The Sketcher.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 226, 8 January 1876, Page 5

The Sketcher.

GIRLS IN THE SCHOOLROOM. (From the Saturday Review.) People of a certain rank are supposed to be able to take care of the health and education of their OAvn children. But experience shoAvs this to be an entirely false supposition. Disregard of the laws of health is not confined to those who live in cottages, and the fact that a girl has had a governess for ten years does not prove that she is Avell educated. One mother from ignorance Avill fail in having her daughters properly taught, Avhilst another will consider an expert French maid a person of much more importance than her nursery and Avill pay her ungrudgingly a much higher salary. We Avant an Elizabeth Fry to inspect the schoolroom prisons, and take up the cause of our little English girls, Avho only confide their troubles to sympathising old nurses or to halfincredulous schoolboy brothers. The uncomplaining endurance of nice childdren brought up in large families is something very remarkable. “ Telling tales ” they think an unpardonable crime. They are therefore usually silent about a great deal that goes on in the nursery which their parents Avould disapprove were they aAvare of it. They take as a matter of course any ill-temper, deceit, or injustice of Avhich their governesses may be guilty in the schoolroom. At least they generally do so, and will keep quiet unless roused by seeing a little brother or sister bullied. They then tell tales in their righteous indignation, and their parents perhaps discover that the governess Avho Avas so highly recommended to them as a universal genius is entirely unfit to have the charge of children. They discharge her, and as likely as not get some one quite as unfit for her post. It is. a pity one of the Commissioners of Education could not unseen spend a feAV mornings in some of the schoolrooms in which little girls wash their slates Avith their tears, yet never thoroughly master the simple rules of arith* metic ; where they labor over “ Mangnall’s Questions,” but knoAV nothing of history; and where, hating music, they are yet compelled to practise many Aveary hours every day. The room is probably the smallest in the house. If in a toAvn, it is perhaps a dingy back room looking out on the leads. As it contains a piano, a book-case, a large table, a reclining board, and at least half a dozen chairs, there is not much cubic space left for air to breathe. On a hot summer day it Avould be a hard hearted person Avho did not commiserate the victims of what might be supposed to be the height of barbarism, but is in reality the result of a high state of civilisation. A child may be heard attempting by the aid of memory alone, no map being allowed in this lesson, to describe the courses of the Don, the Dnieper, the Dniester, and the Danube, in which attempt she is signally unsuccessful, and only manages to puzzle herself hopelessly and for life on the subject. The geography is put aside to be relearnt, and she goes on with her task in “Mangnall’s Questions.” Out of that mine of information her governess has crammed her with a little undigested information. The child has succeeded with much pains in retaining a feAV facts, such as that “ the tAvo distinguishing traits in Cromwell’s character were hypocrisy and ambition,” that “ stops Avere first introduced in the reign of Elizabeth,” and that the University . of Cambridge Avas commenced by Sigbert, King of the East Angles, in 630. She also learns that it is a most remarkable fact that J ohn of Gaunt ne\ T er came to the throne. Her sister is meantime gazing dejectedly at an exercise in syntax, and vainly trying to discover the mistake in such a sentence as, “We have the power of retaining, altering, and compounding those images which Ave have once received into all the varieties of picture and vision.” Poor child ! Avbat Avith heat and the indolence of mind which has been allowed to grow upon her, she has no poAver of retaining anything except a vision of hoAV delightful the garden must be looking, particularly the honeysuckle seat under the beach-tree. She tries another sentence, and here she is quite Avilling to alloAV that there must be something wrong in such an assertion as that “ Our tutors are benefactors Avho Ave OAve obedience to, and who Ave ought to love.” It Avould be trying to assent to the proposition under the circumstance, so she feels quite ready to correct it in sense, if not in grammar. Another sister is involved in a painful struggle Avith a sum which she could easily do if she had the faintest idea Avhat all these figures meant. It is not much help to the pupils that all through lesson time a jangling noise, called.practising the piano, should be going on, nor does it. help the teacher to keep her head Governesses, as a rule, are subject to toothache and do not like open windoAvs ; consequently before half the morning lessons are over, the pupils feel exhausted, stupid, and cross, and their teacher has not improbably become unreasonable and undiscriminating. She praises the girl who repeats her lesson Avith parrot-like precision, and thus saves her trouble. She scolds the slower but perhaps more painstaking child, who has no faculty for learning by rote what her -understanding has not completely mastered. The poor little wretch is accused of idleness and obstinacy, and kept in to learn texts of Scripture during her playhours. Complaints are made to her parents, Avho think it their duty to support the governess. The child becomes bewildered by the accusations made against her, and cannot explain matters to her own or any

