FEMALE EDUCATION.

On a late visit to a neighboring city we were permitted to read a letter prepared for circulation among a few young friends of the author, which contained suggestions so just in their character and so widely applicable, as we fear, in respect to a neglected branch of female education, that we sought permission to publish it in our journal. Of the particular want, or advantage, of an acquaintance with the use of the needle, the opinion expressed by the writer would derive little confirmation from any remarks of ours; and of the general character of female education, as it is conducted in many of our most approved schools, we should esteem her judg ment entitled to far more respect than our own. But finding her apprehensions coincide with those which we have long entertained, we are glad to present the testimony of one whose opportunities of observation and clearness of both intellectual and moral perception entitle her to speak concerning "the effect of the incessant stimulus applied to the mental powers of her own sex. We have long believed that "the perpetual action in which they are kept, through the excitable period of youth, is unwholesome." Both health and character must suffer, in many instances, from the undue requisition of study. It were a thousand times better that a girl should quit school ignorant of Italian and Latin, than that she should carry into future life an enfeebled physical system or a heart in which the proper sensibilities have not been trained, because her whole time has been occupied in acquiring knowledge. Besides, we can be young only once, and youth is defrauded of a part of its natural enjoyment, when its energies are incessantly tasked with lessons. How far the method proposed in this letter for remedying one of the evils that result from too close confinement to books may be advantageously adopted in this city or elsewhere, those, especially, among our readers who are mothers will be able to determine. That the prevalent system of female education in this country admits of great improvement, can hardly be doubted. We may add, that the proposal was so well received by those to whom the letter was addressed, that the plan will go into effect at the time named. ED. MISC.

"MY DEAR MIss :--I am anxious to engage your interest in a matter, which may eventually repay all the attention you give it; and the kindness of the purpose will, I trust, excuse any unusual frankness in the appeal.

It is well known that the present course of education and mode of thinking among young ladies in this country exclude plain, useful needlework almost entirely from the list of accomplishments. It has long been mournfully the case in France and England; and we have chosen to imitate them, instead of the patient daughters of Germany, who prove to us, by their own example, that a lady may cultivate her intellect highly, be even a thorough musician, and excel no less in all that are called domestic acquirements. It is this nobler example which for years I have longed to see copied by my own country women, confident, as I am, that they have no less energy and capacity. For years, too, have I watched the increasing encroachments of other pursuits on the hours which our mothers devoted to the wholesome and useful occupation furnished by the needle. It has been difficult to devise means of arresting the evil, principally, because those most deeply concerned are unwilling to be convinced that it is an evil. They plead, that at the schools they attend needlework is not taught; and the lessons assigned them, with the requisite attention to music, drawing, &c., occupy all their hours out of school, except such as health claims for exercise. This is sadly true; and is spoken of as inevitable in the nature of things. It would be idle to attempt a sudden and total change in customs now so completely established. Still, we believe much might be done for a better regulation of female education, were the great deficiency felt to be as lamentable as it really is. I have conversed with many mothers in Boston and elsewhere, whose wisdom and personal experience have taught them to look rightly at this subject. But they again pleaded custom, and the disinclination of their daughters to plain needle-work.

It is to the daughters then that we must openly and earnestly appeal. To them that humble and neglected instrument of happiness, the needle, must be recommended by the voice of a stranger-by many voices. I believe some may be awakened in their own hearts.

I have long been anxious as to the effect of the incessant stimulus applied to the mental powers of my own sex. I am convinced that the perpetual action in which they are kept, throughout the excitable period of youth, is unwholesome. Acquisition of knowledge, of accomplishments even, all the intellectual and elegant pursuits which now engross a young lady's time until her "education is completed," produce an undue activity of certain powers, while others slumber. They create a morbid craving for incessant action and a thirst for excitement; action is not always pro

gress, and progress goes on more healthily with occasional rest. They leave no chance for tranquillity, for quiet reflection, for arranging their acquisitions and deepening the channel in which they are to flow. An hour or two given daily to some simple task of needle-work has a wonderful effect in soothing agitated spirits, in permitting the soul to collect and refresh itself, and yield to profitable meditations. The very thought, that we are usefully employed, has a charm and power which experience only can teach. And the needle, in hands to which it is familiar, never checks thought nor tames the imagination unduly, as actual cases prove, in this and other countries.

There is another aspect which it is difficult to persuade the young to look upon for a moment. Yet who that for twenty years has contemplated the vicissitudes of fortune in this community, can be blind to it? Thousands could unfold such tales as I myself can from personal observation. I have seen some of the friends and schoolmates of my youth, who formerly expressed the same contempt and dislike for plain sewing which are now so common, living to bear strong testimony to the importance of that which they then neglected, and thought to neglect always. Some have borne this testimony in tears. More than one of those who were the richest among us, as we sat turning the leaves of our dictionaries, are now among the poorest; and the dictionary-nay, the classic poet, has been laid aside, the elegant piano long since sold;-for all who learn cannot teach, literary acquirements and elegant accomplishments will not support all who would use them for a support ;-and the long despised needle now comforts the heart, helps the economy, and perhaps contributes to the support of the once thoughtless school-girl, and of those who look to her for aid.

