第1章

FormerlyPresidentofWellesleyCollegeToalargelyincreasingnumberofyounggirlscollegedoorsareopeningeveryyear。Everyyearaddstothenumberofmenwhofeelasafriendofmine，asuccessfullawyerinagreatcity，feltwhenintalkingofthefutureofhisfourlittlechildrenhesaid，"Forthetwoboysitisnotsoserious，butIliedownatnightafraidtodieandleavemydaughtersonlyabankaccount。"Yearbyyear，too，theexperiencesoflifeareteachingmothersthathappinessdoesnotnecessarilycometotheirdaughterswhenaccountsarelargeandbanksaresound，butthatonthecontrarytheytakegraveriskswhentheytrusteverythingtoaccumulatedwealthandthechanceofahappymarriage。OurAmericangirlsthemselvesarebecomingawarethattheyneedthestimulus，thediscipline，theknowledge，theinterestsofthecollegeinadditiontotheschool，iftheyaretopreparethemselvesforthemostserviceablelives。

Buttherearestillparentswhosay，"Thereisnoneedthatmydaughtershouldteach；thenwhyshouldshegotocollege？"Iwillnotreplythatcollegetrainingisalifeinsuranceforagirl，apledgethatshepossessesthedisciplinedabilitytoearnalivingforherselfandothersincaseofneed，forIprefertoinsistontheimportanceofgivingeverygirl，nomatterwhatherpresentcircumstances，aspecialtraininginsomeonethingbywhichshecanrendersocietyservice，notamateurbutofanexpertsort，andservicetooforwhichitwillbewillingtopayaprice。

Thenumberoffamilieswillsurelyincreasewhowillfollowtheexampleofaneminentbankerwhosedaughtershavebeengiveneachherspecialty。Onehaschosenmusic，andhasgonefarwiththebestmastersinthiscountryandinEurope，sofarthatshenowholdsahighrankamongmusiciansathomeandabroad。Anotherhastakenart，andhasnotbeencontenttopaintprettygiftsforherfriends，butinthestudiosofNewYork，Munich，andParis，shehaswontherighttobecalledanartist，andinherstudioathometopaintportraitswhichhaveamarketvalue。

Athirdhasprovedthatshecanearnherliving，ifneedbe，byherexquisitejellies，preserves，andsweetmeats。Yetthehouseinthemountains，thehousebythesea，andthefriendsinthecityarenotneglected，noraretheseyoungwomenfoundlessattractivebecauseoftheirspecialaccomplishments。

Whileitisnottruethatallgirlsshouldgotocollegeanymorethanthatallboysshouldgo，itisneverthelesstruethattheyshouldgoingreaternumbersthanatpresent。Theyfailtogobecausethey，theirparentsandtheirteachers，donotseeclearlythepersonalbenefitsdistinctfromthecommercialvalueofacollegetraining。Iwishheretodiscussthesebenefits，theselargergiftsofthecollegelife，——whattheymaybe，andforwhomtheyarewaiting。

Itisundoubtedlytruethatmanygirlsaretotallyunfittedbyhomeandschoollifeforavaluablecollegecourse。Thesejoysandsuccesses，thesehighinterestsandfriendships，arenotfortheself-consciousandnervousinvalid，norforherwhointheexuberanceofyouthrecklesslyignoresthelawsofahealthylife。

ThegoodsocietyofscholarsandoflibrariesandlaboratorieshasnoplaceandnoattractionforherwhofindsnomessageinPlato，nobeautyinmathematicalorder，andwhoneverlongstoknowthemeaningofthestarsoverherheadortheflowersunderherfeet。Neitherwillthefineropportunitiesofcollegelifeappealtoonewho，untilsheiseighteen(istheresuchagirlinthiscountry？)，hasfeltnopassionfortheserviceofothers，nodesiretoknowifthroughhistoryorphilosophy，oranystudyofthelawsofsociety，shecanlearnwhytheworldissosad，sohard，soselfishasshefindsit，evenwhenshelooksuponitfromthemostshelteredlife。No，thecollegecannotbe，shouldnottrytobe，asubstituteforthehospital，reformatoryorkindergarten。

Todoitsbestworkitshouldbeorganizedforthestrong，notfortheweak；forthehigh-minded，self-controlled，generous，andcourageousspirits，notfortheindifferent，thedull，theidle，orthosewhoarealreadyformingtheircharactersontheamusementtheoryoflife。Allthesepervertedyoungpeoplemay，andoftendo，getlargebenefitandinvigoration，newideals，andunselfishpurposesfromtheirfouryears"companionshipwithteachersandcomradesofahigherphysical，mental，andmoralstaturethantheirown。IhaveseengirlschangesomuchincollegethatIhavewonderediftheirfriendsathomewouldknowthem，——thevoice，thecarriage，theunconsciousmanner，alltellingastoryofnewtastesandhabitsandlovesandinterests，thathadwroughtoutinverytruthanewcreature。YetinspiteofthisIhavesometimesthoughtthatincollegemorethanelsewheretheoldlawholds，"Tohimthathathshallbegivenandheshallhaveabundance，butfromhimwhohathnotshallbetakenawayeventhatwhichheseemethtohave。"Foritistheyounglifewhichisopenandpreparedtoreceivewhichobtainsthegraciousandupliftinginfluencesofcollegedays。What，then，forsuchpersonsaretherichandabidingrewardsofstudyincollegeoruniversity？

