"A VISIT TO MY BIRTH PLACE.' By the author of the " Pastor's Tales, &o.” ---James Loring. Mr. Loring is entitled to the thanks of the religious community, for his numerous republications of small, interesting works, calculated to lead the juvenile mind from a contemplation of those works, too popular indeed, in which a tempest of passion is aroused, and the feelings wrought up to intensity, without leaving a savour of piety behind the storm to calm and sanctify the heart. The works published by this gentleman, generally have all the attraction of good novel writing, while at the same time, they show in bold relief some christian virtue, and hold it up for youthful imitation. The prominent character in the little book above named, is an accomplished English lady, the wife of an officer in the continental war. She follows her husband to the vicinity of the deadly strife-she becomes deeply pious-she fades away under the weight of her anxieties and troubles; and finally sinks away to be at rest.

TO OUR PATRONS.

The "Sketches of American Character" have been more favorably received than the writer anticipated; and to that cause, must be attributed the circumstance, that they have been continued. But the writer is sensible, that more variety, more novelty, will soon be demanded. She therefore assures her patrons that, with the commencement of the second volume, some new arrangement in the Magazine will, at least, be attempted. The "Sketches" will appear but once more, and the indulgence of the public will doubtless be extended to the last representation, as the players would say,-in which it will be the endeavor of the writer to portray that most interesting of domestic scenes---the fireside of an independent and happy family.

LADIES' MAGAZINE.

VOL. I.

DECEMBER.

No. XII.

FEMALE EDUCATION IN SPAIN.

MRS HALE,-The following, translated from the Spanish, exhibits the ideas entertained in Spain, of the importance of bestowing a more perfect education upon females; and it affords some insight moreover, into the manners and modes of thinking, prevalent in that country. It purports to be addressed by one lady to another, by donna Domitilia to donna Eudoxia.

"It is the general opinion, my dear friend, that the care and education of children, and attention to household concerns, are sufficient employment for our sex; and that we have no time to spare for the study of the sciences. That all young ladies are not in a condition to devote themselves to study, cannot be doubted; but there are many to whom, from the circumstances of their birth, a literary and scientific education would not only be useful, but highly fitting and proper.

The charms of the most beautiful woman retain their empire scarcely beyond the middle of her life. The estimation in which she is held, begins then insensibly to decline, unless it be sustained by an enlightened understanding, or by the knowledge she has acquired by education, or by reading and study; for though nature has bestowed a different, and peculiar organization upon our bodies, she has made no difference in our minds; our souls she has not made an inferior species, nor has she impressed the stamp of degradation upon our talents. On the contrary, I am

persuaded that, if women had, in all times and ages, enjoyed, equally with men, the advantages of instruction, we should have excelled them in the productions of genius, in spite of the greater opportunities they possess of exercising and improving their talents. This aggravates the injustice done us, in withholding from us the benefits of instruction; and proves the absurdity of the excuse generally rendered, by the other sex, for the course they have adopted. For the origin of this course I refer to barbarous times, and to the continual exercise of arms, to which vocation men always feel a preference over all other arts and sciences which are so difficult to be acquired. The civilization and improvement of nations has always been the work of ages. The stronger sex, and in strength alone superior to the other, as they sought to bend and humble, by the power of force, all that opposed them, sought also to conquer our weakness, and imposed upon us such laws as their fancy or caprice dictated.

Thus our sex was humbled; thus were we compelled to devote ourselves to the care of our families, and to household occupations; thus were we chained to the hearth; while men, swayed by the blind passion of governing the earth, went forth in arms to subdue neighboring and remote provinces, in order to extend their empire, or hazard their lives for the defence of their country, their firesides, wives and children. Such have always been the objects and aspirations of ambitious men; and it has been for robbery and conquest, that men have been ennobled. Hence has proceeded our subjection and dependence; for, in comparison with them, we are feeble, and cannot, in armor of steel, go forth to fight, slay and conquer like them. But when the time shall arrive-should that happy period ever arrive— when men shall hold humanity in just estimation; when the chief happiness and glory of a nation shall be acknowledged to consist in peace, in the improvement of the mind, and the cultivation of the arts, then their beneficent influence will be felt by our sex; our education will be considered of high importance; and surely, though slowly, will be dissipated those prejudices, which now prevent our instruction in literature and the sciences. Then also, will change the slight opinion now entertained of our talents; and less re

gard will be paid to strength and courage, in which tigers and lions have the advantage of men.

