edge, which "intoxicate the brain." A truly
learned person seldom affects superiority to others, or gives himself
airs. I know of no better security against the tyranny of fashion,
against caprice, _ennui_, and the languishments of indolence, than a
well stored mind. She who best comprehends her nature and relations,
will usually best adorn any and every sphere in which Providence may
place her.

I am led here to say, that if a distinction must exist in the education
of the sexes, that, which is deemed the weaker, should receive the best.
Is it not palpably unjust to assign woman a low rank in the scale of
intellect, when we do nothing to elevate her to an equality in this
respect with man? Why educate the girl only in the graces of learning,
while you give the boy tasks which try his utmost power? Are
accomplishments all she needs to place her on a level with man? Yet how
often do we see her

"Bred only * * * * * *
* * * * * * to sing, to dance,
To dress, and troule the tongue, and roll the eye."

Give her facilities for the full culture of her understanding and the
highest faculties of her soul, and if she then fail, with more reason
may you repeat the taunt about her mental inferiority to man.

This leads to the remark, that female education should embrace our whole
nature, and not one portion of it. Why sacrifice the body to the
improvement of the mind? It is a melancholy spectacle to witness the
pale countenances and attenuated forms of many youth of this sex, as
they issue from the school-room. How long shall consumption prey on so
many at this age? When will American females imitate those of our
fatherland, where sickness among this sex is almost as rare as perfect
health is in our own country?

And why should the Moral powers be neglected as they are, and their
culture postponed to that of the intellect? For manifold reasons these
faculties should be simultaneously developed. The best interests of the
mind demand it. Increase the moral energies, and you strengthen the
intellect. Vice does not more corrupt the soul, than it darkens the
judgment. A pure heart is a well-spring of clear thought. Again, virtue
promotes mental composure. It confers inward peace; it secures that
tranquillity, without which no science can be successfully pursued. Sin
disturbs the reason. Putting evil for good leads one to substitute error
in general for truth. Nero was said to be as deficient in taste, as he