THE LIBRARY OF THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF 
 
 NORTH CAROLINA 
 
 THE COLLECTION OF 
 NORTH CAROLINIANA 
 
 G378 
 
 UxK3 
 
 1833A 
 
"DIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL 
 
 00036720735 
 
 This book must not 
 be t-aken from the 
 Library building. 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 in 2010 with funding from 
 
 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/lectureonsubjectOOande 
 
A mmMWMW 
 
 ON THE SUBJECT OF 
 
 '-EXC1TIJ\^G EJflTJL^lTlOJX^ X.l* SCJIOOZ.S 
 
 BY THE VSR OF 
 
 REWARDS AND PUNISHMENTS." 
 
 DELIVERED BEFORE 
 
 THE NORTH CAROLINA 
 
 INSTITUTE OF EDUCATIO]^, 
 
 JUNE 27, 1833; 
 
 BY WALKER AXDERSOX, A. M. 
 
 Atljunct Professor of Natural Phili>so|)fiy and Astronomy in the 
 University of North Carolina. 
 
 PRINTED A\D PUBLISHED BY I. C. PATRIDCJEi. 
 
 183*. 
 
L.ErTUI?E. 
 
 ^]r. President and Gentlemen of the Institute: 
 
 HowRVKR inrom})etent 1 know myself to be to the task assigned me by youi 
 flattenncr ;ipiiniiitment, the ardent and sincere interest T fee! in the ailvaru-enifnt of 
 the great cause you have undertaken, has impelled nie, though with much diffidence, 
 to come forward and lend my feeble aid to your benevolent and patriotic exertions. — 
 In the great economy of nature, we often see the grandest results brought about by 
 causes and instruments seemingly the most insignificant, and 1 will not be deterred 
 from casting my mite into the mass of philanthropic and vigorous effort made by 
 yourselves and others in the great work of Education. At the same time, I must 
 regret that I am not sustained in all my opinions on the particular subject assigned 
 for my consideration, by the better informed and more experienced judgment of your 
 enlightened body. When I received notice of my appointment to the duty, 1 was 
 apprized that one motive for it, was the understanding that my practice and opinions 
 on the subject of rewards and punishments in schools, at the same time that they 
 differed from those which are ordinarily esteemed as correct, accorded with the views 
 of the members of the Institute. This is true only to a certain extent; but I have 
 too much respect for your liberality, to feel any hesitation in the full and unreserved 
 communication of the observations I have made, and the consequent conclusions to 
 which I have arrived, in relation to this subject, hoping that the experience upon 
 which they are founded will give them a value to which they have no other claim. 
 The assent of the mind is readily obtained to the universally accredited remark, 
 that the great object of education is to train the youthful mind for its future destinies, 
 and to fit the unformed powers, both moral and intellectual, for the stern collisions of 
 the world — yet, at the same time that this truth is universally conceded, it exercises 
 as little salutary influence in the economy of schools, as if it were the despised theory 
 of the visionary. The vicious system of geneialization, which prevails to so great 
 an extent, is utterly at variance with this fundamental principle. With the tyranny 
 of a moral Procrustes, the schoolmaster applies his system, whatever it may be, with- 
 out distinction and without remorse, to every diversity of object within liis intluencc. 
 He whi» has within his bosom the gcr.n jf a master spirit, whiise t- nergies are to con- 
 trol a nation, is trained in the same path with the gentle being whose chief mflucn'ce 
 
-. • . ■ 4 ., • 
 
 fin the happiiiPBs of tlie -world consists in the counteraction and correction of the vio- 
 lences of those verv enersies. The seckided votirv of [ihilosophy, or the muses, has 
 his sensitive, though vigorous mind, bound down and cramjied by tlie same dii^ciiiline 
 which is found necessary for tlie rude and robust facuUies of the man of business. 
 The application of these remarks to the subject before us is obvious enough, and the 
 evils of the indiscriminate wse of any system of discipline are particularly striking, 
 when we consider its inHuence on the two great divisions into which the objects of 
 our solicitude are divided. I mean the two sexes. Here we find two classes of hu- 
 man beings obviously designed for different s})hercs of action in the world, and fur- 
 nished with capacities and powers respectively adajited to their relative duties. The 
 man designed tor bold conceptions, vigorous action and noble daring — the woman 
 for softness and submission — the former is to be fitted lor the laborious occupations of 
 common life, for the perilous achievements of the tented field, or for tlic more intel- 
 lectual but still severe contests of the senate — the latter, for the unostentatious duties 
 of the domestic circle, the numerous charities of a mother and a wi.*c and for her sum- 
 mer-like influence on the world. 
 
