New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-02-20
SCHOOL FOR GIRLS At PARIS.
Correspondence Of The n Y. Tribune.

Correspondence Of The n. Y. Tribune.
PARIS, JAN 20, 1885.
Our pension is a world in itself All the spheres
OF humanity rise and set within its walls. The
Young school girls represent the careless, happy
side oflife; but there Others, formerly educated
here. now returned as teachers, with their hopes
blasted their illusions lost, and this their only
haven, their city Of refuge. There Is one still
young and beautiful, though frail and wllted,
whose week day daylight is exhausted in teaching
music and drawing whose Sundays and ietes are
devoted TO church and painting, whose evenings
pass in society or at musical entertainments, whose
night-vigls are at the piano; and this 10 support
herself and boy in college. She is Of the finest
organization, the noblest nature, and the rarest
susceptibilities She was brought up in luxury,
and married with a handsome dot. The lottery
turned against her Emperors only can obtain d.
vorces; legal separation is all the soace the law
affords for fortune lost name dishonofed, child
disgraced; the only safeguard guaranteed TO life
of toll.
There ia parallel history in the life of another,
older and less gifted. woman here Every heart
knoweth it's own bitterness. Such trials are as OF
Ere in any community, but in Paris they are
ordeals. which, if brayey borne and nobly passed.
exalt virtue to an elevation almost divine Yet
these frequent marriages, styled I" 81 malheureux,
DO not seem in the least to deter parents from dis
posing Of their young daughters in their accus-
toned commercial manner. Some gentleman is
recommended of desirable age-frOm thirty TO
thirty .hve-oDe especially who is said to be dis
usioned Of life; who is blase, and wearled OF the
world as it goes; who is sick enough OF Its heart
essness to be content to try awhile the experiment
of domestic life. If he is rich enough, aud of de-
cent manners, the match is considered desirable,
and the young girl, perhaps for the first time in
her life is taken by her parents to the opera or TO
ball 10 be exhibited, without her knowledge, 10
her sutton. IL she promise TO become fine
woman, and if her do, be plentiful, the affair is
settled Marriage first and love sfterward, is the
maxim taught 10 French girls They believe it,
and arc delighted; almost all girls at eighteen are
pleased to marry, especially when the trousseau
il fine and the suitor fstterng.
Though there are three or four OF the external
teachers Of this pension who have married villains
there are more than as many others who steer
brsvely clear fsuch sad accidents. They are with
out fortune and consequently will never marry at
all 1t il difficult with our habits ofthOught, to con-
eeive Of the sacrifice it costs young French lady,
who has been respectfully and delicately brought
up 10 renOunce her caste 70 20 cut to give lessons
None of her unmarried acquaintance 20 out
alone; she has mother, perhaps too feeble TO &C
company her, and cannot afford servant. She is
graced; her reputation is compromised to the
view Of all except those who appreciate her mo-
lives and necessities. The humiliation is constant
the discipline immense. Only the sturdiest ma
lures can bear il. | know a charming girl Of
twenty-five. who used TO come IN the pension pale
and painting from the haste and emotion of her
walk. She has grown calmer and stronger, and 10
now a heroine considering the prejudices she has
been obliged to encounter. Her father lost for
tune at the Bourse aud then died. Her mother
was delicate; her younger sister Of too tmid
nature to stem the prejudices OF society. L.
felt she must work, or all must beg. Her talent
Tor music had been early developed; necessity and
faith had stimulated it. She had found success;
her lessons were numerous She still met her old
friends in society, and new ones admired her
beauty and elegant manners without suspect
ing her occupation. Once, at a gay ball with her
mother, a cavalier ventured to ask their Summer
resort; The lps-Bsden-Dieppei 81 cannot
leave my pupils, L. replied, with modest dig
nifty. The gentleman was confounded-L. tri.
umphant. 1t was the last great struggle, She
had dared 70 avow herself to fattering beau. who
could only appreciate her fortune, had she one.
But we must descend from these high walks of
heroism 10 others more humble and unknown.
There lie the housekeeper, Kind, motherly crea
ture past middle life, who once was mistress OF
her house, and who now eats alone IN her little
room, who is chief of all the servants and forewo-
man Of the kitchen. There is an epic interest in
such lives. To crown this wOman's wido who'd,
her only daughter, lovely child of fifteen, became
abopelessly distorted invalid The mothers little
earnings paid necessary expenses. But sacrifice
rarely met out OF Catholic countries remains 10 be
told. An old servant who in the better days Of her
mistress bad been simply fsithful, now came 10
watch the suffering child, and for years continued
her yigils with no reeompense but her daily food.
Fortunately virtue has some reward even in these
days. This humble servants name was entered on
the list with others OF the most selGSacri6cing.
She gained the prize of hontyen. The Institute
Of FTarce awarded her one Thousand francs after
the death Of her charge. covld have bissed the