Northrop Collegiate School - Tatler Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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Wie beautiful (An addrcas by Miss Maria Sanford, Professor Emeritus, to the girls of Northrop, on the evening of the formal opening of the school. January 29, 1917.) Girls of the Northrop School: I have been thinking what I could say to you that perhaps you could remember and think about. I have decided to say to each one of you. Be beautiful.” This, it seems to me, is what is being said to you all the time by this noble building, these beautiful surroundings, and the lives of these teachers who fit the place so well. Be beautiful! It is woman’s birthright. Why does the savage woman load her fingers and arms, her ankles and neck, yes, even her ears and nose, with rings and bracelets? Why does she paint her skin, and dress herself in flaming colors? It is because she thinks these things make her beautiful. You know better; you know that dainty fabrics and soft, harmonious tints are more beautiful than coarse and gaudy finery. But even the most tasteful dress cannot make a beautiful girl. Take the dummy in the store window and put on it the costliest materials in the most exquisite colors—they do not make the dummy beautiful. There must be life; the elastic step, health and vigor surging through the veins and nerves; intelligence must speak from the eye and through the voice; refinement and courtesy must make the manners charming. But all this, although it is much, is not enough; it takes something more to make a beautiful girl. When I first went to New Haven, some fifty years ago, I met a girl about eighteen years of age who, I thought, was the most beautiful person I had ever seen. Her features were perfect; her complexion, her eyes, her teeth, her hair, her form, were beautiful. But I chanced to live near her home, and to know her home life well; she was as hard and cold and domineering as an iceberg. She had a younger brother, and her mother was a widow. She never seemed to have any interest in their comfort or happiness. Her brother would as soon have thought of asking a favor of the Queen of England as of her. But her wants and wishes must all be attended to. nothing was quite good enough for her, and if anything did not suit her she would sneer. Do you know, after a little, I could see nothing in her face but that hateful sneer. It left its trace down beside her nose, around her mouth, and in the comers of her eyes; and if she lived to be fifty. I am sure she was very ugly. It takes a beautiful soul to make a beautiful girl, and a beautiful soul can make the plainest features charming. You know what Mrs. Browning says in My Kate”: She was as pretty as women I know. And yet all your best made of sunshine and snow, Drop to shade, melt to naught, in the long-trodden ways, While she’s still remembered on warm and cold days— My Kate. Her hair had a meaning, her movements a grace; You turned from the fairest to gaze on her face; And when you had once seen her forehead and mouth, You saw as distinctly her soul and her truth— My Kate. So I say to you be beautiful to your mother so that she may think no other girl in the world is as lovely as you. Be beautiful to your brother that he may think of you as one of our Seniors did of his fifteen-year-old sister. One of the boys was speaking to him enthusiastically of a certain girl. Oh,” he said, you should see my little sister. Be beautiful to your father, so that if he lost everything he is worth he might feel that he was rich having you. How shall you do it? Here is the rule: She doth little kindnesses. Which most leave undone or despise; For naught that sets one heart at ease. And giveth happiness or peace. Is low-esteemed in her eyes.” I hope sometimes when you are thinking with pride of this beautiful building, or gazing on this charming landscape, you will resolve deep down in your heart, I will be unselfish and kind and true, that I, too, may be beautiful. Page 7