 "For contemplation, he and valour formed; 
 For softness, she and sweet attractive grace." 
 
 These different cjids can scarcely be accomplished by the same means. As the pro- 
 ducts of the tropics require a different and more delicate culture than the hanly vege- 
 tation of the Frigid zone, so does the tender and susceptible mind of the wouian de- 
 mand a gentler nurture than the more robust faculties of the man; and as the genial 
 warmth of the vertical sun would parch and wither the peculiar products of the north, 
 while the flowerc and fruits of the tropics would perish beneath the withering l-reath 
 of the Arctic storm, as that discipline which would with its gentle influences mould 
 the female mind to all the grace and lovehness of its nature would repress the energies 
 bf the man, and the sterner system of culture required by the latter, would throw the 
 blight of desolation, or at least defdcment, over the fair field it essays to adorn. 
 
 Let this distinction then be kept in mind, while we {)roceed in our inquiries respect- 
 in<T the particular subject of discussion, and with the repetition of my regret, tliat on 
 this subject our opinions should to any extent be different, 1 will proceed to the con- 
 sideration of the prevailing system of exciting emulation by the use of rewards and 
 punishments suo-gesting what may seem to be its delects in its indiscriminate appli- 
 cation to all ages, sexes and capacities, and pointing out its excellence in many of its 
 modes of action. 
 
 The true object of education is not, as is too often supposed, the mere acquisition 
 oT learning— but rather, as we have already said, the adaptation of the mind to grap- 
 
pie with the neciiliar duties of its future station — thedisciphiic ofthehcirtto jirepare it 
 for the re;'e[)tion or rejeclion or the wliolesome modification of tlie di\i>rsili(d in '■■.en- 
 ces to wlueh it will he exposeil in the world. In the iiiquirv, then, uheilier an |;ar- 
 ticular svstoni is of value, we must regard the ohjects to which it is to he aiJiilicd, the 
 spliere ofntify for whicli those objects are to be fitted and tiie peculiar tendency "f 
 the system lo the inipartinjj; and cultivaliiiix those principles and habits of iiction 
 which are neeessarv. And here the viciousness of the system of applying the same 
 discipline in the education of ttie two sexes is at once a|)parent — their spheres of du- 
 ty are not the same and their habits of action must be diflcrent. In expres-iinir, tlieHj 
 niv (lisa[iprobalion of the prevailing system in its application to female cducatinn, I 
 wish to Ipc understood as holding a difierent opinion as regards tiie education of the 
 oth( r sex and t[iuugh ny opinion derives no sanction in the liitter case as in the for- 
 mer, from experience, yet if the fundamental princijiles \vc have already established 
 be true, and they must approve themselves to every mind, we may arrive at a satisfac- 
 tory conclusion by tracing tlieni out to their necessary effects. I ought here, perhaps, 
 Mr President, to a])oloirize, f(jr liejiarting from what was prohably tlie primary object 
 cf the iublitute, in jiroposing this inquiry, as I mean in tlie first place and chiefly to 
 call \our attention to the inliuence of the prevailing system of rewards and punish- 
 ments in the education of the softer sex, intending, however, in the course of my re- 
 marks, to advert to its influence ujion both. A moment's reflection will, I hope, jus.- 
 tify me in your opinion for adopting this course. The education of the woman pre- 
 sents a claim to our attention, not only as being equally important to the objects them- 
 selves ,is that of the man, but as exercising an inliuence over the latter which no sub- 
 sequent neglect or culture i;an destroy. It is a matter of much moment, therefore, whe- 
 ther that influence be wholesome or noxious. If wc wish to have Gracchi we must 
 first look for Cornelias. And I now esteem myself fortunate in having jiropo.sed this 
 course to myself since you have already this inoining* heard the effects of emulation 
 in the education of boys so vividly and eloquently portrayed, portrayed with so much 
 force as might well make me despair of sustaining with any success, the opposite 
 wround i have taken. For what then, let us now inquire, is the gentle being destined, 
 whose untainted and flexible mind is to be subjected to the ordeal of elementary disci- 
 pline? What is the station she is to occupy in after life? What are the peculiar obliga- 
 tions she will be expected to discharge? What the trials and iiindrances with which 
 her path will be be^et7 The answer is obvious Her station is that of an 
 aid, a counsellor — a subordinate — her jieculiar obligations all spring out of her 
 
