The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-12-14
THE E'LEE1TNG SH0W.
Some of It's Tacas and Fancics.
Written for the JOURNAL AND CouRIER.l A SCHOOL IN ICELAND


 A SCHOOL IN ICELAND.
 A good deal of interest has been talk en by American women in the enter prise of Madame Sigrid Magnussen, who came to this country from Iceland to sell a remarkable collection of antique Icelandic ornaments and curiosities, many of them treasured heirlooms, for the benefit of a girls school, establsh- ed by her at Reykiavik. This collec- tion, now in New York, has been on ex- hibition in several cities, and admira- tion has been divided between it and it's devoted and energetic owner
 The difficulties in the way of an Ice landic girls education are hardly to be appreciated in a land of free schools That far-away island has an arsa of 10000 square miles, while the popula : ton is only 7O,OoO scattered about in the most habitable parts. There are neith- CT roads nor vehicles; in summer one may travel from place to place upon the hardy, surerfooted native ponies; in winter if one travels at all. he must go on foot. On account of this difficulty alone, day schools are almost imprac- ticable. The only education that ehil- dren generally receive is in reading. Religious instruction is compulsory up to the time of confirmation, at fourteen or sixteen years. All over the island the mothers are the teachers, and q girls education ends usually with her confirmation. Boys fare rather better. They have a high school, a college, a medical and a theological school at Rekjavik. Many boys go to the Copen- hagen university.
 | Of late the women of Iceland have keenly felt the need of more education. How should they teach their girls ac- cording to the demands of the present day unless they themselves were wiser 7 The very few private schools for girls were limited in scope' and too eXpen- sive for most families. Besides, it was not only education in hook lore that was needed, but instruction in prac- tical arts, mental and manual training must be combined. Such school is the one founded by Madame Magnus- sen. The house was partly built by | funds donated Iby English friends, and 1 it stands upon plot where stood the | home of Madame Magnussen's child 1 hood It was the gift of her mother, al ways an earnest advocate of education l The subjects taught are the following Tailoring, four days in the week, fou; hours per days. The same time is given to "Slojd" on the other two school days l Then they have Icelandic language and | literature, Danish and English arith- metic, geography, history, writing an6 singing. From twelve to two, two girls each week. in turns, exchange the class room for the kitchen, where they arc 1 taught cookery. They have calisthen l ics and two outdoor walks every day 1 Plain needlaiwork is also taught, anG when they, are proficient in it they may learn any fancy needlework they prefer.
 It may seem strange, Madame Mag nussen says, that tailoring should be 2 part of the school course, and one t which so much time is given, but ther; are no tailors in Iceland except at tht capital, and women have to make al the men's clothes as we'll as their own Therefore it is quite necessary that they should learn the trade scientifically, t take correct measures, cut the eloti l economically and make the garmen 1 thoroughly. They must use the day | light for this work, in fact, the onl! 1 daylight in autumn and the early par of winter.
 And now this school, so useful ant practical, so well planned to help tht upright, honest. deserving women O Iceland, istin great need of money, ! is to be hoped that some generous pun chaser will be found for Madame Mag nussen's collection, not only because i 1 is unique, artistic and ancient but be l cause it has been devoted to a truly | Christian and philanthropic purpose Poverty is all-prevailing in Iceland, yet | it is not of the kind that crushes ou ambition and blunts self-respect. Therr is aspiration there, industry and hon est effort Let us hope that the mis sion of this brave and devoted woma, may not fail of abundant success.
 WE ARE so FEWr'
 The long, blsst chain is broken
 So many links have softly dropped
 from sight:
 So many names are now in sadnes. | spoken
 l Names once so bright!