The National tribune., 1883-05-24
bL0NDON INSTITUTION
The College for Working WOmen---Its
Character and Objects.
Special correspondents National Tribune.

Special correspondence National Tribune
LONDON, May Few straws show which
way the wind blows" more admirably than
the unobtrusive work done at No Fitzroy
Square, London, England, at the present time.
Fltzroy street is Sod dusky street of black
lsh-grey houses, substantial rather than hand
some, and eminently respectable Number Z
resembles the houses that flank it and make a
somber row, but No. has certain distinguish
ing features. In its lower windows are small
placards announcing that classes are instructed
within, in arithmetic, reading, writing sing
ing, bookkeeping, Latin, French and German.
for small fees. On the door is q heavy brass
plate with the words college for Working
Women"
The name is delusive. In an article published
IN Mecnhian's Magazine, October, 1879 Miss
Frances Martin, secretary of the college, ex-
plains that The term college is used in ac-
cordance with its primary meaning as collec-
ton or assembly," and that the subject of the
article is "a place Of assembly for women en-
ployed during the day" This explanation is
necessary, in order that the curriculum may
not appear ridiculous The studies pursued
are chiefly elementary; thus, three years
course of arithmetic is provided. beginning
with the four fundamental principles and car
ryIng pupils to point atwhich bookkeeping may
be begun with advantage. The classes in math-
ematics, Latin history, and advanced French
are, indeed, the only ones which can claim to
do collegiate work, as we understand the term in
America The range of studies is, however,
admirably fitted to the needs of students and
includes, besides the subjects offered in the
window piacards, sewing, cooking history,
literature, correspondence and drawing. Among
the students who number some two hundred
and seventy and represent large number of
occupations, there is queer uniformity of de-
sire for English grammar and the French
tongue; and these classes after the classes in
the three Rs, are always the most thoroughly
filed. The only diplomas given are certificates
of the Society of Arts obtained by a few pupils
after special examinations.
The college was established in 1874 and in
corporated in 1880, when it secured a forty
year lease of its present premises at a rent of
9115 The teachers thirty-five in number,
give their services gratuitously, and the pupils
fees, which amounted last year TO s136 would
therefore, support the college if the rent were
the only expense. The social side of the work
and the library, however, involve some addi-
tional outlay, which was met last year by sub
scrlptIons from persons interested, amounting
to about $3.50.
ITS SOCIAL FEATURES.
The interior of the college is hardly more
III.
Hoor Is occupied by coffee-room, Office and
reference-library, and is more cosy than schOl-
ariy. OF the coffee-room Miss Martin speaks
as follows In the article quoted above: 1.-The
coffee room offers possibility of tea, coffee, and
bread and butter; but an assemblage of women
differs from one of the other sex. They don't
smoke, and they don't want anything to eat
or drink. Women have not acquired the habit
or have not got the means of spending money
SUDprIG0uS SfImnlanfs or food aDf1o ON, ~
tea or coffee, with bread and butter, for three
halfpence does not tempt Them Good read
ing matter evidently does tempt them. how
ever, for the coffee room table, adorned by a
rich cover worked by one of the teachers is
covered with copies of the Times Standard
News, MaemiHans, Good Words, The Animal
Horld, &C., while one side of the room is
filed with bookcases containing six hundred
volumes, among which I noticed Thackeray,
George Eliot, Shelley, Keats, and other
equally admirable titles. The books are
lent freely and are in constant use. The walls
are hung with admirable engravings and pho
tographs, and the whole lower floor has received
decoration at the hands of the Kyrie Society
There are dadoes, the woodwork is painted in
harmonious colors, and the doors are covered
with conventional designs, III which storks and
frogs are not wanting. Several rooms have the
ordinary school furniture, but the general
aspect of the college interior is chiefly social.
Saturday evening is set apart for social pur-
poses. Says the secretary: Saturday is free
evening. No classes are held on it; the library
ana penny bank are not open. 1t is the night
set apart for social entertainment. Concerts
lectures, readings, reeitations, dramatic per-
formances-all have been offered to and ac-
cepted by the committee, and all eagerly vel
coined by the students. They are preceded
one and all by tea at s o'clock, ia tea to which
| the college invites its guests, and a pleasant
half hour in the coffee-roOm, when teachers
friends and pupils learn to know each other
After tea comes the difficult task of packing a
large audience into two rooms Teachers and
students believe these rooms to be elastic
however full they may be, it is always possible
to squeeze IN a few more persons, and none
save the teachers have ever been known te
spend the whole evening on the staircase out
side the door,"
INCIDENTAL WORK.
Besides the school work and the social life
supplied by the college, there is admirable in
cidental work done in the direction of helping
the pupil to self-help and knowledge of the
questions of the day bearing upon their inter
ests. The bulletin-board, for instance, contain!
at this moment the following notices: Z" A
branch of the Cripplegate penny bank has beer
established In the college for the convenience
| of students and members. It is open every
evening except Saturday from to 10 o'clock
Married Women's Property Act: Copies for
sale in the office; price one penny" "Women's
Emigration Society; for information apply at
the office" Students requiring free hospita
letters can apply at the Office" Holiday
Scheme: Objects, first, to assist all students
who wish TO spend their holidays in the coun
| try and to encourage them TO do so; second
to suggest and procure suitable lodgings in
| pleasant parts of England and to afford facili-
Ties for procuring railroad and steamboat tick.
cts; third, interest viii be allowed on deposit:
at savings bank rates, i. e. q per cent, and
bonus will be distributed out of fund sub
| scribed for the purpose"
| But, perhaps, the best idea of the end and
aims of the college can be gained from the clos
| ing paragraphs of Miss Martins essay, in which