The bee., 1884-01-05
OUR FAIR NEIGHBORS.
How Mexican Girls are Trained I'm
Schools OF Arts and Trades.

How Mexican Girls are Trained I'm
Schools OF Arts and Trades.
Clara Bridgeman, in letter from
Mexico to the New Orleans Times,
writes enthusiastically of the School Of
Art and Trades for Women, established
there some years ago by President
Juarez:
As it is, however, Mexico could not
furnish more interesting and attract
i've sight than this school when it is in
operation with all the workshops
crowded with busy students and such
hum and stir of bustling activity that
one is irresistibly reminded Of a vast
beehive. There are troops Of dark
eyed maidens on every side cheerfully
engaged in all manner of occupations,
and one hardly knows which to adj
mire most, the deftness with which
they perform their various tasks or
the exquisite neatness of their ap-
pearance, with faces and clothes
spotlessly clean, hair smoothly braid
ed, and all with long holland aprons
that give them particularly tidy
look. The school numbers about 36S
regular attendants, varying in age
from girls of II up to women of
middle age The government not
only gives them every variety Of in.
struction free of charge, but likewise
provides all the materials and apparatus
for work, two substantial meals each
day, and the linen aprons. Moreover
it allows them to dispose of what
they make and for that purpose a
pretty little store is attached to the
school building, where all such articles
may be exposed fer sale. Further as
sistanee is furnished by government
officials who give orders for upholstery,
bookbinding, and also clothing for the
various charitable 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 appro-
pirate to the different classes. On the
ground floor are the workshops OF
'falleres, " all largely attended by stu
dents who seem deeply interested in
their various Iabors. In one room you
will find crowd of workers busily en-
gagged in upholstering furniture; in
another a multitude of delicate hands
are molding and gliding, while in a
third one is surprised to see the skill
with which these Mexican girls can
bind books. One large department is
set aside for the manufacture of arti.
6cial flowers, in which the scholars are
particularly expert, and they are sure
of finding ready sale FOR these beautiful
specimens of their handiwork. The
printing-room is well stocked with all
appliances of the art, and although the
class at present is small, the work is
done very satisfactory, and proves
beyond doubt that woman is eminent
ly qualified for this employment. A
newspaper is published by the students
"a small weekly or four sheets which
bears the appropriate title of LA
Mujer." On the second floor are the
apartments for sewing and fancy work,
and these contain large number of ma
chimes, looms, and instruments for max
ing all manner Of trimmings. fringes.
cords, and tassels, and the like. Some of
the embroidery and"mailla''is beautiful
beyond description, for the Mexicans
are unrivaled in this branch of needle
work. and their dainty fingers seem
specially adapted to all that requires
NChSdVC AdhdAAAS' Al bAiO AlCdIOAAhS
the higher arts are not neglected; the
school has several good pianos, and
both vocal and instrumental music are
taught, while such as evince talent for
drawing or painting are sent to the
academy of San Carlos, near by.
When one considers that these advan-
tages are all enjoyed without the slight
est expense to the poor students; that,
moreover, they are partly supported
and aided in every possible way in
their efforts to be independent and self
helpful, one cannot refrain from pay
ing tribute Of heartfelt admiration to
the government which shows SO pater-
nal an interest in the welfare Of its
daughters, and makes such generous
efforts to fit them for a career of use
fulness. Nor are these efforts confined
to the capital Similar institutions
exist in other cities of the republic,
and in almost every direction the pros
poets for the future improvement and
education of women are most en-
couraging. In Guadalajara, connected
with the Hospicio, there is school of
arts and trades, where women are
taught printing, photography, lithog-
raphy, stenography, tailoring, shoe
making, stocking and cloth weaving.
A Business Melody.