Vgl. IL 
AUGUSTA, GA., NOVEMBER 27, 1844. 
Ko. 24, 
SELEC TIONS, E XTR ACT S, &,c. 
From the Tennessee Agriculturist. 
TO FARMERS’ DAUGHTERS. 
I again take up my pen in continuation of 
the matters on which I last talked to you. I 
wish to give you a few notions on the education 
I think most necessary for young ladies, — the 
effect it should ha^e on the character, or rather 
the character it should form. If I were to ask 
you, who ot your acquaintances are well edu- 
cated, you would perhaps specify some whom 
you consider to be perfectly so. You will say 
such a one is pleasant and graceful in her man- 
ners, sings, plays, ani dances in the most ap- 
proved andneweststyle, — speaks French, draws, 
paints and needle-works to peifection, tells of 
Botany, Chemistry and Philosophy, — knows all 
the new fashions, has many beaux, and talks to 
them without the least bashfulness, or blushing. 
No doubt many of those accomplishments are 
pleasant and agreeable; and you will perhaps 
think me disposed to find fault when I tell you 
a woman may be possessed of them, and even 
more than you mention, and still, in my opin- 
ion, be entirely deficient in true and correct edu- 
cation. 
Ifyou inquire in what good education does 
consists I answer, that it is not in that course 
of study alone, that enables a woman to count 
up her accomplishments, and display them on 
every possible occasion; but it is that training 
which improves the heart as well as the mind 
and manners; in a word, that tends to perfec- 
tion of character, moral, physical and intellec- 
tual. An education that does less than thi.s, is 
not correct education ; it is oftener mis-educa- 
tion. Of what avail are all the accom- 
plishments of earth, if our sex do not with 
them also possess those gentle and affectionate 
dispositions, that so rauch promote the happi- 
ness of those with whom they are connected^? 
Do you think it affords much pleasure to a hus- 
band that his wife can at times, send forth notes 
of witching melody, while at others, when no 
stranger is. near to listen, she can address h[m 
in the rough tones of anger and contempt f No, 
her initsic will never giv'e happiness to his heart, 
it will never cause it to vibrate with pleasure 
or tenderness — he listens not to the song of the 
charmer, charm she never so wisely. Belter 
had it been for her to tune her heart to the soft 
notes of ccrastant affection, than for her voice to 
be skilled in the magic notes of song — sw'eet 
though they may be. 
Then it is one of the most important parts of 
education that woman learn to govern her tem- 
per, to subdue every incorrect feeling and habit, 
and thus accomplish her heart, at the same time, 
she is improving- her mind ; and let me say in 
passing, that by cherishing amiable dispositions 
the countenance is. also greatly beautified, and 
the voice made better. A soft low voice, com- 
ing from a heart full of kindness, is a lovely 
thing in woman. Let me say to you, that if 
you have no rule over your spirit, if you cannot 
school it to bear patiently the ills ot life, you 
are indeed uneducated, even though you may 
have passed through the whole circle of science. 
Cleopatra, the ill-fated Glueen of Egypt, early 
applied herself to the acquisition of knowledge, 
she spoke nine or ten different languages, and 
possessed every accomplishment in perfection , 
s’ill she was far from being educated — she 
could not control her furious and headstrong 
passions — she could no more rule her spirit, 
than she could stiil the ocean’s wild flood. Are 
you net acquainted with some whom you 
consider educated, who are too useless to attend 
to the every day duties of life, even it by so do- 
ing, they could relieve the cares of a sick or 
weary mother; you know some, who hate to go 
about and do good, who take no pleasure in 
helping a sick neighbor, or in alleviating the 
sorrows of the afliicted. If a woman’s heart 
prompt her not to do all in her power to soothe 
the sufferings of her fellow-creatures, the first 
part of her character is uneducated — her affec- 
tions are untrained, uncultivated. True educa- 
tion, then, according to my notion, is that train- 
ing which teaches us to do our duty in life. It 
teaches us to be meek, humble and useful — ne- 
ver puffs up its possessor with pride, vanity or 
haughtiness; but enables us to act with ability 
and prudence in every situation ; or, in other 
words, leads to the formation of pure and good 
characters. 
Before 1 go farther I would say, I do not wish 
you to think I am opposed to any of the inno- 
cent accomplishments of the day. On the con- 
trary, I consider them calculated to refine and 
improve the mind. My only objection is, that 
they receive more attention than matters ot 
greater importance. In many cases, in our part 
of the country, the fingers receive more train- 
ing than the heart — the heart that should be the 
seat of all the noble affections of humanity. I 
can point out mothers who urge upon their 
daughters the necessity of practicing on the Pi- 
ano for hours every day, while by their exam- 
ple they encourage them in a course of deceit 
and insincerity — but I digress. 
