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270 A COLORED L^DY JDECTUREK.
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Transcript
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
The In The -Recei Month Pt Of Of A Book ...
Nancy & emon 4 _^ wonian possessing every characteristic which can adorn or ennoble womanhood , combined with the most
indomitable energy . We were all trained to habits of industry , with ar thorough knowledge of those domestic duties which particularly
mark the genuine New England woman . With no private means , it was also most necessary . We were taught to knit and sewand
, to cook every article of food placed upon the table . The most trifling affair was obliged to be well done . Her aim seemed to be
to guard , and at the same time strengthen her children , not only for the trials and duties of life , but also to enable them to meet the
terrible jxressure which prejudice against color would force upon them . Our home discipline was what we neededbut it did
not——, could not , fit us for the scorn and contempt which met us on every hand when face to face with the worldwhere weniet a community
, who hated all who were identified with an enslaved race . While our mother never , excused those who unjustly persecuted those
whose only crime was a dark complexion , her discipline taught us to gather strength froni our own souls ; and we felt / fche full force of
the fact , that to be black was no crime , but an accident of birth . _''My strongest desire through life has been to-be educated . We
had from time to time been taught to read and write a little , but had received no regular instruction . I found the most exquisite
pleasure in reading , and as we had no library , I read eyery book which came in my way , andlike Oliver TwistI longed for more .
, , Again and again mother would endeavor to have us placed in some private school , but being colored we were refused . We soon
knew the real reason , and the most bitter and indignant feelings were cherished by me against those who deprived me . of the
opportunity of gaining knowledge . My eldest brother had been admitted to one of the . public schoolsand at a much later period the three
, youngest children , including myself , were admitted to one of the ¦ _public primary schools . All went on well for a time , and the
children generally treated us kindly , although we were very frequently made to feel that prejudice had taken root in their hearts . We
remained in this school . a very short time , passed the examination , and entered the . high school for girls . In the primary school we
had been taught by a lady ; the principal of the high school was a gentleman . Both teachers always treated us with kindness . W _>
had been in this school a very short time , when we were informed that the school committee contemplated founding a school exclusively
for colored children . The public schools of Salem are located in the different districts , and the established rule was , that children can
only be admitted to the school in the district of their residence , and we were . in the school of the district where we resided .
" The schools were then divided into separate ones for the boys and girls . These schools were also arranged according to age and
capacity . Now , they intended to found a school for young and old , advanced pupils and those less advanced _; boys and girls were all to
H
270 A Colored L^Dy Jdecturek.
270 A _COLORED L _^ DY JDECTUREK .
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Citation
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English Woman’s Journal (1858-1864), June 1, 1861, page 270, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ewj/issues/ewj_01061861/page/54/
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