The herald., 1895-06-15
THE FRIDAY MORNING CLUB
Interesting Letters Read Upon Student
Life in Paris
Miss Brousseau Is Studying at the Paris
University and Miss kimbal Is Cuiti.
waiting Her Voice

The customary large audience was pres
ent IN the Friday Morning club rooms
yesterday, when two very interesting let
ters were read on student life in Paris.
The first, on the Educational System of
France, was written by Miss Brousseau,
who is taking a course of philosophy in
the Paris university, and was read by
her mother, Mrs. Caroline Brousseau.
Miss Brousseau attacked her subject by
stating that every child born in France
is the ward of the nation and a future
candidate for academic honors he begins
his career at the age of . years, when
he knocks at the door of the maternal
school," The maternal school. Miss
Brousseau explained.as being the kinder
garten of France, the transien6 period
from the family to school life; children
of both sexes are taken. but the teachers
are always women. The method pur-
sued is the same as Froebel's, and prin-
ciples of neatness, order and attention
are all ingIained under the form of
amusement IN the childish nature; much
attention IS paid TO sanitary conditions,
and qualified inspectors pay mon thly Wis
its to the schools. Once week physi-
clans call and make examinations of the
pupils, paying particular attention to
Try is inculcated and the moral ma ture
developed; this, until years is reached
when boys and girls are separated and
attendance at school is compulsory, it
may be private schools or tuition. but
the public school examinations must be
taken once year. and in case of failure
the pupil must attend the public school.
When he leaves the primary schools he
can read, write, cipher, has fair knowl-
edge of grammar, bookkeeping, French
history, geometry. natural science and
some notion of physics and chemistry;
he has had explained to him the consti..
tuition OF his country, ths general
relation of capital and la bor. the princ-
pies of family life, of society and the ma
ton, he has received instruction in
drawing, music and military drill. The
girls, besides their studies. learn dress
making, cooking, housekeeping.
AT IL the pupil leaves the primary
school to enter either the superior pri-
mary school or the elycee, which is to
prepare him for the university. After
five or six years solid study in Latin,
French, Greek, German and English lit.
erature. philosophy and psychology, he
presents himself for examination for the
first university degree-the Baccalaureat
OF Letters or OF Sciences-which alone can
admit him as regular student of one of
the various faculties. This is not an
entrance test but government examina-
ton.
A short account of student life was
given, followed by some statistics of the
university which was founded by Robert
Sarbonne in 1858 as theological school,
and remodeied by Napoleon in 1SOS its
present status and mode of procedure
was explained. its growth and curriculum.
Women have definitely won their place
In the university, where there are at pres
ent about three hundred, and Miss Brous-
seau closed her delightful letter by stating
that they are now represented in all the
departments. even those of the most ex-
elusive and exacting sciences, where they
have passed creditable examinations and
several have already received degrees.
Miss kmball's letter was also from
Paris. where she is studying vocal music,
and was read by her mother, Mrs. J. n.
Kim ball. 1t was a chatty, running ac-
count of the delightful voyage across the
water, the landing in Southampton and
later in Havre. and the final Journey to
Paris. The hunt for home, strange peo-
pie and sights, the shops and their artis-
tically displayed wares; the final success
in finding an apartment" the primIa-
tive manner of living in Paris, where
they use candles and lamps for lighting,
where there are no bath rooms nor run
ming water, and alcohol lamps and char
coal stoves are used for cooking. Details
as to the expense of living was ed
up in total of $3.50. which covered
all exepnses for herself and sister, includ-
ing lessons in French and music. Her
teacher gin the latter art was described
and her monthly soirees in graphic
manner. The manner of the life. the