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？