span>vote, to throw its weight -into the wrong scale. And yet, held back as I am, and must -be, from the life of the street, the caucus, and the primary -political meetings, and not more by my incapacity for man's -work than by his incapacity for mine—living chiefly at home, -because my work is home work—what can I know of the fitness of -candidates for local offices, or of the machinery of political -parties?"</p> -</div> - -<p>This perspicuous statement expresses the present views of probably -nine tenths of the most intelligent and conscientious women of our -country. Were it the question whether the responsibilities of civil -government should be assumed by this class of women alone, the risks of -an affirmative decision would be small. But let us consider the other -classes that would be included in universal woman suffrage.</p> - -<p>Next to the more intelligent class represented by this letter-writer, -would come a large body of those whose generous <em>impulses</em> take the -lead, rather than the cool deductions of reason and experience.</p> - -<p><!-- Page 11 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p><p>It is this class of enthusiasts that would most confidently attempt to -conduct the affairs of the state.</p> - -<p>Next to these would come the great body of busy and easy women, who, -from pliant kindness and confidence, would vote as fathers, brothers, -and husbands advised.</p> - -<p>Next to these most respectable classes would come the superficial, the -unreflecting, and the frolicsome, to serve only as tools for political -wire-pullers.</p> - -<p>Then would come the lovers of notoriety, the ambitious—the lovers of -power—the caterers for public offices, and the seekers for money. -Of these, the most unprincipled would employ the distinctive power -of their sex in caucuses, in jury-boxes, and in legislative and -congressional committees; thus adding another to the many deteriorating -influences of political life.</p> - -<p>Next would come that vast mass of ignorant women whose consciences and -votes would be controlled by a foreign and domestic priesthood.</p> - -<p>Lastly would come the most degraded and <!-- Page 12 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>despised, who would like -nothing better than to insult and oppose those who look down upon them -with disgust and contempt.</p> - -<p>Lead all these classes to the polls, and the result would be a vast -increase of the incompetent and dangerous voters. It would, to a -still greater extent, place the wealth and intelligence of the nation -under those without intelligence, who, for their own advantage, would -lavish wealth on useless schemes, and vote away the property of the -industrious to support the indolent and vicious. In many of our large -cities we are witnessing the beginning of this impending danger.</p> - -<p>Still another reason for such a conclusion is the fact that, though -the Woman's Suffrage party at present is increasing in numbers, the -discussion it has produced is gradually changing the views of many -sensible persons who at first were its advocates. That has been the -case with myself. For, on the first consideration of the matter, it -seemed right and proper that women should have a voice in deciding -who should be <!-- Page 13 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>their rulers and make their laws; and that the simple -dropping a vote into the ballot-box could be done without risk to -womanly delicacy, and without danger of any kind. This was before -discussion had revealed the more comprehensive bearings of the -question, which finally removed me, as it has many others, to the -opposite side of the question.</p> - -<p>If, then, agitation increases the party seeking the ballot, and -yet discussion is constantly withdrawing large numbers of the more -intelligent and reflective, the time must be far distant when woman -suffrage will be secured.</p> - -<p>Another reason for believing that woman suffrage is afar off is the -character of the men who appear to favor this change of our political -status, and also their modes of meeting the question. The estimate of -women by the other sex depends very greatly on the character of the -mothers, wives, and sisters with whom they have associated, or on the -character of the female society they most frequent. Those who associate -with superficial, weak, or unprincipled women, form a low opinion -of the <!-- Page 14 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span>whole sex which is false and unjust. On the contrary, those -associated with the highest class of women place a halo of purity, -strength, and honor on the brow of the whole sex, which is equally -exaggerated. It is this last class of men who are foremost advocates of -woman suffrage, and their estimate of woman's ability to manage civil -government is to be taken with considerable though honorable deductions.</p> - -<p>Another class of amiable, unreflecting men, having had a chivalrous -training, are ready to give the "dear creatures" any thing they will -please to ask.</p> - -<p>Still another class of kind-hearted men say, "Yes, oh! yes, let them -have the ballot and all the duties it involves, and they soon will wish -to relinquish such responsibilities."</p> - -<p>Then there are the political wire-pullers, who perceive that by -catering to this, which they secretly deem a folly, they can make it -subserve their selfish plans.</p> - -<p>Lastly, there is a large number of intelligent and patriotic men -who have not, as yet, so investigated the probable results of so -fundamental a change in <!-- Page 15 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>civil matters as to feel prepared to make any -practical decision on the question, and so they give no decided answers.</p> - -<p>These several classes of amiable and intelligent men are those who -finally will decide the question, and they are the last who would force -the responsibilities of the civil state on an unwilling minority of our -sex; much less would they force it on a majority who would regard it as -an unjust and unchivalrous exercise of power. For this reason it seems -almost certain that the ballot will not be given to American women till -it is clear that a majority are willing to take such responsibilities; -and the time when this assurance can be gained must be at a very remote -period.</p> - -<p>Another reason for this conclusion is the powerful influences at the -command of those of my sex who are opposed to this measure. Multitudes -of women are now quiet and silent because they have little fear of -danger in this direction. But should a time come when the woman -suffrage party seem near achieving their aim, there would be measures -instituted the power of which, as yet, is little <!-- Page 16 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span>known or appreciated. -For <em>they too</em> would organize all over the nation and summon to their -aid both the pulpit and the press. All the Catholic clergy, to a man, -would lend their influence against a measure so contrary to the tenets -and spirit of a church that enforces subordination and obedience as -prime virtues. Not less decided would be the influence of all the -Jewish rabbis.</p> - -<p>The Protestant clergy, who have ever been like their Master, the -sympathizing friends of woman, would be the last to enforce new and -heavy responsibilities on our sex, contrary to the wishes even of a -small, intelligent, and conscientious minority.</p> - -<p>Not less decided are the great majority of the conductors of the -press; and if an emergency calls for it, by the coöperation of such -powerful auxiliaries, we could bring such an array of petitions and -remonstrances in bulk and respectable names as never before entered -congressional halls.</p> - -<p>The attempt to force woman suffrage on us by making it a political -question would also be met by a counter-influence that would convince -every <!-- Page 17 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span>demagogue that any man or party which forces us to the polls -will be ostracized by the votes of every woman who is thus dragged from -her appropriate sphere to bear the burdens of the state.</p> - -<p>Another and the final reason for believing female suffrage at a distant -future is the proposed circuitous and indirect mode of remedying evils -which could be relieved by a much more direct and speedy method. As -things now are, men have the physical power that can force obedience; -in most cases they have the power of the purse, and in all cases, they -have the civil power. They can not be forced by the weaker sex to -resign this power. It must be sought, then, as the gift of justice and -benevolence. If, then, there are laws and customs that we deem unjust -and oppressive, the short and common sense mode would be to petition -the law-makers to change these laws according to the rules of justice -and mercy. Instead of this the plea is, "We can not trust you to make -laws; give us the ballot, and we will take better care of ourselves -than you have done or will do." Now, any class of men who, after such -an implication of their <!-- Page 18 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>intelligence and justice, would give the -ballot to woman, would most surely be those most ready to redress any -wrongs for which the ballot is sought. Why should we not rather take -the shorter and surer mode and <em>ask for the thing needed</em>, instead of -the circuitous and uncertain mode involved in the ballot? Any man who -would grant the ballot would grant all for which the ballot is sought.</p> - -<p>As one proof of this, we have the changes which have been made in -the laws of New-York State, as reported in a New-York paper. The -agitation for women's rights commenced in that State, and now its laws -give not only as many but more advantages to women than to men. For -in that State, the wife has unlimited control of her own property, -independently of her husband, while by law he must support her and her -children. What is <em>his</em> is <em>hers</em>, but what is hers is <em>not</em> his. She -may be rich and the husband poor, and yet he must pay all her debts. -Her creditors can seize his property to pay her debts, but must leave -hers untouched. He is obliged by law to support her; but however <!-- Page 19 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span>rich -she may be, she is not obliged to support him. She may turn her husband -out of the house she owns, but the law will not sustain the husband in -such an act. The husband can not compel his wife to follow him if he -changes residence. She may absent herself night and day, and, unless -criminality is proved, the law gives no redress. At the same time, -<em>divorce</em> is more easily obtained by a woman than a man.</p> - -<p>With such an example before us, will it not be wisest to ask for such -laws as we need before we seek the more uncertain ballot?</p> - -<p>At the commencement of this discussion, it was stated that the parties -at issue agree in these general principles, namely, that woman's -usefulness and happiness are equal in value to man's, and consequently -that she has a right to equal advantages for gaining them; that she is -unjustly deprived of such equal advantages, and that organization and -agitation to gain them is her privilege and duty.</p> - -<p>The points of difference are as to the nature of the advantages -of which she is deprived, the <!-- Page 20 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>consequent evils, and the mode of -remedy. One party regard woman's exclusion from the professions, the -universities, and the civil offices of men as the leading injustice -from which most of the evils complained of are the result, and that the -gift of the ballot will prove the panacea for all these wrongs. The -other party believe the chief cause of evils which both are striving to -remedy is the want of a just appreciation of woman's profession, and -the want of such a liberal and practical training for its duties as men -secure for their most honored professions.</p> - -<p>Here we again may refer to a patent maxim of common sense, which is -this: that the more difficult and important are any duties, the more -scientific care and training should be bestowed on those who are to -perform them. It has been in obedience to this maxim that, in Christian -countries, the highest advantages have been given to those men who have -charge of the spiritual and eternal interests of our race. Most of the -universities of Europe and of this country were founded to educate the -clergy. Next came the <!-- Page 21 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span>training of those who administer laws, and then -of those who cure the sick. These are named the <em>liberal professions</em>, -because society has most liberally provided for the scientific training -of those who perform these duties.</p> - -<p>That women need as much and even more scientific and practical training -for their appropriate business than men, arises from the fact that -they must perform duties quite as difficult and important, and a much -greater variety of them. A man usually selects one branch of business -for a son, and, after his school education, secures an apprenticeship -of years to perfect his practical skill; and thus a success is attained -which would be impossible were he to practice various trades and -professions.</p> - -<p>Now let us notice the various and difficult duties that are demanded of -woman in her ordinary relations as wife, mother, housekeeper, and the -mistress of servants.</p> - -<p>First, she has charge of the economies of the family state; for, as the -general rule, men are to earn the support and women administer these -<!-- Page 22 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span>earnings. In this must be included the style in which a house shall -be prepared and furnished, so as best to secure pure air, sunlight, -and the best arrangement and conveniences for labor. If women were -scientifically trained in this particular, their influence would have -saved much labor and much expense. But let the graduates of our female -colleges be questioned as to the position and swing of doors to avoid -draughts; or of windows, to secure sunlight where most needed; or of -chimneys, to secure ventilation and economize fuel; or on the most -successful modes of ventilation; or on the most economical arrangement -of closets, store-room, and pantry, to save time and steps; and it will -be found, ordinarily, that nothing at all has been done to prepare them -to answer intelligently such important practical questions.</p> - -<p>There is no department of domestic economy where there is more enormous -waste than in the selection and management of fuel. Much science is -involved in learning what fuel is made of; what kinds best furnish -warmth without waste; <!-- Page 23 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span>what methods waste heat; what methods preserve -it; what spreads it equally; what creates draughts and thus colds and -headaches, and many other connected subjects. Having devoted more than -usual attention to this topic, and especially to the proper selection -and management of furnaces and cook-stoves, it is my firm belief that -if I could impart to the housekeepers of our country the knowledge I -have gained, (and that without any help from scientific schools,) it -would enable them to save millions of money and an enormous amount of -ill health and discomfort.</p> - -<p>Again, a housekeeper has charge of the selection and preparation of the -food on which family health and enjoyment so much depend. To prepare -her for this duty she should be taught what kinds of food are most -healthful and nutritious; what kinds are best for the young and what -for the aged; how each should be cooked to secure most nutriment and -least waste; the relative value of buying wholesale or retail; the -best modes of storing food and of preserving it from vermin or decay; -what dishes are at once economical, comely, and inviting <!-- Page 24 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span>and how a -husband's earnings can secure the most comfort and enjoyment with the -most economical outlay. A woman needs training and instruction in this -department of her duties as much as her sons need similar instruction -and training in agriculture or watch-making, when that is to be their -profession.</p> - -<p>Again, the mistress of a family controls the selection and making of -the clothing and furniture, and will be called to decide what is most -suitable and economical; what stuffs wear longest; what hold colors -best; what parts wear out soonest, and how they can be made to last the -longest; how much is needed for each garment; and what is the proper -way to cut and fit each article; what is the proper way of mending; -what is the most economical and easiest mode of washing and ironing; -and so on through a long list of duties that demand judgment, science, -and care.</p> - -<p>Again, the health of a family is especially a responsibility that -rests upon woman. There is no such wise and needed physician as a -well-instructed mother and housekeeper; not to cure—for that is <!-- Page 25 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span>the -physician's part, but to prevent—disease, or stop it at the starting. -Our gravest illnesses come from neglected colds, indigestion, and -headaches.</p> - -<p>Who first finds out when one is ill, and is best prepared to search for -the cause? Why should not every housekeeper know the first symptoms of -common illnesses, the cause and the cure? Not chiefly in the hospital -or by the bedside is a well-instructed nurse needed, but by the family -fireside, where she can observe the first symptoms, give early warning, -and apply the simple cure. There is no technical training so valuable -to a woman as that which enables her to keep the doctor out of the -house, and to send for him when he is needed.</p> - -<p>Again, to woman must be committed the charge of new-born infants—and of -the mothers at the most perilous and most anxious period of life, and -one demanding so much discretion, tenderness, and self-denying labor. -Thousands of young, uninstructed mothers are sent out of life or made -suffering invalids from their own ignorance of all they most need to -know, or from the neglect or ignorance of untrained nurses.</p> - -<p><!-- Page 26 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p><p>The departments of practical life, to which the majority of women -are ordained, ought to receive the honors and aid of lectures, -professorships, endowments, and scientific treatment; the same as -is bestowed to fit men for practical life. The care of a house, the -conduct of a home, the management of children, the instruction and -government of servants, are as deserving of scientific treatment and -scientific professors and lectureships as are the care of farms, the -management of manure and crops, and the raising and care of stock. -Shall man secure for himself endowments, and professors, and lectures -on stock-raising, the diseases of domestic animals, and the laws -by which they are preserved in health, and woman be denied equal -advantages for learning the laws by which health, beauty, and mental -soundness may be secured to the more precious children under her care?</p> - -<p>It is granted by all parties that it is women who are to nurse and -train the children the first years of life, and they must do it either -ignorantly and blunderingly, or intelligently guided by scientific -knowledge. For this reason every college and <!-- Page 27 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span>high-school for women -should have a well-instructed woman professor, whose duty it shall be -to instruct young women (in the last years of their education) in all -they need to know as wife, mother, nurse, and guardian of infancy and -childhood.</p> - -<p>For young men we find endowed scientific schools to teach them -agricultural chemistry, that they may learn wisely to conduct -a farm; why should not women be taught domestic chemistry and -domestic philosophy? The more civilization advances, the more do -complicated contrivances multiply for the charge of which women are -mainly responsible. The laws that regulate heat, as applied in the -construction of furnaces, stoves, ranges, and grates; the principles of -hydraulics, as applied in constructing cisterns, boilers, water-pipes, -faucets, and other multiplied modern conveniences, demand scientific -and intelligent supervision impossible to a woman untrained in this -department of her domestic duties.</p> - -<p>Again, young men are provided with lectures on political economy, while -domestic economy, as <!-- Page 28 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span>yet, has not been so honored. Most women come -to the duty of providing for a family utterly ignorant of the science -of comparative values, and of the greater or less economies of the -articles they are to provide and preserve.</p> - -<p>But the most important of all the departments of a woman's profession -is one for which no college or high-school for women has made any -proper provision.</p> - -<p>Woman, as mother and as teacher, is to form and guide the immortal -mind. She, more than any one else, is to decide the character of her -helpless children, both for this and the future eternal life. And for -this, liberal provision should be made; so that no woman shall finish -her education till all that science and training can do shall be -bestowed to fit her for this supernal duty. The preparation of young -ministers for the duties of the church does not surpass in importance -the training of the minister of the nursery and school-room. The -clergyman meets his parishioners two or three times a week to train -them for an immortal <!-- Page 29 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span>existence. But the mother and school-teacher have -their ministry in charge every hour of the day, and with a power of -influence such as no clergyman can command.</p> - -<p>In this review of the varied and complicated duties of a woman's -profession, we find that she needs not only the general discipline -and training for the development of mental faculties, but a special -training for a far greater diversity of duties than are ever to be -undertaken by men. We claim that woman's profession demands such very -diverse training from the professions of the other sex that access -to universities for men does not meet her most sacred necessities. A -university education for woman should be as diverse from that of man's -as are her duties and responsibilities.</p> - -<p>We will now notice what has been done to prepare young men for their -several professions, that we may sustain our position, that such -advantages are unjustly withheld from their sisters, and that this has -engendered multiplied evils to our sex, and thus to the commonwealth.</p> - -<p><!-- Page 30 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p><p>The mode of providing for the professions of men has been, not to -trust chiefly to tuition fees for the support of instructors, but to -secure the highest class of teachers by endowments insuring a salary -independent of popular whims and changes. By means of such endowment, -such <em>a division of labor and responsibility</em> is secured that each -teacher is responsible for only one or two branches of instruction, and -to only <em>one</em> class, and for only one or two hours each day.</p> - -<p>The president of a college teaches only one class, and has no care or -responsibility as to the proper performance of the several professors. -Each professor has charge of only one class in one or two branches, and -is responsible for only those branches; while neither president nor -any other officer has any control or responsibility except in his own -department. For the president is only <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">primus inter pares</i> (first among -equals) as presiding officer of a faculty, in which every question -is decided by majority vote. He has not (as do principals of most -<!-- Page 31 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span>female colleges) the selection and direction of all the teachers, the -supervision of finance and expenditure, the authority to inspect and -control in every department, and the regulation of all salaries and -expenditures for apparatus and libraries.</p> - -<p>By this college method, every professor is made the honorable and -independent controller of his own department, responsible to no one -but the corporation or trustees. By this method, each teacher having -in charge only one or two classes, and a single department, is able -to devote much time to self-improvement and the advancement of his -specialty.</p> - -<p>Endowments also render the college permanent in its course of -instruction and in retaining a permanent faculty, which can never be -the case in schools that must change with every changing principal.</p> - -<p>Endowments also open avenues of honor and support to large numbers -of young men who eventually become professors, or who are stimulated -to exertion by the hope of winning such <!-- Page 32 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span>permanent and honorable -positions. No such opening for independence is provided for women.</p> - -<p>Endowments have secured to young men not only a thorough training in -branches of literature and science which enlarge the mental powers, -but also have served to honor and elevate several of the trades -and professions to which they are devoted, so that they are now on -an honorable equality with the so-called liberal professions. The -scientific schools, the art schools, and the schools of technology -are fast elevating many heretofore degraded professions to equal -honor with law, medicine, and divinity. The more these various arts -and professions are made honorable by endowments to support learned -professors, the larger the number of honorable and remunerative -professions are provided for young men; and, as yet, woman (with one -or two exceptions) has had no such opportunities provided. To support -such institutions for young men, every State in the Union has been -taxed, and large grants of land made by the general government, while -individual benefactions <!-- Page 33 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span>have been still more abundant. Our oldest -colleges all count their endowments as valued from half a million to -four and five millions each. There are now more than two hundred well -endowed colleges and scientific schools for young men, supporting many -hundred professors. The State of New-York has twelve endowed colleges, -having doubled the number in twenty years. Connecticut has three -endowed colleges, and four endowed professional schools. Massachusetts -has four colleges and six professional schools for young men, and other -States in similar proportions.</p> - -<p>As a contrast to this liberal provision for young men, I may be allowed -to narrate some of my own experience. When I commenced my profession -as teacher, the most popular boarding-schools taught little except the -primary branches, though occasionally was executed by the pupils a -"mourning piece," that is, an embroidered tombstone under an apparition -by courtesy called a weeping willow, with a row of darkly-clad weeping -friends approaching it. I was among the first to introduce <!-- Page 34 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span>what are -called the higher branches. My school soon numbered over one hundred; -and yet I had only one room and one assistant, while I had both to -teach the higher branches and to study them myself; not having been -taught them in my school days. I also had to prepare my teachers, who -like myself had never been trained for these departments. And as my -school rose in popularity, other schools followed the example, so that -as fast as I trained reliable teachers, they were drawn off by the -offers of higher salaries.</p> - -<p>Meantime all the responsibilities, which in colleges are divided among -the president, the professors, the tutors, and the treasurer, rested -on me. Ten years of such complicated labor, study, and responsibility -destroyed health, as it has done for multitudes of other women, who -have thus toiled unaided by any of the advantages given to college -teachers.</p> - -<p>Ever since that time, I have devoted my income, strength, and time to -efforts for securing professional advantages of education for my sex -equal to those bestowed on men. It is over forty years that <!-- Page 35 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span>these -efforts have been continued. And now, after remarkable and unexpected -restoration to health, the institution I founded so many years ago is -again committed to my charge.</p> - -<p>In all this period, not a single institution has been founded which -includes in its curriculum the course of practical training that -prepares a woman for the complicated responsibilities I have enumerated -as included in her profession. The Mount Holyoke plan does not even aim -at any thing of this kind, but is only a method of economy to lessen -expenditure. Vassar College has no endowment to support teachers, -and so its tuition fees far exceed those of colleges for men. Nor -is the industrial training of woman for her distinctive profession -any part of its aim, while the largest portion of the income of that -institution goes for the support of men instead of women teachers, -five out of seven professors being men. And the excuse for this is, -that well-trained female teachers can not be found, and so more highly -educated men must be taken. But if woman had received the advantages -given to men, most of these honorable <!-- Page 36 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span>and remunerative positions would -have been hers.</p> - -<p>The fact that men have been so much more highly educated in literature -and science than women, causes the unjust discrimination in giving men -the most honorable and remunerative positions even in female schools, -where women equal or surpass them as successful teachers; so also in -the comparatively unjust wages given to them in public schools.</p> - -<p>The history of some of the most prominent female institutions shows -that women are equal if not superior to men, in ability to educate -their own sex, even when so little has been done for them and so -much for men. For example, about the time I commenced my school, -Mrs. Willard petitioned the Legislature of New-York to bestow some -endowments on her flourishing institution, but without success; and yet -without any such aid that institution has carried out a high course of -literary education for woman, has had uninterrupted success, and still -offers equal advantages with most female colleges where college-trained -men are the <!-- Page 37 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span>chief recipients of the income, and are chief managers.</p> - -<p>The Ingham University, of Central New-York, was founded by two women, -and when it numbered over two hundred, sought endowments in vain. A -man was then placed at its head, hoping thus to gain endowments; but -under his administration the institution ran down, and was restored to -prosperity only by restoration to woman's care.</p> - -<p>The institution I founded at Hartford has always run down with -college-educated men as principals, and flourished most under the -charge of women.</p> - -<p>The Milwaukee Female College, established by my influence, rose to -prosperity under women, failed under a man, and was restored to -prosperity by a woman.</p> - -<p>The Mount Holyoke Female Seminary was founded by a woman, and has been -sustained forty years by women alone. In all these cases, the men had a -college education, and the women gained an education chiefly by unaided -personal efforts. I think similar illustrations can be found all over -the nation.</p> - -<p><!-- Page 38 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p><p>It is the unvarying testimony of the supervisors of public schools -that women teachers are equal to men in ability and success, and yet -to men, as the general rule, are given the best places and the largest -salaries. While so many avenues to wealth and honor are open to men -and so few to women, all will allow, that this is neither just nor -generous, and if women can do so well at such disadvantage, what would -they do if equal in privileges?</p> - -<p>To illustrate still further the unjust discrimination in educational -advantages, I will state that in Hartford, close beside my institution, -is a college founded at nearly the same time, the numbers being about -the same as in my school. The president teaches only one or two hours -a day, and has no responsibility for any department except his own. -The college treasurer has all the care of the finances, and, having -endowments for this purpose, pays salaries to the president and five or -six other teachers which would provide a house and support for a family -to each. There are only four classes, and each teacher is required to -instruct only one or two hours a day, having the remaining time <!-- Page 39 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span>for -self-improvement and for literary labor to add to his income.</p> - -<p>In the same city is a theological seminary with only twenty-five -young men.<a name="FNanchor_39:A_1" id="FNanchor_39:A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_39:A_1" class="fnanchor">[39:A]</a> For them are provided spacious accommodations, with -furniture frequently provided by generous women. Women also are among -the most liberal founders of those endowments, valued at nearly or -quite half a million, by which four professors and their families are -supported and the board and expenses of a good portion of the pupils -are paid. In Middletown is another endowed theological seminary, where -ten instructors are provided for only thirty-six students. At New-Haven -is another endowed theological seminary, where six instructors are -employed to teach fifty-two young men, and so endowed that four -professors and their families are supported by funds. And in all these -cases, each professor teaches only one or two hours a day in only one -or two branches. And in more than half the States of our Union, are -similar institutions <!-- Page 40 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span>to train young men for church ministries, a large -portion of them largely endowed by women; while not even one has yet -been established to train woman for her no less sacred ministry.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> -<p class="noindent"><a name="Footnote_39:A_1" id="Footnote_39:A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39:A_1"><span class="label">[39:A]</span></a> These statistics are taken from the Report of the -National Bureau of Education for 1870.</p> -</div> - -<p>When I took charge of the Hartford Female Seminary, this fall, the -trustees and former principal had established a course of study, and -pupils were preparing to graduate as in past time; while many reasons -were urged for making no great changes.</p> - -<p>The list of branches to be taught, as exhibited in the circular, is no -larger than is common in many women high-schools and colleges, each -one requiring a text-book, and reads thus: Spelling, reading, writing, -grammar, arithmetic, higher arithmetic, algebra, history of the United -States, physiology, physical geography, geometry, natural philosophy, -chemistry, astronomy, mental philosophy, Butler's Analogy of Natural -and Revealed Religion, æsthetics, English literature, history of -Greece, history of Rome, philology, ancient and modern <!-- Page 41 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span>history, -composition, natural history, history of England, history of France, -botany, geology, rhetoric, trigonometry, moral philosophy, history of -literature, history of arts and sciences, Latin, Greek, French, German, -Italian, Spanish, drawing, painting in water-colors, painting in oil, -vocal music, instrumental music, and gymnastics; <em>forty-four</em> in the -whole.