While Roxana Foote Beecher was training her daughter in philosophy and perspective, and Lucinda Foote was privately studying Greek with President Stiles of Yale College, Mrs. Emma Willard was struggling to gain a foothold for her seminary for the daughters of well-to-do families, and Mary Lyon was as resolutely pressing forward her effort to provide a school for those who must gain an education, if at all, in some more economical way. Mrs. Willard’s Female Seminary at Troy was finally founded in 1821, and Mt. Holyoke in 1837. But these were only two out of many. In New York State alone twelve academies for girls were founded between 1827 and 1839, and in New England and also further south the schools and academies for girls were multiplying so fast that there was soon opportunity for nearly every valley to offer some chance for further culture than the country school afforded to the young women of the region. The great difficulty lay in getting the teachers for these schools; that was what pressed most deeply on the mind of Catherine Beecher. They could not call upon men for this work nor would it be well to do so if they could. “If men have more knowledge,” reasoned Harriet, “they have less talent in communicating it, nor have they the patience, the long-suffering and the gentleness necessary to superintend the formation of the child’s character.” Then with a touch of that passion for reform that was an essential part of the Beecher character wherever we find it she added: “We intend to make these principles understood, and ourselves to set the example of what females can do in this way!” In other words, she intended to be the best possible teacher, to be as near to perfection as she could compel herself to be. That she should make a declaration like this was not a piece of self-conceit; it was merely the expression of her ideal. This saying of Harriet Beecher makes one think of what Joan of Arc said when she was asked by what charm or magic she made the soldiers go into battle. She simply answered, “I called to them to come on into the battle and then I went right on into the battle myself!” This is the principle that is at the basis of all the charm that lures human beings into glorious heroism; it is the very reason for the existence of leaders and prophets.