Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-09-24
An American SCHOOLGIRL Abroad

Az AAACitCau SuA 8 AISt year IL u
German or any foreign school is most
trying ordeal. In the first place, she
leaves country where, even at large
schools, certain arrangements for the
comfort Of pupils, which are considered
absolute necessities of health and re-
tinement, are luxuries unknown and
unattainable abroad.
For instance, in the morning she will
rise at half past five or six O'Clock,
which in winter is quite an effort. Al
ter hurried toilet by dim candle. light
she proceeds, with a procession of
sleepy companions. through cold pas
sages and rooms-for at that hour no
fire in the house is lighted-to the lava.
tory. This is long room, with either
stone or bare wooden floor, down
the center of which is row of un-
painted wooden wash. stands, with tin
pitchers and the plainest of furniture.
It seems to be thought that the neatness
of everything and the snowy wilderness
of the bare boards make up for any
lack of elegance. Here what an Ameri-
can would call very superficial wash
lA8 Va A0SO 0aA A0Au6 10 xnuulkCu LILA
in cold water, and not very lavish
supply Of that, for it all must be car
ried through the house by hand, and
the idea of supplying schoolgirls daily
with lot water would be like asking for
linen cambria towels. After this un-
satisfactory climax to ones toilet come
two hours of hard study before break
fast of bowl of coffee and q huge
square of black bread. Then after
four hours more of ftudy and recitation
comes bountiful dinner, very simply
served, where the soup is most gener.
ously favored with anise.seed and nut
meg, the meat either boiled as hard as
stone or roasted to shreds, and the
vegetables either soaked with oil OF
deluged in vinegar.
The discipline of German schools is
exceedingly severe, and between it and
the trials of indigestion, inconsistencies,
and learning the lessons in foreign
tongue, one sympathizss sincerely
with the walls that 60 up from Ameri-
can schoolgirls during their first year
abroad.
After the struggle of being finished"
is successfully ended, however, the
American student has the qualification
of feeling that in music, literature, and
the languages she has been thoroughly
taught, and has had many compensa-
tons for the sacrifice of personal COM
fort and cleanliness. We use the word
cleanliness advisedly, for in some of
the best European schools the rule is,
bath tacice year, with an occasional
scanty foot.bath, and, except by special
permission, an entire change of linen
only once fortnight. The comforts
and sanitary effects of water Europeans
have yet to learn.
Sewing is considered one OF the most
important branches of young iady's
education, and the feats accomplished
by German girls with their needle are
almost as incredible as they are useless.
Little squares of flannel and linen
are given to practice upon in school.
Out of these, different shaped pieces
have been cut which must be patched
in again as nearly invisible as possible
| One American girls experience in a
sewing class for the first time was far
from fattering. Having seen some of
their work she ventured to suggest
that she knew more about darning than
other sewing. Whereupon stocking
cut in it, which she was told to fill up,
after the stitch OF the stocking, without
allowing it to show as a darn. She
obediently made the attempt, but with
what result can easily be imagined.
On examining her work the scorn and
establishment of her teacher could hard
~ find expression.
Is it possible you can't sew" che
asked; and when the girl replied that
she had done her best, the entire class
regarded her as if she had acknowl-
edged herself totally ignorant OF the al
phabet.
but what do you do" asked one of
her companions afterward," when your
clothes need mending, and you can't
sew?"
"Ifm my stocking had such hole as
that one in it, think would very
likely buy new pair" was the answer
and for some time this reply was held
up as an evidence of American waste
and extravaganza.
Every variety of fine lace and fancy
work is taught at school as an indis-
pensable accomplishment. Not only
darning on damask in the pattern of
the cloth, but embroidery on fine linen,
where the threads Of the material are
counted instead of using canvas. Time
and eyesight seem of no value it by the
sacrifice of one or both an elaborate
piece of handiwork is the result.
After the comforts and luxurious
habits of home cease to be missed, and
the diet and discipline become matters
of little or no effort, then our American
girl abroad begins to appreciate the ad-
vantages and bright side OF her situa-
ton.
She will certainly acquire in Ger
man school foEdness for study that
will cling to her for life, so that when
she bids adieu to tho regular outline
of school life, SO far from feeling, as so
many of our American graduates do,
that their " education is finished" she
will understand and appreciate that in
the school-room one simply learns hon
to study. Besides, her foreign expe-
riences and contact with the world even
in this small degree will tend to broad
en- her views, and act as safeguard
against the pitiable malady of youthful