</p> - -<p>For all these I am responsible to select teachers, to examine -text-books, to decide on the modes of teaching, and to see that all -departments are administered properly.</p> - -<p>I can not carry out all these without at least seven English teachers, -and four or five for the languages and accomplishments. And in -arranging classes in so many branches, these teachers, on an average, -must teach four or five hours a day, and have charge of six or seven -classes in nearly as many different studies.</p> - -<p>Though tuition charges have ever been larger than young men pay in -colleges, in my former experience forty years ago, I could not retain -the best teachers and furnish apparatus and <!-- Page 42 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span>advantages needed, only -by using the whole income, except what I paid for my own board and -my very economical personal expenses. And now, the income from one -hundred pupils would not save me from embarrassing debt had I not other -resources.</p> - -<p>If I worked my teachers at the risk of their health, and employed those -of humbler qualifications, I might, perhaps, make a small profit, but -not otherwise. And as fast as teachers are trained, so as to be most -valuable, (as in my earlier experience,) they will leave for posts -offering higher pay and less labor. Neither Mrs. Stowe, nor myself, -nor any of the most highly qualified ladies of our country, could take -charge of such an institution without a sacrifice of an income counting -by thousands. Will not a time come when ladies, the most highly -qualified to educate their own sex, shall receive such advantages -and compensation for these duties as now are exclusively given to -men? My extensive acquaintance with ladies of this class all over -the land enables me to <!-- Page 43 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span>predict an abundant supply of highly-trained -educators to the duties of our sex, if the appropriate facilities, -such as college professors obtain, were offered to them. But to take -such a post as I now occupy, or to become a hard-working, ill-paid -subordinate, or to become a family assistant, would not tempt them from -present advantages of usefulness, independence, and comfort.</p> - -<p>The present agitation as to woman's rights and wrongs is the natural -and necessary result of the want of appreciation and neglect of the -claims and duties of the family state. It is the manifest design of -our Creator that each man should seek a wife and establish a family. -And the family state has two ends to be accomplished; one is the -increase and perpetuity of our race, and the other is its education -and training; not chiefly to enjoy this life, but mainly to form a -character that will secure endless happiness in the life to come.</p> - -<p>The distinctive feature of the family state is, <em>the training of a -small number by self-sacrificing <!-- Page 44 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span>labor and love</em>. Abraham, the friend -of God, and the great model of faith and obedience to both Jews and -Christians, was not allowed to have a child of his own till he had -trained six hundred servants, each man dwelling in his tent with a -family of his own, forming a religious community that obeyed the true -God. This shows that it was not for personal gratification as the chief -end that God instituted the family, and that those who are childless -may have as great a work to perform as the parental.</p> - -<p>But the more our nation has advanced in wealth and civilization, the -more have the labors and the duties of the family state been shunned. -Many virtuous young men are withheld from it from the incompetence and -the extravagant habits and tastes of those they would otherwise seek -for wives. Another class is withheld by guilty courses that destroy -the hope of family love and purity. Another large class shun the toil, -self-denial, and trials of married life, and prefer their ease and the -many other enjoyments wealth will secure.</p> - -<p>To these add the hundreds of thousands of <!-- Page 45 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span>young men who perished -in our destructive war, and the emigration to new settlements where -early marriage is impracticable, and as the consequence, the census -shows hundreds of thousands of women who can never commence the family -state as wife and mother. This is the great emergency that agitates -society and forms the chief moral problem of our age. The question in -its simplest form is this, What is to be done to secure the highest -usefulness and happiness of <em>woman as a sex</em>, when marriage and the -family state are more and more passing away? Our customs and our laws -are all framed on the assumption that women are to be supported by -husbands to rear up families; and yet marriage and the family state -are more and more avoided. And what is the remedy to be sought? Will -the ballot relieve this difficulty? Can any laws be enforced that -will oblige men to marry? and if not, what are we to do to meet the -emergency?</p> - -<p>In reply, I will first state some important facts developed here in -Massachusetts, where well-educated marriageable women most abound; not -<!-- Page 46 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span>in employments for which God designed them, but in shops and mills and -employment detrimental both to health and morals.</p> - -<p>The report of the Massachusetts Board of State Charities states that -the present mode of collecting special classes of the helpless, the -unfortunate, and the vicious into great establishments, managed by paid -agents, is not the best method to secure their physical, moral, and -social improvement, and that it involves many unfortunate influences.</p> - -<p>Then it is suggested that the better way would be to scatter these -helpless and unfortunate ones in families of Christian people. Now, -as before stated, the family is God's mode of training our race to -self-denying love and labor; and the <em>Christian</em> family, in contrast -to the worldly, is the one in which a small number is given to one or -two, who have the spirit of Christ and live as he lived, to labor for -others, and not for self-indulgent ease and worldly enjoyments.</p> - -<p>Hundreds of Massachusetts women have this <!-- Page 47 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span>spirit of Christ and are -pining for this ministry, which is as sacred and as effective as that -of the church. Thousands of neglected orphans, or worse than orphans, -abound on every side. The homeless, the aged, the weak, the sick, and -the sinful, also, are all around us.</p> - -<p>And how can truly Christian homes be established where there are no -young children to train, no aged persons to watch over, no invalids -to nurse, and no vicious to reclaim? Why are orphans thrown upon the -cold world, and why are the aged held in a useless, suffering life -except to furnish opportunities for Christian love and self-sacrifice? -Here is the problem for Massachusetts. Let her do for her daughters as -liberally as for her sons, and it will speedily be solved.</p> - -<p>There are multitudes of women in unwomanly employments, who, if -educated to the scientific duties of a nurse for young infants and -their mothers, with all the advantages of high culture given to medical -men, and with the social honor accorded to high culture, would be -greeted in <!-- Page 48 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span>many a family, be sought as the most welcome benefactors of -the family state, and take a superior position to that now given to the -teachers of music, French, and drawing.</p> - -<p>Again, there is no agent of the family state who has a more constant, -daily influence on the character of childhood than the one who shares -with a mother the cares of the nursery. And yet where shall we find an -institution in which young women are properly trained for these sacred -offices? The heir of an earthly kingdom is surrounded by the noblest -and the wisest, who deem the humblest office an honor in his service. -But the young heir of an immortal kingdom, whose career, not for a few -earthly days, but for eternal ages, is to be decided in this life, to -whom is he committed, and <em>where</em> and <em>how</em> were they trained for these -supernal duties? The bogs of Ireland—the shanty tenement-houses—the -plantation huts—the swarming, poverty-stricken wanderers from Europe, -China, and Japan are coming to reply!</p> - -<p>The influx of wealth, the building of <!-- Page 49 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span>expensive houses demanding many -servants, and the increasing demands of social life, are changing -mothers from the educational training of their own offspring to the -training and care of servants; and yet, in our boarding-schools and -colleges for women, how much is done to train them for such duties?</p> - -<p>When I read the curriculum of Vassar and other female colleges, -methinks their graduates by such a course as this will be as well -prepared to nurse the sick, train servants, take charge of infants, and -manage all departments of the family state, as they would be to make -and regulate chronometers, or to build and drive steam-engines.</p> - -<p>The number of branches introduced into female schools has nearly -doubled since I commenced my school, while the real advantages gained -by this increase have been lessened. And as yet little or no progress -has been made in preparing women for the practical duties of their -profession. The expenses of most popular boarding-schools confine their -advantages to <!-- Page 50 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span>the rich, who do not aim to have daughters trained to do -woman's work, or to earn their own independence.</p> - -<p>The evils that women suffer from the want of proper training for their -appropriate duties, few can fully realize. The Working-Woman's Union, -in New-York City, reports that of the 13,000 applicants for work, not -one half were qualified to any kind of work in a proper manner. The -societies for aiding poor women report as their greatest embarrassment -that but few can sew decently, or do any other work properly. The -heads of dress-making establishments complain that few can be found -who can be trusted to complete a dress properly, and say that those -properly trained find abundant work and good pay. The demand for good -mantua-makers in country towns is universal. In former days, plain -sewing was taught in schools; but now it is banished, and mothers are -too pressed with labor, or too negligent, to supply the deficiency.</p> - -<p>In the middle classes, unmarried women and widows feel that they are -an incumbrance on <!-- Page 51 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span>fathers and brothers, who, from pride or duty, feel -bound to support them, and yet no openings offer for them to earn an -independence. Thousands of ladies of good families and good education, -with aged mothers or young children to support, can find either no -employments or those offering starvation wages. The school or the -boarding-house is the chief alternative for such persons; and yet every -opening for a school-teacher has scores, and sometimes hundreds of -applicants.</p> - -<p>The factory-girls, and those in shops and stores, must stand six, -eight, or ten hours a day in bad air and unwholesome labor. The influx -of ignorant and uncleanly foreigners into our kitchens, and the -exactions of thriftless young housekeepers from boarding-schools, drive -self-respecting American women from many of our kitchens.</p> - -<p>Meantime, in our more wealthy classes, those who have generous -and elevated aspirations feel that they have no object in life—no -profession, like their brothers, by which they can secure <!-- Page 52 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span>their own -independence, and aid in elevating others. Our young girls are trained -only for marriage; and when that fails, fathers and brothers forbid -their earning an independence, as implying disgrace to themselves.</p> - -<p>The remedy for all this would soon be achieved were woman's work -elevated to an honorable and remunerative science and profession, -by the same methods that men have taken to elevate their various -professions. The establishment of <em>Woman's Universities</em>, in which -every girl shall secure as good a literary training as her brothers, -and then be trained to some profession adapted to her taste and -capacity, by which she can establish a home of her own, and secure an -independent income—<em>this</em> is what every woman may justly claim and -labor for, as the shortest, surest, and safest mode of securing her own -highest usefulness and happiness, and that of her sex; a mode which -demands only what, if once achieved as practicable, every intelligent -and benevolent man would approve and delight to promote.</p> - -<p><!-- Page 53 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p><p>Here I feel bound to express dissent from the frequent implication that -men are alone responsible for the present disabilities and wrongs of -woman, owing to a selfish and tyrannical spirit not existing in my sex. -There is no nation in the world, and never has been one, in which all -classes of men were so trained to honor, protect, and provide for women -as in our own. On the contrary, women with us have been trained to -expect care and protection, and not to a chivalrous and tender regard -for their own sex, such as has been cultivated in brothers, fathers, -and husbands.</p> - -<p>Moreover, women are trained to economy in details more than men, and -have not the free use of money as have those who earn family support. -As a consequence, when the raising of the wages of a school-teacher, or -the charges of a seamstress, or the pay of a cook is discussed, it is -often the case that women are no more ready than men thus to increase -the advantages of their sex.</p> - -<p>In the matter of educational benefactions, <!-- Page 54 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span>women have given liberally -to endow colleges and professional schools for men; and it is a -remarkable fact that, if we except Roman Catholic nunneries, I know -not of even one case in this nation where a woman is supported as an -educator by an endowment given by a woman.</p> - -<p>As previously indicated, the main causes of the evils that now press -on my sex are the want of appreciation of the honor and duties of the -family state, and the decrease of marriage, owing to war, emigration, -self-indulgence, and vices consequent on increase of civilization and -wealth.</p> - -<p>There is every evidence that men are as sympathetic, and as anxious to -devise remedies for the evils complained of, as are our own sex; and -the impolitic and unjust manner in which they have been treated by some -who are generously laboring for the relief and elevation of woman, is -greatly to be regretted. In all my past efforts, I have depended mainly -on the powerful influence of my sex in gaining what was sought; for I -believe there is no benevolent <!-- Page 55 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span>plan, which is so approved by judicious -and benevolent women as to secure their earnest efforts, which will -not receive from fathers, brothers, and husbands all that is sought. -My only difficulty in the past has been to secure such appreciation -from my sex of the honor and duties of the family state, of the need -of scientific and practical training for these duties, as would secure -their earnest attention, influence, and efforts.</p> - -<p>While I would urge these views on the attention of all women who have -any influence, I beg leave to suggest other modes by which the same -ends may be promoted. Thus, every cultivated woman who dignifies -domestic labor, by living in such a style as enables her to work -herself, and to train her sons and daughters to work with her, is a -co-laborer in this beneficent enterprise. Every woman who goes to her -kitchen in the spirit of Christ, by self-denying efforts to train her -servants to intelligence, honesty, and benevolence, is another blessed -laborer on the same field. Every young lady who seeks to <!-- Page 56 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>impart some -of her advantages to those who labor in her service will be preparing -to hear from their and her Lord, "Inasmuch as ye did it to these the -least of my brethren, ye did it to me." Every school-teacher who -trains her pupils to value home labor, and to learn to do all woman's -proper work in the best manner, is also a minister of good to the -family state. Every woman who uses her influence to introduce sewing -into public schools, or to establish sewing-schools among the poor, is -another co-laborer for the same high aim. Every woman who can bring the -views here presented to the notice of wealthy and influential men and -women, may be sowing seed that will yield rich fruits even for ages to -come, by endowments secured through such quiet influences.</p> - -<p><em>A Woman's University</em>, that will realize the ideal aimed at, may, -perhaps, come by no sudden growth, but by many experiments in different -fields and diverse departments, each aiding to advance every other, -till all eventually will be combined in a harmonious and perfected -<!-- Page 57 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span>result. And for this consummation my good friend and opponent is as -ready to labor as those of us who have not her courage and hopes as to -the results of woman suffrage.</p> - -<p>I stated that I have resumed the charge of the seminary I founded forty -years ago, to teach the higher branches, with Mrs. Stowe, then, as -now, my associate. We began when women were trained to domestic labor, -and almost nothing else. We have seen the pendulum swing to the other -extreme, till, both in families and schools, women are taught the -higher branches, and almost nothing else. We now begin at the other -end, and, by the aid and counsel of the judicious women of Hartford, we -hope to set an example of a woman's university which shall combine the -highest intellectual culture with the highest practical skill in all -the distinctive duties of womanhood.</p> - -<p>Our good friends of the women suffrage cause often liken their -agitation to that which ended the slavery of a whole race doomed to -unrequited toil for selfish, cruel masters. When so <!-- Page 58 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span>many men are -toiling to keep daughters, wives, and mothers from any kind of toil, it -is difficult to trace the resemblance.</p> - -<p>Moreover, we of the other side are believers in slavery, and we mean to -establish it all over the land. We mean to force men to resign their -gold, and even to forge chains for themselves with it; and when we -have trained their fair and rosy daughters, we will enforce a "Pink -and White Tyranny" more stringent than any other earthly thraldom. And -we will make our slaves work, and work from early dawn to dark night, -under the Great Task-master, the Lord of love and happiness, until -every one on earth shall fear him, as "the beginning of wisdom;" and -then "do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God," as the whole -end and perfection of man.</p> - -<p class="smallprint noindent"><small>For want of time, only a part of this address was delivered at -the Boston Music Hall. Mrs. Livermore followed, and at <a href="#Note_A">Note A</a> -are remarks in reply to some of hers. What follows will present -further views on the subject of Woman's Profession.</small></p> - -<p><!-- Page 59 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span></p><p>After resigning the charge of the Hartford Female Seminary, many -circumstances combined to give me unusual facilities for observing -educational influences in various institutions for both sexes.</p> - -<p>Continued ill health led to extensive travels, and to protracted -visits to a widely dispersed family and to former pupils settled in -every section of the country. My father was president of a theological -seminary, and my brother-in-law has been professor in two colleges -and one theological seminary. One brother was valedictorian and tutor -at Yale, and then president of one of the first Western colleges. Six -brothers were educated in five different colleges, and thirteen nephews -were students in six different colleges. Thirty-four nieces and nephews -have been connected with a great number of different boarding-schools -as scholars or teachers, while several hundred of my former pupils have -been teachers or pupils in almost every State of the Union, and have -extensively reported to me their experiences and observations.<!-- Page 60 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> - -<p>I have also been connected with two organizations for establishing -schools and female colleges in such a way as to make it a part of my -duties to select teachers for schools and to organize faculties for -large female institutions.</p> - -<p>These opportunities, extended over a period of nearly forty years, have -secured principles and conclusions of such importance as warrants not -only general statements, but some details to illustrate.</p> - -<p>A fundamental principle thus gained is, that the school should be an -appendage of the family state, and modeled on its primary principle, -which is, <em>to train the ignorant and weak by self-sacrificing labor and -love; and to bestow the most on the weakest, the most undeveloped, and -the most sinful</em>.</p> - -<p>It is exactly the opposite course to which teachers are most tempted. -The bright, the good, the industrious are those whom it is most -agreeable to teach, who win most affection, and who most promote the -reputation of a teacher and of a school or college. To follow this -principle, therefore, <!-- Page 61 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span>demands more clear views of duty and more -self-denying benevolence than ordinarily abound.</p> - -<p>Moreover, the common practice of schools and colleges is, after a -certain amount of trial, to turn out those who are too dull to reach a -given line of scholarship, or too mischievous to conform to rules. It -is assumed that the interests of the more intelligent and docile are -to override those of the stupid and disobedient, and that schools and -colleges are not to adopt the great principle illustrated in the story -of the prodigal son, the strayed lamb, and the heavenly joy over one -that was lost more than over the ninety and nine that went not astray.</p> - -<p>The results of attempts to carry out this divine principle in school -management, in my earlier years, were very encouraging. The frequent -teachers' meetings were made the means of discovering the intellectual -and moral deficiencies of each pupil, and then the difficult cases were -apportioned to the care and watch of the several teachers, according to -their adaptation to the duty assigned. Each was to consult and devise -methods, report to me, and to receive counsel from me as <!-- Page 62 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span>to further -measures. A few specific cases will illustrate some results.</p> - -<p>For example, one of our best pupils and very intelligent in certain -directions, was reported as utterly incapable of understanding the -reasoning process in geometry. After experiments for more than a year, -this pupil became not only one of our best mathematical scholars, but -one of our most successful teachers in that study.</p> - -<p>In another case, the pupil was one of a numerous class that have -imagination and fancy undeveloped and apparently wanting, having little -or no appreciation of poetry, fine writing, or works of imagination. -A long course of discipline and practice so developed these dormant -powers that this pupil not only became an admirer and critic of poetry -and fine writing, but presented, as her closing public exercise, a -specimen of poetry, devised and completed without aid, which would -favorably compare with half of that which is written and admired in our -current literature.</p> - -<p>In other cases, in my school and among my friends, I have noticed -that, while some children <!-- Page 63 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span>have all the mental faculties equally -developed, others appear to possess small capacities, except in one -or two directions, which in some cases are prominent and in others so -undeveloped as to appear wanting.</p> - -<p>For example, the son of a dear friend had been trained by good teachers -and sent to a first-class college, where every ordinary method was -employed to carry him through with at least moderate respectability, -and all proved an utter failure. The young man was then placed with a -good private teacher, who, after repeated experiments, ascertained that -in certain directions the mental faculties were above mediocrity, but -in points not reached by college training. Another method was adopted, -and the result was, that the young man became distinguished in one -branch of practical science, and eventually a popular and successful -professor in a scientific school.</p> - -<p>In treating both intellectual and moral deficiencies, great attention -and care are demanded, so as not to deal with the willing but weak -as with the careless or mischievous. Both efforts <!-- Page 64 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span>demand the labor -of self-sacrificing love, and the rewards for such efforts have been -witnessed in such abundance as to cause great regret that so seldom our -higher schools and colleges aim at such results.</p> - -<p>Another very important principle, especially in the training of women, -is, that the duties of the family state, as performed when parents and -children are united in domestic labors, have a direct and very decided -influence in training the intellectual powers.</p> - -<p>In such families, the first-born, especially if a daughter, begins -almost in infant days to aid the mother in the care of the younger. -Discretion, quickness, invention, and many other faculties are -cultivated in the care of the little one, in regulating its caprices -and controlling its mischievous impulses. She learns to wash and dress -a younger child, to execute contrivances for its amusement, to regulate -its habits, and to aid as a teacher in its first school lessons. She is -trained to sew, mend, and to make family clothing, and then to aid in -teaching these arts to the younger. <!-- Page 65 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span>The first rudiments of culture in -the fine arts commence when assisting in ornamenting garden and parlor -with flowers and with various contrivances. She learns to cook food, -and to understand the varieties and the modes of preservation. And so -of many other household duties which demand quickness of apprehension, -discretion, energy, and perseverance. It is an unconscious intellectual -training, usually enforced by limited means, and insuring benefits -which the offspring of the rich rarely enjoy.</p> - -<p>It is on this principle that Frobel arranged his system of the -Kindergarten, which develops many mental faculties and trains to -intellectual exercises before book knowledge is sought, chiefly by -exercises that cultivate taste, ingenuity, contrivance, and skill in -the use of the hand and eye.</p> - -<p>The early training in my own personal and family history is a -remarkable illustration of this principle. This was at a time when -book-learning for the young was at its lowest stage. The whole of -my childhood was a play-spell, where my chief contrivances were to -avoid all kinds of confinement <!-- Page 66 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span>to study, or any kind of intellectual -taxation, except in practical employments, for which happily I had a -decided taste.</p> - -<p>The death of a wise and tender mother at sixteen, and the consequent -responsibilities that came on the eldest of eight children, still -further developed the intellectual powers which are cultivated in -domestic employments. But school duties were never relished, except as -opportunities of furnishing merriment and various amusing contrivances -for escaping study. No discipline by book knowledge was gained, and no -reading attempted except in works of imagination.</p> - -<p>It was not till school-days were over, that the discipline of sorrow, -and the consequent forces of religion, sobered an exuberant nature and -led to preparation for the office of a teacher.</p> - -<p>Then, for the first time, commenced a training in book knowledge -under the care of a college-trained brother, and then a few months -accomplished what, with most school-girls, demands as many years. And -this speed and success were secured by aid of faculties developed -and strengthened <!-- Page 67 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span>chiefly by domestic training, together with the -conversation and intellectual influence of the parents and family -friends who were my educators.</p> - -<p>The mental history of these family friends is an additional -illustration of this principle. My father had a college education; my -mother and an aunt, who was a member of our family, had only that of -a country home, when reading, writing, and arithmetic were the only -branches in children's schools. My mother had a natural taste for -profound investigation, and, with no aid but a small encyclopedia, -performed some remarkable mathematical calculations where my father was -helpless. But apparently she had no talent for poetry or fine writing, -though having a high appreciation of both. On the contrary, my aunt was -a fine writer, and composed poetry of a high order. Both the ladies -were extensive readers of the best English classics, much more so than -my father.</p> - -<p>And now in my recollections of home discussions, and of the admiration -universally accorded to my mother's intellectual gifts, I should say -that by <!-- Page 68 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span>the common school, by domestic duties, by English literature, -and by the sciences studied in one small encyclopedia and two or three -other scientific books, my mother was, if not superior, fully equal to -my father in mental power and culture. And in fine writing and most -æsthetic developments my aunt was superior to both, though she was -their inferior in several other directions.</p> - -<p>Moreover, five of my father's sons were trained in the best colleges, -while his daughters all knew little or nothing of the chief branches -included in the college course. And yet the domestic training of the -daughters and their more extensive reading, as I view it, made them -fully equal to my brothers in intellectual development.</p> - -<p>Similar observations met me in general society when comparing the -mental development of sisters having only a common school education -with that of college-trained brothers, and this at all periods and in -every direction. And it is in view of such multiplied illustrations -that I understand how it is that women, with much fewer advantages of -classic <!-- Page 69 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span>and mathematical training than college graduates enjoy, prove -better educators than men for children and for the more mature of their -own sex.</p> - -<p>Here I wish it to be understood, that my aim in remarks on colleges is -not to present their advantages or deficiencies, except so far as they -are influencing female institutions to the same courses of study and -organization. I am not qualified to advise as to institutions for men; -but the profession and pursuits of women as a sex are to be so widely -diverse from those of men that they should secure as diverse methods of -training.</p> - -<p>I regard the effort to introduce women into colleges for young men as -very undesirable, and for many reasons. That the two sexes should be -united, both as teachers and pupils, in the same institution seems very -desirable, but rarely in early life by a method that removes them from -parental watch and care, and the protecting influences of a home.</p> - -<p>There will always be exceptional cases when children have no suitable -parents or guardians; <!-- Page 70 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span>while at a maturer period, after the principles -and habits are largely solidified, there are advantages in sending a -child from home. The true method, at the immature periods of life, is -the union of the home and the school in protecting from dangers and in -forming good habits and principles.</p> - -<p>I have repeatedly resided in the immediate vicinity of boarding-schools -for boys, embracing the children of my relatives or intimate friends, -and never without wonder and distress at the risks to some and the -ruin to others constantly going on. Such institutions always have had -inmates shrewd and often malignant, while the rash curiosity of youth -is ready to meet any danger.</p> - -<p>Withdrawn from parents and sisters, and all home influences, the young -boy is lodged, often in isolated dormitories or in negligent private -families, with class-mates of all kinds of habits. And so tobacco, -creating an unnatural thirst for other exciting stimulants, is secretly -introduced; then alcoholic drinks; then the most gross and licentious -literature; and all so secretly that teachers can not meet the evil. I -have known <!-- Page 71 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span>these results repeatedly in schools under the most careful, -pious, and celebrated teachers.</p> - -<p>Thus, at the age most susceptible and most dangerous, the young boy is -taken from mother and sisters and the safe guardianship of a home, and -amid such perils committed to strangers who, with multitudinous pupils -and cares, can give no special care to any one child.</p> - -<p>Another general principle attained by my experience is, that both -quickness of perception and retention of memory depend very greatly on -the <em>degree of interest</em> excited. It is not the most learned teacher -that always has most success in imparting permanent knowledge. As an -illustration, when I commenced teaching Latin, it was under the care of -a very accurate and faithful brother, who stood first in scholarship in -Yale as valedictorian. I was then only a few pages ahead of my scholars -in the <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">Liber Primus</i>, and yet, when they had finished most of Virgil -and selections from Cicero, this brother and several other examiners -said that they had never seen any classes of boys superior to my class -in accurate and complete scholarship.</p> - -<p><!-- Page 72 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p><p>Even in the pronunciation of the French, I have found that it was not -the best educated teacher, speaking with the purest Parisian accent, -who was most successful, but rather a lady whose enthusiasm and -perseverance and carefulness would not allow a single syllable to be -mispronounced by her pupils. This explains how it is that women with -less education so often prove more successful than men in managing -female institutions.</p> - -<p>By this same general principle of quickening intellect by exciting -interest, I learned the importance of educating every young girl with -some practical aim, by which, in case of poverty, she might support -herself; and also, of selecting for this end some pursuit suited to her -natural tastes and character. To study what is liked and with the hope -of thus securing some agreeable and substantial advantage in future -life more than doubles the interest, and thus quickens and exalts the -intellectual powers.</p> - -<p>In this view of the case, it became an important inquiry as to which of -the employments and studies of our higher female seminaries could be -made available in securing a remunerative profession to a <!-- Page 73 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span>woman, and -one that would be suitable for her sex. Here, again, I may be allowed -to introduce some of my own experience as guiding to a conclusion, at -least in one particular.