and future generations shall not rebel against these influences until they have
wrought their perfect work.
The methods throughout should be objective, with copious illustrations by way
of object-lessons, apparatus, charts, pictures, diagrams, and lectures, far less
book work and recitation, only a limited amount of room study, the function of
examination reduced to a minimum, and everything as suggestive and germinal
as possible. Hints that are not followed up; information not elaborated into a thin
pedagogic sillabub or froth; seed that is sown on the waters with no thought of
reaping; faith in a God who does not pay at the end of each week, month, or
year, but who always pays abundantly some time; training which does not
develop hypertrophied memory-pouches that carry, or creative powers that
discover and produce—these are lines on which such an institution should
develop. Specialization has its place, but it always hurts a woman's soul more
than a man's, should always come later, and if there is special capacity it should
be trained elsewhere. Unconscious education is a power of which we have yet to
learn the full ranges.
In most groups in this series of ideal departments there should be at least one
healthful, wise, large-souled, honorable, married and attractive man, and, if
possible, several of them. His very presence in an institution for young women
gives poise, polarizes the soul, and gives wholesome but long-circuited tension
at root no doubt sexual, but all unconsciously so. This mentor should not be
more father than brother, though he should combine the best of each, but should
add another element. He need not be a doctor, a clergyman, or even a great
scholar, but should be accessible for confidential conferences even though
intimate. He should know the soul of the adolescent girl and how to prescribe; he
should be wise and fruitful in advice, but especially should be to all a source of
contagion and inspiration for poise and courage even though religious or medical
problems be involved. But even if he lack all these latter qualities, though he so
poised that impulsive girls can turn their hearts inside out in his presence and
perhaps even weep on his shoulder, the presence of such a being, though a
complete realization of this ideal could be only remotely approximated, would
be the center of an atmosphere most wholesomely tonic.
In these all too meager outlines I have sketched a humanistic and liberal
education and have refrained from all details and special curriculization. Many
of the above features I believe would be as helpful for boys as for girls, but
woman has here an opportunity to resume her exalted and supreme position, to