 * In the Anniversary Address of Joseph A. Hill, Esquire. 
 
(3 
 
 .relation to man as her jfuidc and governor — her trials and hindrances for the most 
 part may be traced to that natural corruption of the heart, whici she ])art3kts with 
 the rest of Iier species, and whii'h ever prompts her to deny and n sist thf .zrv.it end 
 of her beintT. In tliat exquisite picture of female loveliness, for which, as an a';i;ost 
 perfect model, the sex owes eternal gratitude to the poet Milton, Eve is made f> ad- 
 dress her husband in these beautiful words, expressive at once of the rel:\tion between 
 them and her own cheerful acquiescence in the subordinate lot to which she was cre- 
 ated: 
 
 "My Author and Disposer, what thou bid'st 
 
 "Unargued I obey — so God ordains — 
 
 "God is thy law, thou mine; to know no more, 
 
 "Is woman's happiest knowledge and her praise." 
 And what is the disci[)line by which we seek to (prepare this gentle being for the 
 lovc-inspirmg offices of her station? What system of culture do we ap]ity t(. those 
 affections which are to soothe, by submission and forbearance, the stern austi rity of 
 the companion of her pilgrimage? How do we train woman for that relation to man, 
 in which, like the ivy that embraces and embellishes the oak, she at once rr^ ives 
 support and imparts beauty? Why, the answer ih ready. Wc prepare her for her 
 gentle offices of love, by bringing her into fierce conflict with the companions of her 
 education — by teaching her to "hate that excellence she cannot reach." We cultivate 
 her submissive and forbearing spirit, by teaching her to exult in the pain and disap- 
 pointment of those whom the natural impulses of childhood v\ould otherwise j rui.ipt 
 her to love. We mould her for that relation to man in which she derives support and 
 imparts pleasure, by stimulating her easily excited passions in the contests tor supe- 
 riority over her fellows — by making it one condition of her exaltation, that her com- 
 panion should be degraded — of her pleasure, that her rival should be mortitit'd — for 
 the same end is attained, whether the successful competitor excels by the vigorous 
 and well regulated efforts of her own mind, or in consequence of the feebleness i>r in- 
 dolcnce of her antagonist; and as the passions exposed to the influence of such mo- 
 tives belong to a mortal, and are tainted with the universal degradation of our nature, 
 "we need not hope they will escape those agitating impulses which 
 
 "vex the mind 
 
 "With endless storm; whence deeply rankling grows 
 
 "The partial thought, a hstless unconcern, 
 
 "Cold and averting from our neighbor's good; 
 "Then dark disgust and hatred" — 
 tet us, in imagination, trace the j)rogress of one of these beings, on whose proper 
 culture the happiness of man so largely depends, through the successive positions in 
 t^'hich she is prepared for, and fulfils, the destines of her sex — let us watch the effect's 
 