one else’s satisfaction. When she goes to bed she cries herself to sleep over her unlearnt lessons, her lost play hours, and feels weighed doAvn with the sense of remorse Avhich blame, just or unjust, always brings to a child. She aAvakes unrefreshed to begin over again the same weary round, Avhich is only lightened by the hope that a day Avill come when Joyce’s “Scientific Dialogues” may be replaced by the last three-volume novel, and the dancing lessons practised in the county ballroom. Instead of Avishing to continue her studies avliou she leaves the schoolroom, she is sick to death of them, and, if she marries,, is only too glad to find an excuse to discontinue her practising or put aside her paint-brush. Poets sing about happy childhood, but avc are not sure that civilisation has not robbed childhood of much of its joy. No doubt childi’en forget their woes sooner than their parents can, and perhaps they enjoy their pleasures Avith a keener zest. They have the consolation of toffey and pets, dolls and unripe fruit, and find a heavenly calm sometimes in sucking their thumbs. Still they have sorroAvs, and they suffer more than most people suspect. The Avorst of it is that their sufferings are very likely to do them permanent harm. Many a valuable intellect has been rendered useless by injudicious early training, and many a fine character spoilt in passing through the schoolroom.

THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT. Before the Union, the grandest solemnity ever Avitnessed in Scotland Avas the riding of the Scottish Parliament. This imposing ceremony is barely alluded to in the histories of Scotland. Of its importance in popular estimation, we have the assertion of AndreAV Fairservice to Baillie Jarvie, in Rob Roy, who thus delivered himself :—“For his share, he wadna’, for a’ the herring barrels in GlasgoAv and a’ the tobacco basks to boot, hae gien up the riding of the Scots Parliament or sent aAva our broAvn, and our sAvord, and our sceptre, and Mons. Meg, to be keepit by thae English pock-puddings in the ToAver of Lunnan. What wad Sir William Wallace and auld Davie Lindsay hae said to the Union, or them that made it.” The subjoined account of the riding of the Scottish Parliament is the only particular and most graphic description of this high solemnity which we have ever seen ; we believe it is quite unique. The exact is from Mercurius Caledonius, and. comprises “The affairs now in agitation in Scotland, from Monday, December 31st, to Thursday, January Bth, 1661. From Edinburgh, December 31st.” Our clouds are dissapite, the rays of royalty, dart from the breasts of Scotsmen, not being in the power of the most skilful artificers of treason to starve off our allegiance, which Avas bravely manifested on the reception of his Majestie’s High Commissioner, the Earl of Middleton, who (according to the grandeur of his state) Avas welcomed seven miles from the city by numerous troops of nobility, gentry, and citizens, all in such equipages as became both court and camp. The next day, January the first, the Earl Marshal, accompanied Avith four hundred gentlemen of his oavu relations, marched on foot from his OAvn lodgings to his Majestie’s Palace, the present residence of the Lord Commissioner, with the honors of the kingdom—viz., he himself carrying the crown, the second brother, Colonel George Keith, the sceptre, and the younger brother, Sir John Keith, the SAvord. These three noble brothers hath been eminent both in their services and sufferings for the Royal interest ; and Avheu the two elder Avere prisoners in England by the particular care and industry of the younger, the same honors (so much hunted after by enemies) were miraculously preserved, for which his Majestie hath deservedly conferred upon him the honor of Knight Marshal .of Scotland. After the honors were solemnly laid before the commissioners in the presence, upon the table, under the cloth of state, then conform to the ancient custom of our nation, and the formalities of ranging the nobility by the king-.at-arms being performed, they proceeded to riding of the Parliament, in manner as folloAveth: — The commissioners for the several burghs, in comely and rich apparel, after them the barons, sumptuously but civilly clothed, Avith their lacquies in livery, every one twa ; next, the lords in their robes, each Avith three lacquies, with their respective badges of honor on back and bi’east, as all noblemen at such times and solemnities use to have ; then the viscounts Avith their lacquies ; then. the earls, each having four lacquies in rich attire ; then six trumpeters, uncovered; twelve heralds, with their coats of arms ; two sergeants, Avith maces; then Sir Alexander Durham, Lord Lyon, King-at-Arms, in his coat, which Avas most glorious ; then the Earl, of Marr, carrying the sword of honor, Avith a mace in each hand ; then the Earl of Sutherland, bearing the Royal CroAvn in like manner. The Lord Ramsay, son of the Earl. of Dalhousie, carried his IHajestie’s commission in a crimson velvet bag, a little advanced on the Lord Commissioner his left hand, Avho rode in state, all others being bare, save the Duke Hamilton and the Marquis of Montrose, Avho immediately folloAved him Avith their hats on. The streets all along were guarded by eighteen companies of citizens Avell armed, in gorgeous apparel. At their arrival at the Parliament Yard, they were received by the Lord High Constable of Scotland, the Earl of Errol, with a hundred gentlemen of his name, armed Avith SAVords, pistols, and guiled pole axes. The Lord High Commissioner being by him conducted to the door of the House, he Avas received by the Earl Marshal and his Guard, consisting in like manner of gentlemen of his name and relations commanded, under himself, by Alexander Keith of LudAvhorne. The Parliament being set, the Officers of State, and all the other members in their peculiar stations ; sermon being ended, his Majestie’s commission read, the Lord Commissioner shortly, though fully, deliered his Majestie’s careful inclinations

