The Irish standard., 1892-08-13

tlo SCHOOL Gays AF6 over Llo girls tllut
of IL o'clock as mathematics O'CLOCK
as drawing and SO on.
Corrections for misdemeanors are otter
very droll in their character, and though
during the time of their int1iction one
suffers keenly, the memories that are re-
| tanned of them in after years are the
source of much amusement. A time
horored custom at the Georgetown Con
vent (the oldest institution of it's kind in
the United States)' is what ls known as
being "sent to the clock" The clock is
ore Of the kind ''too tall for the shelf, SO
| it stood ninety years on the hoor.'' And
| probably for more than a century it has
| been keeping in close relationship with
old Father Time. To be sent to the
clock one must be guilty of some serious
ofense, for this punishment is regarded
as the most serious wound that can be
inflicted upon the dignity OF the insub-
ordinate maiden. And when a girl has
| once been seated before that wise old
| tiuepiece she lis remembered always as
one Of the girls who were sent to the
clock. The disgrace of being before it
inpresses you the more keenly if you are
fated to be there while strangers are
being shown through the buil.ling, when
so curious a spectacle usually brings
forth query as to your occupation. In
the muffied explanation of the accom-
panying nun you detect the falntest
laughter, and then YOU wish to be any
where but before that tall clock, and you
almost cry in your anger.
Expulsion is a rare occurrence in con-
vents, and only takes place for real grave
offences, wherein the retention of the
pupil would seriously affect the well-be
ing of others. Now and then girl sur
reptitiously leaves the convent, and
should her parents urge request for her
readnlission it is always refused.
All the vanities of this wicked world
are discouraged, and all temptations
leading there are removed as far as pos
sible. That all consuming desire Of the
feminine heart for dress is allayed by
uniform of black, made into the simplest
Of frocks, the sombreness of which may
be relieved by bit OF bright ribbon
Any display Of jewelry is prohibited; the
only ornaments allowed are brooches and
watches. Mirrors are of the minutest
dimensions. A girls mirror, indeed,
is usually her neighbor, Of whom she
inquiries her hang Of gown or the be-
con,ingneas Of hair arrangement; for it is
quite impossible to gain correct idea Of
appearance in six-inch looking glass.
After some months of secluson in con-
vent the first time one beholds herself in
full-length mirror, the experience has,
at least, the delight of fnovelty. Powders
and cosmetics are also forbidden, and
are sure to be confiscated if found. At
one.,of the convents at which was stu
dent for number Of years, during
morning study hour we we're surprised
by visit from the directress. Her ap-
pearance at this hour always portended
trouble, and many girl hastily con-
suited her memory TO see if there were
any rule she had wilfully transgressed.
"Young ladies'" she commenced, "a
convent is not the place for frivolity,
though some of you, am led to believe,
regard it as such. From this date bangs,
bustles and beaux shall be banished from
this establishment" This, of course,
banished curl papers and tongs, and
ones night rests were, consequently,
moro peaceful. With palpitating hearts
we waited for the command which should
include in this wholesome banishment
the third item in the catalogue Of the
directress-the beaux of our bellies. But,
fortunately, the attack and capture OF
the bustles and bangs seemed to satisfy,
at least for that time, the conquering
spirit, and the banishment of the beaux
was reserved for future occasion. But
I doubt if, when it came, it was as sue
cessful in it's accomplishment as the
exile of the inanimate objects.