Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1891-07-28
NEW HAVEN. CONN. TUESDAY MORNING, JULY 2s 1891.

| school children enjoy their vacation from
| the middle of July until the middle of Sep
tember. According to custom the govern
ment took. the matter in hand; and after
the formation of committee and the SOL
emn deliberation of several meetings it
was discovered that the school-boys ruled
the entire summer, and that the only way
to give them earlier freedom would be to
disconnect the chain betwixt them and the
deputies, the Palais, the subscription
nights in the theaters, Ietc. 1t was not to
be thought of in conventional France, so
the boys groan and the parents echo.
Strangers know 80 very little about
French home life, which is as closed as the
highest of Chinese walls. Of course, among
the nobility, even when the purse is fiat,
tutor, an abbe, dances attendance upon the
children, explains and studies their lessons
with them in preparation for the college
class at day school. In well-to-do families
this is not possible; it would be too expen-
sive, and either papa-if he knows how
or repetiteur is engaged for each day
or two.
Such is the strength of the custom that
school teachers rely upon the help so Civ
en-; they never explain anything, but listen
to the lessons, and read over the written
EXERCISES III very ldsulOAs XVI IVY
Just so much has to be accomplished to be
ready for military service, and should slow
ness of understanding, ill health, or ways
and means interfere he must cram. Thurs
day afternoon is the only week holiday and
mamma must give up all to walk out or en-
tertain her son. Hence the blessings OF the
classical matinees of the Comedie Francaise
where the elite go, and the strong at
traction offered by all the theaters on that
day.
A daughter complicstes still more the
situation, for after while the son goes out
| with pere or perhaps with some kind rela-
tive, but the file ma file, mamma can never
leave her for a moment. The best people
| manage to accomplish wonders with an
English or a German governess, and these
| are really happy. They breakfast and dine
/ at the table, except on very formal occa-
| sions, and then they are served in their
| room with mademoiselle. Miss walks out
| every day and goes to the cours with her
pupils, assists at all the private lessons
| and only retires when the mother is pres
/ ent.
1t is the fashion now for young girls of
the highest standing to study for the Hotel
| de Vile examination. Few obtain the su-
perior diploma, but it is disgrace not to
receive the teachers certificate. After that,
i and believe 16 is the limit of the age, the
| higher branches are cultivated, and 1t is
becoming correct to study after marriage.
| l do not believe that the average French
| girl is as bright as the American, certainly
not half as original, but she is not the
mincing Ounce represented in words. She
cannot go out alone until marriage becomes
a lost hope, shrouded in the frills of st.
| GATHERINGS cap, then she more or reluctant
| ly less puts on capote and is quite moved
by the strange boldness of her first saun-
ter.
| 1t is courteous not to notice when ma
/ demoiselle first comes to see you alone; the
| date and season are carefully allowed to
pass without comment, and after while
| her acquaintance think she shows her
good sense and perhaps she can marry a
| widower.
| The home life of France is very contract
| ed in comparison with our own, but econo-
| my is the true reason in many instances,
and unfortunately this question grows in
earnest appeal. Every cent must tell a
story, and the art is a French accomplish
ment, gracefully told in thousand details,
which would be valuable the world
over. Unfortunately there is no romance
or poetry in this daily struggle of ways
| and means That is the reason we read so
| little of it, the best authors prefering the
| fiction of rose water and perfume or the
| adventures of Countess x. or of the demi-
| mondaine Latischeff.