Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-11

sre W oe amiaoie. cannot vouch Tor her friends.
A lady OF prominent position here who has
educated German lady in her household and
who dimes with her in the family, never enter
talns her when she has guests lest. as she says
they might be rude to her. In this sort of at
mosphere 1t may be imagined in the children's
eyes the dignity OF education is not strength
ened.
THE ENGLISH NURSERY eovERNEss
The fashion of the moment is the English
nursery governess. the great consideration be-
ing her English accent" which has far out
stripped the language of France. The English
nursery governess is the most sensible fashion
that has vet prevailed in education. for she
brings with her her English ideas on the sub
ject of lessons. sweeties, diversions scrubbings
clothes. spankings, and waiting on ones self.
have seen one of these gaunt English women,
who looked as if she had just stepped out of
a caricature of English Mees" hav-
ing 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 regularity of the school ROOM
the exercises and the walks were as punctual as
the clocks. She brought her charges to- the
table and they ate what she prescribed Ifthey
reyolted thew were carried forth and duly
spanked, while their beautiful and fashionable
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 public testimonial
IN HER QUARTERS.
The English governess brings with her her
English ideas of health. Here she is vastly SUI
perior to the French and German governess,
| nationalities that have never realized the saw
ing grace of water and exercise. These the
American people realize and abet the English
women. American children of leisure class are
| splendidly groomed little animals. This is of
course. accompanied by much unnecessary lux
ury. The appointments of the dressing-rooms
of some children equal that of any lady OF lux
| urious tastes. Here is a description OF the
suite Of rooms occupied by girl of nine. Her
name Will not give, for it would be unkind to
| pillory a child for the sins of her foolish par
ents. She has a 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 including small secre-
tary in ormolu with Sevres plaque that she
may carry on her little correspondence. Here
are her toys, the elegant gifts she receives, 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 cul-
| mination of luxury. The dressing-room is
quite large. The marble bath is set against the
wall The low marble basin is supplied with
| perfumed soaps. Sponges of all sorts and sizes
hang in racks. Persumed waters in cut glass
! bottles. cold creams, delicate lotions all find q
place. On her bureau are laid out expensive
| brushes and combs In repousse silver and ex-
| qulsite toilet bottles and manicure cases in
pearl In one corner is placed a long cheva
glass that she may contemplate her skirts and
dainty footgear. The improperly of calling
this childs attention specifically to the care
| OF her body is already manifest, and one car
only wonder what there can be in reserve for
her when she is grown.
CHILDREN OF PROMINENT AMERICANS.
But children in the most prominent families
are not quite SO lavishly pampered The Vice.
Presidents young daughters are sensibly
dressed and most carefully educated. On fine
afternoons they might have been seen speed
ing down 5th avenue on their roller-skates tc
Washington square, before the Washington
epoch set in. In Mr.. Whitelaw Reid's house
the upper part is given to the children, where
| they are sensibly and carefully trained. The
hall below, is paneled in red wood and has a
capaciOus fireplace is a noble play-room fol-
inclement days. The Willard children. who
formerly occupied it, have been most carefully
trained. The language of the family is Ger
man, and German governess their
overseen by their mother, and one
of the pretty sights in the music
room below was Mrs. Willard playing accom-.
paniments to her daughters violin in the daily
| Practlce- A form OF private education much
more in vogue is in classes of three and four
from an intimate circle. This it is claimed
| gives companionships. yet prevents the undo.
sirable intimacies formed at schools. In thi:
case at one house the schoolroom is fitted up
and thther are brought each day by maids the
outside scholars. The children are taught BY
special visiting teachers. These are always ex
pensive. In addition in New York there are
many educational fashions. At one time it is
solfege, another time elocution Neither and
none of these of essential importance, but fol
their brief hour they are imperative, absorb
ing and expensive.
| MARY GAY HUMPHREYS.