toAvards this his ancient kingdom, and hoAV graciously he Avas ready t 6 restore the fundamental laAvs Avhich had been so shveAvdly shaken by the iniquity of the times; but the present occasion Avill not admit of all that Avas spoken by his Grace, Avhich I refer to another convenience, It Avas then moved that the Lord Chancellor, according to the right of the Kingdom, should proceed. Next, that the oath of allegiance should be taken by all the members, both the Avhich votes passed Avithout contradiction, the one to the extirpation of all unjust oaths, the other to lop off the former sort of Preccdentship, or Chireman, never known but in the days of darkness. This Avas the issue of that day’s proceedings. Only the members of Parliament in the same order, conducting the Lord Commissioner to his Majestie’s Palace of Holyrood-house, Avhere his Grace, in the Presence Chamber, supped in state, and the nobility at tAvo long tables on each side of the room. The Fail of Athol officiated as cup-bearer, the Earl of Aboyne (sou to the late martyred Marquesse of lluntley) presented the water, the Earl of Dundee holding the towel, Master Murray, brother to the Earl of Athol, as carver. The dishes being served up by gentlemen, and win eh Avas most remarkable, considering the past dissensions during the late troubles, there Avas such an inexpressible harmony in that solemnity, as their cheerfulness discovered them so many loA'ing children Avho had found a lost father. Friday folloAving, being the fourth, the Parliament sat again, whore, having first settled some small debates touching commissions, they resolved an honorable reparation for that horrid and monstrous barbarity fixed on Royal authority in the person of the Great James Marquesse of Montrose,his Majestie’s Captain-General, and Lord High Commissioner, viz., that his Body, together Avith that of the Baron Dalgetypes murdered on the same account, and buried in the same place, Head and his other divided and scattered members, may be gathered together and interred Avith all honor imaginable. On Saturday, January. 5, the English Garrison in the Castle of Edinburgh Avere removed, and Captain Robert Strachan appointed Deputy Governor by the Lord Commissioner, possessed the place with 150 Scots soldiers, all of them approved persons both for courage and fidelity. On Sunday, January 6, the Lord Commission’s Grace, Avith the Parliament, performed the day’s Avorship in the House. Mr. Sharp, carried on the Avork, but Avith so great pity and learning as Avas sufficient to recover the most perverse Heretic or a dissatisfied Brother, either in IaAV or in Gospel to their civil or Christian obedience; but least I prejudice the author, I forbear to speak more till the Avorld be made happy in the communications of both his sermons. Bishop Sharpe’s sermons have not yet made the world happy, being still unpublished.