</p> - -<p>All through my childhood, my father daily read the Bible, in course, at -family prayers, and when his inquisitive children asked questions as -to matters of delicacy, they were told that the Bible was given by God -to instruct men in all their duties, and that some things were not for -children to know till they were men and women; that this inquiry was -about things they could not understand, and that it was wrong to try to -do so.</p> - -<p>After such wise training, my first experience as a teacher of Latin was -to a class of young girls as ignorant as myself of all the wickedness -of the world; and then I was plied with questions I could not answer -except by aid of a brother; when to my dismay and disgust I found the -worst vices of heathenism, and those most likely to tempt young boys, -made respectable and attractive by the charms of classic poetry, and -forming a part of a boy's training for college.</p> - -<p><!-- Page 74 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p><p>And here I would ask why it has come to pass that the Bible, in its -original Greek, is turned out of the college course of most of our -leading colleges, (for it formerly was required,) while the vulgarity -and vice of heathenism are preserved and made attractive in fitting -boys for college? Is it not time for woman to have a more decided -ministry in training young boys for their college life? Should not -women be trained in Latin and Greek, so that mothers and sisters thus -taught could fit young boys for college, instead of sending them at -the most perilous age away from the watch and care of a home and all -female influence, to boys' boarding-schools, to mix with all sorts, and -there be taught all manner of evil? Teachers trained in these languages -could go into families to aid a mother in these duties, and would be -liberally compensated. This, then, is a profession for which a woman -can be trained even in our common schools as well as in female colleges.</p> - -<p>Another very interesting fact revealed by personal experience is, -that there is no knowledge so thorough and permanent as that gained -in teaching <!-- Page 75 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span>others. Repeatedly, in my own case, and still oftener in -the case of my teachers, has it been observed that a lesson or problem -supposed to be comprehended, was imperfect, and corrected only in -attempts to aid others in understanding it. In no other profession is -the sacred promise, "Give and it shall be given unto you," so fully -realized as in that of a teacher.</p> - -<p>This view of the case has led me to devise methods by which every -pupil, in school-days, shall have an opportunity to attempt to teach, -and be taught how to do it in the best manner; and that, too, in every -stage of advancement from lowest to highest. There are methods which -secure this advantage with great economy of time and labor which can -not be detailed here.</p> - -<p>Another very important principle in acquiring knowledge is the -taking of a few branches at one time, and especially in having -these associated in their character, so that each is an assistance -in understanding and remembering the other. For illustration, let -geography, history, polite literature, and composition, for a certain -period, be the leading <!-- Page 76 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span>studies of a class which has completed a short -course in these studies in the preparatory school. Then let history -be studied by successive periods, marked by some great events or by -some distinguished characters; and as each country is introduced, let -its civil, political, and physical geography be fully studied; its -animals and productions be illustrated by drawings and by selection -from travels read to the class; this might be done either in connection -with the history or as a separate class in geography, conducted in -connection with the class of history and reciting at a different hour.</p> - -<p>At the same time, the teacher of the class in literature and -<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">belles-lettres</i> could be presenting at another hour the state of -science, literature, and the fine arts, with illustrative drawings, -and also an account of the prominent learned men and authors of that -period, with some account of their most celebrated works, reading -some selections. For example, suppose, the period that of Alexander -the Great, by this method, one teacher would introduce most of the -geography of countries of the ancient world, while the literature -and the fine arts of Greece in <!-- Page 77 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span>its palmy days would, under another -teacher, be connected with the study of its history. At the same time -the exercises in a daily class in composition might have topics and -exercises to correspond.</p> - -<p>So in the period of the crusades; in one class, the history would be -studied; in another, the civil, political, and physical geography of -the countries introduced; in another, the history of literature, the -fine arts, and the distinguished authors, with some account of their -works. This period might be still more vividly presented in standard -works of fiction, such as Scott's <cite>Talisman</cite> and <cite>Ivanhoe</cite>, to be read -in hours of social gathering or at home.</p> - -<p>To make room for such a method, much of the minute and uninteresting -details now so excessive in our geographies and histories, which are -forgotten as soon as learned, would be omitted for these more valuable -and more interesting exercises. On such a plan, the pupil would have -three or four recitations on diverse topics, and yet so connected that -each would illustrate and vivify the other, while the interest thus -excited would make permanent in the memory all these details.</p> - -<p><!-- Page 78 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p><p>There is great loss of time and labor in the common method of pursuing -four, five, or six disconnected branches of study. The mind is -distracted by the variety, and feels a feeble and divided interest -in all. In many cases, this method of <em>cramming</em> the mind with -uninteresting and disconnected details serves to debilitate rather than -to promote mental power. The memory is the faculty chiefly cultivated, -and this at the expense of the others. This method has been greatly -increased since the honors of graduating have become so popular in -female colleges and high-schools.</p> - -<p>The excess of uninteresting details is a serious objection to many -text-books of history and geography. It is very much to be regretted -that the plan introduced in Woodbridge and Willard's Geography, by -which details are systematized under general heads, is so widely -neglected.</p> - -<p>No experience has been more valuable to me than that relating to -physical training. Few are aware how much can be done in schools to -promote development, health, and the proper and graceful use of the -body and limbs. My <!-- Page 79 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span>residence in such a large number and variety -of health establishments, in studying the causes and cure of the -prevailing debility and diseases of American women, has led to the -conviction that there are very few diseases or deformities which a -teacher properly trained may not remedy by natural methods, and those -which may be made a part of school training.</p> - -<p>Here I would invite the special attention of mothers and teachers to -a work on the Diseases of Women, by Dr. George H. Taylor, published -by G. Maclean, 85 Nassau St., N. Y., in which such natural methods -are presented, many of which can be employed in the family and school -without the attendance of a physician.</p> - -<p>In the early part of my school experience, a European lady artist of -fine personal appearance offered to teach in my school a system of -exercises by which she herself, once a humpback cripple, was restored -to a perfect and graceful figure. These were disconnected exercises, -one portion of which I introduced into my work on physiology and -calisthenics as what could be easily <!-- Page 80 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span>used in all schools without -demanding a separate room and dress for the purpose.</p> - -<p>Other portions I combined into a system of calisthenic exercises -<em>set to music</em>, and demanding a separate room, and this method was -extensively introduced into schools until Dr. Dio Lewis prepared his -system, now extensively used.</p> - -<p>The difficulties of Dr. Lewis's method are, that it demands a separate -dress and room for the purpose, which multitudes of schools will not -adopt, and also is so violent as to endanger the health of delicate -young girls, while it has but little tendency to promote ease and -gracefulness of person and movements. For these reasons it is -constantly passing out of use after a short trial.</p> - -<p>In place of this, I have originated another method by which personal -defects and deformities are remedied, and gracefulness in the movement -of head, body, and limbs promoted. It includes exercises which <em>gently</em> -train all the muscles, which are varied and entertaining, and which -are performed to music, the pupils singing songs prepared for each -exercise.</p> - -<p><!-- Page 81 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p><p>The results in curing defects and promoting health, ease, and -gracefulness of movement and manner have been so remarkable as to -excite some wonder that, even in dancing-schools, so little has been -attempted in these particulars, when so much might be so easily -effected. The proper and graceful mode of walking, sitting, and -using the hands and arms is rarely taught in any schools. So, also, -the training of the voice to agreeable tones and enunciation in -conversation is almost never attempted, and yet few things have a more -constant influence in giving pleasure.</p> - -<p>The regulation and use of amusements as a part of education is, as -yet, scarcely recognized as a school duty. There is nothing that gains -more personal regard and influence with pupils than joining in their -amusements, while opportunities are thus given to promote both health -and literary improvement. And teachers need this kind of exercise and -relaxation as much or more than their scholars.</p> - -<p>One very valuable method is combining the <!-- Page 82 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span>reading of interesting works -of fiction with the period of history pursued in school hours, and also -with ornamental needle-work pursued while listening to reading. In long -winter evenings, an hour for study, an hour for active amusements, and -an hour for this kind of reading and needle-work would unite health, -pleasure, and literary improvement in an unusual degree.</p> - -<p>In resuming the religious training of an institution embracing pupils -whose parents hold views differing essentially from mine, it becomes -my duty to state the method I shall pursue. I propose to avoid all -conflict with opinions taught to my pupils by their parents and -clergymen. I shall simply take the teachings of Christ as my only -guide, and present, as he did, "Our Father in heaven" as a kind and -sympathizing parent, who loves and cares for <em>all</em> the children he -has created more tenderly than any earthly parent can do; who ever is -seeking their best good; who is pleased when they strive to do right, -and grieved when they do wrong.</p> - -<p>If any come to me for help in regard to <!-- Page 83 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span>theological doctrines, I shall -teach them the simple laws of interpretation used in common life, and -how to employ them in studying for themselves the teachings of the -Bible. I shall assume the foundation principle of the teachings of -Jesus Christ as the basis of religious training. I mean <em>the dangers of -the future world</em>. For it was the prime object of his advent to teach -us these dangers, and the way of escape.</p> - -<p>Here I shall avoid all theories and all speculations, and confine -myself strictly to <em>the facts</em> taught by Jesus Christ. I shall assume -as true <em>the fact</em> revealed by the only person who has died and -returned to this life to tell us what awaits us in that dark and silent -land toward which we all are hastening; the solemn and dreadful <em>fact</em> -that there are such awful dangers in the world to come that the chief -end and aim of this life should be to save ourselves and all we can -influence, and, if need be, at the sacrifice of every earthly plan and -enjoyment.</p> - -<p>Still more solemn to each individual mind is <em>the fact</em> taught by our -Lord, that the number <!-- Page 84 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span>of those who escape an awful doom in the future -life depends on the character and efforts of the followers of Christ.</p> - -<p>I shall assume as true the <em>fact</em> revealed by Jesus Christ that -the <em>only</em> way of salvation is by <em>faith</em> in our Creator; not a -mere intellectual belief in his existence and laws, but a faith -including this belief and also practical obedience to his laws; by -<em>repentance</em>, not a mere emotion of sorrow, but including the ceasing -of disobedience; by <em>love</em>, not chiefly emotional, but rather that -which is thus defined by inspiration, "This is the love of God, that ye -keep his commandments."</p> - -<p><em>Obedience to the laws of our Creator</em>, physical, social, and moral, -being the chief element of the <em>faith</em>, <em>repentance</em>, and <em>love</em> by -which alone we escape the dangers of the future world, the question -will be urged as to <em>the degree</em> of obedience which will secure safety. -Here we find in Christ's teachings that <em>perfect</em> obedience is not -indispensable to salvation. The demand is that "the heart" (that is, -the chief aim and interest) be devoted to such obedience. We are to -"seek <em>first</em>" the kingdom <!-- Page 85 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span>of God and <em>his righteousness</em>. And all -who do this, in both the Old Testament and the New, are recognized as -the righteous, as the children of God, and as heirs to the eternal -blessedness of his kingdom.</p> - -<p>It is the revelation of the dangers of the life to come which decides -the character of the worldly educator in contrast to that of the -Christian. The one has for the leading interest and aim to secure the -enjoyments of this life; the other has as the chief interest and aim to -follow Christ in self-denying labors to save as many as possible from -the dangers of the life to come. The one lives as if there were little -or no danger in the future world. The other toils, as if in the perils -of a shipwreck, to save as many as possible and at whatever personal -sacrifice of ease or worldly enjoyment. The one finds little occasion -for self-sacrificing labors; the other is constantly aiming to save -others from sin and its ruin by daily self-denying efforts.</p> - -<p>It was "for the joy that was set before him" that "the Shepherd and -Bishop of souls" <!-- Page 86 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span>"endured the cross, despising the shame." And when he -invites his followers to take and bear the same cross, he encourages -with the assurance that this yoke is easy and this burden light, and -that it brings "rest to the soul."</p> - -<p>And here, for the encouragement of my pupils and friends, I feel bound -to give my testimony to the verity of these promises.</p> - -<p>It is now more than forty years that my chief interest and aim has been -to labor to save my fellow-men to the full extent of my power. To this -end I have sacrificed all my time, all my income, my health, and every -plan of worldly ease and pleasure. With sympathies that would naturally -seek the ordinary lot of woman as the ideal of earthly happiness, -with no natural taste for notoriety or public action, with tastes for -art, and imaginative and quiet literary pursuits, I have, for all -that period, been doing what, as to personal taste, I least wished to -do, and leaving undone what I should most like to do. I have been for -many years a wanderer without a home, in delicate health, and often -baffled in favorite plans of usefulness. <!-- Page 87 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span>And yet my life has been a -very happy one, with more enjoyments and fewer trials than most of my -friends experience who are surrounded by the largest share of earthly -gratifications. And since health is restored, except as I sympathize -in the sorrows of others, I am habitually as happy as I wish to be in -this world. And this is not, as some may say, the result of a happy -temperament; for in early life, at its most favored period, I was happy -chiefly by anticipations that were not realized, and never with that -satisfying, peaceful enjoyment of the present, which is now secured, -and is never to end.</p> - -<hr class="thoughtbreak" /> - -<p>The preceding views lead to inquiries of great practical importance, -such as these:</p> - -<p>Is it consistent with Christian principles to take children from the -care of parents at the most critical period of life, and congregate -them in large boarding-schools and colleges, where temptations multiply -and individual love and care are diminished?</p> - -<p>Is it practicable, in public and private schools, <!-- Page 88 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>to institute -methods by which each pupil shall be trained according to peculiar -wants, so that deficient faculties shall be developed, and unfortunate -intellectual, physical, and moral traits or habits be rectified?</p> - -<p>Can such schools institute methods by which every pupil shall, at -least, <em>commence</em> a training for some business in future life, to which -natural abilities and tastes incline, and in which success would be -most probable?</p> - -<p>Can woman's distinctive profession be made a large portion of her -school education?</p> - -<p>To aid in deciding these questions, the following is given as the -<em>ideal</em> at which I have been aiming in efforts to establish a <em>Woman's -University</em>; by which I mean, not a large boarding-establishment of -pupils removed from parental care, but an institution embracing the -whole course of a woman's training from infancy to a self-supporting -profession, in which both parents and teachers have a united influence -and agency.</p> - -<p>According to this ideal, such an institution would be divided into -distinct schools; all <!-- Page 89 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span>under the same board of supervision, and all -carrying out a connected and appropriate portion of the same plan. -These are:</p> - -<p>1. The <em>Kindergarten</em>, for the youngest children, who are not to use -books;</p> - -<p>2. The <em>Primary School</em>, for children just commencing the use of books;</p> - -<p>3. The <em>Preparatory School</em>, introductory to the higher;</p> - -<p>4. The <em>Collegiate School</em>, embracing a course of four years;</p> - -<p>5. The <em>Professional School</em>, to prepare a woman for all domestic -duties and for a self-supporting profession.</p> - -<p>For the control of all these there would be such a <em>division of -responsibilities</em> as follows:</p> - -<p>1. The first would be the <em>department of intellectual training</em>; -committed to a woman of high culture in every branch taught in the -collegiate school; possessing quick discernment, intellectual and -moral force, and great interest in her special department. To her -would be committed the superintendence of all the schools, <!-- Page 90 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span>except the -professional, and it would be her duty to secure <em>perfect lessons</em> from -every pupil by the following method.</p> - -<p>She would first gain from the teachers such an arrangement of lessons -for every child as is fitted to its ability, and, if need be, have -classes so divided that those of nearly equal ability shall be in one -class, that the brighter or more advanced might not be retarded. Then, -at the close of the daily school, it would be the duty of every teacher -to send every pupil who has not a <em>perfect</em> lesson, whatever might be -the cause, to the charge of this lady superintendent, who would keep -them with her until each had studied and recited the imperfect lesson -in the most satisfactory manner. By this method perfect lessons will be -secured every day from every pupil.</p> - -<p>It would also be her duty to carry out a method, which will not here be -detailed, by which, after due training, every pupil shall occasionally -act as teacher under her supervision. By this and another method, -not here indicated, <!-- Page 91 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span>great economy of time will be secured to pupils -who ordinarily are obliged to spend much time in recitation-rooms in -hearing others recite, without any special benefit to themselves, -and involving great trial of their patience, and also temptation to -irregularities. Likewise it would be the duty of this teacher to -ascertain intellectual defects, and adapt measures for the remedy; -also to ascertain, by aid of both parents and teachers, natural tastes -and aptitudes, with reference to special school-training in branches -preparatory to a self-supporting profession.</p> - -<p>2. The department of <em>moral training</em> would be given to a woman of -high moral and mental culture, whose tastes, talents, and experience -prepare her to excel in this department. It would be her duty to study -the character and discover the excellences of every pupil, by aid both -of the other teachers and the parents, and then to devise methods -of improvement; instructing the other teachers how to aid in these -efforts. She also would seek the aid and coöperation of the most mature -and influential pupils, and direct <!-- Page 92 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span>them how to exert a coöperating -influence. The general religious instruction of the institution also -would be conducted under her supervision and control.</p> - -<p>3. The department of the <em>physical training</em> of all the institution -would be committed to a woman of good practical common sense, of -refined culture and manners, and one expressly educated for this -department. By the aid of both parents and teachers, she would study -the constitution and habits of every pupil, and administer a method of -training to develop healthfully every organ and function, and to remedy -every defect in habits, person, voice, movements, and manners.</p> - -<p>Here I would remark that my extensive investigations in many -health-establishments as to the causes of the decay of female health, -and my extensive opportunities for gaining the opinions and counsels -of the most learned and successful physicians of all schools, lead me -to the belief that there are few chronic maladies, deformities, or -unhealthful habits that may not be entirely remedied by a system of -physical exercise and training <em>in <!-- Page 93 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span>schools</em>, under the charge of a -woman properly qualified for these duties.</p> - -<p>If a similar officer were provided for our colleges, whose official -duty should be to train the body to health, strength, grace, and good -manners, should we not see much fewer sallow faces, round shoulders, -projecting necks, shambling gaits, awkward gestures, and gawky and -slovenly manners, such as now too frequently mark the college-graduate? -Why have the heathen youth of ancient Greece so excelled those of our -age and religion in manly strength, beauty, and grace?</p> - -<p>And if a department in colleges should be instituted, on the plan here -indicated for <em>moral training</em>, would not the barbarous and vulgar -practices that so often degrade the manners, and endanger life and -limb, be ended?</p> - -<p>It is a great evil in many of our colleges and professional schools, -that when a professor has once gained his chair, no degree of dullness -or neglect will oust him, especially if supported by nepotism or a -clique. This I have so often heard reported of institutions with which -my <!-- Page 94 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span>family and personal friends have been connected, that it would -seem as if few such institutions escaped this evil. And it seems to be -one which might be remedied by means of such an officer as has been -described as head of the department of intellectual training, whose -official duty it should be to examine every department and report -deficiencies to the faculty and corporation for remedy.</p> - -<p>In this connection I would entreat special attention to the perils of -young girls in most large boarding-schools, and such as are little -realized. The collecting of many into buildings and rooms imperfectly -warmed and ventilated, the overtasking the brain by excessive study, -the excitements of boarding-school life in contrast to home quietude, -the unhealthful food and condiments bought at shops or sent from -home and distributed to companions, the want of proper healthful -exercise, the want of maternal watch and care at critical periods and -at commencing disease, the debilitating practices taught at the most -dangerous period to the <!-- Page 95 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span>ignorant by the thoughtless or vicious, and -many other unfortunate influences, combine to a greater or less extent -in all large boarding-schools.</p> - -<p>Having had charge of one myself for nearly ten years, in which, as it -seemed to me, every thing was done that could be to abate such evils, -I have concluded that such institutions for both boys and girls may -be called successful only on the same calculation as would be made in -cultivating a garden on the top of a house. The best of soil, seed, -manure, and labor, with water and sun and awnings, may be provided, -and yet the proper place to make a good garden is on mother earth. And -so the proper place to educate children before maturity is under the -mother's care, with the coöperating aid of a school.</p> - -<p>If I could narrate one half of the sad histories of the ruined boys and -girls, and the consequent agonies from blasted parental hopes, that -have come to my personal knowledge, where health or morals, or both, -were destroyed for a whole life at <!-- Page 96 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span>large boarding-schools, this false -and fatal method would be greatly abated.</p> - -<p>And here I would direct attention to one item so pernicious, and yet so -common and so misunderstood as to excite constant wonder and regret as -connected with boarding institutions for both sexes, and that is <em>the -want of effective methods for providing pure air</em>. In private families, -only a few lungs vitiate the inhaled air; but the larger the number in -one building, the larger are the arrangements needed for emptying out -the foul air and introducing the pure.</p> - -<p>An open fire is a sure and certain method. But when buildings are -warmed by hot-air furnaces, or by hot-water or steam-pipes, the almost -inevitable results are pernicious. In the case of heated air from a -furnace, it always will find exit from a building in the shortest or -most available direction, and then all the rooms not in this line of -draught will have the air nearly stationary, to be breathed over and -over again by their inmates.</p> - -<p>Heating by steam or by hot-water pipes <!-- Page 97 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span>involves still greater -difficulties, when no arrangement is made for carrying off the foul -air, inasmuch as it is the air <em>in</em> the house which is heated without -introducing pure air.</p> - -<p>This is the most dangerous of all methods of warming when there is -no connected ventilating arrangement, while it is the best and most -agreeable of all methods when properly managed. Mr. Lewis Leeds, -ventilating engineer in New-York City, has invented the following -method. The coils of steam or hot-water pipes are placed close to a -window, with an opening at the bottom of it, regulated by a register -which admits pure air directly on to the coils, and thus it is warmed.</p> - -<p>Thus a person can sit by the coils and secure radiated heat as from a -fire, have the light of the window and the influx of perfectly pure and -yet warm air. In addition, every room has an opening both at top and -bottom into a warm-air flue, through which the impure air of the room -is constantly carried off.</p> - -<p><em>Any</em> room can be perfectly ventilated which has <!-- Page 98 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span>openings at the top -and bottom of a flue, through which warm air is passing. But no flues -filled with cold air will ventilate a room, though housebuilders, and -householders, and school committees have been ignorantly providing such -useless arrangements all over the land.</p> - -<p>And here I affirm with heart-felt sorrow that never, in a single -instance, have I known or even heard of a large boarding-school with -any proper arrangements for ventilation. Even Vassar College, now so -extensively regarded as a model institution, has adopted the most -dangerous mode of warming without any arrangement but doors and windows -to supply pure air to its recitation-rooms and sleeping-rooms.</p> - -<p>And so, as in all similar cases, the strong and well, who are -distressed for want of pure air, will have windows open, and then the -delicate, who are not inured to sudden changes or to great extremes, -will take colds. There is no doubt that the reports of the miasmatic -diseases and lung affections of teachers and pupils in this institution -have been greatly exaggerated; <!-- Page 99 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span>but not because there has not been -abundant reason for expecting such results.</p> - -<p>When I took charge of my present school, I found neither the -boarding-house nor school-building provided with any proper modes of -ventilation, and after making all changes for improvement at command, -it is still needful to make it the constant duty of one teacher to see -that, so far as practicable, every room in school and boarding-house is -properly warmed and ventilated every hour of the day and night.</p> - -<p>In regard to the course of study in the collegiate department of a -woman's university, there should be as great an amount as is required -in any of our colleges, yet only a few studies carried to so great -an extent as in many sciences pursued by men. But there should be a -much <em>greater variety</em>, together with an accuracy and thoroughness -that colleges rarely secure. And all should have reference to women's -profession, and not to the professions of men. Much in this department -at first must be experimental, having in view the ideal indicated.</p> - -<p><!-- Page 100 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p><p>So in regard to introducing <em>practical</em> training for woman's domestic -duties <em>as a part of common school education</em>; although it is certain -that much more can be done than ever has been attempted, and that, too, -as a contribution to intellectual development rather than the reverse, -this also must be a matter of experiment.</p> - -<p>In regard to a <em>special</em> training in the preparatory and the collegiate -schools for future self-supporting employments, much more can be -done than has ever been supposed, and a few particulars will be -enumerated to illustrate. Young women of affectionate disposition, good -intelligence and morals, having only limited means, might be trained -to become a <em>mother's assistant</em> in charge of a nursery, partly by the -studies of the primary and preparatory schools and partly by learning -the methods of the Kindergarten. Thousands of parents in all parts of -our nation would offer liberal wages to young women thus trained for -one of the most sacred offices of the family state.</p> - -<p>Women of suitable social and moral character might be trained, <em>in -connection with school studies</em>, <!-- Page 101 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span>to be superior seamstresses and -mantua-makers, and thus be enabled to gain liberal wages.</p> - -<p>If young ladies knew how much usefulness and comfort may be connected -with this domestic art, they would seek it with more interest than any -school study. The scarcity of well-trained mantua-makers in all parts -of the land has made my early training in this art a great blessing -to me and to many others whom I have been thus enabled to aid and to -teach; and there is no branch of school training that can be made so -directly available in promoting economy, comfort, and usefulness.</p> - -<p>Women trained to fit young boys for college, in private families or in -small neighborhood schools, would command very high remuneration in -many quarters. <em>Every</em> young girl whose means will allow it ought to be -prepared for this duty.</p> - -<p>Pupils who have a decided talent for either music, drawing, or -other fine arts, might have a <em>special</em> training for one of these -professions; while those without any such tastes or aptitudes should -be dissuaded from wasting time, labor, and money, <!-- Page 102 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span>as is so absurdly -and widely practiced, in learning to play the piano and acquiring other -accomplishments never pursued in after-life. Nine tenths of young girls -thus instructed lose all they learn in a very short period.</p> - -<p>Some pupils have fine voices and a talent and taste for elocution, and -such might be trained for teachers of this art or for public readings.</p> - -<p>Some pupils have talents that prepare them to excel in authorship, and -to such an appropriate and more extensive literary culture could be -afforded.</p> - -<p>The art of book-keeping and of quick and legible penmanship insures -remunerative employment; and many other specialties might be enumerated -in which, <em>during school-days</em>, a woman might be trained to a -self-supporting profession. And <em>every</em> woman should be trained for -all the duties that may in future life be demanded as wife, mother, -nurse, and school-teacher, if not in the ordinary school, in a separate -professional school.</p> - -<p>When institutions are endowed to train women for all departments -connected with the family state, domestic labor, now so shunned and -<!-- Page 103 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span>disgraced, will become honorable, will gain liberal compensation, and -will enable every woman to secure an independence in employments suited -to her sex. And when this is attained, there will be few or none who -will wish to enter the professions of men or take charge of civil -government.</p> - -<hr class="thoughtbreak" /> - -<p>Having expressed so strongly my views in reference to large -boarding-schools for both sexes, I will add some further details of my -<em>ideal</em> for organizing a Woman's University. This has been suggested -by recent interviews with some who may have much influence in managing -the large funds recently bequeathed in Massachusetts for establishing -institutions for women, in one case a lady having bestowed what will -probably amount to nearly half a million, and in another case a -gentleman has bequeathed a million and a half for this purpose.</p> - -<p>This, I believe, is but the beginning of similar benefactions that will -be provided for women in all parts of our country. There are men of -wealth who have lost a dear mother, wife, or daughter, <!-- Page 104 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span>who would find -comfort and pleasure in perpetuating a beloved name by an endowment -that for age after age will minister to the education and refinement of -women and the support and training of orphans.