Produced by Stan Goodman, Michelle Shephard, and Project
Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders
by
William A. Alcott
[Illustration: Retirement, rural quiet, friendship, books, Ease andalternate labour, useful life, Progressive virtue, and approvingHeaven! Thomson]
This work was begun, soon after the appearance of the Young Man'sGuide—and was partially announced to the public. For reasons, however,which I have not room to give in this place, it was thought proper todefer its publication till the appearance of several other volumes inthe same spirit, involving more particularly the relative duties.
I wish to have it distinctly understood, that I do not propose to givea complete manual of the social and moral duties of young women. Everyone has his own way of looking at things, and I have mine. Some of theduties of young women have appeared to me to receive from other writersless attention than their comparative importance demands; andothers—especially those which are connected with the great subject of"temperance in all things"—I have believed to be treated, in severalrespects, erroneously.
Permit me, however, to say, that while I have not intended to followthe path, or repeat the ideas of any other writer, I have not attemptedto avoid either the one or the other. If I have presented here andthere a thought which had already come before the public from my ownpen, I can only say that I did not intend it, although I did not takespecial pains to avoid it. The sum is this. I have presented mythoughts, without so much reference to what has already been said bymyself or others, as to what I have supposed to be the necessities ofthose for whom I write. I have gone straight forward, asking noquestions; and I trust I shall be dealt with in a manner equally direct.
Defining terms. The word excellence here used as nearly synonymous withholiness. What is meant by calling the work a Guide. The termWoman—why preferable, as a general term, to Lady. The class to whomthis work is best adapted.
Comparison of the responsibilities of young men and young women. Sayingof Dr. Rush. Its application to young women. Definition of the termeducation. Bad and good education. Opinions of Solomon. Influence of ayoung woman in a family—in a school. Anecdotes of female influence.West, Alexander, Cæsar, Franklin. Story of a domestic in Boston. Thegood she is doing. Special influence of young women in families—and assisters. Female influence in the renovation of the world.
Views of Agesilaus, king of Sparta—of Solomon, king of Israel. Mistakecorrected. What the wisest and best parents cannot do. What, therefore,remains to the daughter. Necessity of self-education. The work of selfeducation the work of life—a never-ending progress upward to thethrone of God.
Female capabilities. Doing every thing in the best possible manner.Unending progress. Every person and every occupation susceptible ofimprovement, indefinitely. Doing well what is before us. Anecdoteillustrative of this principle. Personal duties. Two great classes ofpersons described. Hopes of reaching the ears of the selfish.