Page:Letters of Life.djvu/81

Rh What is strictly called school education now found a pause at the early age of thirteen. It was thought expedient that I should devote more time and attention to the employments that appertain to the sphere of woman. I passed directly under the tuition of my beautiful mother. A model housekeeper was she in those times when nothing was neglected or despised that promoted home welfare. Happy is the daughter who has a wise mother for her teacher, and is lovingly docile to her instructions. Still, mental progress was by no means abandoned. I am not certain but it was more vigorously pursued for the pleasant contrast and excitement of physical exercise. A thorough course of History and Mental Philosophy agreeably coalesced with household industry.

Afterwards I zealously studied Latin with an experienced and somewhat venerable instructor, but without becoming a member of his school. My translations from the Æneid I occasionally amused myself by giving a rhythmical form, and recollect winning praise for one from the Fourth Book, describing the visit of Juno to the cave of Eolus, to beg a wind for the discomfiture of her enemies.

After having become indoctrinated in the theory and practice of what Milton calls "household good," I left home for the first time, accompanied by my sister-friend, N. M. Hyde, and attended two boarding-schools in the semimetropolis of the State. There, for several