</p> - -<p>In this view, it seems very important that the first endowed -institutions of this kind should adopt plans that may be wisely -imitated.</p> - -<p>It seems desirable that such endowed institutions should be placed in -or so near a large town that the pupils of all the schools, except -the professional one, should reside with their parents instead of -congregating in a great boarding-house. The professional school would -ordinarily embrace only women of maturity, and might demand a location -with surrounding land for floriculture, horticulture, and other -feminine professions.</p> - -<p>The Kindergarten, the primary school, and the preparatory school might -each have a principal and an associate principal, supported partly by -tuition fees and partly by endowment. These principals might establish -a family, consisting of the two, who would take the place of parents -to <!-- Page 105 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span>several adopted orphans and to several pay-pupils whose parents, -from ill health or other causes, would relinquish the care of their -children.</p> - -<p>The collegiate schools might have endowed departments corresponding -to professorships in colleges, each having a principal and associate -principal, who also could establish families on the same plan. When -completed, the university would then consist of a central building for -school purposes, surrounded by fifteen or twenty families, each having -a principal and associate principal, acting as parents to a family -of from ten to twelve pupils, and all in some department of domestic -training.</p> - -<p>Thus some thirty or forty ladies of high character and culture would be -provided with the independence and advantages now exclusively bestowed -on men, while at the same time the institution would practically and to -a considerable extent be an orphan asylum offering unusual advantages.</p> - -<p>In regard to the practicability of finding women properly qualified to -carry on such a university with success, there is no difficulty. Few -know so well as I do how many women of benevolence and <!-- Page 106 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span>high culture -are living with half their noblest energies unemployed for want of the -opportunities and facilities provided for men. There is nothing needed -but <em>endowments</em> to secure the services of a large number of ladies of -the highest culture and moral worth, well qualified to establish not -only one but many such institutions.</p> - -<p>In my attempts to organize female institutions on the college plan -of independent principals of endowed departments, responsible not to -an individual but to a faculty and corporation, I have been met with -objections that apply as much to colleges for men. The jealousies -and jars incident to all complex institutions are the result of the -frailties of humanity common to both sexes. I have, in a large number -of instances, organized institutions on the college plan, which for -years were conducted with perfect harmony, some of them are still -prospering, and others were ended only for want of endowments to retain -the highest class of teachers.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="newchapter" /> -<p><!-- Page 107 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> -<h2 class="nobreak" title="An Address to Ladies of Hartford, Conn."><a name="AN_ADDRESS_TO_LADIES_OF_HARTFORD_CONN" id="AN_ADDRESS_TO_LADIES_OF_HARTFORD_CONN"></a>AN ADDRESS TO LADIES OF HARTFORD, CONN.,<br /> - -INVITED FROM ALL RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS;<br /> - -<small>DELIVERED AT THE</small><br /> - -Calisthenic Hall of the Hartford Female Seminary,<br /> - -MAY, 1871.<br /></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">Ladies and Kind Friends</span>:</p> - -<p>At a former meeting I stated that, as former principal of this -Seminary, I so exhausted my nervous system that I have never been able -to assume responsibilities involving obligations which, by my failure, -would cause disappointment to others. My method, therefore, has been to -originate plans, and then induce others, more capable than myself, to -execute them, and in such a way that I could help without taking any -responsibility.</p> - -<p>Thus I originated the plan for transferring teachers to the West, -executed by Gov. Slade. And thus also I organized the American -Women's <!-- Page 108 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span>Educational Association, for securing <em>endowed</em> collegiate -and professional schools for women, which has established several -flourishing institutions at the West. The most important of these -is the Milwaukee Female College, which for more than fifteen years -has been conducted by the chief agent of this Association, Miss Mary -Mortimer; and which now numbers 180 pupils, and exhibits many of the -benefits of our plan, although only partially endowed. The object of -this meeting is to gain your influence in order to secure, not only -what has been gained at Milwaukee, but to accomplish the whole plan of -a fully endowed Woman's University, as the model which we hope to see -reproduced all over the nation.</p> - -<p>In all these educational efforts, I have been led by a deep and painful -sense of the depressed and suffering condition of large portions of our -sex, and to an extent little realized by women in easy and prosperous -circumstances. I introduce here an extract from a published article of -mine that gives some small exhibition of these painful facts.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>That there is something essentially wrong in the present -<!-- Page 109 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span>condition of women, is every year growing more and more -apparent, while the public mind is more and more perplexed with -diverse methods proposed for the remedy. In one of our leading -secular papers we read this statement of the case from the pen -of a working woman:</p> - -<p>"There are so few departments of labor open to women, that, in -those departments, the supply of female labor is frightfully -in advance of the demand. The business world offers the lowest -wages to eager applicants, certain that they will be ravenously -clutched. And, indeed, to see the mob of women that block and -choke these few and narrow gates open to them—the struggle—the -press—the agony—the trembling eagerness—you might suppose they -were entering the temple of fame or wealth, or, at least had -some cosy little cottage ahead, in which competence awaited -the winner. Nothing of the sort. These are blind alleys, -one and all. The mere getting in, and keeping in, are the -meagre objects of this terrible struggle. A woman who has not -<em>genius</em>, or is not a <em>rare exception</em>, has no opening—no -promotion—no career. She turns hopelessly on a pivot; at every -turn the sand gives way, and she sinks lower. At every turn -light and air are more difficult, and she turns and digs her -own grave. Do you say these are figures of speech? Here, then, -are figures of <em>fact</em>. There are <em>now thirty thousand</em> women in -New York, whose labor averages from <em>twelve to fifteen hours -a day</em>, and yet whose income seldom exceeds <em>thirty-three -<!-- Page 110 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span>cents a day</em>. Operators on sewing-machines, and a few others, -enjoy comparative opulence, gaining five to eight dollars a -week, though from this are to be paid three or four dollars -for a bed in a wretched room with several other occupants, -often without a window or any provision for pure air, and with -only the poor food found where such rooms abound. Thousands of -ladies, of good family and education, as teachers receive from -two to six hundred dollars a year. Few women get beyond that, -and a large proportion of them are mothers with children. Over -these poorly-paid laborers broods the sense of hopeless toil. -There is no bright future. The woman who is fevered, hurried, -and aching, who works from daylight to midnight, loathing her -mean room, her meaner dress, her joyless life, will, in ten -years, neither better herself nor her children. The American -working-woman has no share in the American privilege given to -the poorest <em>male</em> laborer—a growing income, a bank account, -and every office of the Republic, if he have brain and courage -to win them."</p> - -<p>This describes the condition and feelings of not all, but of -a large class of women in many of our larger cities, who must -earn their own livelihood. But, in the medium classes, as it -respects wealth, the unmarried or widowed women feel that -they are an incumbrance to fathers and brothers, who often -unwillingly support them from pride or duty. For such, also, -there is "no opening—no promotion—no career;" and they must -remain dependent chiefly on the <!-- Page 111 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span>labor of others till marriage -is offered, which to vast numbers is a positive impossibility.</p> - -<p>This has lately been proved, from the census, by a leading -New York paper. In that it is shown that, in all our large -cities, the male inhabitants, under fifteen and over the usual -marriageable age, are greatly in excess of the females, and, -consequently, the women at the marriageable age are greatly -in excess of the marriageable men. Thus, in New York City, -according to the statements of the <cite>New York Times</cite>, there are -eleven thousand more females than males, of all ages, while -there are one hundred and thirty-two thousand more women of -marriageable age than men of that age. This is perhaps a large -estimate, but the disproportion is at all events enormous.</p> - -<p>And, in the rural districts of New York State, we find a -similar state of things; for the excess of females, of all -ages, is twenty-one thousand, while the excess of marriageable -women, if at the same ratio as that stated in New York City, -would be two hundred and sixty-three thousand. A similar state -of things will be seen in all our older States.</p> - -<p>The most mournful feature in this case is the fact that -most of these women have never been trained for any kind of -business by which they can earn an independent livelihood. The -Working-woman's Protective Union, of New York City, reports -that, of thirteen thousand applicants, not one-half were -qualified to do any kind of useful work in a proper manner. -The societies that are formed <!-- Page 112 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span>to furnish work for poor women -report that their greatest impediment is that so few can sew -decently, or do any other work properly.</p> - -<p>The heads of dress-making establishments report that very few -women can be found who can be trusted to complete a dress, -and that those who are competent find abundant work and good -wages. The demand for really superior mantua-makers is almost -universal in country places, and even in many of our cities.</p> - -<p>In former days sewing was taught in all schools for girls, but -now it is banished from our common schools, and the mothers at -home are too neglectful, or too ignorant, or too pressed with -labor, to supply the deficiency.</p> - -<p>It was reported in the <cite>New York Tribune</cite>, not long since, that -there are at least twenty thousand professed prostitutes in -New York City alone, while Boston, in proportion to its number -of inhabitants, shows a larger number, and all our cities -give similar reports. This, it is hoped is an estimate much -in excess of the reality; but the truth is mournful enough. -Multitudes of these unfortunates have only two alternatives—on -the one hand, poor lodgings, shabby dress, poor food, and -ceaseless daily toil from eight to ten or fifteen hours; on -the other hand, the tempter offers a pleasant home, a servant -to do the work, fine dress, the theatre and ball, and kind -attentions, with no labor or care. Where is the strength of -virtue in those <!-- Page 113 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span>who despise and avoid these outcasts, that -might not fall in such perilous assaults?</p> - -<p>It is this dreadful state of temptation which accounts for -the fact that crime increases faster among women than among -men. Thus, in Massachusetts, during the last ten years, among -the men of that State, crime <em>decreased</em> at the rate of eight -thousand five hundred and seven less than during the ten -preceding years, while, among women, crime <em>increased</em> at the -rate of three hundred and sixty-eight during the same period; -that is, over eight thousand <em>less</em> men, and over three hundred -<em>more</em> women, were guilty of crime than in the previous ten -years.</p> - -<p>But, turning from these to the daughters of the most wealthy -class, those who have generous and elevated aspirations also -feel that for them, too, there is "no opening—no promotion—no -career," except that of marriage, and for this they are trained -to feel that it is disgraceful to seek. They have nothing to -do but wait to be sought. Trained to believe marriage their -highest boon, they are disgraced for seeking it, and must -affect indifference.</p> - -<p>Meantime, to do any thing to earn their own independence is -what father and brothers would deem a disgrace to themselves -and their family. For women of high position to work for their -livelihood, in most cases custom decrees as disgraceful. And -then, if cast down by poverty, they have been trained to -nothing that would earn a support, or, if by chance they have -some resource, all avenues for <!-- Page 114 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span>its employment are thronged -with needy applicants. Ordinarily, and with few exceptions, -there are only two employments for such women that do not -involve loss of social position, viz., school-teaching and -boarding.</p> - -<p>But every opening for a school-teacher has scores, and -sometimes hundreds, of applicants, while often the protracted -toils in unventilated and crowded school rooms destroy health. -To keep boarders demands capital to start, and an experience -and training in household management and economy rarely taught -to the daughters of wealth. In this country housework is -dishonorable, and rich men make no attempts to train their -daughters to any other business that would be a resort in -poverty.</p> - -<p>Few can realize the perils which threaten our country from the -present condition of women. The grand instrumentality, not only -for perpetuating our race, but for its training to eternal -blessedness, is the family state, and in this woman is the -chief minister. As the general rule, man is the laborer out -of the home, to provide for its support, while woman is the -daily minister to train its inmates. But there are now many -fatal influences that combine to unfit her for these sacred -duties. Not the least of these is the decay of female health, -engendering irritable nerves in both mother and offspring, and -thus greatly increasing the difficulties of physical and still -more of moral training.</p> - -<p>The factory girls, and many also in shops and stores, must -stand eight and ten hours a day, often in a poisonous -<!-- Page 115 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span>atmosphere, causing decay of constitution, and forbidding -healthful offspring. The sewing-machine lessens the wages of -needlewomen, while employers testify that those who use it -for steady work become hopelessly diseased, and cannot rear -healthy children. In the more wealthy circles, the murderous -fashions of dress make terrible havoc with the health of young -girls, while impure air, unhealthful food and condiments, lack -of exercise, and over-stimulation of brain and nerves, are -completing the ruin of health and family hopes.</p> - -<p>The state of domestic service is another element that is -undermining the family state. Disgraced by the stigma of our -late slavery, and by the influx into our kitchens of ignorant -and uncleanly foreigners, American women forsake home circles -for the unhealthful shops and mills.</p> - -<p>Then the thriftless young housekeepers from boarding-school -life have no ability either to teach or to control their -incompetent assistants, while ceaseless "worries" multiply in -parlor, nursery, and kitchen. The husband is discouraged by the -waste and extravagance, and wearied with endless complaints, -and home becomes any thing but the harbor of comfort and peace.</p> - -<p>Add to all this, the now common practice which destroys -maternal health and unborn offspring—the loose teachings -of free love—the unfortunate influence of spiritualism, so -called—the fascinations of the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">demi-monde</i> for the rich, and -of lower haunts for the rest, with the poverty of <!-- Page 116 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span>thousands -of women who but for desperate temptations would be pure, and -the extent of the malign influences undermining the family -state—that chief hope of our race—is appalling.</p> - -<p>Woman, in the Protestant world, is educated only <em>for -marriage</em>, hoping to have some one to work for her support, -and, when this is not gained, little else is provided.</p> - -<p>The Roman Catholic Church, while it honored the institution of -marriage as a sacrament, and upheld its sanctity, yet taught -that woman had a still higher ministry; and for this, large -endowments, comfortable positions, and honorable distinction, -were provided. The women who devoted their time and wealth and -labors to orphans, to the sick, and to the poor, were honored -above married women as <em>saints</em>, who not only laid up treasures -in heaven for themselves, but also a stock of <em>merits</em> to -supply the deficiencies of others. The idea of self-sacrifice -and self-denial in that church was so honored as to run into -mischievous extremes, so that rich establishments of celibates -of both sexes multiplied all over Christendom till they became -burdens and pests.</p> - -<p>This drove the Protestant world to the other extreme, so that -no provision at all has been made for the single woman. In -most cases she must marry, or have no profession that leads to -independence, honor, and wealth. To fit young men for their -professions, thousands and millions are every year provided, -securing by endowments the highest <!-- Page 117 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span>class of teachers, in -addition to every advantage of libraries, apparatus, and -buildings. But woman's profession has no such provisions made -for its elevated duties.</p> - -<p>In the Roman Catholic Church the woman of high position, -culture, and benevolence, is honored above all others if she -remains single and devotes her time and wealth to orphans, to -nurse the sick, to reclaim the vicious, and to provide for -the destitute. She becomes a lady abbess, or the head of some -sisterhood, where high position, influence, and honor, are her -reward.</p> - -<p>And the priesthood of that Church employ all their personal and -official influence to lead women of benevolence and piety to -devote time, property, and prayers, to the salvation of their -fellow-creatures from diseases of body, ignorance, and sin.</p> - -<p>But Protestant women, as yet, have been influenced to endow -institutions for <em>men</em>, rather than for their own sex. The -writer obtained from the treasurers of only six institutions -for men the following statement of benefactions from women:</p> - -<p>Miss Plummer, to Cambridge University, to endow one -professorship, gave $25,000; Mary Townsend, for the same, -$25,000; Sarah Jackson, for the same, $10,000; other ladies, -in sums over $1,000, to the same, over $30,000. To Andover -Professional School of Theology ladies have given over $65,000, -and, of this, $30,000 by one lady. In Illinois, Mrs. Garretson -has given to one <!-- Page 118 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span>professional school $300,000. In Albany, -Mrs. Dudlay has given, for a scientific institution for men, -$105,000. To Beloit College, Wisconsin, property has been -given, by one lady, valued at $30,000.</p> - -<p>Thus half a million has been given by women to these six -colleges and professional schools, and all in the present -century. The reports of similar institutions for men all over -the nation would show similar liberal benefactions of women to -endow institutions for the other sex, while for their own no -such records appear. Where is there a single endowment from a -woman to secure a salary to a woman teaching her own proper -profession?</p> -</div> - -<p>It is the depressed and suffering condition of our sex, here indicated, -which is the exciting cause of the agitation to gain woman suffrage. -To me, success in this effort appears not as a remedy, but rather as a -curse. But there are favorable results involved in this agitation that -deserve consideration. One is, the exhibition of the moral power now -held by women in our nation. For if women urging measures so contrary -to our customs and prejudices—not to say so contrary to common sense -and the Bible—with many prominent leaders so destitute of discretion -and political foresight, yet can move society <!-- Page 119 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span>so powerfully, what -could not be accomplished by the organized influence and action of that -vast majority of intelligent women opposed to such innovations?</p> - -<p>Another beneficial result it is hoped will be, systematic and concerted -measures by judicious and benevolent women to organize agencies to -remedy the evils all must lament, and by measures more wise and more -practicable. What such measure will probably be, may be indicated by -a series of resolutions adopted first by two previous meetings, and -afterwards by a large public meeting at Steinway Hall, New York, of -ladies invited by the Managers of the American Woman's Educational -Association, from all religious denominations in the city, as follows:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>"Resolved, That one cause of the depressed condition of woman -is the fact that the distinctive profession of her sex, as the -nurse of infancy and of the sick, as educator of childhood, and -as the chief minister of the family state, has not been duly -honored, nor such provision been made for its scientific and -practical training as is accorded to the other sex for their -professions; and, that it is owing to <!-- Page 120 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span>this neglect that women -are driven to seek honor and independence in the institutions -and the professions of men.</p> - -<p>"Resolved, That woman's distinctive profession, in its various -branches, involves more important interests than any other -human science; and, that the evils suffered by women would be -extensively remedied by establishing institutions for training -women for her profession, which shall be as generously endowed -as are the institutions of men, many of which have been largely -endowed by women.</p> - -<p>"Resolved, That the science of domestic economy should be -made a study in all institutions for girls; and that certain -practical employments of the family state should be made a part -of common school education, especially the art of sewing, which -is so needful for the poor.</p> - -<p>"Resolved, That every young woman should be trained to some -business by which she can earn an independent livelihood in -case of poverty.</p> - -<p>"Resolved, That in addition to the various in-door employments -suitable for woman, there are other out-door employments -especially favorable to health and equally suitable, such as -raising fruits and flowers, the culture of silk and cotton, -the raising of bees, and the superintendence of dairy farms -and manufactures. All of these offer avenues to wealth and -independence for women as properly as men, and schools -for imparting to women the science and practice of these -employments should be provided, and as liberally endowed as -are the agricultural schools for <!-- Page 121 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span>men." These resolutions were -adopted unanimously and then published in all the leading -secular and religious papers with equally unanimous approval. -The following from the <cite>N. Y. Evening Post</cite>, is a fair specimen -of the whole.</p> - -<p>"These resolutions contain sound sense; and their claim that -practical schools for women deserve as much attention as -similar schools for men, is undeniably just. If we are to have -industrial schools at all, if it is important that anybody -should be able to secure systematic and thorough instruction -as a preparation for useful industries, girls would be as much -benefited by such instruction as boys; and women need it as -much as men.</p> - -<p>"There is no doubt that the present arrangement of society -bears more hardly upon women than upon men; and all wise -efforts to make them more independent of the mischances of life -deserve encouragement."</p> -</div> - -<p>Although the plan aimed at is large, this Association commenced with -only a small portion. At Milwaukee, where is their first institution, -a school already organized was taken as the nucleus. The citizens were -to furnish land, and building, and pupils enough to support by tuition -fees a given number of teachers. On these conditions the Association -agreed to provide endowments to support a certain number of teachers, -so long as the plan of <!-- Page 122 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span>the Association was carried out, but if it was -relinquished, to remove their patronage to another place. The Lady -Agent of the Association is still at the head of this Institution, -which has prospered on this plan for more than fifteen years, the -Association supporting by their funds a portion of the teachers.</p> - -<p>In my former address in this place, I showed how in this and other -cities, the more wealthy, and best educated classes, and those who pay -the most taxes for public education, provide for their own daughters -inferior advantages to those given to the humblest poor. Our own -High School in this city compared with this Seminary and all private -schools, will illustrate this remarkable fact.</p> - -<p>For our High School has a building healthfully and thoroughly warmed -and ventilated, as can be said of neither this Seminary, nor any -private school of this city; while its apparatus and library are -superior to any except those of the College, and the Theological -School, to which no girls have access. By reason of subordinate graded -schools, only well prepared pupils are admitted, or this is the rule -which can be enforced; while all scholars must enter <!-- Page 123 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span>at regular -periods. Thus, only four classes are formed and only a small number -of studies are pursued at any one time. The teachers are thus allowed -time to prepare themselves, and other great advantages for instructing, -while their salaries are much higher than can be given to assistant -teachers in most private schools. Thus the best class of teachers are -tempted to forsake private schools for these superior advantages.</p> - -<p>In contrast to these advantages, although this Seminary is warmed and -ventilated as well as most private schools, it is necessary to employ -much of the time of an intelligent and careful teacher to keep the -rooms at proper temperature, well ventilated and free from poisonous -gases, and yet with but imperfect success.</p> - -<p>Then the pupils enter this and all private schools, at any time and at -all grades of advancement, making it necessary to multiply classes and -to tax the teachers in order to bring forward the new comers to certain -classes. The method of arranging certain studies at one time of the -year, and others only at other times, as in colleges and our public -<!-- Page 124 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span>high schools, often cannot be enforced without dissatisfying patrons, -and thus lessening income. Then the accomplishments, especially Piano -music, to which classes must conform, greatly increases the difficulty -of classification in this and in all private schools.</p> - -<p>The result usually is, a most inferior, desultory, and unsatisfactory -course of education. There are cases where by overworking poorly paid -assistant teachers, and by small profits to proprietors, some private -schools turn out as fine scholars as our best managed High schools. But -these are exceptions, and exceptions that bear very severely on the -subordinate women teachers.</p> - -<p>Thus comes to pass the remarkable fact that the most wealthy and -cultivated pay the largest taxes to furnish the poorer classes a -gratuitous and a better education than they gain for their own -daughters by paying the largest tuition fees, or at expensive boarding -schools.</p> - -<p>There is great misconception as to the advantages of education -for daughters of the more wealthy classes, owing to the fact that -the ambitious name <!-- Page 125 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span>of "college" is given to schools that have no -proper claim to this appellation. For the distinctive feature of a -college heretofore has been its <em>endowments</em>, by which a permanent -faculty of superior and co-equal teachers are maintained to a great -extent independent of tuition fees; and also supporting professors -as independent heads of departments, instead of subordinates to a -principal, as in High Schools and academies. This being the fact, there -is not a single college for women in this country, nor in the whole -world.</p> - -<p>The only feature of a college in any institutions for women is a -similar course of study and graduating diplomas, and these without -endowments only increase the branches taught, and decrease the -thoroughness of instruction and overwork the teachers.</p> - -<p>There is also great misconception as to the influence of woman's -domestic duties in developing and training the intellect. A problem -in arithmetic or geometry is far more interesting, and therefore more -quickening to the intellect, when it is directly applied to some -useful, practical purpose. Thus a woman who is daily calculating her -<!-- Page 126 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span>butcher's and grocer's accounts, or trading at stores, is cultivating -her intellect as much or more than she would by studying arithmetic -in college or school without any end but to escape reproof or marks -of imperfection. So the planning and cutting garments and the various -other calculations and measurements of carpets, curtains, and -furniture, are daily exercises in both geometry and arithmetic, while -the practical interest and the handicraft involved tend to quicken -intellectual vigor.</p> - -<p>Then in kitchen affairs, domestic chemistry, though on a small scale, -is constantly studied and practically applied. Again in the care -of infants and of the sick, the discipline of the physiologist and -the physician are united. Then in the government of servants and -children, the same mental exertion and principles are employed as are -demanded for legislatures, statesmen, and magistrates. Then in the -religious training of children, all the most profound questions of -the metaphysician and the theologian are daily objects of enquiry and -reflection as childhood urges the most difficult problems of mental -science, and of natural and revealed religion.</p> - -<p><!-- Page 127 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p><p>A man in his daily toils, or in the learned professions has only -one or two subjects that hold his practical attention and interest, -but a woman as mother and housekeeper has a constant succession of -employments that tax all her intellectual and her moral powers. These -views are remarkably illustrated by some of the women of a former -generation whose intellectual training was chiefly in domestic pursuits -with little else except the humblest kind of common school, a very -small library, and a vigorous pulpit ministry. Let such be compared -with multitudes of women who with little domestic training and exercise -have graduated from the High Schools and Colleges of the present day, -and we shall have occasion for serious reflection as to the diverse -results.</p> - -<p>I can best illustrate this by an individual case that may fairly -represent a large class of women forty or fifty years ago. In early -youth I lived in Litchfield, Conn., where a law school was conducted -by Judge Reeves, and Judge Gould, two of the most talented and learned -jurists of the nation, and gathered from forty to over one hundred law -students from the first colleges and the first families <!-- Page 128 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span>of every state -in the Union. There were also eight or ten other gentlemen of liberal -education and some of more than ordinary talents and culture, in the -same circle.</p> - -<p>Then of the ladies I met in that circle, were Mrs. Judge Reeve, Mrs. -Judge Gould, Miss Sarah Pierce, to whom I owe my school education, Miss -Mary Pierce, Miss Amelia Ogden, Miss Lucy Sheldon, my father's sister -Esther, my mother's sister Mrs. Mary Hubbard, and my mother. In my own -family circle I used to hear my mother and aunts discussing a variety -of literary and scientific topics, and especially remember their -enthusiastic interest in the new discoveries of chemistry by Lavoisier, -and their practical test experiments in the kitchen and study. Aunt -Esther was deeply interested in medical science, and probably had read -medical works as extensively as most physicians of that day.</p> - -<p>Then Mrs. Judge Reeve, and my mother and aunts, would meet and read -works of history, or travels, or some classic English literature. -Miss Mary Pierce was an accomplished elocutionist, and when Judge -Gould suffered from weak eyes, would <!-- Page 129 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span>go day after day to read works -of literature and discuss the topics introduced. Miss Sarah Pierce -was head of the largest and most celebrated female school of the -nation, and was overflowing with acquired knowledge, as well as poetic -treasures.</p> - -<p>Now not one of these ladies had studied a line of Latin or Greek, or -of mathematics or other college studies which women are now seeking -so earnestly at the sacrifice of health and all domestic culture. -And yet when they met these gentlemen of the highest talents and -education, they were regarded as fully their equals in mental power -and intellectual debate. Indeed, some of my brothers educated in this -circle, honestly maintained that women were endowed by nature with -intellectual powers superior to men; and one brother argued in defence -of this position in a public college exercise. Moreover, six brothers -had a college education, while none of my sisters studied any part of -the college course; and yet there has been no marked inequality of -mental power and culture in this diverse training.</p> - -<p>In that day, novels, by most women, were either <!-- Page 130 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span>deemed an unlawful -indulgence, or were taken as condiments only, while the substantials -of literature and science were their chief intellectual pabulum. And -having but few books and those the choice works of the best English -classics, they were perused and reperused with such interest as rarely -is given in colleges to the literature of Greece and Rome. And it was -a frequent fact, that women were far better read in English classic -literature than were their brothers and friends in colleges.</p> - -<p>Now at the present day, when mothers and housekeepers meet gentlemen -in social gatherings, is there anything in their conversation and -pursuits to show the superior advantages of the female High Schools -and Colleges, which have nearly supplanted the intellectual domestic -training of a former generation? Have not novels, magazine stories, -newspaper literature, and the fashions and accomplishments of the age -taken the place of the more vigorous mental culture so common at a -former period?