Pre-eminentlythecollegeisaplaceofeducation。Thatisthegroundofitsbeing。Wegotocollegetoknow，assuredthatknowledgeissweetandpowerful，thatagoodeducationemancipatesthemindandmakesuscitizensoftheworld。Nocollegewhichdoesnotthoroughlyeducatecanbecalledgood，nomatterwhatelseitdoes。Nostudentwhofailstogetalittleknowledgeonmanysubjects，andmuchknowledgeonsome，canbesaidtohavesucceeded，whateverotheradvantagesshemayhavefoundbytheway。Itisabeautifulandsignificantfactthatinalltimestheyearsoflearninghavebeenalsotheyearsofromance。Thosewholovegirlsandboyspraythatourcollegesmaybehomesofsoundlearning，forknowledgeistheconditionofeverycollegeblessing。"Letnomanincapableofmathematicsenterhere，"PlatoisreportedtohaveinscribedoverhisAcademydoor。"Letnoonetowhomhardstudyisrepulsivehopeforanythingfromus，"Americancollegesmightparaphrase。AccordinglyinmytalktodayIshallsaylittleofthedirectbenefitsofknowledgewhichthecollegeaffords。

Thesemaybeassumed。Itisontheiraccountthatoneknocksatthecollegedoor。Butseekingthisfirst，agoodmanyotherthingsareadded。Iwanttopointoutsomeofthesecollateraladvantagesofgoingtocollege，orrathertodrawattentiontosomeofthemanyformsinwhichthewinningofknowledgepresentsitself。

Thefirstoftheseishappiness。Everybodywants"agoodtime，"

especiallyeverygirlinherteens。Agoodtime，itistrue，doesnotalwaysintheseyearsmeanwhatitwillmeanbyandby，anymorethanthegirlofeighteenplayswiththedollwhichentrancedthechildofeight。Ittakessometimetodiscoverthatworkisthebestsortofplay，andsomepeopleneverdiscoveritatall。

Butwhenmothersasksuchquestionsasthese:"HowcanImakemydaughterhappy？""HowcanIgiveherthebestsociety？""Howcanshehaveagoodtime？"theanswerinmostcasesissimple。Sendhertocollege，——toalmostanycollege。Sendherbecausethereisnootherplacewherebetweeneighteenandtwenty-twosheissolikelytohaveagenuinelygoodtime。Merelyforgoodtimes，forromance，forsociety，collegelifeoffersunequalledopportunities。

Ofcoursenoidlepersoncanpossiblybehappy，evenforaday，norshewhomakesabusinessoftryingtoamuseherself。Forfullhappiness，thoughitsspringsarewithin，wewanthealthandfriendsandworkandobjectsofaspiration。"Welivebyadmiration，hope，andlove，"saysWordsworth。Thecollegeaboundsinallthree。

Inthecollegetimenewpowersaresprouting，andintelligence，merriment，truthfulnessandgenerosityaremorenaturalthantheoppositequalitiesoftenbecomeinlateryears。Anexhilaratingatmospherepervadestheplace。Wewhoareinitallthetimefeelthatweliveatthefountainofperpetualyouth，andthosewhotakebutafouryears"bathinitbecomemorecheerful，strong，andfullofpromisethantheyareeverlikelytofindthemselvesagain；foracollegeisakindofcompendiumofthethingsthatmostmenlongfor。Itisusuallyplantedinabeautifulspot，thecharmoftreesandwaterbeingaddedtostatelybuildingsandstimulatingworksofart。Venerableassociationsofthepasthallowitshalls。Leadersinthestirringworldofto-dayreturnateachcommencementtosharethefreshlifeofthenewclass。

Books，pictures，music，collections，appliancesineveryfield，learnedteachers，mirthfulfriends，athleticsforholidays，thebestwordsofthebestmenforholydays，——allarehere。Nowonderthatmenlookbackupontheircollegelifeasuponhalcyondays，theromanticperiodofyouth。NowonderthatDr。Holmes"spoemstohisHarvardclassmatesfindanechoincollegereunionseverywhere；andgray-hairedmen，whooutsidethenarrowingcircleofhomehavenotheardtheirfirstnamesforyears，remainBillandJoeandJohnandGeorgetocollegecomrades，evenifunseenformorethanageneration。

Yetagirlshouldgotocollegenotmerelytoobtainfourhappyyearsbuttomakeasecondgain，whichisoftenoverlooked，andislittleunderstoodevenwhenperceived；Imeanagaininhealth。

Theoldnotionthatlowvitalityisamatterofcoursewithwomen；

thattobedelicateisamarkofsuperiorrefinement，especiallyinwell-to-dofamilies；thatsicknessisadispensationofProvidence，——thesenotionsmeetwithnoacceptanceincollege。

YearsagoIsawinthemirrorframeofacollegefreshman"sroomthislittleformula:"Sicknessiscarelessness，carelessnessisselfishness，andselfishnessissin。"AndIhaveoftennoticedamongcollegegirlsanairofhumiliationandshamewhenobligedtoconfessalackofphysicalvigor，asiftheywereconvictedofmanaginglifewithbadjudgment，orofsomemoraldelinquency。

Withthespreadingscientificconvictionthathealthisamatterlargelyundereachperson"scontrol，thateveninheritedtendenciestodiseaseneednotbeallowedtoruntheirriotouscourseunchecked，therecomesanearnestpurposetobestrongandfree。Fascinatingfieldsofknowledgearewaitingtobeexplored；possibilitiesofdoing，aswellasofknowing，areoneveryside；newanddearfriendshipsenlargeandsweetendreamsoffuturestudyandwork，andtheyoungstudentcannotaffordquiveringnervesorsmalllungsoranachingheadanymorethanbadtaste，roughmanners，oraweakwill。Handicappedbyinheritanceorbadtraining，shefindstheplanofcollegelifeitselfhersupporterandfriend。