Through what trials, mortifications and heartaches the use of the needle is acquired at a late period, if neglected early, you can hardly imagine. I have heard a few mothers say, "Oh, my daughter has capacity; her time is so much occupied now that she feels no interest; when the time for it comes, she will learn needlework fast enough. There is no need of teaching beforehand what she will be sure to acquire when she wants it." This argument rests upon few facts. Such individual cases there may be. But the majority prove that she neither learns easily, nor well, nor thoroughly, who begins late. I have myself seen a young lady who was highly educated in the modern sense, but who had little property, and who married a young lawyer with nothing but his talents to depend upon. Two or three years after marriage, with a young infant by her side, and laudably bent on a judicious economy, she undertook to cut out and make up some linen for her husband. She was ashamed to ask assistance, she thought indeed she

could do it herself, for she had heard many say it was a simple thing enough, and she knew she had capacity. When I went into her chamber, she was crying over the linen she had spoiled with her inexperienced scissors. "I am not crying for the linen," said she," but for my own ignorance." And this was an intellectual

and accomplished female.

I do long to see this subject viewed rightly, and will not be discouraged, though fashion for a time drive common sense from the field. I know that it is a calamity which threatens to go down from generation to generation, that fashionable girls will by-and-bye be fashionable mothers, and still less will be the chance for that race of fair beings, yet unborn, to learn what I do believe would make them happier and better. It will be sad for our country.

If in this one city proof can be given that the evil may be remedied, I am convinced a blessing will rest on the young females who have the moral courage to afford such proof. It requires the exertion of their own uncorrupted good sense to see the thing as it really is; no weak, frivolous girl, can see it so. It requires principle to conquer the distaste which the young and lively feel for this unpretending, sedentary occupation. It requires independence to strike forth in a new and decidedly unfashionable course, to undertake that at which many may laugh. Yet I have determined to appeal to the good sense, principle, and independence of yourself, and other young ladies of this city, because I already have a stronger confidence in them than many entertain. Prove that I am right, that I do not estimate you too highly, and that I entertain no chimerical schemes for seeing a truer standard of education set up in the city of than in any other.

I cannot call any woman "educated" in the full sense of the word, who is unacquainted with the art of plain needle-work. I cannot call her a complete woman, who is so unfit for many situations in which God may probably place her. She may have the education of a man, of an artist, or an actress; but if she have not that of a genuine woman-beautiful appellation, with all that it conjures up of home-duties and blessed usefulness-I must look upon her as an incomplete creature, and respect her so much the less in proportion to the opportunity she has had of making herself complete.

The heartfelt interest which has been growing within me for years, has induced me at last to sit no longer gazing, speculating, and grieving over this matter, but to rise and ask help in something practical, in a simple, distinct effort to give needle-work the place it should have among female accomplishments. I would entreat that you, or others whom you may reach more easily than I, would set the example of devoting a part of that interval, which usually elapses between leaving school and engaging in the hurry of life, to this purpose.

To afford you a convenient and agreeable opportunity of doing this, I have persuaded a lady to devote three afternoons of the week, during the months of next March, April and May, to a class of twelve or fourteen young ladies. She will receive them in some pleasant apartment, and show them how to cut out shirts and other garments and put them together in the neatest and most durable manner. As nothing else will be taught, her terms will be only three dollars a quarter. The limited number and intelligent age of her pupils rendering the usual restrictions of a school unnecessary, I see no reason why these meetings should not be made pleasant by conversation, and perhaps the occasional reading aloud of some friend, who may come thus to assist and interest you. If the plan succeed, it is my belief that some delightful associations of friendship will connect themselves with it, and that you will have cause to remember these meetings with solid satisfaction through your whole life, be that long or short.

Will you have the kindness to favor me with a few lines in reply, if you are willing to engage as one of this class; for it is found necessary to make some of the arrangements as soon as possible. Your friend, L. J. H.”

THOU beauteous babe! so peaceful is the smile
Thy cold and pallid cheek doth seem to wear,
Methinks thou art an angel from the air,

Come down from heaven to linger for awhile
Amid the scenes which human hearts beguile,
And, tired with wandering, thou art sleeping here,
Safe in thine innocence from every fear,

Nor dream'st of dangers, such as mortals feel.
Such loveliness is imaged forth in thee,

I scarcely breathe while gazing on thy face,
Thou emblem of seraphic purity!

Lest waking, thou shouldst frighted leave the place,
And, mounting upward on the wings of light,

Shouldst disappear forever from my sight.

J. A. B.