16 MR. newhall's address. 



object now seems to be to cultivate, adorn and beautify the mind, 

 to the utter neglect of the growth and strength of their physical 

 powers. " The one ought to be done and the other not left undone." 

 Many of the young ladies who graduate at our seminaries of learn- 

 ing return to their paternal homes, pale, emaciated and enfeebled by 

 constant mental exertion and neglect of physical exercise, so that 

 they are unfit fer wives and mothers, and incapacitated to perform 

 the duties and enjoy the pleasures and comforts of after life. 



The history of the early training, educational pursuits and indus- 

 trial habits of the illustrious women, who have been the mothers of 

 the presidents, governors and other great men of our country, might 

 furnish an interesting subject of inquiry for the matron, the precep- 

 tress and the governess. I am satisfied that the result would be, 

 that generally they were what is called in common parlance, working 

 ■women. The consequence to posterity of parents being inured to 

 hard labor is manifest in the case of the Israelites sojourning in 

 Egypt. They continued there four hundred years, and were subject 

 to hard labor during that time ; but they increased so much faster 

 than did the Egyptians, that the King and his court were alarmed, 

 and caused the male children of the Israelites to be slain to prevent 

 the catastrophe they feared. But notwithstanding all their precau- 

 tion, a son of an Israelitish bondwoman, led old Pharaoh and his host 

 into the sea, and there they were drowned. Although our posterity 

 may escape a watery grave, unless a different course be adopted in 

 reference to the physical education of our children, especially our 

 daughters, they will most assuredly be overwhelmed by the physical 

 powers, the mental vigor, and moral courage of the posterity of those 

 who are now our servants. 



As there is nothing appertaining to this world about which parents 

 manifest so much solicitude as the prosperity and happiness of their 

 descendants — no hope or desire so strong for any future earthly 

 blessing as that their children and children's children should keep 

 the inheritance they leave to them, and live near their graves, may 

 we not most devoutly hope that the physical, mental and moral edu- 

 cation of our children and their descendants will be such as to enable 

 them to defend their rights and perpetuate the liberties of their 

 country, and to possess, occupy and enjoy the lands that have been 

 moistened with the tears, the sweat, and the blood of our fathers ? 



