ning of men, and modifies, in part, all systems of instruction that
cover childhood and youth. This is, at first, an education common to
all. The general invigoration of the intellect, and the preparation of
the mind for the grand, the highest object of life on which I first
dwelt, embrace all the earliest years of youth. There are elements of
power common to all men, and instruments of knowledge effective for both
the general pursuits of a liberal education, and the limited pursuits of
physical toil. The education of the nursery and school are equally
useful to all. But when you advance much beyond this, far enough to
enable the youth to fix upon his probable line of life, then the
necessity of an early application to that pursuit at once modifies his
course of education.

When we pass from the diverse professions into which the growth of
civilized society has divided men, to the distinctions which exist
between man and woman, we enter upon a still clearer department of our
subject. The differences which are here to give character to education,
are not incidental and temporary, but inherent and commensurate with
life itself. The physical constitution of woman gives rise to her
peculiar life. It determines alike her position in society and her
sphere of labor.

In all ages and climes, celebrated by travelers, historians, poets, she
stands forth as a being of better impulses and nobler affections than
him, of whom she is the complement. That which is rugged in him, is
tempered by softness in her; that which is strong in him, is weak in
her; that which is fierce in him is mild in her. Designed of God to
complete the cycle of human life, and through a twofold being present a
perfect _Adam_, she is thus no less different from man than essential to
his perfection. Her nature at once introduces her into a peculiar sphere
of action. Soon, maternal cares rest upon her; her throne is above the
family circle; her scepter of love and authority holds together the
earliest and happiest elements of social life. To her come young minds
for sympathy, for care, for instruction. Over that most wonderful
process of development, when a young immortal is growing every day into
new thoughts, emotions and habits, which are to abide with it for ever,
she presides. By night she watches, by day she instructs. Her smile and
her frown are the two strongest powers on earth, influencing human minds
in the hour when influence stamps itself upon the