ly
reached, than the one which obliges a woman to feel that, for the good
of the race, she must content her longings after knowledge with only a
few crumbs from the rich banquet which is spread temptingly before her,
why put her faith in the justice of God to such a test?

It is this conclusion, and conclusions like this, spoken in the tone of
authority, which have sometimes made weak women "speak of their physical
organization with half-smothered anathemas," and led them "to be ashamed
of the temple" which an all-loving, and, let us also add, an all-wise
Father, has built for them.

If, in the place of this conclusion, against which all a woman's
instincts rebel, we may truthfully teach her that there is no antagonism
between her body and her brain, and that, for the good of the race, she
ought systematically to develop both, we remove all stumbling blocks
from her way, we lighten her burdens, we make her brave to endure,
because our teachings correspond with all her preconceived ideas of
justice and benevolence.

It was this view of the subject, rather than any belief in the modern
theories of woman's sphere, that led the founders of Oberlin College to
open her doors to women. She has tried the experiment for nearly two
generations. Her last annual catalogue contained the names of over one
hundred students, whose fathers' or mothers' names can be found in some
earlier catalogue. Let us see with what results; for these are the data
which Dr. Clarke says we must have, before we can reach any definite
conclusion.

Oberlin has graduated, as shown by her last Triennial Catalogue,
published in 1873, 579 men and 620 women. This does not include the 126
men from the Theological Seminary. Ninety-five women have graduated from
the full classical course, and received the first degree in the arts,
525 from the "Women's Course." But lest some should conclude from this
name, that it stands for a diluted curriculum, suited to the weakened
condition of woman's brain, or rather, her body--since we have it upon
the best authority that her brain, under the most powerful microscope,
shows no inferiority to man's--we will add, that the trustees of the
college, at their last annual meeting, discussed the question of
changing the name, and conferring a degree upon those completing this
course, as Michigan University confers a degree upon those completing
its Latin Scientific Course. The subject was referred to the Faculty, to
be report