mothers, because of the studiousness of the one and the broad culture of the other. No one can direct the early training of the child as can the mother herself; she gives a bias to the youthful mind which it is more than likely to retain.
"'Tis education forms the common mind,
Just as the twig is bent the tree's inclined."
Ought not women to have broad and full and able minds to perform aright the duties of motherhood? Is it not to the interest of society, of the state, of the nation, that women be liberally educated? To have the mothers ignorant would be through them to weaken the sons, and finally the commonwealth.
"The hand that rocks the cradle,
Is the hand that rules the world."
Fear not to lend your influence for the higher education of woman. She will be none the less a woman when she has received such an education; she will have lost none of that grace and sweetness of character which men admire. Woman asks not of education to make her a man; she asks that herself be given back to her, but herself awakened, strengthened, elevated. Would you open new avenues of employment for her, would you render her a useful and independent member of society? Then give her a higher education. Would you develop the hidden resources of her mind, would you fit her to raise the tone and character of society? Give her a higher education. Would you have her assist her husband in his vexed problems of thought?
