The Litchfield County Post

AMERICAN LADIES.
Perhaps there is no country in the world where the women are more completely domestic than they are in our country; and none where female influence is more generally felt. This is the most happy circumstance: and it affords a most powerful argument in favor of female education. It is trite I know, but very important to remark, that when ladies are distinguished for domestic habits and virtues, their mutual influence is very great. They mould the hearts, and to a great degree, form the understanding of the future fathers and mothers in our country. Now they who have in their hands so great a part of early education, certainly ought to receive that cultivation of heart and mind which would fit them for the discharge of the very important duties of their station. This is no easy work. It demands skill and judgment as well as attention. Surely preparation ought to be made for it, that it may be done well. Look at the majority of girls of eighteen, in the country, and see what are their qualifications for a place at the head of a household. But female influence is felt not only in domestic life; it reaches to every part of society. Every where it ought to be intellectual as well as sensitive; intelligent as well as affable; good as well as pretty. No where indeed are they more pure and delicate, than among ourselves; but if to those graces of the female character were added suitable mental improvement, the effect on the whole community would be most happy. A higher spirit of literature would pervade our states; and young men would spend that time in study, which they now waste in dissipation. A loftier tone of moral feeling would be awakened. and we might hope to witness the purity without the extravagances of chivalry.