</p> - -<p>A variety of intellectual training which is pursued in connection with -such interesting practical <!-- Page 131 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span>results as woman's employments involve, -tends to produce a vigorous and well balanced mind, far more than -devotion to one or two professional pursuits such as the business -of most men requires. And even in science and literature, we not -unfrequently find some of the most learned men entirely deficient in -intellectual balance and executive power; while their less learned -mothers or wives are respected as wise and practical counselors.</p> - -<p>The diminution of domestic exercise in the family state by mothers -and daughters has equally tended to the loss of physical development -and vigor in the present generation of women. The Creator has wisely -adapted the physical organization of woman to her appropriate duties, -so that the alternating sedentary and active exercises of the nursery -and household are exactly those best fitted to sustain and invigorate -the organs which now are so extensively displaced or diseased. And the -artificial modes of exercise to remedy these evils, now so successful -in the Movement Cure, are to a large extent in imitation of these -domestic muscular movements demanded in the nursery and in <!-- Page 132 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span>other -household labors. The tending of infants, the bending, twisting, and -stooping constantly practiced in these domestic labors are exactly -what are demanded to preserve in health and activity the muscles most -important to womanly development and vigor; while the interchanging -employment of the needle and other sedentary domestic pursuits, when in -proper proportion, equally tend to healthful results. Very different -are the influences on woman's health as she stands six and eight hours -behind the counter or in shops and mills in one continuous and unvaried -toil, or sits day after day over the needle without intervening -healthful exercises. Not less are the evils to the daughters of wealth -and ease, whose brain and nerves are never relieved and strengthened -by the exercises of domestic life. Still more lamentable is the common -practice of those who, when sending daughters to the public schools, -free them from domestic labor, that they may give their whole time -to study and school duties. If instead of this, these pupils were -required to engage in domestic labor two hours each day and this amount -of time <!-- Page 133 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span>was deducted from school duties, not only health but higher -intellectual development would be secured.</p> - -<p>If a time should come when the aims of the Woman Suffrage party are -attained, and women are trained for the pulpit, the bar, the political -arena, and other professions drawing woman from domestic life, still -more disastrous influences will show the great mistake of taking woman -from her true sphere and giving her the work designed for man. If, on -the contrary, women are trained to both the science and the practice of -their true profession in all its varied departments, and with the honor -and emolument that now are given exclusively to the professions of men, -every woman will be in demand for the services of the family and the -school, and will regard the employments of men as less important and -less inviting than her own sacred ministries.</p> - -<p>It is often said that it is mothers who must give the domestic training -to daughters, and that school duties should be confined to literature -and science. This might have been true in former days, when <!-- Page 134 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span>daughters -and mothers performed most of the family labor, and when the style of -living was simple and economical. But with the present style of houses -and expenditures, demanding two, three or more servants, it is utterly -impossible for a mother and housekeeper to add to her multiplied cares -the scientific domestic training of her daughters; nor can anything -of this kind be successfully connected with large boarding schools. -The demand for <em>scientific</em> domestic training is greatly increased by -improved modern conveniences.</p> - -<p>The one item of selecting and superintending the management of stoves -and furnaces, demands much scientific study and practical instruction, -and there is no one point where family health and economy suffer more -than for want of them. The inhaling of poisonous gases, the sudden -changes of temperature, and the want of proper ventilation probably are -doing more to destroy the constitution and health of families than any -other cause, and owing greatly to the want of needed science and skill -in housekeepers.</p> - -<p>In various other departments, the increase of <!-- Page 135 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span>civilization and -its elegancies and conveniences have greatly increased the need of -scientific training for mothers and housekeepers, who, never having -been thus instructed themselves, are not qualified to train their -daughters.</p> - -<p>As to the virtue of economy, in our nation among the more wealthy -classes, it seems to have become one of "the lost arts." The art and -skill of domestic economy can no more be acquired without instruction -and training, than any of the mechanical trades. As eldest daughter -of a poor minister, and the pupil of a most ingenious mother and a -vigorously economical aunt, I know that by proper training, a young -lady can dress with taste and propriety at one half the expense -required by one untrained; and that a housekeeper without such a -preparation needs double the means of one who is properly instructed. -Not that there are not women as well as men, who have natural gifts -that enable them to excel in handicraft and skill without any training, -so as to equal those properly instructed. But these are exceptional -cases.</p> - -<p><!-- Page 136 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p><p>To illustrate the fact that the more civilization increases the -enjoyments and refinements of the family state, the more it multiplies -the responsibilities and cares of a mother and housekeeper, I will -reproduce a specimen of such conversations as I have repeatedly had -with familiar friends. The lady introduced, is a mother of five young -children all attending some primary, or some higher schools, and in -reply to her remark that she had no time for solid or systematic -reading, I enquired,</p> - -<p>"How many servants have you?"</p> - -<p>"Three; a cook, a chambermaid, and a boy for errands and care of yard -and garden."</p> - -<p>"Now suppose," said I, "that you give me an outline of your ordinary -daily routine, that I may appreciate your difficulties; for I think -few understand how much is demanded of mother and housekeeper in these -days. At what hour do you rise?"</p> - -<p>"Usually about seven; and then beside dressing myself, I must see that -the little ones are washed and dressed properly, as all the servants -are busy. Their hair must be combed and braided, their teeth and nails -in order, and their clothing be all whole <!-- Page 137 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span>and clean for school, which -often demands an extra stitch, or some change that I must regulate. -This takes till near breakfast hour, when I go down to see that all is -right on the table and in the kitchen. When I have a good cook, and -second girl, I have not much to do; but the frequent changes oblige me -often to be training, or overseeing one or the other. Then at table, I -serve the tea and coffee, and also take care of the two youngest, to -supply proper food, and see that they behave properly."</p> - -<p>"Cannot your husband take some of this care."</p> - -<p>"Oh, no; he is so hurried in business and so anxious to get off as soon -as possible.</p> - -<p>"Then we have prayers, and I must collect all the family, and see that -all the children behave properly. Then I make a memorandum of errands -or purchases for my husband to execute. Then I must see that all the -children are prepared for school, their books all collected, their hair -dressed, and shoes in order, and all their little wants supplied.</p> - -<p>"Then I go to the kitchen and make arrangements with the cook for the -day, giving written <!-- Page 138 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span>orders for the grocer and butcher. Then I arrange -the work for the second girl for the day. I go over all the rooms and -chambers myself, and always find in my drawers and closets something -that needs care or labor, that I must do myself, or arrange for others -to do. Oh, the making, the mending, the altering, the washing, and the -care of clothing for young children which our present fashions require! -And yet I always hang back and do as little as possible without being -odd, or making the children fear lest all their companions should outdo -them.</p> - -<p>"By noon I am so tired and nervous I can not do anything more than -sit down quietly and look over the morning paper. Then comes the noon -lunch, when I again have all the table serving and care of children. -After lunch, I send out the children to play, and then comes the family -sewing and mending, the shopping—to buy dresses, bonnets, shoes, -gloves, trimmings, and all the numerous et ceteras of the wardrobe for -husband, children, and self. The mantua-maker must come some days, and -then what worry and work! Then the sempstress comes other times; then -company calls that <!-- Page 139 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span>I must entertain; and then comes the children's -music practice, and their hard lessons in arithmetic or geometry, where -I must help or oversee.</p> - -<p>"Then comes the dinner at 5 or 6, when company often is added, and I -must see that all is in order, and the children well behaved, and the -table served aright. For an hour or two after dinner comes a little -time to talk with my husband and children; but again I am called on to -help in the lessons of the older children, or to aid them when sewing -or drawing. Then I must go to prepare the little ones for bed, as both -servants are busy after dinner.</p> - -<p>"All this is what I do when I have no visitors, and when there is no -baby. But when there is a nurse and a baby, and visitors staying in -the family to entertain, I am sure I do not know how I get through -all. I only know that most of my married life I have suffered constant -weariness, and a pain in head or back, and that all put together make -life such a burden that often I should willingly lay it down were it -not for my dear husband and children.</p> - -<p>"And all these beautiful things around me, and <!-- Page 140 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span>my lovely home, seem -to double my cares because I have so much to keep in order. For all -these rich and delicate things are soon ruined if left in the hands of -servants, and the more we get, the more we have to watch and work to -save from injury or waste."</p> - -<p>"If we lived in such a convenient little cottage as you have put in -your American Woman's Home, and had a highly educated governess, -and then all of us united to do the family work, except washing and -ironing, how much easier and happier life would be!"<a name="FNanchor_140:A_2" id="FNanchor_140:A_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_140:A_2" class="fnanchor">[140:A]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> -<p class="noindent"><a name="Footnote_140:A_2" id="Footnote_140:A_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_140:A_2"><span class="label">[140:A]</span></a> This book is enlarged and has questions for a text -book for schools. Its title is "<cite>Principles of Domestic Science</cite>," and -it is published by J. B. Ford, Park Place, New York. The second part -entitled <cite>The House Keeper & Health Keeper</cite> is in press and will be -published in the fall by the Harpers.</p> -</div> - -<p>But at present my thoughts and efforts are most engaged to accomplish -that department of a Women's University which relates to the -preservation and restoration of health. When often asked what is the -reason that our women are so delicate and unhealthy, and that our -young girls so often suffer what in former days was rare and then only -in connexion with maternity, my reply often is, that <!-- Page 141 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span>it is because -parents and teachers are doing every thing they can do to produce such -mischiefs.</p> - -<p>Sleeping in unventilated chambers; living in schoolrooms and parlors -heated to excess and charged with poisonous gases; exposed to sudden -variations of temperature from mismanagement; eating unhealthful food -at irregular hours and to a dangerous excess; supplied with unhealthful -confectionery to eat at any hour; indulged in exciting amusements -with late hours for sleep; the brain stimulated by a multitude of -school duties and studies unrelieved by muscular exercises; the dress -contrived to impede vital functions, compressing the most yielding -parts so as to force the upper organs on to the lower, generating the -most cruel displacements and mental and bodily diseases; over-heating -the parts most injured by such treatment, and exposing the parts most -important to keep warm; compressing feet and ankles so as to impede -circulation, with high heels throwing all the muscles out of natural -play so as to increase all the dangerous tendencies to internal -displacement; these are only one portion of the many contrivances -adopted or <!-- Page 142 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span>allowed by parents and teachers to destroy the health of -women and young girls.</p> - -<p>The public press is now circulating such charges against the most -cultivated Protestant women of our country as, if true, will verify -the assertion that in one important respect, "Protestantism is a -failure." For maternity in its normal aspect, involves what scripture -represents as the extremity of physical suffering. If to this is added -the protracted tortures of mind and body consequent on such outrages -on nature as are narrated above, it is not the graduates of boarding -schools, and High Schools and Colleges who are to be the mothers and -educators of this nation, but those rather who are protected from these -sins and sufferings by humble means, daily toil, and a vigilant and -politic priesthood.</p> - -<p>All through my early days, no such charges against womanhood were -even imagined, for I saw a cheerful, healthful mother each second or -third year of her whole married life with another healthful infant, -and all received by my father as a precious "heritage from the Lord" -and through his long life <!-- Page 143 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span>his "chief joy and crown of rejoicing." And -this, which is now so rare an example, was a common experience, in that -more simple and healthful generation.</p> - -<p>My opportunities for noticing the decline of health in women of this -generation, and forming opinions on medical subjects, have been -extensive, as for over forty years I have been taxing the science -and sagacity of medical men in all parts of the nation, residing in -many health establishments, reading medical works, and consulting all -classes of medical practitioners. In this course I have secured perfect -health and also learned many lessons that I hope will enable me to aid -others in gaining the same blessing.</p> - -<p>And the most important of these lessons is, that most diseases are -consequences of violating the laws of health, (which are as really -the laws of God as any in the Bible), and that the surest and -safest remedies are found in conforming to these laws. This will be -illustrated by a short account of my experiences while so long a -wandering invalid.</p> - -<p><!-- Page 144 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span></p><p>During this period, as results have proved, I had no organic or -functional disease, except extreme prostration of the overworked brain -and nerves, increased by a punctured nerve, adding to the debility -of the connected sciatic nerve. Thus came inability to walk without -supporters, and little ability for any kind of either mental or -physical exercise.</p> - -<p>The treatment to be narrated was in all cases but one, by regularly -educated physicians, most of whom were regarded as among the highest -in talents and skill, often the professors of medical colleges. The -first physician prescribed a heaping teaspoonful of carbonate of iron -three times a day, which was taken with no benefit. Next, a learned -professor, for a slight fever bled twice, and, to allay consequent -nervous excitement, gave camphor till temporary deafness ensued. Next, -another medical professor conjectured that the lameness resulted from -the state of the stomach, and gave small doses of rheubarb three times -a day with no advantage. Then another considered the spine as the -diseased point, and applied irritating ointments. Another <!-- Page 145 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span>prescribed -galvanism, but could give no rule as to time or manner, or expected -effects, but hoped that somehow it might do some good. Several -prescribed local applications to the limb, which in all cases increased -the difficulty.</p> - -<p>These all failing, I commenced my rounds to health establishments. The -first was conducted by a sagacious and learned German physician, who -conjectured that the cause of the lameness was the state of the blood, -and used cold water to produce a skin eruption which came without any -good result. But during a year's residence there, I saw most remarkable -cures of many diseases, by treating the skin with alternations of -heat and cold connected with simple food, and outdoor exercise. In -repeated cases I saw thin, pale victims of tubercular consumption, some -apparently in the last stages, changed to rosy, plump and vigorous -women by this treatment. Here I also gained in vigor of mind and body, -though under the most heroic water treatment, but the weak limb was -unrelieved.</p> - -<p>Then I resorted to an establishment where the treatment was confined -to simple food, only one or <!-- Page 146 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span>two articles being allowed at one meal. -To this was added short gymnastic exercises, alternating with short -periods of rest. Here I found that by reducing the quantity of food, -and taking only one or two articles at a meal I gained both in flesh -and strength, but the weak limb prevented the required exercises and -was unrelieved.</p> - -<p>Then resort was had to an establishment where many women were cured of -internal displacements and consequent evils, but a lady physician by -proper investigation, decided that my lameness resulted from no such -cause. There the physician instructed me in a course of exercises by -which a forward curvature of the spine, caused by debility and use -of supporters, was remedied, and the figure restored to the natural -position, while at the same time the chest, and thus the breathing -capacity, were enlarged so as to demand three inches added to waists -and belts. Other cases I often have met of similar restoration of the -figure, and enlargement of the chest, and compressed lungs, in several -health establishments.</p> - -<p>In addition to all these, I have tried Sulphur and <!-- Page 147 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span>Vapor baths, -Russian baths, Chemical baths, Turkish hot air bath, and the Sun bath, -and have seen patients benefited in all. Owing chiefly to my own -knowledge and caution I was not injured myself by any, though I saw -others, who, from ignorance, imprudence, or want of skill and care in -the physician were seriously injured in every one.</p> - -<p>I have also met persons who were benefited by the Grape Cure, and the -Lifting Cure. Several friends have been treated by an ignorant tailor -who taught his patients that the centre of the nervous system was the -navel, and that he cured by operations that disentangled the nerves -that were gathered in bunches and knots. His method was to spend an -hour daily with each patient in a continuous pressure and pinching of -all parts of the body, which resulted in some remarkable cures in spite -of his ridiculous theories.</p> - -<p>My final and only successful experiment was at the Swedish Movement -Cure, under the care of Dr. Geo. H. Taylor. This method so far -as I have observed, is the most reliable and efficacious remedy -for debilitated nerves, and for the internal displacements <!-- Page 148 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span>and -diseases consequent on the courses by which so many women weaken the -constitution or ruin the health. By this method the weak limb was -first relieved, and after this, by a strict obedience to all the laws -of health, for several years I have enjoyed perfect health. I have -also been every year gaining in strength and in the increased power of -faculties usually diminished by age. And should burnings, and crushings -of railroads, and other casualties be escaped, I have a fair chance for -at least another twenty years of health, and active usefulness.</p> - -<p>But this result has been gained not by any one method of medical -treatment, but rather by faithful obedience to the laws of health, -while it is preserved and continued only by the same. For whenever I -failed in any one respect, my enfeebled nervous system, especially the -weaker member, reported the wrong with marvelous precision.</p> - -<p>What has been gained is continued only by a faithful and diligent -course, securing pure air by night and day; regular and abundant sleep -<!-- Page 149 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span>in the hours of darkness, and no mental or physical labor except by -day; a daily towel bath in cool water in the sun or by a fire, except -in hot weather; living in light and well ventilated rooms, and often -sitting in the sun; abstinence from stimulating drinks of all kinds; a -simple diet of properly cooked food in a moderate quantity, and only at -regular hours; daily outdoor exercise by walking, riding, and use of -the muscles of the arms and trunk; clothing that never compresses any -part and always protects from chills; abstinence from over excitement -of all kinds; the cultivation of a cheerful and quiet spirit; healthful -amusements; benevolent activity never to exceed the strength; and all -this prayerfully pursued as a religious duty owed to God, to my fellow -men, and to myself.</p> - -<p>Another lesson illustrated by my experience, is the advance of medical -science in detecting the <em>causes</em> of diseases so as to apply remedies -intelligently. My case was simply prostration of the nervous system -by mental care and labor, increased by a punctured nerve. And yet my -medical advisers, most of them distinguished in their profession, -<!-- Page 150 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span>treated me, one, for diseased stomach, another for diseased spine, -another for diseased blood, and most of them applied stimulants to the -weak part, always thus increasing the weakness. That was nearly forty -years ago. Since then nervous diseases are better understood, while -animal chemistry, the microscope, and the thermometer have furnished -new means for intelligent search for <em>causes</em> of disease.</p> - -<p>And yet our most learned physicians complain of the deficient education -given to medical students, and their negligent practice in comparison -with European methods. I have before me the Richmond and Louisville -Medical Journal of 1869, which claims to be the largest medical monthly -in this nation. In it I find a letter from Dr. W. O. Baldwin, late -President of the National Congress of physicians, asking from Dr. Wm. -Neftel, of New York, late physician of the Russian Imperial Guard, an -account of the course of medical study in Europe, and remarking that -Dr. Neftel "beautifully illustrates by his example and by his valuable -contributions to <!-- Page 151 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span>science, the wisdom of the system in which he was -educated."</p> - -<p>In reply, Dr. Neftel states that the first requisition in Europe for -medical license, is a course of general study equal to that demanded -in our colleges, and in addition, a thorough knowledge of physics. -Next follows four summer and four winter sessions in the medical -department. The first two years are devoted to anatomy, histology, -physiology, chemistry, pathological anatomy, general and special -pathology and therapeutics, the principles of operative surgery and -obstetrics, working at the same time in the chemical, physiological -and pathological laboratories. In the last sessions only the student -attends the different clinics—medical, surgical, obstetrical, -opthalmological, dermatological, and psychological. Then, under a -professor some special branch of medical science is pursued.</p> - -<p>Dr. Neftel states as one cause of the advance of medical science in -Germany and Russia, is the institution of free teachers or <i>privat -docents</i>. These are students distinguished by original genius or great -research, who in connexion with the faculty, <!-- Page 152 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span>become teachers, and -have full access to laboratories, museums, and libraries. Many young -physicians of talents thus rise to high positions, and from this class -have risen the greatest men of science. Thus it is, also, that the -German Universities secure the best professors who devote their lives -to science and instruction, with most admirable results.</p> - -<p>Another advantage to medical science in Germany, is the close connexion -of the medical departments in the Universities with the other faculties -of philosophy, law, and theology. In consequence of this, we find the -greatest chemists and natural philosophers to be medical men, and a -number of physiologists are great mathematicians.</p> - -<p>Dr. Neftel, after completing this course, was connected with medical -departments in the Universities of London, Paris, and Germany for four -years. After this the adoption of republican opinions prevented his -return to Russia, and led him to this country.</p> - -<p>It is by frequent intercourse with Dr. Neftel, and by observing his -methods of detecting the <em>causes</em> of <!-- Page 153 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span>disease, that I have been -deeply impressed with the imperfect modes pursued by inexperienced -practitioners, and even by some who stand high in the profession. -For example, I took a friend to him who had been examined by several -physicians of high standing. One of them decided that the disease was -of the heart, another that it was of the liver, and a third that it was -of the kidneys. But by the microscope and by chemical tests, it was -proved that neither of these organs were diseased, and that all the -symptoms were caused by miasmatic fungi in the blood.</p> - -<p>In the case of another lady I witnessed investigations to detect the -<em>cause</em> of the frequent re-appearance of carbuncles, which had not been -sought for by other medical advisers; they only prescribing modes of -hastening and diminishing the crisis. To look at the tongue, feel the -pulse, and hear a statement of the symptoms, is the common method, and -then prescriptions are given of powerful chemical agents, which, if not -suited to the case are injurious.</p> - -<p>Thus it comes to pass that the most learned and <!-- Page 154 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span>careful physicians are -demanding an increase of medical educational advantages in our country.</p> - -<p>Thus also it has come to pass that health establishments abound, in -which the natural agencies of water, light, pure air, exercise, and -simple diet are the chief medical agents employed. And in most cases -the patients are those who have vainly tried the regular medical -treatment.</p> - -<p>The great defect in all these institutions, so far as I have observed, -is confinement to one special method, and a neglect of enforcing -obedience to <em>all</em> the laws of health. For in not even one such -institution have I ever known proper arrangements for securing pure air -both night and day; while in some the diet is at war with healthful -digestion. To these evils add the ignorance of the patients in -over-doing, and the want of skill, or care of the physician, and the -result has been more mischief than benefit in many cases. For there is -as much need of science and care in the physician in the use of these -natural agents as in the more common methods.</p> - -<p>Recently some of the most efficacious methods <!-- Page 155 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span>employed in Water Cure -Establishments have received the sanction and approval of the highest -medical practitioners in Europe.</p> - -<p>For in the <cite>Medical Record</cite>, the leading periodical of N. York -physicians, I find a paper read before the New York Academy of -Medicine, in October, 1868, by Dr. Neftel, in which he states that the -most distinguished writers and practitioners in Europe now employ cold -water for reducing fevers, just as for twenty years or more has been -practiced in Water Cures.</p> - -<p>In this paper he says: "My first acquaintance with the use of water -in diseases, was during the Crimean war, when a murderous epidemic of -typhus fever prevailed, <em>resisting every known method of treatment</em>. -Following the instincts of patients and watching the effects of cold -water, I commenced treating with cold sponging and effusions and the -result surpassed my hopes, and was <em>far better than that obtained by -any other method</em>. I myself was attacked by the disease and was saved -from death only by my own mode of treatment. But still my treatment -was purely empyrical and symptomatic. <!-- Page 156 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span>Soon after, this method was -confirmed in the large hospitals of Russia, with excellent results."</p> - -<p>"The principal rule observed is never to allow the temperature -(ascertained by a thermometer placed under the shoulder) to rise -higher than 103 Fahrenheit. The mildest degree of cooling is attained -by sponging the whole body with cold water or by keeping the patient -continually in a wet sheet. A wet cloth is laid on the head, and if not -asleep, every quarter of an hour the patient is offered a little cold -water to drink, and every three hours nourishing fluid food. The room -is to be kept well ventilated and stimulants avoided."</p> - -<p>Dr. Neftel adds, "the effect of this treatment is so wonderful that -those familiar with typhoid patients will not recognize them. By -keeping the temperature below 103.1 Fahrenheit the exacerbations are -avoided and the fever kept in a continuous remission. The patients are -never unconscious, never delirious, the tongue always remains moist and -clean, the bronchial catarrh is very slight, and so is the diarrhœa, if -any at all. There is no tympanites, no hemorrhage, no complication, and -we <!-- Page 157 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span>have reason to believe the intestinal ulcerations do not occur at -all. Under this treatment the course of typhoid fever is very mild and -short, the convalescence very rapid, and the mortality none whatever. -A great number of patients treated by myself on this method, have -recovered without exception. In this city I had a patient whose morning -temperature once reached 106.34° Fahrenheit—<em>a case absolutely fatal -under every other treatment</em>—and she is now recovering."</p> - -<p>"The thermometer indicates with the greatest exactness, the condition -of the animal heat, the presence of fever, its degree, intensity and -danger. It also traces the laws of the course of different types -of disease, indicates transitions from one stage to another, the -ameliorations and aggravations, and the return of the normal condition. -It enables us to form a correct diagnosis and prognosis, and gives us -positive therapeutical indications." In conversation I enquired if all -kinds of fevers should be subdued by this method, and was assured that -this was the safest and surest mode for all.</p> - -<p>A scientific and very successful practitioner who <!-- Page 158 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span>managed a Water Cure -Establishment, and was largely employed in the town around, stated that -after a year or two of instruction in the use of cold water, he lost -all his outside patients, as the mothers and housekeepers had learned -to treat by his methods, and no longer needed his attention except in -rare cases.</p> - -<p>I have stated that it was at the Swedish Movement Cure, under charge of -Dr. Geo. H. Taylor, that the cause of my long invalidism and its remedy -were ascertained. In addition to this personal benefit, I have learned -the cause and the proper remedy of a class of female diseases which -have baffled the most skillful practitioners and introduced methods in -many ways so unfortunate, that my whole sex will eventually recognize -as a great benefactor, the physician who has rendered them needless, -and introduced others at once philosophical, modest, and efficacious.</p> - -<p>Dr. Taylor's discoveries and methods are presented in his work on the -Diseases of Women, published by George Maclean, 47 John Street, N. Y. -This work has the approval of the leading physicians <!-- Page 159 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span>of Philadelphia -and New York, and other distinguished practitioners whose specialty has -been in this department. If this work should find its way into every -school and family, it probably would do more for the health of women -and of the next generation than any other similar measure that can be -urged.</p> - -<p>The information I have gained in the modes narrated, has increased my -conviction of the importance of giving to every woman a <em>scientific</em> -training for her profession as <em>healthkeeper</em> of the family state. -Not that the long course needed for general medical practice should -be attempted, which in the chief European Universities would demand -ten and twelve years of study and training. Instead of this, I -would propose a moderate course in physiology and animal chemistry, -accompanied with instruction in practical scientific methods of -employing water, light, heat, cold, air, exercise, and diet—both to -prevent and to remedy diseases—nor should the application of these -remedies be left entirely to the judgment and skill of women, even -after such training, but be under the guidance of a physician, <!-- Page 160 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span>highly -educated, so as to detect by careful investigation the <em>causes</em> of -disease, and of such another as Dr. Taylor, who has practised in both -the Water and Movement Cures.</p> - -<p>I have stated that in one large town a Water Cure physician lost all -his outside practice by instructing mothers and housekeepers how to -use properly the methods of the Water Cure. If to these were added -the practical methods of the Movement Cure, as conducted by Dr. G. -H. Taylor, with the enforcement of <em>all</em> the laws of health in a -given community, it is probable that all the physicians but those -superintending these methods, would lose all their practice.</p> - -<p>One of the most judicious and well educated physicians I know, -expressed the opinion that if a number of families in a town would -unite to provide a salary to a good physician (the same as to a -clergyman) who should visit each family to watch over the habits and -health, and see all methods employed to keep them well, that in the -end, it would prove a great piece of economy in money as well as -in health. The sagacious Chinese have <!-- Page 161 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span>learned this, and pay their -physicians so long as they are well, and stop paying when they are ill.