ALL THE ROYAL FAMILY. A Avriter in the Galaxy speaks of the English royalty as folloAVS: —There is a general movement among the loungers in the park, and an ostentatious carriage, with servants in red livery, goes sloAvly by. There are two ladies only in it, and there are tAvo curly-haired dogs on the seat before them. The ladies are attired very nearly alike, in black and white striped silks, the one in a pink and the other in a blue bonnet. They are not so beautiful as rumor would make us believe. They are oval-faced, high bred looking women, the one whom the English call “ our princess ” being older looking, and less blooming. than her sister Dagmar. The Czarovna is like a girlish edition of her sister, but though her brown eyes have a deeper lustre, her cheek a riper bloom, and her mouth and chin a more piquant air, there is a’sweetness, a gentle dignity, a grace about Alexandra, Avhich makes her love more perfect, yet its charm impossible to describe. She leans forward as the carriage passes, boAvsand smiles cordially. “Ah,” said a lady of the Queen’s household to us one evening, “she is such a real princess.” And this mention of royalty bring me back to a tAvilight hour Avhen from the terrace on the High-street of old Kensington Ave Avatched the royal family returning from ChisAviclc. It Avas a fete day , the streets were gaily decorated, a crowd assembled in the terrace gardens, shop AvindoAVS, and on the pavement. The carriages containing royalty rode by with unusual state ; outriders in gay liveries preceding them. First the “ Christians ” (as Ave might say, nee Princess Helena), a fair young Avoman in a Avliite tulle hat, and a middle aged man in uniform ; then a “trap,” driven tandem by a handsome young man Avith a full grown beard, a rosebud in his button hole, a gay debonnair manner (“the Duke” he is called, just as his elder brother is always “the Prince”) ; and then a second park carriage, Avith a bonny young Scotch chieftain in Highland dress, and a very pretty, pale, broAvn haired young woman in a pink dress, with some sprays of Avhite blossoms, gathered doubtless at the fete, in her hands. A shout goes up as they drive Dast, the good looking young Highlander doffing his Scotch cap airily, the young Princess, Avith the Avistful eyes, smiling gently. These are the Lornes, about Avhose domestic life rumour is very busy. But it is said, on good authority, they are content Avith their unequal marriage. The Princess is A r ery intellectual and accomplished, and is by far the handsomest of the Queen’s daughters. Her husband has many friends : he is young, and has a fine disposition, and, after all,. his family is near enough to the throne to silence contemptuous gossip. Just as the patience of the crowd is giving out, there goes up a cry of “The Prince !” Ah ! what a passport to favor is this divine right of kings and princes ! When these people say “The Prince,” it is Avith the air, “ Long live the King !’’ Here comes the Marlborough House liveries, and such a carriage load of royalties : the Princess of Wales and her sister Dagmar, their Avhite dresses and pink hats looking pretty in the evening light ; opposite therq the Prince of Wales, Avho, in spite of rumor and increasing Aveight, is yet fine looking, and tall, broadshouldered) good-looking CzareAvitch ; and then

comes a last carriage, in which little, sleepylooking children in brown holland cloaks and straw hats, with fluttering, white ribbons, appear to be rolling. There are, in truth, three of them upon one seat, and opposite a stout, gracious-looking lady, of whom we remember chiefly her brilliant smile and pleasant salutation. Her husband, handsomer in his dark grand way than any of the Guelphs, sits beside her. “Those are the Tecks,” says somebody earnestly : “ they are so kind and simple.” Their home is in Kensington Palace, where the Queen was born, where she held her first Council. The Duke of Cambridge, the Queen’s cousin, rides by unattended in a severely simple way. It is said that the simplicity of the “ Cambridges” annoys her Majesty immensely. The old Duke detests formality. He is greatly beloved by all the people, especially the army he commands. And thus royalty rides by in gay cavalcade. The bunting in the crooked High-street waves airily in the evening light ; the crowd slowly disperses ; to American eyes and ears it is so strange and like a fairy tale. A princess with a gracious demeanor, with dark eyes, and a sweet, sad smile ; a prince, all decorations and good nature ; outsiders, heralds, horsemen ; a red brick palace, flushed with sunset lights in the distance, with gardens like a stage effect beydnd ; is it really to-day, or is it long ago, when Prince charming -wooed his ladye fair over the sea, when princesses pricked their fingers on a spinning-wheel, and slept a hundred years ?