The times., 1898-12-28
w11HE1M1nA,s EDUCATION.
Instruction I'm Modern Languages
Her Teachers.
(From Longman's Magazine. !

CFrom Longmans Magazine.)
No sovereign was ever more carefully
brought up for the task Of a ruler than
Queen Wilhelmina. The Queen Regent
herself mapped out the whole education
the number OF hours to be devoted in dua
proportion to each subject during the
available years. She wished her daugh-
ters education to be truly national: hence
her first teacher was the head of public
elementary school. Mr.. Gediking. and he
was directed to give the instruction as
much as possible on the same lines as to
his own pupils. The teaching embraced By
degrees, besides the ordinary curriculum,
natural history. physics. geology, geometry
and mathematics. Geology had a special
attraction Tor the young queen, and when
she visited the Natural History Museum in
London those who led her round were
struck with her knowledge Of the subject
Meanwhile English was taugnt her by
her English governess. Miss Saxton Win
ter, who remained till after the queens
confirmation. two years ago; and she
learned to speak French from a native of
france before the age of nine. waen she
received her first lesson in French gram
mar and literature from DR.. Salverde de
Grave, who was enabled at once to use
French as the medium for teaching the
language 1t is never questioned in HoI-
land-as it is unfortunately, sometimes in
II
be begun early in order not to absorb too
much OF the time which, at a later period,
Is required for other subjects. German,
which is an easy as well as a somewhat
perpiexing language to Dutch people on
account of its resemb enee to their own
was not begun till five years later, when
Dr. kossmann, from the gymnasium gave
her majesty lessons in the language and
literature. DIR. Saiyerda de Grave took
nf ha
other subjects, such as geography and
Dutch history and literature. The practi-
cal side of the teaching was never lost
sight of. Thus the queen regent desired
that the study of geography should be
combined with a survey of the political
and economic conditions of the various
countries, and that in connection with
arithmetic the queen should be made ac-
quainted with some details of finance,
monetary systems, loans, etc.
During the latter years of the queens
education she was instructed by special
lists, chiefly professors from the universi-
ties. One of the best historians OF Hol-
land, Prof. Blok, from Leyden, gave
course of Dutch history. Prof Kan taught
physical and political geography; Prof
Kramer. general history. and in eonnec-
ton with this subject he led the queen
through the British Museum on her visit
Of school at Arnhem, continued the
teaching of physics begun by Mr.. Gedi-
king. frequently using experiments and
giving short biographies of the great men
of science. Prof. De Louter initiated her
majesty in the constitution of The Meth
erlands. in political law and economy, and
colonial institutions. DIR. Hofstede de
Groot gave her lessons in art history; DR..
Blink in cosmography, The queen regent
herself taught her daughter Bible history
for ten years. After that the court preach
er, Dr. Van der Filler. prepared her during
two years for confirmation.
Finally Lieut.. Gen. Kool and Rear Ad-
miral Stokhuyzen gave the queen instruc-
tion in the organization of army and navy
chiefly in their relation to the crown.
Accomplishments like drawing and music
were not neglected. The queen showed the
greater taste for drawing and strong ap-
probation of art, especially national art.
Plain needlework. which is too often looked
upon as a subject Of no Importance in the
education of women, was taught her from
her earliest youth ny her mother. and aft
erward by special mistress. To a strong
and healthy nature like the queens. physi-
cal exercise, such as riding and skating,
has always been a delight.