</p> - -<p>But with us it is for the pecuniary interest of physicians to have -sickness general in a community, and there is need of a profession -whose honor and emolument depend on the <em>prevention</em> of all diseases. -For this profession every woman, and especially every school-teacher -should be carefully trained.</p> - -<p>If all the women teachers of this nation could be trained to be -<em>health-keepers</em> under the supervision of the highest class of educated -physicians, and then sent forth to lecture in all our school districts -teaching mothers and housekeepers the laws of health, and the methods -of the Water and Movement Cures, it is probable that health and long -life would be doubled all over the nation.</p> - -<p>And here I would urge renewed attention to the state of female health -in our country as exhibited in statistics published in a work of mine -fifteen years ago, and introduced in a chapter placed at the end of -this volume. I have never found any reason to doubt the correctness -of the impression made by these statements at first, nor to suppose -any marked <!-- Page 162 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span>improvement at the present time. For the diminution of -domestic labor by school girls of all ages and classes; the increase -of mental labor in public schools; the increase of cares to mother -and housekeepers in country as well as cities, from increase of -the refinements of civilization; the increased use of stoves and -furnaces without proper arrangements for ventilation; the increase of -unhealthful labor for women in unventilated stores, shops, and mills; -the unhealthful fashions of dress, and the fact that at this day women -receive more delicate constitutions than those given by mothers of a -former generation; all these things indicate an increase rather than a -diminution of the causes that undermine the health of women.</p> - -<p>This brings me to the main object of this meeting, which is to enlist -the interest and influence of the ladies present, in devising and -executing plans for the proper education of the daughters of this -city—by methods that shall remedy the evils that have been set forth, -and which shall serve as a model to other cities and towns through our -nation.</p> - -<p>In detailing an outline of the plan aimed at, I <!-- Page 163 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span>will first state that -it has already received the approval of ladies of good judgment, and of -practical experience as mothers and housekeepers; and also is approved -by the Trustees of the H. F. Seminary.</p> - -<p>I appear at this time as the Secretary and Gen. Agent of the American -Woman's Educational Association. This consists of ladies of high -character and position in various states which meets annually to -receive reports of agents and direct their operations. This Association -has established several institutions at the West, the most important -being the Milwaukee Female College. The method employed was to take -a school already organized as the nucleus, and then offer to the -citizens to secure endowments to support teachers, on condition that -they provided a suitable building and tuition fees to support a -certain number of superior teachers. This was done, and for fifteen -years that institution, in its primary, preparatory, and collegiate -schools has successfully carried out one portion of the plan of the -Association, some teachers being supported by endowments provided by -the Association, and others <!-- Page 164 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span>by tuition fees. The chief agent of the -Association has had the control and supervision of this institution now -numbering nearly 200 pupils from all the Protestant denominations. The -chief difficulty has been the fact that the Association is located at -the East, and its work done at the West.</p> - -<p>It is now proposed to carry out the plans of the Association more -completely in an institution at the East, under the immediate charge of -an Executive Committee, resident in the same place as the Institution.</p> - -<p>It is proposed to organize the H. F. Seminary like that at Milwaukee, -with Primary, Preparatory, and Collegiate schools all under the care -of the Trustees as at present. These schools to be furnished by the -citizens, with building, library, and apparatus equal to those of the -High School, and a course of study instituted allowing entrance only -at certain periods, and limiting the number of studies each term, as -is done in the College and High School. Also to raise endowments to -support two of the highest class of teachers, so that they can secure -homes and salaries equal to those given to college professors.</p> - -<p><!-- Page 165 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span></p><p>This being secured by the citizens, the Association will appoint -their Executive Committee from ladies of this city, one from each -denomination, and others be added, selected by them, also a certain -number of the Trustees of the Seminary to become members. Then the -managers will appoint a collecting agent to raise funds to establish -a University School with diverse departments, in which pupils of the -Seminary and others shall be trained for all the distinctive duties of -women, and all who wish it also be trained for some suitable womanly -employment or profession by which to earn an honorable independence.</p> - -<p>The first organized departments of the University would be the Normal -and Health departments. Two highly educated ladies would become the -Principals, and Dr. Neftel, and Dr. Taylor have engaged to act as -superintending physicians. The Association will aim to provide land and -buildings for these departments, and support the two lady principals -so that they can receive into their families two classes. During the -months of July and August, when most teachers have vacations, the class -will <!-- Page 166 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span>consist of enfeebled and exhausted teachers to be restored and -trained to teach our system of Calisthenics, and to administer the -methods of the Water Cure, and Movement Cure, and also to lecture on -the laws of health in the communities to which they will return.</p> - -<p>At all other periods of the year, these families will consist of young -girls of delicate constitutions or poor health, to be trained to health -and vigor, and at the same time to pursue a moderate course of study in -the Seminary classes. These lady principals will also take charge of -the Seminary classes in Domestic Science, Physiology, Animal Chemistry, -Botany, and Calisthenics under direction of the Principals of the -Seminary. On this plan two teachers will be supported by endowments -provided by the citizens, and two by endowments provided by the -Association.</p> - -<p>The Trustees of the Seminary will control all funds given for the -Primary, Preparatory, and Collegiate schools, and the Executive -Committee of the Association will control the funds given for the -University department. As to the probability of raising endowments, -the former agent of the <!-- Page 167 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span>Association testifies that he was cordially -welcomed to the pulpits of almost every Protestant denomination and -sometimes took larger collections than were given for any other objects.</p> - -<p>There is one reason for endowing the H. F. Seminary, little -understood. Three female institutions are soon to go into operation in -Massachusetts, one endowed with a million and a half, another with half -a million, a third very largely provided. These will offer advantages -and salaries commanding the best teachers, and the public High Schools -will do the same. Thus the boarding and other pay schools not endowed, -will soon lose their best teachers and take up only with a humbler -class. This, and the multiplication of studies and classes, will make -boarding and day schools for the wealthy class, unless endowed, very -inferior to the public High schools and endowed institutions.</p> - -<p>Many female colleges have attempted a regular course of study demanding -few classes for each term, and that all pupils enter at regular -periods. But not one that I know of, has raised endowments to support -teachers. Not even Vassar, though provided with over half a million, -has a single endowment <!-- Page 168 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span>to support a teacher. All has been spent -in expensive grounds, buildings, and furniture to draw pupils from -parental watch and care.</p> - -<p>If this half million had been devoted to providing endowments for this -Seminary, some ten or twelve of the highest class of women teachers -might have permanent positions and incomes.</p> - -<p>In reference to the patronage to be expected for the health department, -Dr. Dio Lewis gained very large patronage by taking charge of young -girls in delicate health who thronged from every part of the nation.</p> - -<p>I will close by giving a specimen of the applications constantly made -to me from all quarters for teachers out of health. I think if it -were notified in the public prints that help could be given to such -applications, they would count more by thousands than by hundreds.</p> - -<p>So much and so often have I been pained to turn away from such -piteous appeals, that nothing but the hope of some day meeting such a -sympathizing and influential body of friends and followers of Christ, -has sustained me.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="noindent"><!-- Page 169 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span>"Dear Miss Beecher:</p> - -<p>"Having read of your plans for aiding teachers in regaining -health, I address you in behalf of a dear and only child. I -myself was a teacher, and by intense interest and labor lost my -health. My marriage afterwards was unfortunate, and ever since -the birth of this child I have had to struggle alone and with -poor health to support her and myself by my needle.</p> - -<p>"My child is fond of study, is a graduate of one of the best -public schools, and afterward attended an excellent Grammar -school in N. York city. The principal told me she was the -brightest in her class, and had a depth and clearness of mind -unusual in her age. She was much beloved in her classes, -especially by her teachers.</p> - -<p>"But her studies were too severe, and for a long time she has -not been able to study or do much except practice on the piano, -for which she had the best of teachers, and would like to teach -it when her head gets stronger. I have consulted one of the -best physicians, and he says she may recover in time, that too -much study is the cause of her trouble, and that she must not -study at all.</p> - -<p>"Dear Miss Beecher, you cannot imagine how great is my interest -in your plans, and how I long to place my daughter under your -care. I thought the anxieties of a mother would prove some -claim on your kindness, and that you would excuse me for -applying to you for advice and help. If my child could go into -some christian home <!-- Page 170 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span>near the sea-side and do light work to pay -for her board, she would be willing to do so; and perhaps could -teach one or two scholars in music. The poor child now feels -distressed and discouraged, and I know not what to do. She is a -Christian believer and a member of the church, and I hope our -Heavenly Father will show us some way of help and comfort in -this our low estate."</p></div> - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="newchapter" /> -<p><!-- Page 171 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="AN_ADDRESS_TO_THE_CHRISTIAN_WOMEN_OF_AMERICA" id="AN_ADDRESS_TO_THE_CHRISTIAN_WOMEN_OF_AMERICA"></a>AN ADDRESS TO THE CHRISTIAN WOMEN OF AMERICA.</h2> -</div> - - -<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">My Dear and Honored Countrywomen</span>:</p> - -<p>When I wrote the first address in this volume, I had a very imperfect -idea of the scope and magnitude of the questions which the women of -this nation, who aim to be followers of Jesus Christ, will soon be -called to investigate and to decide—questions which are the very -foundation principles of both morals and religion—questions which every -woman must settle for herself aided by common sense, the Bible, and the -Divine aid obtained by prayer.</p> - -<p>To us Jesus Christ appears as the only one born into this world who -lived to maturity, then died and then returned to life again; first to -prove that death does not end our existence, and next to teach what -awaits us in the invisible world to which we all are hastening.</p> - -<p>Let those who have mused in lonely sorrow <!-- Page 172 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span>by the grave of the dearest -friends and asked with infinite longings—where are they? is this the -end? are we too to lie down in utter annihilation?—say how we could -have these questions answered so as to best secure a comforting belief? -Should we not say let our well-known, well-beloved friends, come forth -from the tomb and live with us again—walk, talk, eat, sleep, and act, -as in past times—and this for days and weeks and not alone with us, -but with many others who had known them through life? Can we imagine -anything to ask more satisfactory than this, to prove that death does -not end our existence?</p> - -<p>Suppose that Abraham Lincoln, after his body had lain in state for -three days, had risen from his coffin and for thirty days had been -surrounded by his family, his cabinet, his personal friends, and by as -many as three hundred persons who knew him well; can we conceive of -anything more satisfactory to prove that death does not destroy the -soul? And would not his honest teachings of what is to be experienced -after death, be sought as the most reliable evidence possible of what -awaits us all when we pass to the invisible world?</p> - -<p><!-- Page 173 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p><p>This is exactly what the believers in the Christian religion claim was -done for us when Jesus Christ came and dwelt on earth for thirty-three -years, then was slain by enemies determined to prevent his predicted -resurrection, and then arose from the dead, bringing life and -immortality to light. And why did this good Being come and dwell on -earth, then die, and then arise from the dead? It was to teach us not -only that an immortal existence stretches before us after death, but -that the happiness of that immortality depends on <em>the character which -is formed by education here</em>.</p> - -<p>What then is the character which we are to seek in order to attain -immortal blessedness? The first sermon of our Lord has this very topic -as its burden:</p> - -<p>"Blessed are the poor in spirit,"—those who feel the need of knowledge, -guidance, and help.</p> - -<p>"Blessed are the meek,"—those that receive rebuke and instruction -without anger.</p> - -<p>"Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness,"—those -that long to know what is the right way, and to walk in it.</p> - -<p>"Blessed are the <em>happiness makers</em>,"<a name="FNanchor_173:A_3" id="FNanchor_173:A_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_173:A_3" class="fnanchor">[173:A]</a>—those who <!-- Page 174 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span>make happiness -the right way, as taught by the Master—"for they are the children of -God,"—having His nature as the child has the father's nature, and they -are to dwell with Him forever.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> -<p class="noindent"><a name="Footnote_173:A_3" id="Footnote_173:A_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_173:A_3"><span class="label">[173:A]</span></a> This is a more exact translation than "Blessed are the -peace-makers."</p> -</div> - -<p>It is such who are to "rejoice and be exceeding glad" even when -persecuted, hated, and reviled, for right words and actions. It is such -who are to enter the kingdom of Heaven.</p> - -<p>And what is this kingdom? It is one made up of the righteous, those -who long to know what is right and to do it, who hunger and thirst -after righteousness, and so are forever to be satisfied. And then the -Master teaches that His kingdom is not of this world, but exactly the -opposite. For the children of this world do not feel poor in spirit, -but rather seek to be called Rabbi, and to teach others. They do not -wish to be told of their ignorance, mistakes and sins, and are angry -when it is done. They do not hunger and thirst to find the lowly way of -righteousness, but rather the way of riches, honor, and power.</p> - -<p>They do not seek to become true "happiness makers" as taught by the -words and example of the <!-- Page 175 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span>Master, taking a humble place, going about -and doing good, and working for others more than for self. Instead of -this they work and plan for self, first, and then for those belonging -to self, and care little for the world that the Master came to save. -They seek to be at the top and to have all below look up to them.</p> - -<p>Now the family state is instituted to educate our race to the Christian -character,—to train the young to be followers of Christ. Woman is its -chief minister, and the work to be done is the most difficult of all, -requiring not only intellectual power but a moral training nowhere else -so attainable as in the humble, laborious, daily duties of the family -state.</p> - -<p>Woman's great mission is to train immature, weak, and ignorant -creatures, to obey the laws of God; the physical, the intellectual, the -social, and the moral—first in the family, then in the school, then -in the neighborhood, then in the nation, then in the world—that great -family of God whom the Master came to teach and to save. And His most -comprehensive rule is, "Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy -heart," and "this is the love of God <!-- Page 176 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span>that ye keep His commandments." -And next, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." These two the -Master teaches are the chief end of man and includes all taught by -Moses and the prophets. This then is woman's work, to train the young -in the family and the school <em>to obey God's laws</em> as learned partly -by experience, partly by human teaching and example, and partly by -revelations from God.</p> - -<p>But the most solemn duty of the Christian woman is the <em>motives</em> she -is to employ in training to this obedience. The motives used by the -worldly educator are the gain or loss of earthly pleasures, honors, and -comforts. But the truly Christian woman feels and presents as the grand -motive, the dangers of the future life from which our Lord came to save -us, and these so dreadful that all we most value in this life are to be -made secondary and subordinate, while the chief concern is, not mainly -to save self, but rather to save ourselves by laboring to save others -from ignorance of God's laws and to secure the obedience indispensable -to future eternal safety.</p> - -<p>And this is to be done at a period when this great motive of Christ's -religion is more and more passing <!-- Page 177 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span>out of regard, even in the Christian -church. So much is this the case, that the world has good reason to -say that while most creeds and preachers teach it in words, few really -believe it. For "it is actions that speak louder than words," as to -what is believed.</p> - -<p>For example, if a company of amiable persons were told that a shipwreck -was close at hand and help needed to save the struggling passengers, -and yet, after a few enquiries, all went on as before, it would justly -be said that these persons do not believe in the messenger and his -message. But suppose another company, on hearing the news, rush out -amid the darkness and danger, to help; this would prove their <em>faith</em> -in the messenger and his story.</p> - -<p>Now no earthly danger can compare with those revealed by our Lord as -threatening every child born into this life; and He also teaches that -<em>the number saved depends on the self-denying labors of His followers</em>. -With small exceptions, all the Christian churches profess to believe -this, and that the first concern of Christian life is to <em>save as many -as <!-- Page 178 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span>possible</em>. And yet where is the <em>practical</em> evidence that this is -believed?</p> - -<p>If these teachings of Christ were fully and practically believed, would -it not so divide the church from the world that there could be no -mistake as to who are Christians and who are not? And is there any such -marked divisions in most of our churches?</p> - -<p>It may be urged that this doctrine has been set forth with such hideous -detail and additions entirely unwarranted by the Bible and so abhorrent -to the best feelings of humanity, that the more men become humane and -Christ-like the more they revolt from it.<a name="FNanchor_178:A_4" id="FNanchor_178:A_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_178:A_4" class="fnanchor">[178:A]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> -<p class="noindent"><a name="Footnote_178:A_4" id="Footnote_178:A_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_178:A_4"><span class="label">[178:A]</span></a> <a href="#Note_C">Note C.</a></p> -</div> - -<p>Yet if this be so, the fact remains that Jesus Christ, the only -reliable messenger from the invisible world, has in the strongest -language both literal and figurative, set forth these dangers and -enjoined on his followers as their <em>first</em> concern, to save as many as -possible, by training them to a knowledge of God's laws and to habitual -obedience to them. And is there not a want of <em>belief</em> in this—that -is, a want <!-- Page 179 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span>that <em>practical faith</em> in Christ and his message, which it -is the great and chief mission of woman to secure by her ministry in -the family and school? She it is who daily is to train all under her -care to become <em>righteous</em>, that is, to <em>feel and act right</em> according -to the rules of right revealed by Jesus Christ. She is to teach that -"repentance" which consists in such sorrow for wrong doing as involves -turning from it, and such love as secures obedience to the Lord and -Savior.</p> - -<p>Now the Christian woman in the family and in the school is the most -complete autocrat that is known, as the care of the helpless little -ones, the guidance of their intellect, and the formation of all their -habits, are given to her supreme control. Scarcely less is she mistress -and autocrat over a husband, whose character, comfort, peace, and -prosperity, are all in her power. In this responsible position is she -to teach, by word and example, as did Jesus Christ? Is she to set an -example to children and servants not only of that of a ruler, but also -of obedience as a subordinate? In the civil state her sons will be -subjects to rulers who are weak and wicked, just as she may be subject -to a <!-- Page 180 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span>husband and father every way her inferior in ability and moral -worth. Shall she teach her children and servants by her own example -to be humble, obedient, meek, patient, forgiving, gentle, and loving, -even to the evil and unthankful, or shall she form rebellious parties -and carry her points by contest and discord? God has given man the -physical power, the power of the purse, and the civil power, and woman -must submit with Christian equanimity or contend. What is the answer of -common sense, and what are the teachings of Christ and His Apostles?</p> - -<p>Let every woman who is musing on these questions, take a reference -Bible and examine all the New Testament directions on the duties of the -family state, and she will have no difficulty in deciding what was the -view of Christ and His Apostles as to woman's position and duties. She -is a <em>subordinate</em> in the family state, just as her father, husband, -brother, and sons are subordinates in the civil state. And the same -rules that are to guide them are to guide her. She and they are to be -obedient to "the higher powers"—those that can force obedience—except -when their demands are contrary to the higher <!-- Page 181 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span>law of God, and in -such a conflict they are "to obey God rather than man," and take the -consequences whatever they may be. And a woman has no more difficulty -in deciding when to obey God rather than man in the family state -than her husband, father, and sons have, in the civil state. And -obedience in the family to "the higher power" held by man, is no more a -humiliation than is man's obedience to a civil ruler.</p> - -<p>If this be so, then the doctrine of woman's subjugation is established -and the opposing doctrine of Stuart Mills and his followers is -in direct opposition to the teachings both of common sense and -Christianity.</p> - -<p>There is a moral power given to woman in the family state much more -controlling and abiding than the inferior, physical power conferred -on man. And the more men are trained to refinement, honor, and -benevolence, the more this moral power of woman is increased. This -is painfully illustrated in cases where an amiable and Christian man -is bound for life to an unreasonable, selfish, and obstinate woman. -With such a woman reasoning is useless, and physical <!-- Page 182 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span>force alone can -conquer, and this such a man cannot employ. The only alternatives are -ceaseless conflicts, at the sacrifice of conscience and self-respect, -or hopeless submission to a daily and grinding tyranny.</p> - -<p>The general principles to guide both men and women as to the duties of -those in a subordinate station, have been made clear by discussions -relating to civil government. But the corresponding duties of those -invested with power and authority have not been so clearly set -forth, especially those of the family state. While the duties of -subordination, subjection, and obedience, have been abundantly enforced -on woman, the corresponding duties of man as head and ruler of the -family state have not received equal attention either from the pulpit -or the press. And this is not because they are not as difficult, as -important and as clearly taught by the Master and the Apostles of -Christianity.</p> - -<p>St. Paul, who, while he dwelt in retirement in Arabia, received the -direct instructions of Jesus Christ, claims to have full authority from -the Master to instruct on this important and fundamental topic, and <!-- Page 183 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span>in -his Epistle to the Ephesians we have his express and full teachings. -In this most interesting passage we find that the family state is the -emblem to represent Jesus Christ and the Church—the Church "which is -the great company of faithful people" in all ages and all lands—those -who are appointed to guide and save the world—the true educators of our -race, who, by self-denying labors are to train men for Heaven. Of this -body the Apostles teaches that Jesus Christ is the head—those whom He -has redeemed by His labor and sacrifice, and who are to train as His -children all whom they can rescue from ignorance and sin, by similar -labor and sacrifice.</p> - -<p>It is in this connection that he sets forth the duties of the family -state, Ephesians v: 22 to 33, "Wives submit yourselves unto your own -husbands <em>as unto the Lord</em>. For the husband is head of the wife, even -as Christ is head of the Church: Therefore, as the Church is subject to -Christ so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything."</p> - -<p>"Husbands love your wives even as Christ also loved the Church and -gave Himself for it, that He <!-- Page 184 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span>might sanctify and cleanse it with the -washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself, a -glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that -it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives -as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man -ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it even as -the Lord the Church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and -of His bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother -and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh."</p> - -<p>No wonder these directions close with "this is a great mystery"; for -the most advanced followers of Christ have but just begun to understand -the solemn relations and duties of the family state—man the head, -protector, and provider—woman the chief educator of immortal minds—man -to labor and suffer to train and elevate woman for her high calling, -woman to set an example of meekness, gentleness, obedience, and -self-denying love, as she guides her children and servants heavenward.</p> - -<p>It is this comprehensive view of the family state <!-- Page 185 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span>as organized to -train immortal minds for the eternal world that indicates the reason -for the stringency of the teachings of our Lord as to the indissoluble -union of man and wife in marriage.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>"And he said unto them, Moses, <em>because of the hardness of your -hearts</em>, suffered you to put away your wives; but from the -beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, whosoever shall -put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall -marry another committeth adultery; and whosoever marrieth her -that is put away doth commit adultery."</p> - -<p>"Have ye not read that He which made them at the beginning -made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a -man leave father and mother and shall cleave to his wife, and -they twain shall be one flesh. What therefore God hath joined -together let not man put asunder."</p> -</div> - -<p>This then is "the higher law" which abrogates all contrary human -statutes and forbids to marry more than once, except when death or -adultery breaks the bond. This statute brings all the advocates of -free divorce in direct antagonism with the teachings of Jesus Christ. -And it is a striking fact that the great body of those who advocate -free divorce and free love, deny the authority of Jesus Christ as the -authorized teacher of faith and morals.</p> - -<p><!-- Page 186 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p><p>In the discussions as to woman's rights and wrongs, it is assumed on -one side that she is not to take a subordinate position either in the -family or the State. And the apparent plausibility of the claim is -owing to a want of logical clearness in the use of words. When it is -said that "all men are created free and equal and equally entitled to -life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," and that women as much as -men are included, it is true in one use of terms and false in another. -It is true in this sense, that woman's happiness and usefulness are -equal in value to man's, and ought to be so treated. But it is not true -that women are and should be treated as the equals of men in <em>every</em> -respect. They certainly are not his equals in physical power, which is -the final resort in <em>government</em> of both the family and the State. And -it is owing to this fact that she is placed as a subordinate both in -the family and the State. At the same time it is required of man who -is holding "the higher powers" so to administer that woman shall have -equal advantages with man for usefulness and happiness.</p> - -<p>Hitherto the laws relating to women in the civil <!-- Page 187 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span>state have been -formed on the assumption that society is a combination of families, in -each of which the husband and father is the representative head, and -the one who, it is supposed, will secure all that is just and proper -for the protection and well being of wife and daughters. And if the -teachings of Christianity were dominant, and every man loved his wife -as himself, and was ready to sacrifice himself and suffer for her -elevation and improvement, even as Christ suffered to redeem and purify -the Church, there would be no trouble.</p> - -<p>But both men and women have been selfish and sinful, neither party -having attained the high ideal of Christianity, and very many have not -even understood it so as to aim at it. But it is woman's mission as the -educator of the race to remedy the evil, not by giving up the ideal but -by striving more and more to conform herself and all under her care -to its blessed outlines. And in past times those families have been -the most peaceful and prosperous where the wife and mother has most -faithfully aimed to obey the teachings of Christ and His Apostles, in -this as in every other direction.</p> - -<p><!-- Page 188 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span></p><p>The principle of subordination is the great bond of union and harmony -through the universe. At the head is the loving Father and Lord whom -all are to obey with perfect faith and submission. Then revelations -teaches that in the invisible world are superior and subordinate ranks, -each owing obedience to superiors in station and described as "thrones, -dominions, principalities, and powers." Again, in this world are also -superiors and subordinates, not only in the family state but in all -kinds of business where heads of establishments and master workmen -demand implicit faith and obedience.</p> - -<p>This being so, one of the most important responsibilities of a woman -in the family state is to train the young in this duty, not only by -precept but also by example. And a woman who clearly understands the -importance of this, will pride herself on her implicit obedience to -the official head of the family state, as much so as the citizen or -soldier does to his superior officer, or the subordinate operator to -his master-workman.</p> - -<p>But at the same time, such a woman will demand and expect a return for -this submission, that the <!-- Page 189 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span>husband and father fulfil his corresponding -and more difficult duties; to love his wife as himself; to honor -her as <em>physically</em> the weaker vessel needing more tender care and -less exposure and labor; to suffer for her in order to increase her -improvement, usefulness, and happiness, even as the Lord suffered to -elevate and purify his followers.</p> - -<p>The duty of subordination, though so fundamental and important, is one -to which all minds are naturally averse. For every mind seeks to follow -its own judgment and wishes rather than those of another. Especially -is this the case with persons of great sensibilities and strong will. -It is owing to this that so many women of this class are followers of -Stuart Mills' doctrine that a wife is not a subordinate in the family -state. And it is for want of clear instruction on this subject from the -pulpit and the press that this doctrine spreads so fast and so widely.</p> - -<p>The agitation at the present time in regard to woman's right and -wrongs is greatly owing to the fact that, from various causes, large -multitudes of women are without the love and protection secured by -marriage. And yet the laws and customs of <!-- Page 190 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span>society are framed on the -general rule that every man is to be head of a family and every woman -a wife. But war, emigration, vicious indulgencies, and many other -causes have rendered marriage impossible to multitudes of women; -counting by tens of thousands in the older States, and by hundreds -of thousands in our nation. A large portion of these women must earn -their own independence, while those who are provided with a support -are embarrassed by false customs or unjust laws. In regard to the -multitudes of women who flock to our cities and to such direful -temptations it is often said, why "do they not become servants in -families?" Let any woman who has a young daughter ponder this question -as one that may reach her own family. Does not almost every woman feel, -more or less, the bondage of <em>caste</em> and shrink from taking the <em>lowest -place</em> even though the Lord of Glory set the example?