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，untilsheiseighteenistheresuchagirlinthiscountry？，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？