Thesteady，long-continuedroutineofmentalwork，physicalexercise，recreation，andsleep，thesimpleandwholesomefood，inplaceofirregularandunstudieddiet，workoutsalvationforher。Insteadofbeinglefttogoout-of-doorswhenshefeelslikeit，theregulartrainingofthegymnasium，theboatsonlakeandriver，thetenniscourt，thegolflinks，thebasketball，thebicycle，thelongwalkamongthewoodsinsearchofbotanicalorgeologicalspecimens，——alltheseandmanymorecalltothebusystudent，untilsherealizesthattheyhavetheirrightfulplaceineverywell-ordereddayofeverymonth。Soshelearns，littlebylittle，thatbuoyanthealthisapreciouspossessiontobewonandkept。

ItissignificantthatalreadystatisticalinvestigationinthiscountryandinEnglandshowsthatthestandardofhealthishigheramongthewomenwhoholdcollegedegreesthanamonganyotherequalnumberofthesameageandclass。Anditisinterestingalsotoobservetowhatsortofquestionsourrecentgirlgraduateshavebeeninclinedtodevoteattention。Theyhavebeenlargelytheneglectedproblemsoflittlechildrenandtheirhealth，ofhomesanitation，offoodanditschoiceandpreparation，ofdomesticservice，ofthecleanlinessofschoolsandpublicbuildings。

Collegesforgirlsarepledgedbytheirveryconstitutiontomakepersistentwaronthewatercure，thenervineretreat，theinsaneasylum，thehospital，——thosebitterfruitsoftheemotionallivesofthousandsofwomen。"Icanneveraffordasickheadacheagain，lifeissointerestingandthereissomuchtodo，"adelicategirlsaidtomeattheendofherfirstcollegeyear。Andwhilehermotherwasinafar-offinvalidretreat，sheundertookthebattleagainstfatewiththesameintelligenceandcouragewhichsheputintohercalculusproblemsandhertranslationsofSophocles。

Herbeautifulhomeandherrosyandhappychildrenprovethemeasureofherhard-wonsuccess。Formerlythemajorityofphysicianshadbutonequestionforthemotherofthenervousanddelicategirl，"Doesshegotoschool？"Andonlyoneprescription，"Takeheroutofschool。"Neverasuggestionastosuppersofpicklesandpound-cake，neverahintaboutmidnightdancingandhurriedday-timeways。Butnowthesensibledoctorasks，"Whatareherinterests？

Whatarehertastes？Whatareherhabits？"Andhefindsnewinterestsforher，andurgestheformationofout-of-doortastesandsteadyoccupationforthemind，inordertodrawthemorbidgirlfromherselfintotheinvigoratingworldoutside。Thisthecollegedoeslargelythroughitsthirdgiftoffriendship。

Untilagirlgoesawayfromhometoschoolorcollege，herfriendsarechieflychosenforherbycircumstances。Heryoungrelatives，herneighborsinthesamestreet，thosewhohappentogotothesameschoolorchurch，——theseshemakeshergirlishintimates。

Shegoestocollegewiththeentireconviction，halfunknowntoherself，thatherfather"spoliticalpartycontainsallthehonestmen，hermother"ssocialcircleallthetrueladies，herchurchalltherealsaintsofthecommunity。Andthesmallerthetown，themoreabsoluteisherbelief。Butincollegeshefindsthatthegirlwhoearnedherscholarshipinthevillageschoolsitsbesidethebanker"sdaughter；theNewEnglandfarmer"schildroomsnexttheheiressofaHawaiiansugarplantation；thedaughtersoftheopposingcandidatesinasharplyfoughtelectionhavegrowngreatfriendsincollegeboatsandlaboratories；andbeforeherdiplomaiswonsherealizeshowmuchricheraworldshelivesinthansheeverdreamedofathome。Thewealththatliesindifferenceshasdawneduponhervision。ItisonlywhentherichandpoorsitdowntogetherthateithercanunderstandhowtheLordistheMakerofthemall。

To-dayaboveallthingsweneedtheinfluenceofmenandwomenoffriendliness，ofgenerousnature，ofhospitalitytonewideas，inshort，ofsocialimagination。Butinstead，wefindeachpoliticalpartybitterlycallingtheotherdishonest，eachclasssuspiciousoftheintentionsoftheother，andinsociallifethepettieststandardsofconduct。Isitnotwellforusthatthecollegesalloverthecountrystilloffertotheirfortunatestudentsasocietyofthemostdemocraticsort，——oneinwhichafather"smoney，amother"ssocialposition，canassurenodistinctionandmakenoclosefriends？Herecapacityofeverykindcountsforitsfullvalue。Hereenthusiasmwaitstomakeheroesofthosewhocanlead。Herecharmingmanners，noblecharacter，amiabletemper，scholarlypower，findtheirfullopportunityandinspiresuchfriendshipsasareseldommadeafterward。Ihaveforgottenmychemistry，andmyclassicalphilologycannotbearexamination；butallroundtheworldtherearemenandwomenatwork，myintimatesofcollegedays，whohavemadethewideearthafriendlyplacetome。Ofeverycreed，ofeveryparty，infar-awayplacesandinnear，thethoughtofthemmakesmemorecourageousindutyandmorefaithfultoopportunity，thoughformanyyearswemaynothavehadtimetowriteeachotheraletter。

Thebasisofallvaluableandenduringfriendshipsisnotaccidentorjuxtaposition，buttastes，interests，habits，work，ambitions。Itisforthisreasonthattocollegefriendshipclingsaromanceentirelyitsown。Oneofthefriendsmayspendherdaysinthelaboratory，eagerlychasingtheshyfactsthathidebeyondthemicroscope"sfinevision，andtheothermayfillherhoursandherheartwiththepoetsandthephilosophers；onemaysteadfastlypursueherwaytowardthecommandofahospital，andtheothertowardstheworldoflettersandofart；thesedivergencesconstitutenobarrier，butratheranaidtothefulnessoffriendship。

