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DAUGHTEBS 



School-girls — Ignorance of parents — The confidence of children must 

 be gained — The way to do it — Drawbacks of nurseries and school- 

 rooms — Over -education — Show - training — Delicate girls — A 

 woman's vocation — Superficial teaching — Children's tempers — 

 Modern girls — Herbert Spencer and education — J. P. Bichter — 

 Liberty and independence — Serious studies — What young girls 

 should read — Parents and children — Friendships — Girls' allow- 

 ances — Dress — Professions — Strong feelings — Management of 

 house and family — Early rising — Life in society. 



Much that I have said with regard to boys applies to 

 girls too, but I would only recommend sending girls to 

 school in very peculiar and exceptional circumstances. I 

 used to think that, for town girls, the high-schools afforded 

 the best method of education. I now think that the pupils 

 there are worked much too hard. What is really wanted 

 for women is a mental training, the creation of a habit 

 of mind, rather than technical knowledge of any kind. 

 Eemember, such experience as I have of girls is entirely 

 limited to the leisured classes— those who, by an unwritten 

 law, are virtually brought up to amuse themselves first, 

 and to marry afterwards. I know nothing of the wants 

 and requirements of those girls who are aware, from the 

 beginning, that they will actually have to earn their 

 bread and decide on a walk in life, as a boy does. One 

 merit of school is that if the father and mother have 

 neglected the health of their children, as is too frequently 

 the case, from idleness, ignorance, or prejudice, abnormal 