of asssooiations and haliits on her susceptible mind, in the counteraction of the gcntlt' 
 dictate?; of b'T iinturr, and in the formation of masculini- prin •inles of action; and 
 then, V. ben education has thus unfominized her, let us attend her to the theatre of 
 her peculiar responsibilities. We see her placed in close collision with the com- 
 panions of her childhood — we hear her called upon to press forward for the foremost 
 place in the contest in which all are enptaged — we see the workings of excited passion 
 in the kindled eye, the flushed cheek, the eager step — we discover, with concern, her 
 selfish and exxlusive devotion to her own advancement; for, whatever the generous 
 impulses of the girl may prompt her to feel for others, the unnatural, but easily ac- 
 quired, teelings of the candidate for distinction teach her to suppress. A competi- 
 tor in the race falls — does the sympathizing girl hasten to the aid of her unfortunate 
 rival, and, thoughtless for a while of herself, lend all her generous cares to the restora- 
 tion of her friend? Oh, no! this is no part of the system. She is taught to exult that 
 one obstacle to her success has been removed, and that, if she extends assistance, she 
 may convert a disgraced into a triumphant rival — she denies the gentle ])romptings 
 of her sex, and passing on, urges her strength against some new and envied rival. — 
 "\Ve now see her, as the contest approaches its doubtful termination, excited with the. 
 roost hateful passions; her young bosom throbs with the sellish joy of success, re- 
 gardless of all the consequent pain to others; or it is torn with the angry sob of disap- 
 pointment, and filled to overflowing with that hateful passion "which withers at ano- 
 ther's joy." Nor does the evil end here — the contest is again and again renewed; 
 not as before, with the kindly feelings of our nature, to resist the tendencies of a vi- 
 cious system — but with those feelings, perverted by the mortifications of defeat, soured 
 by the envied success of others, and fitted, by the previous pollutions of passion, for 
 the more confirmed and debasing entertainment of jealousy, envy — hatred. 
 
 When the gentle girl, with all the affectionate impulses of her nature, and the yield- 
 ing graces of her sex, has been thus converted, by the operation of the stern system 
 we are contemplating, into the jealous and aspiring woman, we will attend her upon 
 her further progress into life, and see vpith what feelings she assumes, and with what 
 fidelity she is prepared to fill, her appointed station in the world. And here let me 
 take occasion to point out a distinction in the respective offices of the sexes which is 
 seldom regarded, but which goes far towards explaining why a system which may 
 be salutary in its application to (he one sex, produces the most disastrous influence 
 on the other. The man, the educated man at least, exerts his influence in the worldj 
 by opei aliiig, not only on individuals, but on the mass — his sphere is widely extended, 
 and for the fulfilment of all its duties, the most diversified powers are demanded. — 
 When tnose powers are adequate to the full discharge ol the required diitics, it is n© 
 
cause for vcgi'et, if Lis former rhah, but now subordinatr s, shouU] possess loss elevated 
 powers, iittcd in their turn for their secondary spheres of actiiin. it rather conduces 
 to the benefit of society, that while 
 
 "One Caesar hves, a thousand are forgot." 
 It is not so with woman — her spliere is cireumscribed and complete within itself; 
 and on lier alone, and on no other, depends the happiness or misery ti;at pervades it. 
 She blesses or embitters the lot of the one individual who has confided to her keeping 
 his whole store of earthly hope and fruition; and to that man, whose one only fountain 
 gives out to him the waters of gladness, or the waters of bitterness, it matters not 
 what the lot of his fellows around him may be — he must drink c)f his own cuj), either 
 in joy or in anguish. The man, like the God of day, though he blesses with his 
 warmest beam the satellite that lives most nearly to himself, sends his vivifying in- 
 fluence throughout the system, and aniuiates and enlightens the remotest dependent 
 upon his smile with a warn:th and a splend( nr that leave no wi^h for other suns. — 
 The woman, like the milder Q.ucen of night, lives but for one object, and to that one 
 object she ever tiuns the same unvarying face, whether that face be shrouded in the 
 shadows of vice or lightened by the sunshine of virtue; or if her gentle ray jienetrate 
 beyond her peculiar sphere, 'tis only seen as one amidst a firmament of constellations 
 that adorn creation. Man, then, may be so cultured as to fit the several individuals 
 for their respective stations of pre-eminence or sub'>rdination; for such are the rela- 
 tions they must assume in life. Every woman, on the contrary, in the sense ia 
 which 1 have mentioned, and in the discharge of her peculiar duties, is equal, and has 
 no occasion to come in competition with the rest of her sex. N^ow, then, let us see 
 what is woman's moral preparation for this, her sphere of action in the world, under 
 the operation of that system which has been stimulating her, by all its sanctions, to 
 the attainment of superiority in her pursuits. She is not fitted for submission, by a 
 discipline which has taught her to regard a station of inferiority as one of disgrace. 
 That distinguishing virtue of the woman — I mean gentleless — which, like the fra- 
 grance of the flower, alone gives any value to beauty, is greatly impaired, if not de- 
 stroyed; for the oi)posite feeling of fierce contentious emulation has usurped its [-lace 
 and withered its affectionate impulses. She is not even fitted for the forbearance and 
 concession demanded of her in every relation of life; for she has been taught reso- 
 lutely to seek, and boldly to maintain, |)re-eminence over all around her. If the ex- 
 cellence of another afi'ects her susceptible mind with admiiation, that virtuous feeling 
 is polluted by an admixture of the most selfish regrets; and the disgrace and failure 
 oi another do not always fill with tears those eyes which liave so often kindled with 
 exultation at the abortions of her fellows. I will not be understood, I hope, Mr. 
 
