Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-12

OF the hlnuergarten, she still has charge OF
them, but masters and private teachers
carry on their mental training, The resi-
| dent governess and tutor are not preferred
In private houses. Social matters are too
chaotlc here to render the position com.
Iortaole Tor either the employer or en-
ployed. Many women look on governess
as species of upper maid, to be called on
for th1mble and needle II need be. The
native goYerness, on the other hand, wants
to oe regarded as one Of the family, and
ieeis privileged to indulge her feelings at
fancied sights. The butler and upper
servants, on the other hand, persist in re-
gardlng her as one of them. know of
| goVerness who was dismissed, the lady of
the house frankly avowing that the servants
resented waiting on her, and it was easier to
replace her governess than her butler. The
resentment of the butler extends even to the
visiting teachers. 'sta4aiis
AN'UEPLEAsANT POSITION.
/ It happens often and shows that wealth is
not all powerful In New York society.
Women belonging 10 the same social circle
but who have lost their money are employed
| by their friends as visiting teachers. One
OF them tells me that when she goes to, her
lessons the butler makes her wait in the
hall, or at the children's dinner omits to
serve her, but when she is a guest at a din
ner party she receives his most distinguished
consideration. The governess in a house
has not an enviable life. Her only conipan-
ions are the children, and they are fre-
quently with their parents. Even the mother
who may have desire to be amiable, cam
not vouch for her friends. A lady of prom
inent position here who has an educated
German lady in her household, and who
dimes with her In the family, never enter
tains her when she has guests lest, as she
says, they might be rude to her. In this
sort of atmosphere it may be imagined in
the children's eyes the dignity of education
is not strengthened.
The fashion of the moment is the English
nursery governess, the great consideration
being her English accent" which has far
outstripped the language of France. The
English nursery governess is the most sensi-
BILE fashion that has yet prevailed in educa-
tion. for she brings with her, her English
ideas on the subject Of lessons, sweeties, di-
versions scrubbings, clothes, spankings and
waiting on oneself I have seen one of
these gaunt English women who looked as
If she had just stepped out of carioature
of an English Mees, !" having charge at
watering place of three Boston cubs who
the year before had been the terror of the
house. The lessons went on with the regu-
larity Of the schoolroom, the exercises and
She brought her charges to the table and
they ate what she prescribed, if they re-
volted they were carried forth and duly
spanked, while their beautiful and fash
ionable mother composedly ate her dinner
But-the most pleasing thing was to see them
carrying pitchers of water for their own
scrubbing and being taught to wait on
themselves. Before the season was over
the gratitude OF the house almost resulted in
A PUBLIC TESTIMONIAL.
The English governess brings with her her
English ideas of health. Here she is vastly
superior to the Ere nch and German gov
erness, nationalities that have never real |
lied the saving grace of water and exercise. |
These the American people realize and abet |
the Englishwomen. American children of |
leisure class are splendidly groomed little |
animals. This is, Of course, accompanied |
by much unnecessary luxury. The appoint |
ments Of the dressing rooms Of some chill |
dren equal that of any lady Of luxurious
tastes.
Here is the description of the suite Of
rooms occupied by a girl of g. Her name
will not give, for it would be unkind to
pillory child for the sins of her foolish
parents. She has beautiful little sitting
room in white and gold. The walls are
hung in rose tinted silks, and special pieces
of furniture, diminutive in size, and in
cluding small secretary in ormolu
with Sevres plaque. that she may
carry on her little correspondence. Here
are her toys, the elegant gifts she re-
ceives, and here she entertains her friends.
Adjoining this room is her bedroom in satin
wood, her brass bed hung with blue silk
curtains. A dressing room attaches and in
this is the elimination Of luxury. The
dressing room is quite large. The marble
bath is set against the wall. The low mar
bic basin is supplied with perfumed soaps.
Sponges of all sorts and sizes hang in racks.
Perfumed waters in cut glass bottles, cold
creams, delicate lotions all find a place.
On her bureau are laid out expensive
brushes and combs in repousse, silver and
exquisite toilet bottles and manicure cases
in pearl. In one corner is placed long
cheval glass that she may contemplate her
skirts and dainty footgear The impro-
priety of calling this child's attention as
specifically to the care of her body is al
ready manifest, and one can only wond er
what there can be in reserve for her when
'he is grown.
SENSIBLE TRAINING.
But children in the most prominent fami-
lies are not quite SO lavishly pampered. The
Vice Presidents young daughters are sem
'ibly dressed and most carefully educated.
On fine afternoons they might have been
seen speeding down Fifth avenue on their
,oller skates to Washington square, before
he Washington epoch set it. In Mr..
W Whitelaw Reid's house the upper part is
yiven to the children, where they are sensi-
oly and carefully trained. The hall here.
which is as spacious as the grand hall below,
s pannelled in red wood and has q capaci-
'us fireplace, is noble playroom for in
clement days. The Willard children, who
ormerly occupied it, have been most care
ully trained. The language of the family
German, and a,German governess their
constant companion. Their studies were
verseen by their mother, and one of the :
'retty sights in the music room below was
drs.. Willard playing accompaniments to
er daughters violin In the daily practice. .
A form of private education much more !
n vogue is in classes of three and four, from
n intimate circle. This, it is claimed,
ives companionships yet prevents the un-
esirable intimacies formed at schools. In
his case, at one house the schoolroom is
tied up and thither are brought each day
y maids the outside scholars. The chill =
rem are taught by special visiting teachers