The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-04-24
belgium Days"

To the young girls of Portland now atschool,
the name of the Misses Martin is totally UNI
known, their position as tes cheers does not lie
within the SCOPE of juvenile recollection, but
there are many older ladies, perhaps now hear
ing of the routine of desks and Rotations
from the lips of little grandchildren, to whom
the sound of the words Miss Catherine. Miss
Penelope and Miss Eliza brings vivid picture
of old-time elegance and culture. With these
the remembrance is associated with the Mus
sew house on Danforth St. and later the India
ST. mansion, where the sisters impaired text
book knowledge wisely supplemented by that
CLEANED from their own store, the result OF in
tellectual tastes, travel and accomplishments
and gave especial heed to the requirement of q
graceful curtsey, fine manners at table and
a deferential bearing towards elders as part of
a young lady's education; while Mr.. William,
in the roguish parlance of school Uncle Billy"
mended the pens, set copies and in many ways
furthered the comfort and convenience Of the,
pupils.
All. those old-days! with all our boasted
progress are we not in danger of losing GER
tain bloom from the peach by giving up our
hold upon the Anticipated formalities that had
an attraction in their reserved and dignified
cordialityl wonder to how many faces
smile of recognition will come in this trifling
incident. One of the pupils of Miss Martins
school had been breaking some rule laid down
with all strictness. She was severely rep-oved
and detained long beyond study hours as
punishment. Next day she appeared bearing
a superb dish of fruit and confided
, to her classmates that she could win Miss PEN
elope by this method and be again taken into
favor. She instilled a little fun also into the
idea, am afraid, at least sufficiently so to give
an air of concealed though general amusement
among the scholars, as with mock solemnity
she walked to the platform and presented her
offering-"ah, Miss Pr" said Miss Martin,
ssyou should remember that obedience is better
than sacrifice" This Renaissance has been
called up by the title of a new book, Belgian
Daye,, the author, Kate Byam Martin, grand
niece Of the Misses Martin mentioned above.
We quote from the Chicago Tribune:
Jansen McClurg & Co. have just brought
ont q new book, entitled Belgian Days.
which possesses double claim to the consider
alton OF Chicago; for not alone is the book of
great merit, but the author Kate Byam Mar
tin is well-knoWn resident OF this city,
though Sn0 mas D6eu ZOE LILO tdSb SlA yoAlo ncc-
ond directress of large liberal educational
institution in Liege, Belgium; and this novel
embodies her observations on the social life of
that country
The sketch is one of young American girl.
living as go7erness with Belgian family at
Huy, Miss Belle Adams, called "Mees" by all
her foreign associates We give from the book
bit of description-''It was a warm, hazy af-
terrnoon, the sort of weather that best suits the
landscape of the Low Countries half drowned
as it is in moving mists. Heavy barges were
toiling up or floating down the stream Van
Luppen and other Dutch and Belgian artists
have made such scenes familiar all over the
world low greed banks, a slow-moving river,
nollards, the haze that seems part of the land
scape. the bright shirts of the bargemen and
the red petticoats of their female companions,
contrasting SO wildly with the predominating
grays and greens of the landscape
It is our purpose without detailing this little
book, not published to be dissected like met
aphysical essay, to advise the novel reader to
follow for himself the heroine's adventures in
Belgium, her participation in national celebra-
lions. her observations of TIE manners and
customs of the people, the unwelcome address
ses of the fop Of the book, Adolphe Spierley,
and the love making which brings her genuine
happiness and thought of America and home
again. M. Q. d.
tDresser Mcclellan & Co.