The Penn's Grove record., 1883-12-08

Clara Dridgeman writes enthusiastical-
~ of tho School of Arts and Trades for
Women, established there some years
ago by President Juarez:
As It IS, however, Mexico could not
furnish a more interesting and attract
i've sight than this school when it is in
operation, with all its workshops crowd
ed with busy students and such a hum
and stir OF bustling activity that one Is
constantly reminded OF a vast beehive.
There are troops of dark-eyed maid ms
on every side, cheersully engaged 10 all
manner of occupation, and n hardly
knows which to admire most, the deft-
less with which they perform their
various tasks or the exquisite neatness
of their appearance, with faces and
clothes spotlessly clean, hair smoothly
braided, and all with long Holland
aprons hat give to them a particularly
tidy look. The school numbers about
1858 regular attendants varying IN age
from girls of IL up to women of middle
age. The government not only gives
them every variety of instruction free
of charge, but likewise provides all the
materials and apparatus for work, two
SuDSLdIbidl Iltdl5 6dCh daN III AK
linen aprons. Moreover 1t allows them
to dispose of what they make, and for
that purpose a pretty little store Is at
tached to the school building, where
all such articles may be exposed for
sale. Further assistance is furnished
by the government officials, who give
orders for upholstery, bookbinding,
and also clothing for the various Chart
able institutions of the city. Several
hours in the morning are devoted TO
the primary branches of a good Spanish
education as well as bookkeeping, and
the rest of the day is passed IN learning
the trades appropriate to Ia different
classes. On the ground floor are the
workshops, or ''talieres," all largely
attended by students that seem deeply
interested in their various labors. In
one room you will find a crowd OF work
ers busily engaged in upholstering tur-
niture; in another a multitude of deli
cate hands are moulding and gliding.
while In a third one is surprised to see
the skill with WITCH these Mexican girls
can bind books. One large department
is set aside for the manufacture OF artl-
fetal flowers, in which the sci. olars are
particularly expert, and they are sure
of finding ready sale for these beautiful
specimens of their handlwork. The
pr1nting-room Is well stocked with ali
appliances Tor the art, and although
the class at present is small, the work
is done very satisfactorily and proves be-
yond a doubt thet woman is eminently
qualified for this employment. Anews-
paper is published by the students-a
small weekly of four sheets which
bears the appropriate title OF La MuIer.
On the second floor are the apartments
for sewing and fancy work, and thest
contain a large number of machines,
looms and instruments for making all
manner of trimmings, tringes, cords
and t~assels, and the like. Some OF
the embroidery and 'tmallla" is beautl-
full beyond description, for the Mexl-
cans are unr1valed in this branch OF
needlework. and their dainty fingers
seem specially adapted to all that re-
quires delicate handling. In the mean-
time the higher arts are not neglected;
the school has several good pianos, ana
both vocal and instrumental music are
taught, while such as evince talants fol
drawing and painting are sent to the
academy of San Carlos, near by. When
one considers that these advantages are
all enjoyed without the slightest tx
pense TO the poor students; that, more
over, they are partly supp orted and
aided in every possible way in their eff
folts to be independent and self-help-
tul, one cannot refrain from paying a
tribute of heartful admiration to the
government which shows SO paterna'
an interest in the welfare OF Its daught-
ers, and makes such generous efforts to
fit them for a career of usefulness. Noi
are these efforts confined to the capital.
Similar institutions exist in other cities
OF the republic, and in almost every
direction the prospects for the future
improvement and education OF women
are most encouraging. In GuadalaIara,
connected with the Hospiclo, there IS "a
school of arts and trades, where women
are taught printing, photography, htho.
graphy, steaography. tailoring, shoe
making. stocking and cloth weaving.