Ellsworth American., 1907-09-04
LETTER FROM ABROAD.
Methods In "a French School For Girls
Hint For American Mothers.
Written for THE AMERICAN by Miss Clio NJ.
Chilcott.
PARrs. FRANCE. Aue 7. 1907.

Written for THE AMERICAN by Miss Clio NJ.
Chilcott.
PARIS, FRANCE, Aug Z, 1907.
We are very fortunate this summer in
making our abode ct "pension" which
is in reality private institution called a
"college for young ladies'" and corre-
sronds to our high schools and acadamies.
1t has connected with it boarding and
day school for young girls. From teach
er's point Of view, as well as for the sake.
Of knowing more of the life Of the French
people, have been greatly interested in
stitution.
The one thing that impresses me unfav-
orably is that the programme for the day
seems to be made out each morning.
Strange as it may seem, this apparently
dees not interfere with the good work OF
the school. The girls know that certain
work will come the next day, for instance,
but they don't know at what hour. When
we have wished to attend Q particular lee
ture, we haven't been able to make definite
plans the previous day, as we have been
notified Of the hour during the day for
which the lecture was scheduled. When
one is planning to fill in Q certain amount
Of Sightseeing, this isn't always conven-
lent.
1t has been my very good fortune to
visit . literature class here where Cor
neille's "Le Menteur" was being read.
The work was admirable. I have heard
girls from sixteen to eighteen discus
sing most intelligently among themselves
Moliere, Musset and other French writer's.
fear that shall be forced to believe that
they are much more conversant with
French literature than are our own
American girls Of the same age with Eng
lish and American literature.
The schools here close the last OF July
to open again the first Of October. The
last day is spent in awarding prizes, and
these "last day" exercises at this school
were OF great interest. My first surprise
was to see the number OF mothers present.
On other days the smaller girls all wore
long-sleeved black tires, but on this par
ticular day a great transformation had
taken place. They were nearly all ar
rayed in dainty gowns OF delicate French
embroidery. All the teachers, as we'll as
all the children, wore white gloves. 1t
must be that some OF the girls are not
coming hack next year, but no public rec
ognition Of the fact was made. It was in
no sense a graduation exercise, but simply
one where those in all classes who had
done especially good work during the year
were awarded.
At one end OF the room was large table
special standing in the upper classes,
green crowns representing laurel wreaths
for the pupils who stood highest in the
lower classes, and packages OF books tied
with ribbon. Beside the first and second
honors in each class, there were first and
second honors in each study, and honors
for good conduct and application. There
was one book for each, which meant that
some OF the highest and most studious
had almost more than they could carry.
One OF the teachers read the awards. As
each child's name was called, her crown
and books were given either to her mother
or the "directrice." The child then came
forwar5, the wreath was placed on her
head, she was presented with the books,
and kissed on both cheeks, according to
the French custom. The fact that the
mothers had this part in the exercises i'm
pressed me. saw tears in the eyes of more
than one mother as her child came to her.
The great privilege was granted me of
crowning one little girl who had no
motner there. As she came up to me in
her little black gown was deeply moved.
After the awards were made, the ''di-
rectrice," who is one of the most chaiIL-
ing women ever met, gave very inspir-
ing address to the children. Then the
school was dismissed and there was a
great hustle and hustle in the court tyard.
Everyone had to be kissed again, and the
little girls all went away either with pa
rents or nursemaids, save the little Mar
celle whom l had crowned. She will be
here for part of her vacation. She came
to me the next day in the garden saying,
SIT is you who crowned me yesterday"
Since then we have become the best of
friends. Every night we take an after
dinner promenade in the garden, and we
have many a frolic together, she all the
while acting quite uneonsciously as my
little French teacher.