Andthefactthatonegoesinasimplegownwhichshehasearnedandmadeherself，andtheotherliveswhenathomeinamerchant"smodernpalace——whathasthattodowiththethingsthegirlscareaboutandthedreamstheytalkoverinthewalkbytheriverorthebicycleridethroughcountryroads？Ifanyyoungmanto-daygoesthroughHarvardlonely，neglected，unfriended，ifanygirllivessolitaryandwretchedinherlifeatWellesley，itistheirownfault。Itmustbebecausetheyaresuspicious，unfriendlyordisagreeablethemselves。Certainlyitistruethatintheassociationsofcollegelife，morethaninanyotherthatthecountrycanshow，whatisextraneous，artificial，andtemporaryfallsaway，andtheevery-dayrelationsoflifeandworktakeonacharacterthatissimple，natural，genuine。Andsoitcomesaboutthatthefourthgiftofcollegelifeisidealsofpersonalcharacter。

Tosomepeopletheshapingidealsofwhatcharactershouldbe，oftenheldunconsciously，comefromthebookstheyaregivenbythepersonswhomtheymostadmirebeforetheyaretwentyyearsold。Thegreatestthinganyfriendorteacher，eitherinschoolorcollege，candoforastudentistofurnishhimwithapersonalideal。Thecollegeprofessorswhotransformedmethroughmyacquaintancewiththem——ah，theywerefew，andIamsureIdidnothaveadozenconversationswiththemoutsidetheirclassrooms——gaveme，eachinhisdifferentway，anidealofcharacter，ofconduct，ofthescholar，theleader，ofwhichtheyandIweretotallyunconsciousatthetime。FormanyyearsIhaveknownthatmystudywiththem，nomatterwhetherofphilosophyorofGreek，ofmathematicsorhistoryorEnglish，enlargedmynotionsoflife，upliftedmystandardsofculture，andsoinspiredmewithnewpossibilitiesofusefulnessandofhappiness。

NotthefactsandtheoriesthatIlearnedsomuchasthemenwhotaughtme，gavethisinspiration。Thecommunityatlargeisrightinsayingthatitwantsthepersonalinfluenceofprofessorsonstudents，butitiswhollywronginassumingthatthispreciousinfluencecomesfromfrequentmeetingsortalksonmiscellaneoussubjects。Thereisquiteaslikelytobeaquickeningforceinthesomewhatremoteandmysteriouspoweroftheteacherwhodevoteshimselftoamassingtreasuresofscholarship，ortopatientlyworkingoutthebestmethodsofteaching；whostandingsomewhatapart，stillremainsanidealoftheChristianscholar，thejust，thecourteousmanorwoman。Tocomeundertheinfluenceofonesuchteacherisenoughtomakecollegelifeworthwhile。AyoungmanwhocametoHarvardwitheightycentsinhispocket，andworkedhiswaythrough，neverahighscholar，andnowinabusinesswhichlooksverycommonplace，toldmetheotherdaythathewouldnotcaretobealiveifhehadnotgonetocollege。Hisfaceflushedasheexplainedhowdifferenthisdayswouldhavebeenifhehadnotknowntwoofhisprofessors。"Doyouuseyourcollegestudiesinyourbusiness？"

Iasked。"Oh，no!"heanswered。"ButIamanothermanindoingthebusiness；andwhentheday"sworkisdoneIliveanotherlifebecauseofmycollegeexperiences。ThebusinessandIareboththebetterforiteveryday。"Howmanyayounggirlhashadherwholehorizonextendedbythechangedidealsshegainedincollege!

Yetthisislargelybecausetheassociationsandstudiestherearelikelytogiveherpermanentinterests——thefifthandperhapsthegreatestgiftofcollegelifeofwhichIshallspeak。

Theoldfairystorywhichcharmedusinchildhoodendedwith——"Andtheyweremarriedandlivedhappyeverafter。"Itconductedtothealtar，havingbroughtthehappypairthroughinnumerabledifficulties，andleftuswiththecontentedsensethatallthemistakesandproblemswouldnowvanishandlifebeonelongdayofuncloudedbliss。Ihaveseendevotedandintelligentmothersarrangetheiryoungdaughters"educationandcompanionshipspreciselyonthisbasis。Theyplannedasiftheseprettyandcharminggirlsweregoingtoliveonlytwentyortwenty-fiveyearsattheutmost，andhadconsequentlynoneedofthewealthyintereststhatshouldroundoutthefull-grownwoman"sstature，makingheryoungerinfeelingatfortythanattwenty，andmorelovelyandadmiredateightythanateither。

Emersoninwritingofbeautydeclaresthat"thesecretofuglinessconsistsnotinirregularoutline，butinbeinguninteresting。Weloveanyforms，howeverugly，fromwhichgreatqualitiesshine。

Ifcommand，eloquence，art，orinventionexistsinthemostdeformedperson，alltheaccidentsthatusuallydisplease，please，andraiseesteemandwonderhigher。Beautywithoutgraceistheheadwithoutthebody。Beautywithoutexpressiontires。"Ofcoursesuchconsiderationscanhardlycomewithfullforcetotheyounggirlherself，whofeelsagedateighteen，andimaginesthatthetroublesandproblemsoflifeandthoughtarehersalready。