9 
 
 President, as meaniiifr tliat every woman px])os((l to the influonee ot lhi^4 improper 
 system becomes the uiiamiahle being I have described; or that even wliere its evil 
 effects are discovered in the vitiated impulses of tlie female mind, there does not re- 
 main much to redeem thi' ravafjes whirli a vicious culture has made. The rose docs 
 not lose its fragrance, though its delicate leaves be torn and polluted by the storm; j-ct 
 who does not regret lliat a flower so sweet should have liad its beauty so marred. — 
 So there is an elasticity and native I'xeellcnce in the female li>?art that rej>els much of 
 the harm to which this system exposes it; but who will not grieve at the defilement 
 it does contract, and wish for that stainless purity which seems so nearly attained. 
 
 Time would not permit me to enter at large into the consideration of the other 
 evils of this system, though it is the less material, as I rely cliicfly in my arcument 
 against it, on the objection already mentioned, viz: the injurious operation of the whole 
 system on the female character. I will just mention, besitles, that the excellence in 
 scholarship likely to be attained amongst girls by an eager competition for the first 
 rank, is not often of a very superior kind — the exactions made upon the female 
 jnind by the sense of the age are not of the same nature as those made upon the 
 other sex — the same extent of cultivation, the same amount of acquisition, is not re- 
 quired; and as the object set before the aspiring girl is not the attainment of any par- 
 ticular excellence, but only the occupation of the first place, it follows that her suc- 
 cess will give evidence only of limited acquirements. This in fact we find to be 
 often the case — the trophies of success often crown an empty head — the pride of 
 superiority often animates the eye, which genius has never fired and knowledge has 
 never lightened. 
 
 The system which I would propose to substitute for the one which seems to be 
 founded upon such erroneous principles, I have had an opportunity of seeing applied 
 to every variety of intellect and of disposition; and the result of this abundant expe- 
 rience, has confirmed me in the opinions which at first were the offspring of very 
 limited observation and reflection. As the plan is very sim[)lc in its details, and will 
 occupy your attention but a few moments in its explanation, I will make no apology 
 for describing it in general terms, sufficiently minute, however, to enable you to form 
 a correct idea of the spirit and princij)les that pervade it. 
 
 The system of rewards and punishments is not abandoned, neither indeed is that 
 of distinction; but the fundamental principle of the plan is to hold out these rewards 
 and distinctions as objects for the simultaneous attainment of every candidate. Each 
 one may attain the highest rank without being impeded in the slightest degree by the 
 success of others. The grand defect of the other system, we conceive to be, that the 
 success of one is only accomplished by the discomfiture of others — whereas in this, 
 the fiiilurc of others has not the remotest possible influence in forwarding the success^ 
 
