Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-07-18
1Qottestrr @ailp Spp,
WRITTEN FOR THE WORCESTER DAILY sPY.l
BOARDING SCHOOLS.


flrSt INTO state of bewiIderment, from which
she did not recover to distinct consciousness
OF objects and ideas until some moments after
Mrs Wood, the bell ringer, was ushered in
ana seated. She answered the usual ccTemo-
NOUS greetings Of the latter almost automatic
cally, and seemed altogether so strange, that
i, Mrs Wood caught the infection, which in
creased her own singular and UNCOMMON ap-
pearance.
This appearance Mrs Reed had not noticed,
until being recalled to herself by the voice of
her caller, she observed tor the first time, that
Mrs. Wood seemed flushed, with interest, if
not excitement, and was altogether quite en-
djShabiHe for lady who prided herself on
dressing allymode, Ca la model as she called
it.
She apologized for calling at SO unseasona-
BILE an hour, lit was early in the forenoon,) to
which Mrs. r. replied, that she would con.
vince her how unnecessary were apologies, by
resuming Immediately the duties, which her
entrance had momentarily interrupted.
Mrs w. could not long remain silent, so in
tent was she upon the business which had
thus early led her abroad. She therefore has
tened to introduce it by saying: "Mrs Reed,
here is a circular of school, which | think
cannot fail to satisfy even you. Mrs. Cook of
Albany, sent IL to me. Her daughter attends
the same school, and she is delighted with it.
1T Is, she says, "a very genteel and popular
school, and you can see for yourself that it
must have a delightful location, by this repre-.
sentation in the circular" She now handed
her auditor the circular, which was embel-
llslled with a very handsome view Of what
purported to be the school building and
grounds. After waiting few minutes
Tor Mrs. X. to examine the picture, she
added, i'll a voice of almost entreaty, 81 do
hope you will like it, and permit Anna to go,
tor nt N 70,
would, am sure, consent TO it if Anna was to
60 | know Mrs. Cook would never patron
lie the school if it was not deserving and pop
ular, for she lives i'll splendid style, and every
thing she has is of the first quality. | am
sure, she continued in congratulatory tone
''it was very obliging in her to send me this
circular. But she heard me say, at Saratoga
last summer, that | wished | KIN W of good
school where | could send Carrie, and think
1t would be greatly for the advantage of our
daughters to go there, with a sort of irtroduc.
ton from Mrs. Cook and as acquaintance of
her daughter, who is doubtless one of the first
girls in the institution"
Mrs. Wood spoke SO rapidly as to almost
completely exhaust the small stock of brea th
which her elated condition had left her, upon
her arrival.
Mrs. Reed replied without hesitation, for she
felt that all expectations or even hopes OF any
acquescenCe on her part III the matter Of the
school, might better be nipped in the bud
IF circulars may be credited, each particu.
lar school has a better location, more advan.
tageS, and offers greater inducements to pat
ronage, than any other. That is all perfectly
natural every tradesman will of course extol
the merits of his own goods, especially as
nowadays 1t Is quite the fashion for one TO
build himself up at auother's expense, making
bis own merit thrive upon the demerit of his
b contemporary Whereas, all schools, like
other things, are probably defective, and there
Is little choice between them all"
But" interposed Mrs. Wood, "you will
perceive that this school has the especial merit
OF giving particular attention to the general
department and morals of the pupils The
circular promises that parents may rest as
sured, not only that their living shall be uneX-
ceptionable, but that their daughters shall be
carefully watched and cautiously guarded
against all bad influences from abroad in fine,
that teachers and pupils shall hold the relation
of members Of one family towards each other.
Now, what more can one reasonably ask of
school, Mrs. Reed 2"
81 do not ask even that" was the reply
"The fact is, do not wish to patronize board.
ing schools at ALL | believe they are all OBJ.
Jectlonable, perhaps unaYOldably So but never
theless more Objectionable than | should wish
to risk.
"a boarding school, in so far as the propre-
tor is concerned, is a mere business matter; he
enters upon it as he would upon any other
business, for the profit and as there is so much
competition in that department OF business,
whoever undertakes in it, must surround it
with every possible allurement, must throw
out weighty inducements TO secure patronage
and he who makes the tairest offers the most
extravagant promises, and the greatest bluSter,
stands the best chance of Success-wi prob
ably secure most spoil.
"No doubt the legal and moral code and the
regulation OF all these schools are strict enough
and perhaps JudiciouS, though of the latter |
have my doubt since in most Of them, coer-
clon rather than moral suasion is the induce
ment to action motives are based upon hopes
and fears, rather than upon principle The
entire course in most such institutions tends to
deveOpe the lower, rather than the higher,
faculties of the pupil.
The prOprietOrS and teachers undoubtedly
intend to enforce strict regulations as a matter
of policy, since it makes the management of
the school easier and gives it a iairer reputa
ton; but who does not know that where large
companies of either sex are congregated TO-
gether, that they will manage to eyade laws
and violate rules even under the strctest sur
VIGILANCE and at the risk of the severest pen
allies.
"And even if they do obey the latter of
these, to avoid the unpleasant liabilities which
they would otherwise incur, still in many ways
large companies of young people, long asso-
ciated together, will in one way or another,
have bad influence upon each other.
at is very unlikely that there should be a
large flock OF sheep, especially ii gathered
from many different hoGks, which does not
contain either black or an infectious one
young people are not always restricted in
their reading to the choicest and purest kind
of literature. Too many of them are permit
ted to devour without measure or restraint,
books which stimulate their passions, dstort
their tancies, and cause their imaginations TO
run rios among the most unnatural and I'M.
probable thoughts and plans. So that should
the girls at a boarding school be really prevent
ed from reading such books, of which / sus-
pect the possibility and am sure of the improb
ability, there is still enough in the heads of
some, the fruits of former indulgence, to infect
a score of willing companions
"And young people crave some such stimu.
latlng mental or rather passional excitement,
or substitute for that more wholesome and
free friendly and social intercourse and enjoy
ment, of which the supposed necessary res
!ralnts OF boarding school deprive them Nor
Is this unnatural they are not stoics, So
mat any place subject to such depriyatiOns, be-
comes perfect hot bed, in which any fruit
that can possibly supply their unsatisfed
cravings, be 1t bitter or sweet, poisonous or
harmless, wlH germinate and grow most lux
uriantly.
linus at schools of this kind, either for
boys or girls the members aconire notious
wholly at variance with the actual practical
realities OF life and which if not discarded
will become the babe of their future livcs
Very charming, and romantic, and enticing
these notions may seem in tile gala DAYS of
youth but exceedingly hateful, repulsive. and
grlevous m the sober Responsible relatinns