"Oh，tellmeto-night，"criedacollegefreshmanoncetoherPresident，"whichistherightsideandwhichisthewrongsideofthisAndoverquestionabouteschatology？"Theyounggirlisimpatientofopenquestions，andirritatedatherinabilitytoanswerthem。Neithercanshebelievethatthefirstheadlongzestwithwhichshethrowsherselfintosociety，athletics，intoeverythingwhichcomesinherway，caneverfail。Buthereldersknow，lookingon，thatourAmericangirl，thecommradeofherparentsandofherbrothersandtheirfriends，broughtupfrombabyhoodintheeagertalkofpoliticsandsociety，ofreligiousbelief，ofpublicaction，ofsocialresponsibility——thatthistypicalgirl，withherquicksympathies，herclearhead，herwarmheart，heroutreachinghands，willnotpermanentlybesatisfiedorself-respecting，thoughshehavetheprettiestdressesandhatsintown，orthemostcharmingofdinners，dances，andteas。

Unlesstherecomestoher，andcomesearly，theonechiefhappinessoflife，——amarriageofcomradeship，——shemustfaceforherselfthequestion，"WhatshallIdowithmylife？"

IrecallasuperbgirloftwentyasIovertookheronewintermorninghurryingalongCommonwealthAvenue。Shespokeofabrilliantpartyatafriend"sthepreviousevening。"But，oh!"

shecried，throwingupherhandsinakindofhopelessimpatience，"tellmewhattodo。Mydancingdaysareover!"Ilaughedather，"Haveyousprainedyourankle？"ButIsawIhadmadeamistakewhensheadded，"Itisnolaughingmatter。Ihavebeenoutthreeyears。Ihavenotdonewhattheyexpectedofme，"withaflushandashrug，"andthereisacrowdofnicegirlscomingonthiswinter；andanyway，Iamsotiredofgoingtoteasandball-gamesandassemblies!Idon"tcaretheleastintheworldforforeignmissions，and，"withastamp，"IamnotgoingslummingamongtheItalians。IhavetoomuchrespectfortheItalians。AndwhatshallIdowiththerestofmylife？"Thatwasafrankstatementofwhatanygirlofbrainsorconsciencefeels，withmoreorlessbitterdistinctness，unlessshemarriesearly，orhassomepressingworkforwhichsheiswelltrained。

Yetevenifthatwhichistheprofessionofwomanparexcellencebehers，howcanshebeperenniallysointerestingacompaniontoherhusbandandchildrenasifshehadkeenpersonaltastes，longherown，andgrowingwithhergrowth？Indeed，inthatrespecttheconditionofmenisalmostthesameasthatofwomen。Itwouldbequitethesamewereitnotforthefactthataman"sbusinessorprofessionisgenerallyinitselfameansofgrowth，ofeducation，ofdignity。Heleanshislifeagainstit。Hebuildshishomeintheshadowofit。Itbindshisdaystogetherinakindofnaturalpietyandmakeshimadvanceinstrengthandnobilityashe"fulfilsthecommonround，thedailytask。"Andthatisthereasonwhymeninthepast，iftheyhavebeenhonorablemen，havegrownoldbetterthanwomen。Menusuallyretaintheirabilitylonger，theirmentalalertnessandhospitality。Theyaddfinequalitytofinequality，passingfromstrengthtostrengthandpreservinginoldagewhateverhasbeenbestinyouth。Itwasasuddenrecognitionofthisfactwhichmadeayoungfriendofminesaylastwinter，"Iamnotgoingtopartiesanymore；themenbestworthtalkingwitharetoooldtodance。"

Evenwiththehelpofapermanentbusinessorprofession，however，themostinterestingmenIknowarethosewhohaveanavocationaswellasavocation。Imeanatasteorworkquiteapartfromthebusinessoflife。Thisrevives，inspires，andcultivatesthemperpetually。Itmatterslittlewhatitis，ifonlyitisrealandpersonal，islargeenoughtolast，andpossessesthepowerofgrowth……Ayoungsea-captainfromaNewEnglandvillageonalongandlonelyvoyagefallsuponacopyofShelley。Appealismadetohisfinebutuntrainedmind，andthebookoftheboypoetbecomestheseaman"suniversity。Thewideworldofpoetryandoftheotherfineartsisopened，andtheShelleyianspecialistbecomesacultivated，original，andcharmingman。Abusymerchantlovesflowers，andinallhisfreehoursstudiesthem。Eachnewspringaddsknowledgetohisknowledge，andhisfriendscontinuallybringhimtheirstrangediscoveries。Withgrowingwealthhecultivatesrareandbeautifulplants，andsharesthemwithhisfortunateacquaintances。Happythecompanioninvitedtoawalkoradrivewithsuchobservanteyes，suchvividtalk!Becauseofthischeerfulinterestinflowers，andthisingeniousskillindealingwiththem，themanhimselfisinteresting。Allhispowersarealert，andhisjudgmentisvaluedinpubliclifeandinprivatebusiness。Orisitmoreexacttosaythatbecauseheisthekindofmanwhowouldinsistuponhavingsuchinterestsoutsidehisdailywork，heisstillfreshandyoungandcapableofgrowthatanagewhenmanyothermenaredullandoldandcertainthatthetimeofdecayisathand？

