How Shall We Train Our Girls?
AMERICANS always censure that usage which in England gives the titles and estates to the oldest son, and leaves the others too often to shift for themselves, or what is worse, to sit down in mean and beggarly dependence on the favored one. But do not many among us make quite as unjust a distinction between the boys and girls of their families? All Americans, except snobs and simpletons, rear their sons, no matter what their prospects, to some honorable business or profession. But too many train their girls for mere parlor playthings, and defraud them of all chance for honest independence in the days of darkness which may come. There is an insane idea among a certain class, that an idle girl, ignorant of all the useful arts of life, is a lady above her who applies herself to study, and learns to do something thoroughly—who has an aim in life. The hope of such weak parents is that their daughter may make a great marriage, and be the ornament of some elegant home. Will this be less likely if she knows how to order a home, if she is well read, if she is skilled in music, in painting, in writing, or sewing? Will she be less a lady in her own home for having had the training of a sensible woman in her father's house? Suppose this girl never marries—many noble women do not—and that her riches take wings, and the strong arm she has leaned on fails; what is to become of her then? She will be utterly helpless, and will become an unhappy woman, whom the world can lose without missing. The Princess Louise is an artist, and has illustrated the poem which her noble young husband, the Marquis of Lorne, has recently published. There is no royal road to art, and her skill, like that of any other noble woman, is the result of study and labor. Bismarck's daughter is what we in America should call "a capable girl." Besides her accomplishments, she has great skill with her needle, is versed in all the good German home arts, and is possessed of rare good sense and kindly virtues. Let us be done with the nonsense which awards the title "gentlemen" to our sons who work, and denies that of "lady" to any but aimless, useless girls. Let our girls all have a chance for honest independence in this world of many changes.—The Watchman.