10 
 
 fill. A certain standard of excellence in scholarship and propriety of deportment is 
 set brfore the jiipil for attainment, and each one is subsequently judged acconlinif as 
 she reaches or falls short of that standard. It is evident that all may succeed— that 
 none need he defeated — and indeed, the school to which I have already alluded, and 
 a session of which has just reached its termination, [iresents this very pleasing ano- 
 maly, that of the whole number of pupils, with a single exception, every individual 
 has attained the standard presented to them, and is, consequently, entitled to, and will 
 receive the first distinction. The standard is of so high an order, that we believe it 
 has ensured at least as great a proficiency in learning, and correctness in deportment, 
 as are ordinarily attained by the two or three successful competitors who carry ofl' the 
 prizes under the other system, at the expense of so many others. We will not say 
 that success in this case is unattended with gratification, or even exultation; for (he 
 pupils have received, and have well merited, the approbation of their teachers; but it 
 is unaccompanied by any of those exciting passions, whose injurious influences we 
 have been contemplating with so much pain. Were it proper for me to enter at 
 large into the details of my experience on this subject, I might tell you, sir, of the 
 kindly influence exerted b}' this system ujjon the benevolent and social afTections of 
 those who are trained under it — of the utter absence of all animosities, envyings and 
 jealousies — of the afTectionate readiness with which each lends assistance to the other, 
 and of the high intellectual attainments made under its sanctions. I must content 
 myself with saying, in one word, that the mind and heart of the girl seem, by it, to 
 he best trained for the duties and responsibilities of the woman — that she is taught 
 in childhood, as she will have to practise in maturer life, to discharge all her duties 
 without reference to her companions — that, as the elTect of this system, (to use the 
 language of a poet who is an ornament to the sex, ) 
 
 "From her heart subdued," 
 
 "All haughty dreams of power will wing their flight, 
 
 "And leave high place for martyr-fortitude, 
 
 "True fdith, long suffering love." 
 
 A few remarks will serve to explain the mode of estimating the success or failure 
 of the pupil in attaining the required standard. The preceptor is provided with a 
 book, in which he records, after each recitation, the manner in which each pupil has 
 recited. Every mistake is noted; and by the number of these mistakes, as compared 
 with the perfect recitations, is the pupil judged at the close of the session; and such 
 is the effect of thus recording and attaching importance to every mistake, that in a 
 school which embraces all varieties of intellect, I have repeatedly known a hundred 
 successive lessons to be recited without the occurrence of a single error. The stand- 
 ard proposed for attainment may be regulated by the experience of the teacher, 
 
11 
 
 1 hough it will in general be found that almost any standard may be proposed, if the 
 appointed lessons are adapted to the abilities of the jiupil. Let it be distinctly un- 
 derstood, that perfection in recitation is imperatively demanded, as a means of ob- 
 taining reward and escaping disgrace; and few minds will be found so callous as to 
 be insensible to this never- relaxing, though gentle, excitement. 
 
 In the school already alluded to, the first standard appointed, was, that where the 
 recorded mistakes at the close of the session did not exceed in number the recorded 
 perfect lessons by more than one hundred, the candidate was entitled to the highest 
 reward. This standard, though founded upon some experience under the old system, 
 was soon found too low, though its conditions were rigidly enforced; and it was next 
 proposed, that the recorded mistakes must not exceed at all the perfect lessons. This 
 point, though seemingly difficult of attaiimient, was so readily mastered, that the 
 preceptor was induced to require that the perfect lessons must be so numerous as. to 
 exceed, by more than one hundred, the number of recorded mistakes. It was at the 
 same time arranged, that all moral ilelinquencies and improprieties of deportment 
 should be thrown, at a certain estimate, into the same scale with the mistakes; thus 
 enhancing the difficulties of attaining the required standard to all who subjected 
 themselves to punishments of this nature. Every deviation from propriety thus 
 swelling the list of mistakes, no one who cherished the faintest wish to receive a re- 
 ward, or to escape disgrace, can withstand such influence. The punishment eflects 
 an entire abstinence from similar ofl'ences for the future, and at the same time applies 
 a powerful stimulus to industry, since nothing short of the same number of perfect 
 lessons can redeem the delinquent's lost ground, and restore her to her former place. 
 Even this high standard is attained with so much ease, that, as I have already said, 
 nearly a whole school to whom it vvas proposed has recently attained it — and most of 
 the pupils have far exceeded the required point. 
 