There is a part of the education of girls, I 
think, much neglected, although absolutely ne- 
cessary ; and that all should attend to it, is agreed 
by most reflecting persons. It is the part that 
relates to household concerns. I expect you 
guessed I was coming there soon. Now for 
those of you who intend never to be married, it 
does not make so much difference; but for all 
who have the least idea of being mistresses of 
families, it is most important you should early 
learn every thing you wish to practice in after 
life. You know, in music, without a great 
deal of practice, you cannot execute -with skill 
and judgment — there will be many false notes, 
jars and discords. It is just so in the every day 
music of life; if you do not practice these by 
times, you will be apt to play out of time, there 
will be but little melody in your chords, and 
you will have discords that will last through 
the whole piece. I know girls who ought not 
to marry. They are as. perfectly ignorant of 
domestic affairs as children. Some declare 
they would not know how to bake corn bread ; 
biscuit are entirely above their ken, and as to 
apple dumplings 1 should think they are a good 
deal like Georee IV of England was. You 
know it was related of him, that he haopened 
to see one, and was perfectly at a loss to ima- 
gine how the apple ever did make its way in- 
side the crust. Some of these girls go to school, 
study many books, are fond ot costly clothing 
and all fashionable doings ; but as to anything 
useful, it is out of the question. I consider 
such women totally uneducated; and to those 
who are so unfortunate as to choose them as 
partners through life, they are a trouble and a 
but I yflll not say anything hard about 
the girls; they would do right if their parents 
would teach them. 
I always advise my acquaintances never to 
marry girls who boast they cannot do this, or 
they cannot do that. It so clearly manifests a 
want of good sense a.nd good education, that 
there is little prospect of future usefulness. 
There is an old bachelor awmy off" down east, 
talking in the Boston Cultivator about these 
matters. He advertises for a wife, and de- 
scribes the requisite qualifications; and, al- 
though they are in poetical form, I will givm 
you the old gentleman’s cogitations. After 
other things, he sa3's: 
“Fd have — let me see — no, I’d not have abeauly^ 
For beautiful women are apt to be vain.; 
Yet, with a small share, I’d think it a dut}- 
To take her, be thankful, and never complain. 
Her form must be good — no art to constrain it. 
And rather above than below middle size ; 
A something — it puzzles my brain to explain it — 
Like eloquent language must flow from her eyes. 
She must be well bred, or I could not respect her ; 
Good natured ana modest, but not very coy; 
Her mind well informed — ’tis the purified nectar 
That sweetens the cup of hymenial joy. 
Her home she must love, and domestic employment, 
Have practical knowledge of household affairs, 
And make it a part of her highest enjoyment 
To soften my troubles and lighten my cares. 
Xo fortune I ask ; for I’ve no predilection 
For glitter and show, or the pomp of highlife ; 
I wish to be bound in the cords of afiection — 
And now I have drawn you a sketch of a wife. 
If any possess the above requisitions, 
And wish to be bound with the conjugal band, 
They will please to step forward, (they know the con- 
ditions.) 
Inquire of the printer— I’m always at hand.” 
This bachelor, you see, accords with me in 
my notions of education. He wants a lady pos- 
sessed of some practical goodness and know- 
ledge; he wishes an assistant in the school of 
life. 
In the same paper, there is another bachelor 
speaking of the same subject. He says : 
“Iwant to know the inward state 
And temper of her mind, 
If she will pout, or rage, or fret — 
Be gentle, or unkind. 
If her discourse is calm and staid, ; 
And judgment rule her life— = 
Nonsense may charm us in a rr.'Md, 
Bat never in a wife.'' 
From the old bachelors’ beginning to speak 
out so plainly, there must be a scarcity of pro- 
perly educated ladies. I hope, ifyou have not 
formerly thought of these matters, you will turn 
jmur attention to them, and strive to train your- 
selves by acquiring usefnl knowledge, and by 
putting it in practice, so that you may bewell 
educated, or what is the same thing, useful and 
practical v.mmen. 
I am so tired of writi&g,. it ought to do you 
some good. If I ever should get rested, per- 
haps I will talk to you again some of these odd 
times. Your Iriend, Leer. 
From the Maine Collivator. 
NATIYE STOCK. 
The principle seems now to be very generally 
recognized, that most cattle degenerate with a 
change of climate. In examining the statistics 
and general state of British husbandry at the pre- 
sentday,we shallfindthat almost every county in 
that kingdom, has its peculiar stock.” Thisac - 
