Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-30
FINISHING SCHOOL
Guaranteed to Turn Out Per
feet Ladies.
WHAT CAN BE TAUGHT
PREPARING FOR SOCIAL LIFE IN
ART, MUSIC AND LANGUAGES.
The Wen-Versed Chaperon Plays No
Small Part in the
Work.
WHAT CAN BE TAUGHT
Written for The Evening Star.


IN the modern finishing school the accom-
plishments of pupils are regulated entirely
by the sphere to which it has pleased So
ciety and their fathers millions to call
them.
If q girl Is taking a short and strenuous
polishing course her accomplishments are
apt to be merely the fads of the hour. Ia
her parents insist that she be prepared on
the get rich-cuick'' plan she takes up the
work after the most superficial manner. On
the other hand, if a considerable number
of terms are to be devoted to her drawing
room education the principal of the school
draws breath of relief and starts as near
the foundation of things social and graceful
as she dares.
The more rapid process includes smat-
tering of the languages, particularly
French, so that the pupil is at least capable
of understanding the so-called smart repair
tee in which society now INDUCES she
patters lightly of the various schools OF art
She CLEANS few stray sheaves at the opera
harvest during the season. She is strictly
an up-to-date girl. If skirt dancing is the
rage she takes private lessons IN the art.
If coon songs are in favor she receives spe-
cial instruction. Her lesson in golf, or the
crack game of the hour, Is as important,
even more so, than her hour in physics or
algebra She does not draw with facility,
but she invests In a typography outfit and
burns wood, because every one is taking
up the fad. And she is distinctly up on
clothes.
In truth, when she goes back to her home
she is glittering, dazzling creature, who
babbles bewilderingly Of many things, but
cannot be pinned down long or exhaustive
ly to any one topic Of dignity or importance.
But If she is clever and adaptive she scores
something of a social success, to the relief
of her rents and the questionable credit
OF her preceptOrS.
When Art Becomes a Study.
But for the girl whose prospects point to
an entree into really exclusive and solid So
ciety, whose path may lead to foreign lands
and perhaps to an international alliance,
the preparation Is moro worthy of consid-
Grafton. Rag-time forms no part of her
musical instruction. Art becomes a study,
not fad. Golf is means, not an end.
In the matter of musical accomplish
ments alone the range is wide. She Is per-
mitted to select the instrument which ap-
peals most strongly to her, and then she is
thoroughly grounded in its technique The
piano Is almost invariably included in this
course of instruction, whatever other in
strument may be selected her speciality.
She takes singing lessons, not only to de-
velop what talent she may possess, but also
to train her ear. to quicken her musical
fancy and to improve her speaking voice.
her vocal Training lncluOGS CnOrdl Work.
The ensemble singing at a fashionable
school is often pleasant to hear, and al
ways obligatory
Theoretically she studies the history OF
music, attends the best concerts as we'll as
the opera, and hears the masters of In
strumental and vocal music, with all valu-
able lectures that the season may bring
forth In many of the exclusive schools
weekly musicales of much merit are given
and attendance on the part of pupils is
practically obligatory. These musicales
as a rule. are divided into groups taking
up the various schools of music. including
talks on the composers life and criticisms
and expositions of his works all illustrated
by artists and pupils in vocal and instru-
mental music. BY the time a girl has
gone through this mill for several terms
she is fairly familiar with the great compo-
sitions, and recognizes the style of the
best known composers.
Inspiration From the Chaperon.
The chaperon who accompanies the stu
dents to concerts or the opera must be well
versed in music. She points out the ex-
cellences in technique. or the defects in the
rendering of the various numbers In other
words, she supplies the first inspiration of
themselves as they become more and more
familiar with the world of music
The practical study of art includes a thor
ough foundation in drawing, painting and
remodeling. The eye is trained to appre-
cfate grace and beauty in everyday life;
the hand to be deft and firm Whatever
form of art work happens to be the fad of
the hour in amateur way is industri-
ously cultivated in order to keep the pupil
abreast of the times even in her accom-
plishments.
The theoretical study of art includes fire.
Quent visits to the best gallery the city af-
fords. and to all the better grade of exhi-
billions in private galleries, as we'll as those
given by the various art societies. Under
the guidance of q chaperon versed in the
history of art the pupil is induced to criti-
else the pictures and to converse fiuently
on all the exhibitions she may attend.
A Hard Course in Languages.
The languages most useful in polite So
ciety are cultivated assiduousy. French
and German are considered particularly es-
sential, and, owing to the annual hegira to
the Italian resorts, the language of sunny
Italy is a useful accomplishment for the
young woman who expects to travel much
abroad Familiarity with the language
does not come from study hours alone, but
certain tables in the dining rooms are
known as the foreign tables. and at these
pupils are not permitted to speak English.
In many schools. the half hours after din
ner is devoted to French conversation and
no word of English is heard in the parlors,
library or study rooms where pupils
gather.
The study of languages is often rendered
more attractive by the production of little
plays in German or French.
Amateur theatricals not only serve as n
pleasant homeopathic dose in the foreign
tongue, but they are also considered a nee
essary part of the girls training. To be
entertaining. to step into any niche which
society may prepare for her, to be all
round addition to the social circle-that is
what the well-drilled girl must show for
her four, five or six years work at the tin
ishing school.
She must read the new books see the
new plays. and train herself to talk intelli-
gently and smartly on such topics. In this
effort she is assisted not only by the teach
ers in the school, the chaperon and her fell
low-pupils, but by the we'll cultivated wo-
men who attend the evenings given by
the head of the school, and who also en-
terrain the young women in return.
Miss Helen Gould and Mrs. Russell Sage
in New York city might be termed patrons
of the finishing schools, since they take a
deep interest In the young women of GER
tain METROPOLITAN school, attending the re-
ceptions and frequently throwing their own
drawing rooms open for the pleasure of the
girls. Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish gives large
house parties for the pupils of another
school at her home on the Hudson
dancing master has charge of a class
in which are taught all the newest steps.
from the hilarious two-step to the stately
minuet. which is enjoying a renaissance.
The intrtcacies and the etiquette of the ger