The Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. I., No. 4, December, 1834Various
History
The Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. I., No. 4, December, 1834
Various
American literature -- 19th century -- Periodicals
In our own country, man, invested by his Maker with the "right to
reign," has nobly conceded to her, who was for ages a vassal, equality
of intercourse, participation in knowledge, guardianship over his
dearest possessions, and his fondest hopes. He is content to "bear the
burden and heat of the day," that she may dwell in plenty, and at ease.
Yet from the very felicity of her lot, dangers arise. She is tempted to
rest in superficial attainments, to yield to that indolence which
spreads like rust over the intellect, and to merge the sense of her own
responsibilities in the slumber of a luxurious life. These tendencies
should be neutralized by an education of utility, rather than of
ornament. Sloth and luxury, the subverters of republics, should be
banished from her vocabulary. It is expedient that she be surrounded in
youth with every motive to persevering industry, and severe
application; and that in maturity she be induced to consider herself an
ally in the cares of life, especially in the holy labor of rearing the
immortal mind. While her partner stands on the high places of the
earth, toiling for his stormy portion of that power or glory from which
it is her privilege to be sheltered, let her feel that to her, in the
recesses of the domestic sphere, is entrusted the culture of that
knowledge and virtue, which are the strength of a nation. Happily
secluded from lofty legislation and bold enterprise, with which her
native construction has no affinity, she is still accountable to the
government by which she is protected, for the character of those who
shall hereafter obtain its honors, and control its functions.
Her place is in the quiet shade, to watch the little fountain, ere it
has breathed a murmur. But the fountain will break forth into a stream,
and the swelling rivulet rush toward the sea; and she, who was first at
the fountain head and lingered longest near the infant streamlet, might
best guide it to right channels; or, if its waters flow complaining and
turbid, could truest tell what had troubled their source.
Let the age which has so freely imparted to woman the treasures of
knowledge, add yet to its bounty, by inciting her to gather them with
an unremitting and tireless hand, and by expecting of her the highest
excellence of which her nature is capable. Demand it as a debt. Summon
her to abandon inglorious ease.--Arouse her to practise and to enforce
those virtues, which sustain the simplicity, and promote the permanence
of a great republic. Make her answerable for the character of the next
generation. Give her this solemn charge in the presence of "men and of
angels,"--gird her for its fulfilment with the whole armor of education
and piety, and see if she be not faithful to her offspring, to her
country, and to her God!
L. H. S.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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