The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-12-22
GIRLS IN HOLLAND.

The education Of girls in Holland can
not be said to be Dutch in character.
In the schoolroom the native language
is generally forbidden, 1t being pointed
out TO pupils that no matter how much
they may love their mother tongue IL.
will prove absolutely useless TO them
outside that land. English forms part
of the most limited education, then
come French and German. An Eng
lish writer suggests that perhaps the
reason why English is placed in pop
ularity before French is because IT is
so much easier FOR Dutchman to
learn. yet the fact remains that any
Dutch man or woman To whom that
tongue seems difficult Will never be
able to master IL to perfection. AS
rule. the girls OF Holland are fond OF
English and speak II huently. Educa-
tion i'm Holland is highly Valued, the
learning OF languages being deemed
superior TO the cultivation OF accom-
plishments Many clever Du,lnWomen
are unable to sing or play on any 10
strument, or paint, yet are renowned
for their talents y thorough Comes
tic education is insisted upon; II is con-
sidered a disgrace for a girl TO be ig-
norant of sewing. washing, ironing.
housekeeping, arithmetic and cooking.
Under the head of sewing are included
the arts OF fine darning and amending.
and the making Of underclothes. At
ter leaving first governess, who is
generally either English, French or
German, girls not of the highest rank
20 into the primary schools, and then
TO the high schools-H oorgere, Buyer
schole. Voor. Meisjis--or i2to sGAne OF
the excellent boarding schools, in which
the best Of education is combined with
the simple food, care and amusements
Of quiet homes.
Only the richest parents send their
daughters abroad to school, but after
taking them from national establish
ments supply them with finishing les
sons from many masters. IL is the
Dutch mother who chiefly teaches the
domestic arts. The daughters are
brought up to admire, respect clever
housekeeping and housewifery gener-
ally, and to prepare for the time when
they themselves will have to manage
"a household When a Dutch girl is
about eighteen she is confirmed. her
education is supposed To be finished,
and she enters society. After becoming
engaged she is socially obliged to call
upon her relatives. friends. and ac-
quaintances with her fance. i'm order
mony has taken place the engaged pair
are not supposed To go about freely
alone. but after IL they may do as they
please in most matters. Very long en-
gagements are usual in Holland, as
dowries are rare, and neither ambition
nor financial reasons are often allowed
20 stand i'm the way OF a betrothal be-
tween yoIng folk who love one another
1t has been truly said that the home is
the Dutch woman sSeSorld. Nothing is
permitted to interfere with her proper
accomplishment Of her duty there. Late
hours are abhOrrent to her. and cx-
travagsnce In dress or i'm the pursuit
Of outside amusement is regarded as
unseemly. The houses I'm Holland are
simply furnished for the most part
without many objects OF brio "A -brac.
Dress. rooms and gardens are all alike
distinguished by neatness and scrupu-
lous cleanliness. When children are of
an age to be amused the Dutch mother
contriyes TO find time 10 make a reg
ular study OF youthful pursuits. games
and interests. and begins very early to
accustom childish fingers to the use not
only OF the needle. but also of miniature
cooking vessels and brooms and brush
- Walking and skating are the favor
He forms ~ exercise