New-York tribune., 1898-01-02
YOUTHFUL PHILANTHROPY.
'IrGUE FRATERNEL DEs ENFANTs DEs
FRANCE
The tHLpRENs LEAGUE or COURTESY or
ENGLAND. AND rHr FRENCH oKaAN1zATIoN

ENGLAND ASp rHr FRENCH ORGANIZATION
INcr.UpE THOUSANDS or MENBEFs
Mile Lucie Faure. daughter Of the President Of
France. is the organizer ard promoter Of move
nlent the object OF which IL 10 rouse the interest
OF chl1ren in children Of less fortunate cir
cunstsnoes
Several letters have betn received from readers ~
The Tribune asking for information concerning
the so-talled League Of the Children Of France" ="
which has just terminated the second year of rs
existence with a general meeting OF It's youthful
members Of the Elysee Palace. at Paris.
II was organized in 1895 by Mile. Faure. who
owing the fact that she usually accompanied her
popular father in those visits the hospitals and
charitable institutions 70 which he devotes two
entire mornings Of each week has had more op-
portunity than most girls OF appreciating the vast
extent Of human Ills ard Affections Inasmucn
she has turned her attention more particularly 10
the hospitals and homes for children. it has naru
rally been the Of these waits that have ap
pealed the most strongly 10 her heart, and often
when driving back from some asylum Of orphans
or Of crippled children, she passed through the rich
quarters Of the city and caught sight Of the dainty
little madens and laddies arrayed in costly furs
and laces attended by well-fed looking servants
their often loaded with valuable toys, the
contrast between the suffering she has just quilted
and the luxury paraded before her eyes filed her
mind with longing to contrive some means of
repairing this injustice OF fate
She finally hit upon the idea o. invoking the as
sstance, not OF the Erown-up rich, but OF their
children. for the purpose Of Frightening the exist
ence Of the children Of the poor and with that OBJ:
1ect In view founded the League Of the Children Of
up in the following terms:
II promise assist with affection and in the
measure OF my power those Of my brothers and
sisters who have any for misery, and espe-
cially those children who are in want, afflicted
or abandoned likewise undertake 10 pay each
year into the treasury OF the league a minimum
subscription of francs"-that Is. S.
divdual suffering and 70 assist children in obtain
Ing admission to establishments,. BENEVOLENT or
their future assured There are many cases o where @
the child is bound TO its home poverty-s;rcken as
miserable. II IS there where the league is at its
best.
Starting out with an initial fund Of 500. the
fage In Psrs a0n q sa 1 @ an m @ drHs
istered by a committee OF management which they
S Te ne az IS by os ins
people, who ask advice whenever they stand in
need thereof
BRANCHES ORGANIZED.
within the last twelve months branches have
been organized In most OF the principal towns and
cities of France The influence OF the League is
obtruslvely directed toward rendering its members
mindful Of the fact that wait, no matter how
poverty-strlcken and miserable. is a child OF the
same clay and possessed OF the same feelings as
themselves. therefore a
Ing OF social equality. rather than with patronzing
condescenson. Stress Is laid upon this ever In
the diploma or pledge In which the signer OF the
document undertakes TO assist those brothers" and
sisters" who may happen to be In poverty or in
distress. The League is made also 10 feel that
kindly and sympathetic word often gives as much
pleasure a gift Of money, especially when It IS
accorded a child that is not overwhelmed with
demonstrations OF affection and tenderness by those
around ii. Then too the members OF the League
are thoroughly given TO understand that the ten
assistance in the stree, does not by any means re-
lieye the gver o. further moral obligations in the
matter. Tho League serves TO bring together the
notes that species OF fraternity which Is the source
Of true democracy, establishing band % union be-
tween them.
LEAGUES IN ENGLAND.
In England something Of the same kind has been
founded by the Countess Of Winchesea. There the
member OF the League pledges himself herself
not only 10 extend a helping hand TO other chill
dren less fortunately situated. but likewise to do
each day some unselfsh thing, and especially TO
observe the rules OF courtesy-nOt necessarily the
courtesy Of fine manners but that far more valua-
Bile and acceptable courtesy which owes It's origin
OF others and to desire to avoid giving even mo-
mentary pain by word act or look. Inc countess
of Winchesea T. an active and energetic organizer.
and branches Of her society WHICH i remember
of Courtesy" are now TO be found In almost all
the leading towns and cities Of the United Kingdom
to their dress a tiny badge, the very possession OF
which serves keep them mindful OF their pledge
Many hundred thousand Of English children now
belong to Lady Winchesea's association. just In
the same manner that thousands upon thousands
OF French children form part Of Nile. buce Faure's
"Lisue Fraternel des Entants ,Tl De France ana
and field OF operation all the time.