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Back to the main Newsletter page Newsletter #45, pg 8, Winter 2000 Female Education A speech by Patia Ann "Relia" Allred in 1858 submitted by: Debbie Dowling Patia Ann was an Allred 2 different ways: 1. Patia Ann, William, William, William 2. Patia Ann, Patience, Catherine, John
But we find where they have the same opportunities the [female]
mind is equally as susceptible in acquiring education as that of the [rude sex].
I for one do believe that it is as highly [necessary] for ladies as it is for
gentlemen not withstanding some will say that the female does not require
education because they have nothing to do with political [affairs]. I do not
think so far they have the first [training] of the son before he is yet
qualified for political offices, merely all the great and eminent men both in
ancient and modern times have [confessed] that they owed most of their greatness
to the[influence] of their pious and well educated mothers among them of modern
times I might mention George Washington. John {Quincey}, and Henry Clay, and
many others. All persons carry some of their mother's teaching to the grave, for
the words of a pious mother is [indelible] and her influence never forgotten.
Take a son or a daughter who has given heed to the influence of a pious and well
educated mother and the largest [number] will follow the examples of their
mothers. Children as a general rule will follow the steps of their
parents whether they be pious or impious, learned [or] unlearned; if the mother
talks awkwardly and uses bad language, her children are sure to do so too.
If the mother for the want of education fails to govern her [passions]; the
children are certain to be bad tempered and ungovernable; impressions made in
childhood are always most lasting; in fact they never can be entirely
eradicated. We see that females occupy a very responsible station in
society. We are too apt to overlook the end of female education, that it is the
formation of character, what a lady knows is comparatively little to
what a lady is. When I speak of female education, I do not mean all that is
sometimes taught in [some] of the fashionable boarding schools, where a lady is
thought to be accomplished if she can [thrumal] a little on the piano, do some
fine-needlework and picture a rose, and at the same time know but little [If]
any of the solid sciences. Music, needlework may be well enough in their
proper places, but I think it is more important that her mind should be well
stored with useful and solid information such as will enable her to perform the
incumbent duties of life. It is conceded by some of the wisest men in this
country that female teachers are better qualified by nature than males for
teaching children in the first branches of education. So I would say let a
lady if [possible] excel in all she does attempt and we would find no fault of
her if her accomplishments [are] few. How delightful it is to meet with a lady
whose mind is stored with useful information: who is capable of lasting
intellectual beauty and who is withal destitute of pretension. On the other hand
to see a young lady in company destitute of education without any knowledge of
the grammar of her own language and full of pretension it is disgusting.
Let us therefore cherish our institutions of learning and educate
all the young ladies. The prevailing [manners] of any age, depend more than most
people are aware, or willing to allow on the conduct of the ladies. This
is one of the principle things on which the great machine of human society
turns. Those who allow the influence with female graces have in polishing
the manners of men would do well to reflect how great an influence female morals
have over their conduct. How much then it is to be regretted that ladies should ever sit
down, contented to polish when they are so able to reform; they should not be
satisfied merely to entertain when they are so able to instruct. Nothing delights men more than the strength of their
understanding when true gentleness of manners is its associate. United they
become irresistible orators. Blessed with the power of persuasion. Fraught with
the sweetness of instruction. Making the highest ornament of human nature. Education not only enables a lady to be useful in society, but it gives great satisfaction to its [professor]. One of the most agreeable consequences of education is the
respect and importance [it] gives to old age: when beauty has faded away and all
the outward charms have fled then they are only respected for the richness of
their mind's. Now I [don't] think a person should be treated with contempt
because they are destitute of this great refiner of the human mind especially
when they have not had the opportunity of acquiring it, but I wish to show the
use of it. No [creature] gives his admiration for nothing. Either the eye
must [be] charmed to the understanding gratified; a lady must talk wisely or
look well. Every human being must expect to be treated with the coldest
civility, who has neither the charms of youth nor the wisdom of age.
Neither is there the slightest commiseration for decayed accomplishments: No
person mourns over the fragments of a dancer, or drops a tear on the [relics]
musical skill. They are flowers destined to perish: but the decay of great
[talents} is always the subject of solemn [pity]: and even when the [their] last
memorial is over their pious affection. |
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