Lucy Webb Hayes was the first First Lady to attend and graduate from college. She attended the Cincinnati Wesleyan Female College and graduated in 1850. Below is a transcript of one of the handwritten essays she was assigned to write during her years in college. This essay is one of several preserved in her collection at the Hayes Presidential Library and Museums. It is undated.
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| Lucy Webb Hayes Hayes Presidential Library and Museums |
Does gentility always imply morality.
What connection is there
between gentility; and morality? The one
has reference only to the manner, appearance and society. But what does it
mean? It is an expression which we hear daily, and hourly; who of us has not
asked the question, when speaking of strangers, are they of a genteel family,
are they genteel looking and thousands of others questions, concerning
their gentility, which must be ascertained before they are admitted to our
companionship. How much importance
attached to a word of nine letters. But in the eyes of many it is one of the
most important words in the world, from the
estimation in which they hold them who possess a large share of it.
Morality refers to the
character & it too is a very common expression though not considered as
important as the former. It does not
imply religion, though a religious person must necessarily be moral, but a
moral man may be far from living religious.
In the sense that we
understand it, it refers to freedom from any degrading vices, to which one may
be addicted, he is a very moral man, this would be a good recommendation to
anyone, for by it we know that their life had been free from any disgraceful
act conduct But to return, Does gentility always imply morality? For answer to this go with me and visit some
of the very genteel of the world possessed of of beauty added to their other
advantages. They are received into the best society, and indeed while in the
presence of ladies, may appear to be very moral. But observe them when with old
companions. Are they characterized by
any moral traits, no on the contrary we would be shocked at the depravity and
wickedness which they disclose when unmasked.
This leads me to think of
the folly and wrong we share when
judging by the external appearance. The
dress may be faultless, the manners unexceptionable, and yet it may conceal a
nature deeply depraved, and a mind which has no just standard of good, or
appreciation of merit.
And how often in the scriptures are we warned against trusting to external appearance, one passage which occurs to my mind, “Where the outside is clean, but within they are full of all manner of wickedness and uncleanness. But what will constitute a genteel gentleman and lady, of the present day.
First, The gentleman must have a
coat cut in the latest style, fitting neatly his slender form, high heeled and
long toed boots, and an abundance of all sweet smelling perfumes, and last but
not least the drawling tone of voice, affected gait, and tie of the cravat, but
the education, oh that is finished when he arrived came to the pictures
in the old spelling book and, learned the multiplication table. A lady should
be dressed in the latest Parisian mode, no matter how indelicate or
inappropriate to the time or place, from the esteem in which most are held we
are led to think, that the dress and manner are all that is necessary to
constitute a genteel person or gentility;
And if this be the case we can rest assured
that possessing a great degree of gentility, they may be totally with out
morality. Would you expect to find a moral man frequenting the theater,
gambling house, or bar room, and the various places of sinful amusements with
which our city abounds. However genteel
they may appear, the fact of their visiting such places, would take from them
any claim to morality. These very genteel persons think it beneath their
dignity, to attend the house of God, and would be horrified at the idea of
lending the helping hand to the poor and unfortunate, and think it derogatory,
to their character to be engaged in any business, glorying in the title of a
genteel young loafer.
Cincinnati Wesleyan Female College
Hayes Presidential Library and Museums
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