CHAPTER XVII EDUCATION, THE SCIENCE OF RELATIONS: WE ARE EDUCATED BY OUT INTIMACIES: THE PRELUDE AND PRÆTERITA                “But who shall parcel out           His intellect by geometric rules,           Split like a province into round and square?           Who knows the individual hour in which           His habits were first sown, even as a seed?           Who … Continue reading School Education Volume 3 Chapter 17

II             “Jörn shall study,” said his father; “that is understood. He shall be a land-agent. Let us drink to Jörn Uhl, the land-agent.” And they drank. So the notion got about the village that Jörn was destined for high things. He went to school to Lehrer Peters to be prepared for the gymnasium. It must have been good to see him on the … Continue reading Formation of Character Volume 5 Pt 4. Chapter 1. II

I TWO PEASANT BOYS I           JORN UHL[1] and Wilhelm Meister are books that parents should read. To mention a book of yesterday in the same breath as a world’s classic is bold, perhaps foolhardy, but in the two we get the two sides of the shield. Wilhelm Meister becomes, passively; circumstances play upon him, and he yields himself to this formative play. Jörn Uhl … Continue reading Formation of Character Volume 5 Pt 4. Chapter 1. I

OBJECTS IN LIFE—VALUE OF SPECIAL TRAINING           This consideration brings me to a question sufficiently puzzling to the heads of households: What is to be done with girls? About the boys there is less difficulty—they go to college, or they go to learn their profession; they are set to work at once, to prepare for that “opening” which, it is hoped, will introduce them to … Continue reading Formation of Character Volume 5 Pt 3. Chapter 2 (8)

PURSUITS AND OCCUPATIONS           I have left little space to glance at the pursuits and occupations proper for young women at home. It is becoming rather usual on the Continent, and, to some extent at home, for the schools to instruct young ladies in the duties of household economy—an invasion perhaps, of the mother’s province. Every woman should understand, and know how to perform, every … Continue reading Formation of Character Volume 5 Pt 3. Chapter 2 (7)

OPINIONS           Let us turn to a question too often overlooked in the bringing up of girls. A girl may have opinions upon questions of figure and style, fashion and furniture, but who cares what she thinks about public men and questions, books and events? All the same, what she thinks is of consequence to the world; even if she is not to be the … Continue reading Formation of Character Volume 5 Pt 3. Chapter 2 (6)

PLEASURE AND DUTY           We now come to consider a perplexing question which comes up for settlement upon the close of a girl’s school career. Two rival claimants upon her time and interest are in the field—pleasure and duty; the question is, what is to be allowed to each, and how far may they clash. Kind-hearted parents, who find that their daughter is continually wanted … Continue reading Formation of Character Volume 5 Pt 3. Chapter 2 (5)

CONDUCT           The conduct of a well-brought-up girl—that is, her behaviour in various circumstances—will, on the whole, take care of itself. But in this, as in greater matters,           “More harm is wrought through want of thought,           Than e’er through want of heart”; and the mother will find opportunities to bring before her daughter the necessity for circumspection, reticence, self-control, the duty of consideration … Continue reading Formation of Character Volume 5 Pt 3. Chapter 2 (4)

LIBERTY AND RESPONSIBILITY                              “With household motions light and free,                               And steps of virgin liberty,” says Wordsworth of the girl who was to become that “perfect woman.” Now, it sometimes happens that the mothers who take most pains to make their daughters deft and capable in “household motions,” forget the “steps of virgin liberty.” If the girl is to become … Continue reading Formation of Character Volume 5 Pt 3. Chapter 2 (3)