nized on her own principles, to further the cause of reform; as has been observed before, except in the matter of dress, remarkably free from those ultra notions which prevail so extensive in France. At present. Miss Weber is engaged in preparing a book on "Agriculture as an Employment for Women."
We have given the foregoing sketch as communicated by a lady who visited and admired Miss Weber; nor do we doubt her claim to admiration. She has a good degree of prudence united with talents of a brilliant order; but we do question the utility of her theories and the truth of her reasoning. That she seems to adhere to the Christian religion, and expresses her belief in the Bible, makes what is repugnant to the spirit of its holy doctrines more mischievous than would be her avowed infidelity; therefore we cannot send forth the record of her opinions and doings without a few words of warning to our young countrywomen.
One of Miss Weber's strongest arguments in favour of male costume is, that nature has made sufficient differences in the personal appearance of the sexes; therefore they should dress alike. But is this true philosophy? If nature has made differences, ought not art to follow the intimation of nature or Providence, and make the mode of dress appropriate to these differences?
But more fallacious are her ideas respecting employments. If women devote themselves to agriculture, who shall manage the household and train the children? Miss Weber has inherited a fortune. She does not labour with her hands, nor does she employ female labourers to any extent. If women earn their own support men will have more time and money to spend on their own selfish gratifications. It is the necessity of doing what the Apostle commands every Christian man to do—"provide for his own household"—which keeps many from sin and ruin. This doctrine, which is inciting women to compete with men in industrial arts, and become independent of the care and protection of the stronger sex, is most dangerous in its influence, and would, if it were acted out, (which it will never be,) destroy all hope of Christian progress.
WEISSERTHURN, JOHANNA F. V. VON,
Born 1773, at Coblenz, was the daughter of the play-actor, Grünberg. Before she was twelve years old, she became, encouraged by her step-father, Teichman, the director of a little troup, the members of which were her brothers and sisters, and cousins, and with it she performed, at a private theatre, a number of piece expressly written for children. In 1787, an engagement was offered to her at the Munich theatre; in 1789, she exchanged this for one that was offered to her by her step-brother, the director of the theatre at Baden; in 1790, she was called to the Imperial Court Theatre, at Vienna. Here she married, in 1791, Von Weisserthurn. Shortly after her marriage, she published a few plays, which were so well received, that, encouraged by it, she continued to write for the stage, and became quite a prolific author. In 1817, she lost her husband; and in 1841, she withdrew from the stage, and died in 1845.
WELBY, AMELIA B.,
Whose maiden name was Coppuck, was born in St. Michael's, Maryland, in 1821. About 1835, her father removed to Louisville,