</p> - -<p>And is it not the chief attraction toward our pitying Saviour that He -loves and tenderly cares for the weak, the wandering and the lost? -And are we not walking in His steps when we try to help the weak and -foolish who will not take care of themselves?</p> - -<p><!-- Page 191 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span></p><p>That there is an emergency which demands changes in our customs and -laws, all well informed and benevolent persons will concede. But the -main question is, what should be the nature of these changes and how -shall they be secured?</p> - -<p>There are certain customs of society which are based on the assumption -that all women are to marry and be supported by husbands, and that -all men are to provide for the support of a family. It is on this -assumption that, in cases where men and women do the same work and do -it equally well, men receive much larger wages than women.</p> - -<p>But as emigration, war, and the vices of unrestrained civilization have -interfered with this normal condition of society, the laws and customs -should be modified to meet the emergency. For there are many wrongs, -both to married and unmarried women, consequent on the present false -and unchristian state of things.</p> - -<p>As one example of injustice, it is granted by all who superintend -public schools, that women are as good and often better teachers -than men, and yet they are unjustly denied equal compensation. In -<!-- Page 192 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span>many other directions the same unjust custom prevails. Still more -unjust is the custom which gives superior advantages to men for -the scientific and practical training for a profession by which an -honorable independence may be secured and almost none at all are -provided for women. So also in the distribution of public offices of -trust and emolument which secure an income from the civil state, there -are several in which woman can perform the duties as well or better -then men, especially in the care of schools, hospitals, jails, and all -public institutions of benevolence.</p> - -<p>Almost all persons of intelligence will concede that justice and -mercy call for changes and improvement in these particulars. The main -question is, what is the best method for securing such improvement?</p> - -<p>The party of men and women who are demanding woman suffrage claim -that this is the only sure and effective remedy for these and all -other wrongs that oppress women both in the family and in the civil -state. The party is organized and led by intelligent, energetic, and -benevolent women; they have <!-- Page 193 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span>well-conducted periodicals to urge their -views and to excite sympathy by details of the various ways in which -women suffer from unjust customs and laws; and they are sustained -by the approval and co-operation of many gentlemen of talents and -benevolence.</p> - -<p>But the great majority of intelligent and benevolent men and women -are opposed to this measure, first, on account of the probable evils -involved and next because the good aimed at may be secured by a safer, -more speedy, and more appropriate method.</p> - -<p>In enumerating the evils that would result from introducing woman -to the responsibilities and excitements of political life, the most -prominent is her increased withdrawal from the more humble, but -more important offices of the family state. At the present time, -the services of the seamstress and the mantua-maker are imperfectly -supplied, and when obtained it is often from those who are poorly -trained. An economical, trustworthy, and competent cook, is a treasure -growing more and more rare, which often the highest wages cannot -procure. A kind, intelligent, and affectionate woman, to aid a mother -in the cares of the nursery, is still more rare.</p> - -<p><!-- Page 194 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span></p><p>If the good mothers and grandmothers, who have trained their own -offspring, would take pity on the young mothers all over the land -who are suffering for want of just such sympathy and help as only -such women can bestow, they would soon find, especially in the poorer -classes, a field of usefulness far more in keeping with the tender -spirit of Christian love and humility than any offices that political -action would provide.</p> - -<p>Again, the demand for well trained governesses and family teachers is -unsupplied, while multitudes of children all over the nation have no -teachers and no schools of any kind. To open avenues to political place -and power for all classes of women would cause these humble labors of -the family and school to be still more undervalued and shunned.</p> - -<p>Another evil to be apprehended from introducing women into political -life is increasing the temptations to draw them from the humble, -self-sacrificing Christian labor among the ignorant and neglected, -which now is so imperfectly supplied. To be a member of the -Legislature, a member of Congress, a Judge, a Governor, or a President, -are temptations <!-- Page 195 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span>heretofore unknown to women. Who shall say what -would be the result should every woman of <em>every class in society</em> be -stimulated by such temptations?</p> - -<p>Another danger to be feared, is the introducing into political strifes -the distinctive power of sex, an element as yet untried in our form of -government. In some short experiments that have been made we have seen -how pure and intelligent women can be deceived and misled by the baser -sort, their very innocence and inexperience making them credulous and -the helpless tools of the guilty and bold.</p> - -<p>Another danger from universal woman suffrage would result from -the course that would be taken by many of the most virtuous and -intelligent women. Of those who would regard this measure as an act -of injustice and oppression, forcing duties on their sex unsuited to -their character and circumstances, many would refuse to assume any -such responsibilities. Thus a large number of the most intelligent and -conscientious women would be withdrawn from the polls, increasing the -relative proportion of the ignorant and incompetent voters, a class -that already <!-- Page 196 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span>bring doubt on the success of republican institutions. -On the other hand, another portion would be forced to the polls by -conscientious motives, and there meet the lowest and vilest of their -sex as those who are to appoint their rulers and decide their laws. How -would it be possible for such women to honor the rulers and respect the -laws instituted by such agencies?</p> - -<p>The final objection to universal woman suffrage is that there is -another safer, surer, and more speedy method at command which would -secure all the benefits aimed at without any of these dangers.</p> - -<p>This method is based on the general principle that in seeking either -favors or rights it is a wise policy to assume the good character and -good intentions of those who have the power to give or withhold. The -law-making power is now in the hands of men, and the advocates of women -suffrage practically are saying, "you men are so selfish and unjust -that you cannot be trusted with the interests of your wives, daughters, -and sisters; therefore give them the law-making power that they may -take care of themselves."</p> - -<p><!-- Page 197 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span></p><p>As a mere matter of policy, to say nothing of justice, how much wiser -it would be to assume that men are ready and willing to change unjust -laws and customs whenever the better way is made clear and then to ask -to have all evils that laws can remedy removed. Whenever this course -has been practiced it has always been successful and therefore should -first be tried. For any men who would give up the law-making power to -women in order to remedy existing evils, would surely be those most -ready to enact the needful laws themselves.</p> - -<p>The woman suffrage party is so extensively organized, with such -energetic and persistent leaders and such ably conducted papers and -tracts, that those of our sex who are opposed to this measure begin -to feel disturbed and anxious lest it should finally be consummated. -Instead of meeting this danger by ridicule and obloquy I would suggest -that practical methods be instituted in which conservative men and -women can unite, and which the most radical will approve and aid.</p> - -<p>There are many ways in which great influence can be exerted without any -regular organization or <!-- Page 198 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span>establishing newspapers or circulating tracts -as is now so vigorously carried on by those favoring woman suffrage. -One method might be enlisting editors of newspapers and magazines -to promote the circulation of this little volume and also to insert -extracts of some of the most effective portions in their columns. -Another might be to present this work to the clergymen and seek their -influence and counsel in promoting its aims.<a name="FNanchor_198:A_5" id="FNanchor_198:A_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_198:A_5" class="fnanchor">[198:A]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> -<p class="noindent"><a name="Footnote_198:A_5" id="Footnote_198:A_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_198:A_5"><span class="label">[198:A]</span></a> A small periodical, published in Baltimore, Md., -entitled the <cite>True Woman</cite>, ably edited by Mrs. Charlotte E. McKay, is -valuable as a cheap and excellent tract with the same aim.</p> -</div> - -<p>Still another might be, efforts to promote the establishment of such a -University for Women as the one here indicated, commencing with seeking -endowments for the Health and Domestic departments in connection with -some flourishing literary institution, for the purpose of restoring -women teachers to health, and also for training pupils to become -health-keepers in families, schools, and communities.</p> - -<p>The importance of this last measure will appear in the following -extract from a public address of a regularly educated American -physician:</p> - -<p><!-- Page 199 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p><div class="blockquot"><p>It is much to be deplored that we have no chair devoted to -<em>Hygiene</em> in any of our medical colleges. During four courses -of Lectures, that I attended, one of them in Paris, I never -heard a single lecture upon the Laws of Health; and when on one -occasion I asked one of our Professors if he would not devote -one or more of his course to this subject, he replied, that he -ought to, but feared he would not find time; and then jokingly -remarked, that we would find it more to our interests to learn -how to cure people than to keep them well; that we would get -gratitude and money for healing the sick, but neither the one -nor the other for preserving the health of the people, however -well we might do it.</p> - -<p>I have since found that there was more truth in the remark then -I was then willing to admit. Still, I cannot help thinking -that we should have such Lectures in every medical school, -if for no other purpose but to enable its graduates to heal -the sick—confident that more can be gained in this way by -a thorough knowledge of Hygiene, than by any other means -whatever. No drug or medicine is as powerful for good in -disease as a wise advantage of Nature's laws.</p> - -<p>We spent in one Session over three weeks in the study of -Mercury, its different preparations, effects, etc.; not -one hour in learning the value of Light, Air, Sleep, Food, -and Clothing. The result was we know much about Calomel, -and literally nothing about the Laws of Health; so we sat, -something over four hundred students, for five or six hours -<!-- Page 200 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span>daily, in a room—an amphitheatre—the seats extending from -the floor to the ceiling—so small, that another hundred -could not possibly be packed into it—and not a window opened -all winter—no ventilation whatever—a regular "black hole of -Calcutta"—the air heavy, foul, offensive with bad breaths—the -odors of tobacco, liquor, onions—poisonous in the extreme—not a -fresh cheek among the four hundred. Many of the students drank; -most of them used tobacco, coffee, sausages, pork, in short -lived like barbarians. A large proportion of them were ill -all the time, and some died before the session closed, others -soon after, and many since. The professors themselves were -often ailing—not very healthy men. If any of my readers will -step into any of the medical lectures in any of the colleges -of this city, some winter afternoon, he will be able to verify -the truth of this description. Their presiding genius seems to -have no respect for fresh air, sunlight—in short for the laws -of health. How then shall these schools inspire respect for -these laws in others? How can they teach them when they know so -little of them?</p></div> - -<p>Dr. Willard Parker, of New York, in a recent public address also has -lamented the fact that a Woman's Medical College should be the first -one sustaining a Chair for instructing in Hygiene, as if it were a -conceded fact that it is not the business of physicians to <em>prevent</em> -disease in a community, but only to cure their patients with medicines.</p> - -<p><!-- Page 201 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span>Is it not a proper time and measure for the women of our country to -ask for benefactions, both private and legislative, to secure equal -advantage for their professional duty as <em>health-keepers</em>, such as have -so long and so liberally been bestowed on men to train them for their -professions?</p> - -<p>Believing that such a measure would meet wide approval, the following -form of petition is drawn up, which might be used in every State:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="hang"><i>To the honorable members of the Senate and House of -Representatives of the State of ——</i>:</p> - -<p>We the undersigned, ladies of the State of —— and gentlemen -citizens of the same, respectfully petition that an -appropriation be made to endow one department of a <em>Woman's -University</em> under charge of the Trustees of —— Seminary; -the object of which shall be to train school-teachers and -house-keepers in all that relates to health in schools and -families, and that this endowment be made equal to what has -been or may be given to endow Scientific Schools for young men; -and also that this be given on condition that the citizens -of the place give an equal sum to promote the scientific and -practical training of women for their distinctive professions.</p> -</div> - -<p>It is believed that there is not a single state in the Union where such -a petition signed by a large <!-- Page 202 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span>portion of the intelligent women of the -state, would fail. The difficulty is not that the fathers, husbands, -and brothers are not ready to bestow all that such women would unite -in asking, but rather that women do not so feel the importance of such -measures as to unite in such a petition.</p> - -<p>It appears in the preceding pages that the daughters of the more -wealthy classes who are educated in boarding schools and most academies -and female colleges cannot enjoy advantages equal to what are given -gratuitously in our best public High Schools to the children of the -poor. Instead of following in the rear of public schools, those who -have wealth should aim to elevate the public schools by the example of -institutions of the highest order for their own daughters. And they -also would be doubly blest if they would set an example that should -both dignify labor and protect their daughters from helpless poverty -should reverses come, by having them <em>trained to some profession</em> by -which they could earn an honorable independence.</p> - -<p>When the precepts and example of Jesus Christ fully interpermeate -society, to labor with the hands will be regarded not only as a duty -but a privilege.</p> - - -<p class="sectctr"><!-- Page 203 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> -TO THE FORMER PUPILS AND PERSONAL FRIENDS OF THE WRITER.</p> - -<p>If this enterprise succeeds in Connecticut its example will be followed -in other States, and this volume is sent to many former pupils and -personal friends that they may co-operate in the several ways suggested.</p> - -<p>As the writer in former times has received such aid and co-operation, -with funds also to employ at her discretion, and for several years -has had no official organs to report results, it is proper to state -that her personal expenditures for many years have been in a style of -economy which she has seen practised to such a degree nowhere else, and -that <em>all</em> her income not thus employed has been devoted to plans from -aiding her own sex to prepare for and perform their sacred ministry.</p> - -<p>The question as to <em>how much</em> of our income it is <em>our duty</em> to give -for the cause for which our Lord came and suffered is a difficult -one to settle. But He instructed the rich young man, "Sell all that -thou hast and give to the poor and come and follow <!-- Page 204 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span>us," and he also -approved the poor widow who gave her last mite to the service of God.</p> - -<p>In following out the spirit of these teachings, even in this life, to -the writer has been fulfilled His gracious promise, "Give and it shall -be given, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over." -And the added rewards will increase through eternal ages, as immortal -spirits, rescued from ignorance and sin, will carry forward the same -noble work of training immortal minds to virtue and happiness.</p> - -<p>Those who spend their money and time for earthly enjoyments that perish -in the using "have their reward" in the short lived pleasures. Those -who most literally follow the Divine Master lay up treasures that fail -not, but draw interest through everlasting ages. This is written for -the comfort and encouragement of those who by the writer were trained -to "seek <em>first</em> the kingdom of God and His righteousness."</p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="newchapter" /> -<p><!-- Page 205 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span></p> -<h2 title="Note A"></h2> -<p><a name="Note_A" id="Note_A"></a><span class="smcap">Note A.</span> Mrs. Livermore, in her address which followed this, -expressed the wish that I had noticed more directly the main point, (i. -e.) woman's natural, as well as constitutional right to the ballot. -This I will briefly attempt here.</p> -</div> - -<p>It will be conceded by all, that neither man nor woman has any right -to anything which is contrary to the <em>best</em> good of society. The -question then is, does the best good of society demand a <em>division of -responsibilities</em>, so that man shall take those out of the family, and -woman those in it? In other words, shall man take the responsibilities -of nursery and kitchen in addition to his outside business, and shall -women take charge of government, war, and the work men must do in -addition to her home duties? Past laws and customs demand the division, -and it is probable that it will be retained.</p> - -<p>As to the constitution of the United States, and the 14th and 15th -amendments, the question all turns on the use of the terms <em>citizen</em> -and <em>people</em>. Both these words, (as the dictionaries show,) have two -uses, a wide, and a limited. In the widest sense they include men, -women, and children. In the limited sense they include only a portion -of society with certain qualifications which the <em>best</em> good of society -requires. It is not probable that any court will ever decide that the -framers of the constitution, or of the two amendments, used these terms -in the widest sense, thus including not only women, but children.</p> - -<p>If the best good of society requires women to be law-makers, judges -and juries, she has a right to these offices; if it does not, she has -no right to them. As to taxation, it is probable that the best good -of society <em>does</em> require that <em>women holding property</em> shall have -the ballot, for this would increase the proportion of responsible and -intelligent voters, and not add a mass of irresponsible and ignorant -ones, as would universal woman suffrage.</p> - -<p>It is owing to this that in Europe the statesmen are aiming to give -suffrage, not to <em>all</em> women as demanded here, but only to those -who hold property and pay taxes; for this, in reality, is a method -<!-- Page 206 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span>of increasing the proportion of intelligent voters. And if this -measure were adopted here it probably would add to the safety of our -institutions.</p> - -<p>It is worthy of notice that a large portion of those who demand woman -suffrage are persons who have not been trained to reason, and are -chiefly guided by their generous sensibilities. Such do not seem to be -aware that all <em>reasoning</em> consists in the presentation of evidence -to prove that a given proposition is included in a more general one -already believed and granted, and also that in this process there must -be definitions of the sense in which terms are used that have several -meanings.</p> - -<p>Instead of this, they write and talk as if <em>reasoning</em> were <em>any kind</em> -of writing or talking which tends to convince people that some doctrine -or measure is true and right. And so they deal abundantly in exciting -narratives and rhetorical declamations, and employ words in all manner -of deceptive senses.</p> - -<p>For example, when Mrs. Livermore pleads that women should have equal -rights with men before law, everybody grants it in <em>some</em> sense. But -the question is in what sense is she to be made equal? All will allow -that law should be so framed that woman's highest usefulness and -happiness shall be treated as equal in value to that of man's. But this -is not relevant to the question whether laws be framed by fathers, -husbands, and brothers, or by women. Most women believe that it is for -their best good that the responsibility of making and enforcing laws be -taken by men and not by women.</p> - -<p>But however clearly these distinctions are urged, Mrs. Livermore and -her party will keep on saying that women should be made equal with men -before the law, without stating in what sense they used these terms. So -also they will insist that all "citizens" and all the "people" have a -right to vote, without stating what they mean by "a right," or in which -sense they use the words "people" and "citizens."</p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="newchapter" /> -<p><!-- Page 207 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span></p> -<h2 title="Note B"></h2><a name="Note_B" id="Note_B"></a> -<p><span class="smcap">Note B.</span> The author of this volume is preparing a new edition -of her works on Domestic Science and Economy with many improvements. -Its name is to be <cite>The Housekeeper and Healthkeeper</cite>, and it is -designed for a complete Encyclopædia of Domestic Science and Practice. -It will be published this winter by the Harpers.</p> -</div> - -<p>It will offer these new and peculiar features:</p> - -<p>1. The recipes for food and drink will be in two portions. The first -portion will embrace a <em>very</em> large collection of simple and economical -dishes, which, according to <em>all</em> medical and physiological rules, are -<em>perfectly healthful</em>. The second portion will be a collection of more -elaborate and expensive articles, which, according to <em>all</em> rules, -are of at least doubtful character as to healthfulness. Thus, every -housekeeper will have safe and intelligent guidance in her selections.</p> - -<p>2. There will be <em>exact directions</em> as to <em>flavors and seasonings</em>, -such as in most receipt-books are to be "according to the taste," thus -leaving young housekeepers to the mercies of untrained cooks.</p> - -<p>3. It will contain exact directions for preserving and restoring health -by the <em>scientific</em> use of the <em>natural agencies</em> of water, heat, cold, -light, diet, exercise, and pure air, and such only as will be approved -by scientific men of <em>all</em> medical schools.</p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="newchapter" /> -<h2 title="Note C"></h2><a name="Note_C" id="Note_C"></a> -<p><span class="smcap">Note C.</span> All the creeds of the large Christian denominations -agree in the following, viz.: that God created angels and our first -parents with a "holy nature," and also created such a constitution -of things, that by a single sin they changed their holy nature to -a "depraved nature" and also transmitted to all their posterity -not the holy nature but the depraved one. In consequence of this -constitution of things made by God, all our race, except those who are -"regenerated," go to everlasting misery in Hell.</p> -</div> - -<p>As intelligence and Christian feeling have increased, multitudes -educated in these views deny the doctrine of future punishments and -hold that the righteous and the wicked all go to Heaven at death.</p> - -<p><!-- Page 208 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span></p><p>Others hold that God creates all infant minds perfect as to <em>nature</em>, -being "in his image," yet imperfect in development, and that holy -<em>character</em> and action can be secured only by training, knowledge and -self-control; that "the deeds done in the body" influence character -and happiness through an eternal existence; that <em>some</em> form such a -character in this life as secures eternal happiness and that <em>some</em>, by -voluntary resistance to the highest possible good influences, form a -changeless character of selfishness and consequent misery, so that it -were "better never to have been born"; that with others the training to -virtue goes on during the intermediate state, in Hades where Christ, at -his death, went and preached to those that lived before the flood; (see -I Peter, 3: 18, 19, 20,) that the day of judgment is the time when the -final separation of the righteous and the wicked will take place; that -the punishment of the wicked is only the natural result of perpetuated -selfishness in a world from which all the good are removed; and that -this separation will not take place until God and all good beings have -done all in their power to rescue as many as possible from selfishness -and sin.</p> - -<p>There are many modifications of these general views in various -denominations; but all except a small number agree that Christ teaches -that there are awful dangers in the life to come; and that it should -be the chief aim of every parent and educator to train all within the -reach of their influence so to live and act in view of these dangers as -to follow Him in self-denying labors to save as many as possible.</p> - -<p>It will be found that in all ages the <em>fear</em> of dangers in the life to -come has been the basis of the most earnest labor and self sacrifice -to save men from ignorance and sin. "The <em>fear</em> of the Lord is the -<em>beginning</em> of wisdom," and those who throw aside this principle loose -the most powerful motive in training to safety both for this and the -future life. And there are modes of presenting this doctrine so as not -to implicate the justice and mercy of our Heavenly Father as <!-- Page 209 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span>do some -representations from which humanity more and more revolts.</p> - -<p>The fact that sin and suffering exist in a universe created by a -perfectly benevolent, wise, and almighty Being, is proof that "almighty -power" is not the power to work contradictions, and therefore <em>in -this respect</em> is limited. In the words of my venerated father, "God -cannot govern the stars by the ten commandments, nor free agents by the -attraction of gravity." This limitation of God's power in governing -free agents, is expressly taught in the Bible. For our only idea of -power is causing anything by <em>willing</em> it, and <em>want</em> of power is -inability to cause a thing by willing it. And God repeatedly declares -that he is not willing that any should perish; and that he did all for -the people of Israel that he could do to make them obedient.</p> - -<p>The parents and teachers who hold that <em>all</em> are to come out good -and happy at last, however negligent or criminal in this life, or -that <em>all</em> have a second probation, never can train the young to the -self-denying labors to save men which Jesus Christ has taught by both -precept and example, to be the duty of his followers. It is very -certain that the whole course of my life would have been changed for -the worse had I believed either that there was little or no danger in -the life to come or that <em>all</em> had a second probation after death.</p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<hr class="newchapter" /> -<h2 title="Note D"></h2><a name="Note_D" id="Note_D"></a> -<p><span class="smcap">Note D.</span> The following chapter is a part of my small work -entitled <cite>Letters to the People on Health and Happiness</cite>, published by -the Harpers, who have loaned the stereotype plates here used.</p> -</div> - -<p>Before reading it, I would ask that my <em>definitions</em> be borne in mind -when I class the degrees of health, and also the fact that when I give -my own observations I am confined to those persons whom I know well -enough to ascertain exactly their state of health, while there <!-- Page 210 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span>may be -others in close vicinity not noticed, whom on enquiry I might find to -be vigorously healthy women.</p> - -<p>Every woman who has any kind of liability to be a mother, or a nurse of -the sick, or to meet other exhausting emergencies of the family state -needs a <em>reserved</em> force of vital strength which many women who seem -to be in perfect health find lacking in such emergencies. This want of -this is one cause of the frequent failure of health after marriage, and -is one result of a transmitted delicate constitution.</p> - -<p>I also ask special attention to the fact that women in the country -of the industrial classes have not the robust health of earlier -generations. In addition to other causes, for this, is the overworking -and anxiety consequent on increased civilization. The fashions and -expenditures of cities stimulate the country, and the mothers strain -every nerve to secure for sons and daughters a style of dress and -furniture in former days unknown. This and the desire to accumulate, -wears out many a wife and mother before half her days are accomplished, -making her a perpetual invalid or sending her to an early grave.</p> - - -<div class="section"> -<p><!-- Page 211 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span></p> -<div class="blockquot"> -<h3>LETTER EIGHTEENTH.<br /> - -<small>STATISTICS OF FEMALE HEALTH.</small></h3> -</div> - -<p>During my extensive tours in all portions of the Free States, -I was brought into most intimate communion, not only with my -widely-diffused circle of relatives, but with very many of my -former pupils who had become wives and mothers. From such, I -learned the secret domestic history both of those I visited -and of many of their intimate friends. And oh! what heartaches -were the result of these years of quiet observation of the -experience of my sex in domestic life. How many young hearts -have revealed the fact, that what they had been trained to -imagine the highest earthly felicity, was but the beginning -of care, disappointment, and sorrow, and often led to the -extremity of mental and physical suffering. Why was it that -I was so often told that "young girls little imagined what -was before them when they entered married life?" Why did I so -often find those united to the most congenial and most devoted -husbands expressing the hope that their daughters would never -marry? For years these were my quiet, painful conjectures.</p> - -<p>But the more I traveled, and the more I resided in health -establishments, the more the conviction was pressed on my -attention that there was a terrible decay of female health -all over the land, and that this evil was bringing with it -an incredible extent of individual, domestic, and social -suffering, that was increasing in a most alarming ratio. At -last, certain developments led me to take decided measures -to obtain some reliable statistics on the subject. During my -travels the last year I have sought all practicable methods of -obtaining information, and finally adopted this course with -most of the married ladies whom I met, either on my journeys or -at the various health establishments at which I stopped.</p> - -<p><!-- Page 212 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span></p><p>I requested each lady first to write the <em>initials</em> of <em>ten</em> -of the married ladies with whom she was best acquainted in her -place of residence. Then she was requested to write at each -name, her impressions as to the health of each lady. In this -way, during the past year, I obtained statistics from about two -hundred different places in almost all the Free States.</p> - -<p>Before giving any of these, I will state some facts to show how -far they are reliable: In the first place, the <em>standard of -health</em> among American women is so low that few have a correct -idea of <em>what a healthy woman is</em>. I have again and again been -told by ladies that they were "perfectly healthy," who yet, on -close inquiry, would allow that they were subject to frequent -attacks of neuralgia, or to periodic nervous headaches, or -to local ailments, to which they had become so accustomed, -that they were counted as "nothing at all." A woman who has -tolerable health finds herself so much above the great mass of -her friends in this respect, that she feels herself a prodigy -of good health.</p> - -<p>In the next place, I have found that women who enjoy universal -health are seldom well informed as to the infirmities of their -friends. Repeatedly I have taken accounts from such persons, -that seemed singularly favorable, when, on more particular -inquiry, it was found that the greater part, who were set -down as perfectly healthy women, were habitual sufferers from -serious ailments. The delicate and infirm go for sympathy, not -to the well and buoyant, but to those who have suffered like -themselves.</p> - -<p>This will account for some very favorable statements, given -by certain ladies, that have not been inserted, because more -accurate information showed their impressions to be false. As -a general fact, it has been found that the more minute the -inquiry, the greater the relative increase of ill health in all -these investigations.</p> - -<p>Again, I have found that ladies were predisposed usually to -give the <em>most favorable</em> view of the case; for all persons -like to feel that they are living in "a healthy place" rather -than the reverse.</p> - -<p>Again, I have found that almost every person in the result -obtained, found that the case was worse than had been -<!-- Page 213 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span>supposed, the proportion of sick or delicate to the strong and -healthy being so small.