The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-09-04
EDUCATION IN BERLIN.
THE CAPITAL Is THE NUCLEUS OF
THE NATIONAL SYSTEM.

Girls Throughout the Empire.
Germany seems most satisfactorily to
have solved the problem of education for
all Berlin may be considered as the nu-
eleus of the whole national system, and
from this center it has radiated with
trifling and unimportant notifications
over the entire fatherland. Taking the
capital as the representative center, there
are in Berlin two ''royal high schoolS' for
girls at which the terms for each pupil are
100 marks, or twenty dollars yearl The
directors receive salaries of 5000 marks,
and those Of the professors vary from 500
to 1900 marks
There are five "civl high schools where
the pupils are received on the same terms,
where the women teachers are paid from
200 to 2,4O0 marks. There are also $50
"civi communal schools" where the schol-
ais are taught gratuitously; the directors
and teachers receive, in addition to their
residences, salaries not much lower than
those of their colleagues.
Every branch of education receives the
most careful attention, and all the profes-
sors are qualified eminently for their task,
and have the highest possible respect for
and consciousness of the dignity of their
vocation. History and literature are prom
inent studies; English, French and Italian
are taught, and music to any one desirous
Of taking up the study.
IN OTHER CITIES.
1t is exceedingly rare that German girl
does not cultivate at least one art; there
are several conservatories, of music and a
number of excellent studios, with masters
and mistresses of tested eminence, at which
they can perfect themselves in music, sing
ing and painting Mt prices merely nominal.
AT fifteen girls generally leave school, but
for one or two years more they attend pre-
paratory classes that enable them to pass
the higher teachers examination. This
practice obtains in the upper and official
circles, where it Is not necessity, and with
the best results, as the standard of educa-
ton is most remarkable in these classes of
society, especially taking into considera-
tion that tho girls are not dependent on
their studies for future livelihood.
Dresden and Stuttgart, like many other
German towns, have excellent schools, but
they are frequented by more foreigners
than those in Berlin. Over and above the
establishments just mentioned are several
institutes" in Berlin One, the "Louisen
institute" called after the founder, Queen
LOUISE is now under the patronage of the
reigning empress; another, the "Kaiserin
Augusta stiff, was founded by the aged
empress, and was the object of her con-
stant thought and intelligent supervision.
10 the last she was its active patroness.
and knew all the inmates by name, taking
the liveliest interest in their welfare and
progress Young girls are admitted to the
"stift" at the age of ten and remain there
until their confirmation. The old Emperor
William and the Empress Augusta had
long been in the habit Of assisting at this
religious ceremony every year, and also at
the rarer but yet not infrequent occasions
of baptism.
REWARDS FOR GOOD GIRLS.
Some time ago the wife of the first sec
retary of the japanese legation in Berlin
was instructed in the tenets of the Chris
tian religion, ana at her desire received
into the church. The aged sovereign was
her godfather, and gave her the name of
Augusta. Many Roumanian, Servian and
Montenegrin girls are educated at this in
cOiOuOtOu, DuO Ouo STtuutT uumDtT dr6 nOIl-
est little Germans, whose chief induce
ment to perseverance and application is
the prospect of being able to kiss the hand
of the empress four times year-the first
time at Christmas, when they are invited
regularly to the palace to Christmas tree
prepared for them; the second time at
Easter, when their majesties open to them
the royal park of Bellevue and let them
look for the Easter eggs hidden in the
grounds, in presence Of the assembled
court, while the religious ceremonies Of
confirmation and occasional baptisms af-
ford the loyal little maidens other oppor-
tunities of testifying their veneration and
gratitude.
Apart from the more ambitious estab.
lshments there are great number of
smaller private schools remarkably we'll
managed by middle aged ladies who are
not allowed to take license for teaching
If they cannot prove that they have sue
cessfully passed the higher examinations
for such license. AS a rule German
children are sent to apreparatory school as
early as six years Of age to prepare if
girls, for the higher schools; if boys, for
the gymnasa In the latter the pupil
passes through all the classes to the bacca-
laureate, which is reached generally at
nineteen, after which they 60 to the uni
versity
THE GYMNASIA.
Most of these gymnasia are immeasura-
bly, superior to the average school ia other
countries, and the course of studies is cal
culated to turn out perfectly grounded and
generally well informed youths. Among
the best are the "Wihelm Gymnasium"
and the "Wende Institute" the latter be-
ing where Prince Bismarck spent some
time. For the students who prefer it, there
are the Real Schulen," or practical
schools, where no Greek is taught, and
where young men are not prepared for the
university
When foreign parents are not able to ex-
patriate themselves and make home for
the children on whom they wish to confer
the advantages of first rate education on
moderate terms, there is no difficulty in
housing them in German family where
they will soon find themselvesquite as free
and comfortable as in their own homes.
Many respectable people, moving in charm
ing society, can be found willing to open
their doors to foreign boys and girls, and
to treat them almost with parental care.
Considering the monetary basis of these
arrangements the profits to the hosts must
be purely nominal while there are consid-
cradle advantages for the guests in the ar
rangement. The young strangers readily
acquire the language, and their studies at
school or gymnasium are thus much facili-
tated; they are, besides. put in the way of
good deal Of social relaxation of per-
fectly wholesome kind, and of attending,
at a ridiculously small cost, all the best
concerts and operas.-Cor. New York Sun.
Norwegian Engagement.
Leap year reigns forever in this heathen
land" exclaimed an English tourist stop
ping in Norway village. One evening he