Therearetworeasonswhywomenneedtocultivatetheselargeandabidinginterestsevenmorepersistentlythanmen。Inthefirstplace，theyhavemoreleisure。Theyareindeedtheonlyleisureclassinthecountry，theonlylargebodyofpersonswhoarenotcalledupontowintheirdailybreadindirectwage-earningways。Asyet，fortunately，fewmenamongushavesolittleself-respectastoidleaboutourstreetsanddrawing-roomsbecausetheirfathersarerichenoughtosupportthem。Wearenotwithoutourunemployedpoor；butrovingtrampsandidleclubmenareafterallnotoflargeconsequence。Ourserious，non-producingclassesarechieflywomen。ItistheregularambitionofthechivalrousAmericantomakeallthewomenwhodependonhimsocomfortablethattheyneeddonothingforthemselves。Machineryhastakennearlyalltheformeroccupationsofwomenoutofthehomeintotheshopandfactory。Widespreadwealthandcomfort，andtheinheritedtheorythatitisnotwellforthewomantoearnmoneysolongasfatherorbrotherscansupporther，havebroughtaboutaconditionofthingsinwhichthereissocialdanger，unlesswiththelargerleisurearegivenhighandenduringinterests。Tohealthespeciallythereisgreatdanger，fornothingbreaksdownawoman"shealthlikeidlenessanditsresultingennui。Morepeople，Iamsure，arebrokendownnervouslybecausetheyarebored，thanbecausetheyareoverworked；andmorestillgotopiecesthroughfussiness，unwholesomeliving，worryoverpettydetails，andthedailydisappointmentswhichresultfromsmallandsuperficialtraining。Andthen，besidesthedangertohealth，thereisthedangertocharacter。Ineednotdwellontheundermininginfluencewhichmenalsofeelwhenoccupationistakenawayandnoabsorbingprivateinterestfillsthevacancy。Thevicesofluxuriouscitylifeareperhapshardlymoredestructivetocharacterthanistheslowdeteriorationofbarrencountrylife。Thoughtheconditionsinthetwocasesareexactlyopposite，thetroubleisoftenthesame，——absenceofnobleinterests。Inthecityrestlessidlenessorganizesamusement；inthecountrydeadlydulnesssucceedsdailytoil。

Butthereisasecondreasonwhyagirlshouldacquireforherselfstrongandworthyinterests。Theregularoccupationsofwomenintheirhomesaregenerallydisconnectedandoflittleeducationalvalue，atleastasthosehomesareatpresentconducted。Giventhebestwillintheworld，thedailydoingofhouseholddetailsbecomesawearisomemonotonyifthemereperformanceofthemisall。Tomakedrudgerydivineawomanmusthaveabraintoplanandeyestoseehowto"sweeparoomastoGod"slaws。"Imaginationandknowledgeshouldbethehourlycompanionsofherwhowouldmakeafineartofeachdetailinkitchenandnursery。Toolonghasthepinbeentheappropriatesymboloftheaveragewoman"slife——thepin，whichonlytemporarilyholdstogetherthingswhichmayormaynothaveanyorganicconnectionwithoneanother。Whileundoubtedlymostwomenmustspendthelargerpartoflifeinthismodestpin-work，holdingtogetherthelittlethingsofhomeandschoolandsocietyandchurch，itisalsotrue，thatcohesiveworkitselfcannotbedonewell，eveninhumblecircumstances，exceptbytherefined，thetrained，thegrowingwoman。Thesmallestvillage，theplainesthome，giveamplespacefortheresourcesofthetrainedcollegewoman。Andthereasonwhysuchhomesandsuchvillagesaresooftenbarrenofgraceandvarietyisjustbecausethesefinequalitieshavenotruledthem。Thehighergracesofcivilizationhaltamongus；daintyandfinishedwaysoflivinggiveplacetocommonways，whilevulgartastes，slatternlyhabits，cloudsanddespondencyreigninthehouse。Littlechildrenunderfiveyearsofagedieinneedlessthousandsbecauseofthedull，unimaginativewomenonwhomtheydepend。Suchwomenhavebeensatisfiedwithjustgettingalong，insteadofpackingeverythingtheydowithbrains，insteadofstudyingthebestpossiblewayofdoingeverythingsmallorlarge；forthereisalwaysabestway，whetherofsettingatable，oftrimmingahat，orteachingachildtoread。Andthistasteforperfectioncanbecultivated；indeed，itmustbecultivated，ifourstandardsoflivingaretoberaised。

Thereisnowscientificknowledgeenough，thereismoneyenough，topreventthevastmajorityoftheevilswhichafflictoursocialorganism，ifmereknowledgeorwealthcouldavail；butthegreaterdifficultyistomakeintelligence，character，goodtaste，unselfishnessprevail。

What，then，aretheinterestswhichpowerfullyappealtomindandheart，andsoarefittedtobecomethestrengtheningcompanionsofawoman"slife？Ishallmentiononlythree，allofthemsuchasareelaboratelyfosteredbycollegelife。Thefirstistheloveofgreatliterature。Idonotmeanthatuseofbooksbywhichamanmaygetwhatiscalledagoodeducationandsobebetterqualifiedforthebattleoflife，nordoImentionbooksintheircharacterasreservoirsofknowledge，bookswhichweneedforspecialpurposes，andwhicharenolongerofconsequencewhenourpurposewiththemisserved。Ihaveinmindthegreatbooks，especiallythegreatpoets，bookstobeadoptedasaresourceandasolace。Thechiefreasonwhysomanypeopledonotknowhowtomakecomradesofsuchbooksisbecausetheyhavecometothemtoolate。Wehaveinthiscountryenormousnumbersofreaders，probablyalargernumberwhoread，andwhoreadmanyhoursintheweek，thanhaseverbeenknownelsewhereintheworld。Butwhatdothesemillionsreadbesidesthenewspapers？Possiblyadenominationalreligiousweeklyandanotherjournaloffashionorbusiness。Thencomethethousandswhoreadthebestmagazines，andwhateverelseisforthemomentpopularinnovelsandpoetry——

thelastdialectstory，thefashionablepoem，thequestionablebuttalked-ofnovel。Letaviolentattackbemadeonthedecencyofanewstoryandinstantly，ifonlyitisclever，itsauthorbecomesfamous。