It is alleged that study will divert us from our peculiar duties; that it will render us proud, conceited and loquacious; that books are not written for our use, at least no books but those of devotion; that we easily imbibe new opinions, and should be likely to find such as would be hurtful in those books, which our curiosity would impel us to read; that the desire to appear learned, and be distinguished, would lead us to mix too much with the world, and to engage in intrigues; and many other consequences injurious to our sex are predicted, should they, in their youth, receive a literary and scientific education.

But it should be the chief object of such an education, to dispel from their understandings the clouds of ignorance and error, and not to render them eloquent and learned. It is difficult even for men who spend their whole lives in study, to become truly so; and grant that now and then a woman, devoting herself entirely to study, and neglecting her household concerns, should acquire that reputation; am not disposed to say that the object gained, is worth the price that is paid for it; but it would certainly be better than if she should neglect her duties, as many do, either from natural and unconquerable indolence, or to pursue pleasures of gallantry, or to spend her time in vain amuseinents, or to consume whole days in dressing her head, or adorning her person, in order to appear what she is not.

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Nor do I perceive why it should render women proud and conceited, to be instructed in the first rudiments of the sciences, especially if such an education were common among them, and if care were first taken to instil into their minds, the precepts of virtue. But if, notwithstanding, it should happen that a few should be vain of having learned to solve a problem in geometry, of having acquired some knowledge of geography and of the solar system, of certain natural causes, and their effects, and of the events of history, such vanity would in truth be ridiculous. But are not men also vain; and vain too, sometimes, of trifling and ridiculous acquirements which degrade, rather than exalt them?

I do not intend, by what I have said, to justify the vanity

of our sex in this particular; but I do not see why this species of vanity should be hurtful only to us, nor why we alone, should be accused of this fault. Is it not more excusable in us to be vain of knowledge, than of beauty, or riches, or high birth? These are accidental advantages; that is of our own acquisition. And if any should become loquacious, the harm would fall upon themselves; instead of enjoying the reputation of learning, they would meet the contempt of others.

As little do I see why we should be permitted to read only books of devotion. This watchfulness over us, does not spring from the desire which men feel to contribute to our happiness and respectability, but for the degraded opinion they entertain of our intellects. Works of science rarely contain false or pernicious sentiments, and it is not true that we are more ready to imbibe them than men. This opinion springs also from the presumption which is produced and fostered, by their having constituted themselves judges of the modes of thinking; and usurped the right of deciding all questions, while they deny this right to us, fearing that, in the train of other fancied evils arising from its exercise, would follow, that of associating more with the other sex, and the consequent dissoluteness of manners. But beauty and frailty, not knowledge and learning, are the objects of illicit passion in men, and they triumph more easily over the heedlessness of the ignorant, than over the sobriety and discretion of the well informed.

How many women there are, who engage, even without inclination and against their will, in love intrigues, which, without being criminal, furnish nevertheless, occasion of scandal; and which they would cheerfully renounce, had they been attached from their youth to reading and study; for this, in their retirement, would relieve the tedium of solitude. Household occupations, various and laborious as they are, make relaxation necessary, and some intervals of repose are generally afforded; but nothing can be so hurtful as intervals of leisure, when we know not what to do, and have no relish for innocent amusements.

Relaxation ought to bring relief to the mind, diverting it from all thought of labor and burdensome duties; but instead of relief, it brings disquiet and torment, when the