He could see no reason why his daughters should



MAniA MITCHELL. 89

not be just as well educated as his sons. He there-
fore taught Maria the same as his boys, giving her
especial drill in navigation. Perhaps it is not
strange that after such teaching, his daughter could
have no taste for making worsted work or Kensing-
ton stitches. She often says to this day, " A woman
might be learning seven languages while she is learn-
ing fancy work," and there is little doubt that the
seven languages would make her seven times more
valuable as a wife and mother. If teaching navi-
gation to girls would give us a thousand Maria
Mitchells in this countrv, by all means let it be
taught.
Maria left the public school at sixteen, and for a
year attended a private school ; then, loving mathe-
matics, and being deeply interested in her father's
studies, she became at seventeen his helper in the
work of the Coast Survey. This astronomical labor
brought Professors Agassiz, Bache, and other noted
men to the quiet Mitchell home, and thus the girl
heard the stimulating conversation of superior minds.
But the family needed more money. Though Mr.
