ELEMENTS OF CHARACTER DRAWN FROM THE LIFE OF MARY LYON AND OTHERS, A Book for Girls. BY WILLIAM M. THAYER, Author of "From Log Cabin to White House," "The Pioneer Boy," George Washington," SEVENTH THOUSAND. London: HODDER AND STOUGHTON, 27, PATERNOSTER ROW. MDCCCXCIII. PREFACE. HE favour with which this volume has been THE received by the public, as indicated by the large sale of thirty thousand copies, leads the author to revise and enlarge it, and to send it forth with a new and better title. The design of the book is to show girls how to succeed in life, and Mary Lyon is the leading character, around which are grouped a large number of incidents from the lives of other distinguished women, both for the purpose of illustrating certain elements of female character, and of making the book more attractive to the young. Miss Lyon possessed a rare combination of qualities, such as are indispensable to a high order of character, and which will secure a good degree of success to any girl who will really imitate her, whatever may be her sphere of effort. It is believed that girls, no less than boys, must possess certain elements of character, in order to succeed in their life-pursuits. These elements are found in Mary Lyon and other women to whom reference is made in these pages. Is as Much has been written for boys concerning the way to success, which Dr. Franklin said, plain as the way to the mill;" but little has been written for girls on the subject. And yet girls are very generally invited now to the same occupations and professions; and many young women are filling with credit the most responsible positions in social and public life. HOW TO SUCCEED in their chosen sphere is a legitimate and important proposition for girls to solve. W. M. T. CONTENTS. Resolved to Improve Her Mind.-Kept House for Her Brother. Weaving, Spinning, and Teaching. - At Sanderson Academy.—Decided to be a Teacher.-- Refused Offer of Marriage.-Contrasted with Girls of Aimless Life.-Many of them Without Purpose.—This a Cause of Unhappiness in Wedded Life.-Girl Said "She Lived to Breathe."-Remark of Agesilaus.- Parents Teach Sons to be Useful, and Daughters to be Lady-Like.-Sons Educated for Professions, Daughters for Nothing.-Victoria, an Example of Noble Purpose. -Mrs. Wesley, Mrs. Doddridge, and Others.-Madame De Stael, Hannah More, Hannah Adams, etc.—Harriet |