Butthefashionsinreadingofarestlessrace——thewomentooidle，thementooheavilyworked——Iwillnotdiscusshere。Letlightliteraturebedevoureredbyourpopulaceashisdrugistakenbytheopium-eater，andwithasimilarnarcoticeffect。Wecanonlyseekoutthechildren，andhopebygivingthemfrombabyhoodbitsofthenoblestliterature，topreparethemforthegreatopportunitiesofmaturelife。Iurge，therefore，readingasamentalstimulus，asasolaceintrouble，aperpetualsourceofdelight；andIwouldpointoutthatwemustnotdelaytomakethegreatfriendshipsthatawaitusonthelibraryshelvesuntilsicknessshutsthedoorontheouterworld，ordeathentersthehomeandsilencesthevoicesthatoncehelpedtomakethesefriendshipssweet。IfHomerandShakespeareandWordsworthandBrowningaretohavemeaningforuswhenweneedthemmost，itwillbebecausetheycometousasoldfamiliarfriendswhoseinfluenceshavepermeatedthegladandbusydaysbefore。ThelasttimeIheardJamesRussellLowelltalktocollegegirls，hesaid，——forhewastooilltosaymanywords——"Ihaveonlythisonemessagetoleavewithyou。Inallyourworkincollegeneverlosesightofthereasonwhyyouhavecomehere。Itisnotthatyoumaygetsomethingbywhichtoearnyourbread，butthateverymouthfulofbreadmaybethesweetertoyourtaste。"

Andthisisthepowerpossessedbythemightydead，——menofeverytimeandnation，whosevoicesdeathcannotsilence，whoarewaitingevenatthepoorman"selbow，whoseilluminatingwordsmaybehadforthepriceofaday"sworkinthekitchenorthestreet，forlackofloveofwhommanyaluxurioushomeisadullandsolitaryspot，breedingmiseryandvice。Nowthemoderncollegeisespeciallyequippedtointroduceitsstudentstosuchliterature。

Thelibraryisatlastunderstoodtobetheheartofthecollege。

Themodernlibrarianisnotthekeeperofbooks，aswashispredecessor，butthedistributerofthem，andtheguidetotheirresources，proudwhenheincreasestheuseofhistreasures。Everylanguage，ancientormodern，whichcontainsaliteratureisnowtaughtincollege。Itshistoryisexamined，itsphilology，itsmasterpieces，andmorethaneverisEnglishliteraturestudiedandloved。Thereisnoweveryopportunityforthecollegestudenttobecomeanexpertintheuseofhisowntongueandpen。Whatothermenpainfullystriveforhecanenjoytothefullwithcomparativelylittleeffort。

Butthereisasecondinvigoratinginteresttowhichcollegetrainingintroducesitsstudent。Imeanthestudyofnature，intimacywiththestrangeandbeautifulworldinwhichwelive。

"Natureneverdidbetraytheheartthatlovedher，"sangherpoethighpriest。Whentheworldhasbeentoomuchwithus，nothingelseissorefreshingtotiredeyesandmindaswoodsandwater，andanintelligentknowledgeofthelifewithinthem。

Foragenerationpasttherehasbeenawell-nighuniversalturningofthepopulationtowardthecities。In1840onlyninepercentofourpeoplelivedincitiesof8，000inhabitantsormore。Nowmorethanathirdofusarefoundincities。Buttheelectric-car，thetelephone，thebicycle，stillkeepavenuestothecountryopen。

Certainitisthatcitypeoplefeelagrowinghungerforthecountry，particularlywhengrassbeginstogrow。Thisisahealthytaste，andmustincreasethegeneralknowledgeandloveofnature。

Fortunatearethelittlechildreninthoseschoolswhoseteachersknowandlovetheworldinwhichtheylive。Theiryoungeyesareearlyopenedtothebeautyofbirdsandtreesandplants。Notonlyshouldweexpectourgirlstohaveafeelingforthefinesunsetorthewide-reachingpanoramaoffieldandwater，buttoknowsomethingalsoaboutthelessobviousaspectsofnature，itsstructure，itsmethodsofwork，andtheendlessdiversityofitsparts。NoonecanhavereadMatthewArnold"sletterstohiswife，hismother，andhissister，withoutbeingstruckbytheimmenseenjoymenthetookthroughouthissingularlysimpleandhard-workinglifeinflowersandtreesandrivers。TheEnglishlakecountryhadgivenhimthishappyinheritance，witheverywhereitssoundofrunningwateranditswealthofgreenery。ThereisacloseconnectionbetweenthemarvellousunbrokenlineofEnglishsong，andthepassionateloveoftheEnglishmanforahomeinthemidstofbirds，trees，andgreenfields。

"Theworldissofullofanumberofthings，ThatIthinkweshouldallbeashappyaskings，"

istheopinionofeverybodywhoknowsnatureasdidRobertLouisStevenson。Andsoourcollegestudentmaybegintoknowit。Letherenterthelaboratoriesandinvestigateforherself。Lethermakeherdelicateexperimentswiththeblowpipeorthebalance；

lethertrackmysteriouslifefromonehiding-placetoanother；

lether"nameallthebirdswithoutagun，"andmakeintimatesofflowerandfishandbutterfly——andsheisdullindeedifbreezytastesdonotfollowherthroughlife，andforbidanyofherdaystobeemptyofintelligentenjoyment。"Keepyouryearsbeautiful；

makeyourownatmosphere，"wasthepartingadviceofmycollegepresident，himselfalivingillustrationofwhathesaid。