 No other discipline than what is involved in this system is found necessary, even 
 as a moral restraint, except in very extreme cases; in the event of which, the refracto- 
 ry subject siiould be removed. The female who is insensible to the motives pre- 
 sented under this plan of discipline, should not be permitted to contaminate, by her 
 example, the circle to which she is so uncongenial. It is hardly necessary to remark, 
 that an inflexible adherence on the part of the teacher to the conditions of his sys- 
 tem is absolutely necessary, and it will always meet with the pleasing return of a 
 ready acquiescence on the part of the pupil. I have known a stubborn temper ef- 
 fectually and permanently subdued by the teacher's deliberately counting every word 
 of a lesson which the pupil refused to recite, and recording them as mistakes. No 
 oflTence of the same nature was ever afterwards committed by the same pupii, or by 
 any other who witnessed the punishment; and so great a degree of industry was 
 made necessary by this loss, in order to restore herself to her forfeited station, that the 
 offending subject became a better scholar, as well as a better girl, in consequence of 
 her severely punished oflTence. It is also necessary, or at least expedient, that fre- 
 quent candid and minute reports be made to parents and guardians. The reasons for 
 this are sufficiently apparent. One word more, sir, in reply to an objection which 
 may be made to this system. It may be supposed, that where so much perfection in 
 recitation ib demanded, the lessons must be short, and the progress in education slow. 
 To this I will only answer, that experience has abundantly proved the reverse. — 
 
12 
 
 The capaciiies of pupils are tasked to tlioir utmost powers, and the same jicrvading 
 stimulus, whose influence we have already witnessed, is sufficient to carry them for- 
 ward to the full accomplishinent of their required duties — the only limit to exaction 
 need be, the capabilities of the pupil, (regulated, of course, by a proper regard to 
 health,) and in a vast majority of cases, that limit will be attained. 
 
 I have but little time left, and you, 1 fear, Mr. President, le-s patience, for the other 
 proposed branch of our subject, viz: the consideration of the elTects of the prevailing 
 system of exciting emulation in schools upon the hardier sex. As much incidental 
 reference, however, has been made to this matter, in our previous enquiries, and the 
 true principles upon which any system of discipline should be founded have been 
 establislied, it will be the less necessary for me to consume your time beyond a few 
 minutes, for the more close application and illustration of those principles. 
 
 The man, then, being destined in mature life to mingle with his felliAvs, and esta- 
 blish amongst them relations of every possible variety — assuming at one time the con- 
 trol of millions, and at another sinking to the level of the multitude — struggling, at 
 the hazard of poverty and want, for distinction in the ])articular line of occupation he 
 may have adoj)ted — or yielding, at length, to the resistless impulse of necessity, and 
 assuming the subordinate station for which he is fitted — the boy must be trained to 
 this, his destiny, by having his energies stimulated by the excitements which are or- 
 dinarily pro})o.sed in our schools. He must be taught to struggle for pre-eminence 
 while a hope of success remains; for in after life he 
 
 "Loves a lofty mark;" •, » • 
 
 and he must learn, by frequent experience, to bear defeat with equanimity, since de- 
 feat will attend him through life, as the shadow, the substance. And here, again, the 
 idea I wish to convey is best illustrated by placing the two sexes in contrast. It is all- 
 important to the success of the man, that ho excel in acquirement and skill his rivals 
 in any of his pursuits, whether it be one of the learned professions, or the sciences, 
 or the mechanic arts. To the woman, it matters not with how much or how little 
 fldelitv' the mothers and wives around her fultil their duties — her obligations bear no 
 reference to theirs; their excellence is no barrier to her success; their delinquency 
 will not make hers the less disgraceful or the less deliterious in its influence. The 
 man of Inferior powers, who has been taught to seek the first place, will be success- 
 ful in life, if he attain the object of his ambition, however humble the acquisition 
 may yet leave him — the iroman must attain a degree of positive excellence, or she 
 will be a curse, whether her sphere be a cottage or a throne. 
 
 Such, Mr. President, I conceive to be the true light in which we should regard this 
 interesting subject. I trust I have made myself intelligible on the main points T have 
 endeavored to establish, though I am aware that much more time is requisite than I 
 should be willing to consume, at your expense, for their faithful elucidation. I beg 
 you to accept my crude observations, on a subject but rarely discussed, with that in- 
 dulgence to which an enlightened mind always disposes its possessor; and if you can 
 winnow one grain from tlic chall' which has been presented to you, to pardon for its 
 Falve its valueless accompaniments. 
 
X 
 
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