</p> - -<p>It must be remembered, that in regard to those marked as -"sickly," "delicate," or "feeble," there can be no mistake, the -knowledge being in all cases <em>positive</em>, while those marked as -"well" may have ailments that are not known. For multitudes of -American women, with their strict notions of propriety, and -their patient and energetic spirit, often are performing every -duty entirely silent as to any suffering or infirmities they -may be enduring.</p> - -<p>As to the terms used in these statements, in all cases there -was a previous statement made as to the sense in which they -were to be employed.</p> - -<p>A "perfectly healthy" or "a vigorous and healthy woman" is one -of whom there are <em>specimens</em> remaining in almost every place; -such as used to <em>abound</em> when all worked, and <em>worked in pure -air</em>.</p> - -<p>Such a woman is one who can through the whole day be actively -employed on her feet in all kinds of domestic duties without -injury, and constantly and habitually has a feeling of perfect -health and perfect freedom from pain. Not that she never has a -fit of sickness, or takes a cold that interrupts the feeling of -health, but that these are out of her ordinary experience.</p> - -<p>A woman is marked "well" who usually has good health, but -can not bear exposures, or long and great fatigue, without -consequent illness.</p> - -<p>A woman is marked "delicate" who, though she may be about -and attend to most of her domestic employments, has a frail -constitution that either has been undermined by ill health, or -which easily and frequently yields to fatigue, or exposure, or -excitement.</p> - -<p>In the statements that follow, I shall place first those -which are <em>most reliable</em>, inasmuch as in each case personal -inquiries were made and the specific ailments were noted, to -show that nothing was stated without full knowledge. As a -matter of delicacy, the <em>initials</em> are changed, so that no -individual can thus be identified.</p> - - -<p><!-- Page 214 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span></p> -<h4>MOST RELIABLE STATISTICS.</h4> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="hang"><i>Milwaukee, Wis.</i> Mrs. A. frequent sick headaches. Mrs. B. -very feeble. Mrs. S. well, except chills. Mrs. L. poor health -constantly. Mrs. D. subject to frequent headaches. Mrs. B. very -poor health. Mrs. C. consumption. Mrs. A. pelvic displacements -and weakness. Mrs. H. pelvic disorders and a cough. Mrs. B. -always sick. Do not know one perfectly healthy woman in the -place.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Essex, Vt.</i> Mrs. S. very feeble. Mrs. D. slender and delicate. -Mrs. S. feeble. Mrs. S. not well. Mrs. G. quite feeble. Mrs. C. -quite feeble. Mrs. B. quite feeble. Mrs. S. quite slender. Mrs. -B. quite feeble. Mrs. F. very feeble. Knows but one perfectly -healthy woman in town.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Peru, N. Y.</i> Mrs. C. not healthy. Mrs. H. not healthy. Mrs. -E. healthy. Mrs. B. pretty well. Mrs. K. delicate. Mrs. B. -not strong and healthy. Mrs. S. healthy and vigorous. Mrs. L. -pretty well. Mrs. L. pretty well.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Canton, Penn.</i> Mrs. R. feeble. Mrs. B. bad headaches. Mrs. -D. bad headaches. Mrs. V. feeble. Mrs. S. erysipelas. Mrs. -K. headaches, but tolerably well. Mrs. R. miserably sick and -nervous. Mrs. G. poor health. Mrs. L. invalid. Mrs. C. invalid.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Oberlin, Ohio.</i> Mrs. A. usually well, but subject to -neuralgia. Mrs. D. poor health. Mrs. K. well, but subject to -nervous headaches. Mrs. M. poor health. Mrs. C. not in good -health. Mrs. P. not in good health. Mrs. P. delicate. Mrs. F. -not in good health. Mrs. F. not in good health.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Wilmington, Del.</i> Mrs. ——, scrofula. Mrs. B. in good health. -Mrs. D. delicate. Mrs. H. delicate. Mrs. S. healthy. Mrs. P. -healthy. Mrs. G. delicate. Mrs. O. delicate. Mrs. T. very -delicate. Mrs. S. headaches.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>New Bedford, Mass.</i> Mrs. B. pelvic diseases, and every way out -of order. Mrs. J. W. pelvic disorders. Mrs. W. B. well, except -in one respect. Mrs. C. sickly. Mrs. C. rather delicate. Mrs. -P. not healthy. Mrs. C. unwell at times. Mrs. L. delicate. Mrs. -B. subject to spasms. Mrs. H. very feeble. Can not think of but -one perfectly healthy woman in the place.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Paxton, Vt.</i> Mrs. T. diseased in liver and back. Mrs. H. -stomach and back diseased. Mrs. W. sickly. Mrs. S. very -delicate. Mrs. C. sick headaches, sickly. Mrs. W. bilious -complaints. Mrs. T. very delicate. Mrs. T. liver <!-- Page 215 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span>complaint. -Mrs. C. bilious sometimes, well most of the time. Do not know -a perfectly healthy woman in the place. Many of these are the -wives of wealthy farmers, who <em>overwork</em> when there is no need -of it.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Crown Point, N. Y.</i> Mrs. H. bronchitis. Mrs. K. very delicate. -Mrs. A. very delicate. Mrs. A. diseased in back and stomach. -Mrs. S. consumption. Mrs. A. dropsy. Mrs. M. delicate. Mrs. M. -G. delicate. Mrs. P. delicate. Mrs. C. consumption. Do not know -one perfectly healthy woman in the place.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Batavia, Illinois.</i> Mrs. H. an invalid. Mrs. G. scrofula. -Mrs. W. liver complaint. Mrs. K. pelvic disorders. Mrs. S. -pelvic diseases. Mrs. B. pelvic diseases very badly. Mrs. B. -not healthy. Mrs. T. very feeble. Mrs. G. cancer. Mrs. N. liver -complaint. Do not know one healthy woman in the place.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Oneida, N. Y.</i> Mrs. C. delicate. Mrs. P. scrofula. Mrs. S. not -well. Mrs. L. very delicate and nervous. Mrs. L. invalid. Mrs. -L. tolerably well. Mrs. A. invalid. Mrs. W. broken down. Mrs. -D. feeble. Mrs. W. pale but pretty well.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>North Adams, Mass.</i> Mrs. R. scrofula and liver complaint. Mrs. -R. consumption. Mrs. C. consumption. Mrs. B. liver complaint. -Mrs. B. consumption. Mrs. B. general debility. Mrs. F. -consumption. Mrs. W. paralytic. Mrs. W. confined always to her -bed. Mrs. R. scrofula.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Charlotte, Vt.</i> Mrs. W. spinal complaint. Mrs. D. spinal -complaint. Mrs. N. spinal complaint. Mrs. R. bilious and -paralytic. Mrs. R. pelvic disorders. Mrs. H. heart disease and -dropsy. Mrs. B. dropsical. Mrs. H. pelvic disease and palsy. -Mrs. H. scrofula and consumption. Mrs. S. quite delicate. Knows -but one perfectly healthy woman in the place.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Maria, N. Y.</i> Mrs. H. consumption. Mrs. E. dyspepsia. Mrs. -T. dyspepsia. Mrs. D. consumption. Mrs. P. dyspepsia. Mrs. R. -sickly. Mrs. M. sickly. Mrs. R. delicate. Mrs. S. sickly. Mrs. -R. consumption. Knows not one perfectly healthy woman in the -place.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Vergennes, Vt.</i> Mrs. L. delicate. Mrs. H. consumption. Mrs. -H. consumption. Mrs. C. sickly. Mrs. S. liver complaint. -Mrs. S. asthma. Mrs. S. sickly. Mrs. B. bronchitis. Mrs. S. -consumptive. Mrs. B. delicate. Does not know a perfectly -healthy woman in the place.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Brooklyn, N. Y.</i> Mrs. B. very delicate. Mrs. G. scrofulous. -<!-- Page 216 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span>Mrs. R. pelvic displacements. Mrs. I. nervous headaches. Mrs. -A. pelvic diseases. Mrs. W. heart disease. Mrs. S. organic -disease. Mrs. B. well but delicate. Mrs. L. well but delicate. -Mrs. C. delicate.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Berlin, Conn.</i> Mrs. A. dyspepsia. Mrs. B. quite delicate. Mrs. -C. nervous headaches. Mrs. G. pelvic disorders. Mrs. M. weak -lungs. Mrs. F. not sound. Mrs. C. delicate. Mrs. N. vigorous -and healthy. Mrs. C. well. Mrs. A. delicate.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Whitestown, N. Y.</i> Mrs. A. consumptive. Mrs. P. well but -delicate. Mrs. M. well but delicate. Mrs. S. pelvic disorders. -Mrs. R. dropsy. Mrs. B. pelvic disorders. Mrs. H. sick -headaches. Mrs. K. organic disorder. Mrs. B. well but delicate. -Mrs. T. bronchitis.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Proctorville, Vt.</i> Mrs. B. well. Mrs. H. well. Mrs. S. -pelvic and stomach disorders. Mrs. S. not healthy. Mrs. F. -not healthy. Mrs. B. sickly. Mrs. C. not healthy. Mrs. W. not -healthy. Mrs. A. vigorous and usually well. Knows no other -strong and healthy woman.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Saratoga, N. Y.</i> Mrs. M. pelvic disorders. Mrs. H. pelvic -disorders. Mrs. A. pelvic disorders. Mrs. C. well. Mrs. C. -neuralgia. Mrs. P. well. Mrs. T. consumptive. Mrs. J. tolerably -well. Mrs. B. consumptive. Mrs. B. not well. Knows only one -more well one among her acquaintance.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Saratoga, N. Y.</i> (by another resident). Mrs. T. pelvic -disorder. Mrs. C. pelvic disease. Mrs. H. not well. Mrs. S. -well and strong. Mrs. B. tolerably well. Mrs. M. usually well. -Mrs. O. headaches. Mrs. H. O. well. Mrs. S. delicate. Mrs. P. -not well.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Canandaigua, N. Y.</i> Mrs. A. well. Mrs. B. an invalid. Mrs. C. -delicate. Mrs. H. delicate. Mrs. H. an invalid. Mrs. J. well. -Mrs. P. delicate. Mrs. A. well. Mrs. C. an invalid. Mrs. W. -well.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Livonia, N. Y.</i> Mrs. H. rheumatic. Mrs. R. healthy and -vigorous. Mrs. S. well. Mrs. R. good health. Mrs. P. very poor -health. Mrs. B. well. Mrs. G. an invalid. Mrs. S. delicate. -Mrs. T. poor health. Mrs. ——, pelvic disorders.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Turkhannock, Penn.</i> Mrs. P. delicate and sickly. Mrs. L. -delicate and well. Mrs. R. well and vigorous. Mrs. S. tolerably -well. Mrs. C. well. Mrs. S. healthy. Mrs. T. consumption. Mrs. -M. healthy. Mrs. R. well. Mrs. ——, pelvic disorders.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Bath, N. Y.</i> Mrs. H. an invalid. Mrs. H. rheumatic. Mrs. H. -<!-- Page 217 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span>healthy and vigorous. Mrs. S. vigorous. Mrs. K. delicate. Mrs. -K. very healthy. Mrs. W. broken down. Mrs. W. tolerably well. -Mrs. W. an invalid. Mrs. H. poor health.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Castleton, N. Y.</i> Mrs. S. sickly. Mrs. W. healthy. Mrs. S. -very delicate. Mrs. H. delicate. Mrs. H. delicate. Mrs. B. -delicate. Mrs. W. not healthy. Mrs. H. not healthy. Mrs. D. not -healthy.</p> -</div> - -<p>The following were furnished by ladies who simply arranged the names -of the ten married ladies best known to them in the place of their -residence, in three classes, as marked over the several columns:</p> -</div> - -<table summary="Health of ten female residents of cities by category" border="0"> - <tr> - <th class="bt bb bl">Residence.</th> - <th class="bt bb bl">Strong and<br /> - perfectly<br /> - Healthy.</th> - <th class="bt bb bl">Delicate<br /> - or<br /> - Diseased.</th> - <th class="bt bb bl br">Habitual<br /> - Invalids.</th> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Hudson, Michigan</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">2</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">4</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">4</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Castleton, Vermont</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">Not one.</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">9</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">1</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Bridgeport, Vermont</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">4</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">4</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">2</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Dorset, Vermont</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">Not one.</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">1</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">9</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">South Royalston, Mass.</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">4</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">2</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">4</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Townsend, Vermont</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">4</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">3</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">3</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Greenbush, New York</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">2</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">5</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">3</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Southington, Connecticut</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">3</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">5</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">2</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Newark, New Jersey</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">2</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">3</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">5</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">New York City</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">2</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">4</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">4</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Oneida, New York</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">3</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">2</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">5</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Milwaukee, Wisconsin</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">1</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">3</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">6</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Rochester, New York</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">2</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">6</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">2</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Plainfield, New Jersey</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">2</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">4</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">4</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">New York City</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">3</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">6</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">1</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Lennox, Massachusetts</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">4</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">3</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">3</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Union Vale, New York</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">2</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">5</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">3</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Albany, New York</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">2</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">3</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">5</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Hartford, Conn.</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">1</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">5</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">4</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Cincinnati, Ohio</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">1</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">4</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">5</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Andover, Mass.</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">2</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">5</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">3</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Brunswick, Maine</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">2</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">5</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">3</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb"><!-- Page 218 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span>Southington, Connecticut</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">3</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">5</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">2</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Rochester, New York</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">2</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">6</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">2</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Albany, New York</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">2</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">4</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">4</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Milwaukee, Wisconsin</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">1</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">3</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">6</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Plainfield, New Jersey</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">2</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">4</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">4</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">New York City</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">3</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">6</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">1</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">New York City</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">2</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">4</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">4</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Worcester, Massachusetts</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">1</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">6</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">2</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Newark, New Jersey</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">2</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">3</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">5</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Bonhomme, Missouri</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">3</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">5</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">2</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Painted Post, New York</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">1</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">3</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">6</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Wilkins, New York</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">2</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">3</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">5</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Johnsburg, New York</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">3</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">6</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">1</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Burdett, New York</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">4 </td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">3</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">3</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Horse Heads, New York</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">3</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">2</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">5</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Pompey, New York</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">4</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">4</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">2</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Tioga, Pennsylvania</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">3</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">4</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">3</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Lodi, New York</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">2</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">5</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">3</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Seymour, Connecticut</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">3</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">7</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">0</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Williamsville, New York</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">4</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">2</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">4</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Herkimer, New York</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">3</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">2</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">5</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Hudson, Michigan</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">2</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">4</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">4</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdleft bl bb">Kalamazoo, Michigan</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">3</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb">6</td> - <td class="tdcenter bl bb br">1</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>The following are those not so reliable as the preceding, as the papers -were some of them not clear, and some uncertainty about others for want -of personal inquiry:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="hang"><i>Cattskill, N. Y.</i> Three vigorous, two well, three delicate, -two sickly.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Batavia, N. Y.</i> One vigorous, two well, three delicate, one -sickly.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Ogden, N. Y.</i> Three well, five well but delicate, two sickly.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Utica, N. Y.</i> Nine well but not vigorous, one invalid.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Rhinebeck, N. Y.</i> One vigorous, six well but not vigorous, one -delicate, one invalid.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Cooperstown, N. Y.</i> Two vigorous, five well, two delicate, two -sickly.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Lima, N. Y.</i> Five well, three delicate, two sickly.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Rockaway, N. Y.</i> Two vigorous, five well, one delicate, two -sickly.</p> - -<p class="hang"><!-- Page 219 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> -<i>Brockport, N. Y.</i> Three vigorous, six well, one delicate, one -sickly.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Buffalo, N. Y.</i> Five well, five delicate.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Potsdam, N. Y.</i> Eight tolerably well, two sickly.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Rome, N. Y.</i> Two well, seven tolerably well, one sickly.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Rochester, N. Y.</i> Four well, three delicate, three sickly.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Princeton, N. J.</i> Four well, five well but delicate, three -sickly.</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Muncy, Penn.</i> Two vigorous, six well but delicate, two sickly.</p> -</div> - -<p>The remainder of accounts furnished being less reliable, for want of -opportunities of definite inquiry on my part, and will therefore be -omitted. But they do not essentially differ from these presented.</p> - -<p>I will now add my own personal observation. First, in my own family -connection: I have nine married sisters and sisters-in-law, all of -them either delicate or invalids, except two. I have fourteen married -female cousins, and not one of them but is either delicate, often -ailing, or an invalid. In my wide circle of friends and acquaintance -all over the land out of my family circle, the same impression is -made. In Boston I can not remember but one married female friend who -is perfectly healthy. In Hartford, Conn., I can think of only one. In -New Haven, but one. In Brooklyn, N. Y., but one. In New York city, but -one. In Cincinnati, but one. In Buffalo, Cleveland, Chicago, Milwaukee, -Detroit, those whom I have visited are either delicate or invalids. I -am not able to recall, in my immense circle of friends and acquaintance -all over the Union, so many as <em>ten</em> married ladies born in this -century and country, who are perfectly sound, healthy, and vigorous. -Not that I believe there are not more than this among the friends with -whom I have associated, but among all whom I can bring to mind of whose -health I have any accurate knowledge, I can not find this number of -entirely sound and healthy women.</p> - -<p>Another thing has greatly added to the impression of my own -observations, and that is the manner in which my inquiries have been -met. In a majority of cases, when I have asked for the number of -perfectly healthy women in a given place, the first impulsive answer -has been "not one." In other cases, when the reply has been more -favorable, and I have asked for specifics, the result has always been -such as <!-- Page 220 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span>to diminish the number calculated, rather than to increase it. -With a few exceptions the persons I have asked, who had not directed -their thoughts to the subject, and took a favorable view of it, -have expressed surprise at the painful result obtained in their own -immediate circle.</p> - -<p>But the thing which has pained and surprised me the most is the -result of inquiries among the country-towns and industrial classes -in our country. I had supposed that there would be a great contrast -between the statements gained from persons from such places, and those -furnished from the wealthy circles, and especially from cities. But -such has not been the case. It will be seen that the larger portion of -the accounts inserted in the preceding pages are from country-towns, -while a large portion of the worst accounts were taken from the -industrial classes.</p> - -<p>As another index of the state of health among the industrial classes -may be mentioned these facts: During the past year I made my usual -inquiry of the wife of a Methodist clergyman, who resided in a small -country-town in New York. Her reply was, "There are no healthy women -where I live, and my husband says he would travel a great many miles -for the pleasure of finding one."</p> - -<p>In another case I conversed with a Baptist clergyman and his wife, in -Ohio, and their united testimony gave this result in three places where -his parishioners were chiefly of the industrial class. They selected at -random ten families best known in each place:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="hang"><i>Worcester, Ohio.</i> Women in perfect health, two. In medium -health, one. <i>Invalids, seven.</i></p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Norwalk, Ohio.</i> Women perfectly healthy, one, but doubtfully -so. Medium, none. <i>Invalids, nine.</i></p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Cleveland, Ohio.</i> Women in perfect health, one. Medium health, -two. <i>Invalids, seven.</i></p> -</div> - -<p>In traveling at the West the past winter, I repeatedly conversed with -drivers and others among the laboring class on this subject, and always -heard such remarks as these: "Well! it is strange how sickly the women -are getting!" "Our women-folks don't have such health as they used to -do!"</p> - -<p>One case was very striking. An old lady from New England told me -her mother had twelve children; eleven grew <!-- Page 221 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span>up healthy, and raised -families. Her father's mother had fifteen children, and raised them -all; and all but one, who was drowned, lived to a good old age. This -lady stated that she could not remember that there was a single "weakly -woman" in the town where she lived when she was young.</p> - -<p>This lady had two daughters with her, both either delicate or diseased, -and a sick niece from that same town, once so healthy when the old lady -was young. This niece told me she could not think of even one really -robust, strong, and perfectly healthy woman in that place! The husband -of this old lady told me that in his youth he also did not know of any -sickly women in the place where he was reared.</p> - -<p>A similar account was given me by two ladies, residents of Goshen, -Litchfield Co., Connecticut.</p> - -<p>The elder lady gave the following account of her married acquaintance -some forty years ago in that place:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="hang">Mrs. L. strong and perfectly healthy. Mrs. A. healthy and -strong as a horse. Mrs. N. perfectly well always. Mrs. H. -strong and well. Mrs. B. strong and generally healthy, but -sometimes ailing a little. Mrs. R. always well. Mrs. W. strong -and well. Mrs. G. strong and hearty. Mrs. H. strong and -healthy. Mrs. L. strong and healthy.</p> -</div> - -<p>All the above persons performed their own family work.</p> - -<p>The following account was given by the daughter of the lady mentioned -above, and the list is chiefly made up of daughters of the above -healthy women living at this time in the same town:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="hang">Mrs. C. constitution broken by pelvic disorders. Mrs. P. very -delicate. Mrs. L. delicate and feeble. Mrs. R. feeble and -nervous. Mrs. S. bad scrofulous humors. Mrs. D. very feeble, -head disordered. Mrs. R. delicate and sickly. Mrs. G. healthy. -Mrs. D. healthy. Mrs. W. well.</p> -</div> - -<p>These last three were the only healthy married women she knew -in the place.</p> - -<hr class="thoughtbreak" /> - -<p>I have received statements from more than a hundred other places -besides those recorded here. The larger portion of these were taken -by others, or else by myself in such circumstances that I could not -make the inquiries needed <!-- Page 222 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span>to render them reliable, and some I have -lost. The general impression made, even by these alone, would bring out -very nearly the same result. The proportion of the sick and delicate -to those who were strong and well was, in the majority of cases, a -melancholy story. But among them were a few cases in which a very -favorable statement was verified by close examination. In several -such cases, however, most of the healthy women proved to be either -English, Irish, or Scotch. In one case, a lady from a country-town, -not far from Philadelphia, gave an account, showing eight out of ten -perfectly healthy, and the other two were not very much out of health. -On inquiry, I found that this was a Quaker settlement, and most of the -healthy ones were Quakers.</p> - -<p>In one town of Massachusetts, the lady giving the information said all -the ten she gave were healthy, but two. Her associates were all women -who were in easy circumstances, and did their own family work. These -two places, however, are the <em>only</em> instances I have found, where, on -close inquiry, the majority was on the side of good health.</p> - -<p>There is no doubt that there are many places like these two, of which -some resident would report that a majority of their acquaintance were -healthy women; but out of about two hundred towns and cities, located -in most of the Free States, only two have as yet presented so favorable -a case in the line of my inquiries during the year in which they have -been prosecuted.</p> - -<p>Let these considerations now be taken into account. The generation -represented in these statistics, by universal consent, is a feebler -one than that which immediately preceded. Knowing the changes in -habits of living, in habits of activity, and in respect to <em>pure -air</em>, we properly infer that it must be so, while universal testimony -corroborates the inference.</p> - -<p>The present generation of parents, then, have given their children, so -far as the mother has hereditary influence, feebler constitutions than -the former generation received, so that most of our young girls have -started in life with a more delicate organization than their mothers. -Add to this the sad picture given in a former letter of all the abuses -of <!-- Page 223 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span>health suffered by the young during their early education, and -what are the present prospects of the young women who are now entering -married life?</p> - -<p>This view of the case, in connection with some dreadful developments -which will soon be indicated, proved so oppressive and exciting that -it has been too painful and exhausting to attempt any investigation -as to the state of health among young girls. But every where I go, -mothers are constantly saying, "What shall I do? As soon as my little -girl begins school she has the headache." Or this—"I sent my daughter -to such a boarding-school, but had to take her away on account of her -health."</p> - -<p>The public schools of our towns and cities, where the great mass of -the people are to be educated, are the special subject of remark and -complaint in this respect.</p> - -<p>Consider also that "man that is born of a woman" depends on her not -only for the constitutional stamina with which he starts in life, but -for all he receives during the developments of infancy and the training -of childhood, and what are we to infer of the condition and prospects -of the other sex now in the period of education?</p> -</div> - - - - -<hr class="newchapter" /> -<div class="notebox"> -<p class="tnhead"><a name="TN" id="TN"></a>TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES:</p> - - -<p>Grammatical errors remain as in the original. Variations in spelling -and hyphenation remain as in the original.</p> - -<p>The following typographical errors have been corrected:</p> - -<div class="tnblock"> -<p>Page 3: of civil government on woman.[period missing in -original]</p> - -<p>Page 104: The Kindergarten[original has "Kindergarden"], the -primary school</p> - -<p>Page 111: excess of marriageable[original has "marriagable"] -women</p> - -<p>Page 121: "[quotation mark missing in original]These -resolutions contain sound sense</p> - -<p>Page 121: "[quotation mark missing in original]There is no -doubt that the present arrangement of society bears more -hardly upon women than upon men; and all wise efforts to -make them more independent of the mischances of life deserve -encouragement.[quotation mark missing in original]"</p> - -<p>Page 155: far better[original has "bettter"] than that obtained</p> - -<p>Page 193: mantua-maker[original has "mantau-maker"] are -imperfectly supplied</p> - -<p>Page 196: power to give or withhold[original has "withold"]</p> - -<p>Page 208: form a changeless[original has "changless"] character</p> - -<p>Page 216: Mrs. L. delicate[original has "deliicate"] and well.</p> - -<p>Page 218: Horse Heads,[comma missing in original] New York</p> - -<p>Page 218: Pompey,[comma missing in original] New York</p> - -<p>[173:A] Blessed[original has "Blesssd"] are the peace-makers</p> - -<p>[178:A] Note C.[period missing in original]</p> -</div> -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Woman's Profession as Mother and -Educator, with Views in Oppositi, by Catharine E. 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