Butitisashortstepfromtheloveofthecomplexandengagingworldinwhichwelivetotheloveofourcomradesinit。Accordinglythethirdpreciousinteresttobecultivatedbythecollegestudentisaninterestinpeople。Thescholartodayisnotabeingwhodwellsapartinhiscloister，themonk"ssuccessor；heisaleaderofthethoughtsandconductofmen。Sothenewsubjectswhichstandbesidetheclassicsandmathematicsofmedievalculturearehistory，economics，ethics，andsociology。Althoughthesesubjectsareasyetmerelyinthemaking，thousandsofstudentsareflockingtotheirinvestigation，andaregoingouttotrytheirtentativeknowledgeinCollegeSettlementsandCityMissionsandChildren"sAidSocieties。Thebestinstinctsofgenerousyoutharebecomingenlistedintheselivingthemes。Andwhyshouldourdaughtersremainalooffromthemostabsorbingworkofmoderncitylife，workquiteasfascinatingtoyoungwomenastoyoungmen？DuringmanyyearsoflisteningtocollegesermonsandpubliclecturesinWellesley，Ialwaysnoticedaquickenedattentionintheaudiencewheneverthediscussiontouchedpoliticsortheology。Theseare，afterall，thepermanentandperemptoryinterests，andtheyshouldbegiventheirfullplaceinahealthyandvigorouslife。

Butifthatlifeincludesaloveofbooks，ofnature，ofpeople，itwillnaturallyturntoenlargedconceptionsofreligion——mysixthandlastgiftofcollegelife。InhisfirstsermonasMasterofBalliolCollege，Dr。Jowettspokeofthecollege，"Firstasaplaceofeducation，secondlyasaplaceofsociety，thirdlyasaplaceofreligion。"Heobservedthat"menofverygreatabilityoftenfailinlifebecausetheyareunabletoplaytheirpartwitheffect。Theyareshy，awkward，self-conscious，deficientinmanners，faultswhichareasruinousasvices。"Thesupremeendofcollegetraining，hesaid，"isusefulnessinafterlife。"

Similarly，whenthecityofCambridgecelebratedinHarvard"sMemorialHallthelifeanddeathofthegallantyoungex-governorofMassachusetts，WilliamE。Russell，mendidwelltohangabovehisportraitsomewisewordshehaslatelysaid，"Neverforgettheeverlastingdifferencebetweenmakingalivingandmakingalife。"

Thathehimselfneverforgot；anditwaswelltoremindcitizensandstudentsofit，astheystoodtherefacingtootheancientwordsallHarvardmenfacewhentheytaketheircollegedegreesandgooutintotheworld，"Theythatbewiseshallshineasthebrightnessofthefirmament，andtheythatturnmanytorighteousnessasthestarsforeverandever。"Goodwordsthesetogooutfromcollegewith。ThegirlsofWellesleygathereverymorningatchapeltobowtheirheadstogetherforamomentbeforetheyscatteramongthelibrariesandlecture-roomsandbegintheexperimentsofthenewday。Andalwaystheircollegemottomeetstheeyesthatareraisedtoitspenetratingmessage，"Nottobeministeredunto，buttominister。"Howmanyayounghearthasloyallyresponded，"Andtogivelifearansomformany。"Thatisthe"Wellesleyspirit；"andthesamesweetspiritofdevoutservicehasgoneforthfromallourcollegehalls。InanyofthemonemaycatchtheechoofWhittier"snoblepsalm，——

"OLordandMasterofusallWhate"erournameorsign，WeownThysway，wehearThycall，WetestourlivesbyThine。"

Thatisthesupremetestoflife，——itsconsecratedserviceableness。

TheMasterofBalliolwasright；thebravemenandwomenwhofoundedourschoolsandcollegeswerenotwrong。"ForChristandtheChurch"universitiesweresetupinthewildernessofNewEngland；forthelargeserviceoftheStatetheyhavebeenfoundedandmaintainedatpubliccostineverysectionofthecountrywheremenhavesettled，fromtheAlleghaniesacrosstheprairiesandRockyMountainsdowntotheGoldenGate。Foundedprimarilyasseatsoflearning，theirtechershavebeennotonlyscientistsandlinguists，philosophersandhistorians，butmenandwomenofholypurposes，soundpatriotism，courageousconvictions，refinedandnobletastes。Setastheseteachershavebeenuponahill，theirlighthasatnoperiodofourcountry"shistorybeenhid。Theyhaveformedalargefactorinourcivilization，andintheirownbeautifulcharactershavecontinuallyshownushowtocombinereligionandlife，theidealandpractical，thehumanandthedivine。

Sucharesomeofthelargerinfluencestobehadfromcollegelife。

ItistrueallthegoodgiftsIhavenamedmaybesecuredwithouttheaidofthecollege。Weallknowyoungmenandwomenwhohavehadnocollegetraining，whoareascultivated，rational，resourceful，andhappyasanypeopleweknow，whoexcelineveryoneoftheseparticularsthecollegegraduatesaboutthem。Ibelievetheyoftenbitterlyregretthelackofacollegeeducation。Andweseeyoungmenandwomengoingthroughcollegedeafandblindtotheirgreatchancesthere，andafterwardscuriouslycarelessandwastefulofthebestthingsinlife。

Whileallthisistrue，itistruetoothattotheopen-mindedandambitiousboyorgirlofmoderatehealth，ability，self-control，andstudiousness，acollegecourseoffersthemostattractive，easy，andprobablewayofsecuringhappinessandhealth，goodfriendsandhighideals，permanentinterestsofanoblekind，andlargecapacityforusefulnessintheworld。Ithasbeenwellsaidthattheabilitytoseegreatthingslargeandlittlethingssmallisthefinaltestofeducation。Thefoesoflife，especiallyofwomen"slives，arecaprice，wearisomeincapacityandpettyjudgments。Fromtheseoppressivefoeswelongtoescapetotheruleofrightreason，whereallthingsarepossible，andlifebecomesagloryinsteadofagrind。Nocollege，withthebestteachersandcollectionsintheworld，canbyitsownpowerimpartallthistoanywoman。Butifonehassetherfaceinthatdirection，whereelsecanshefindsomanyhandsreachedouttohelp，somanyencouragingvoicesintheair，somanyfavoringinfluencesfillingthedaysandnights？