EDUCATIONAL.
Nurse and Housemaid should apply to the secretary, St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, W., stating full particulars.
L. Martin will obtain information on schools, etc., by getting “The Englishwoman’s Year Book” from Messrs. Hatchards and Co., Piccadilly, W. Her question is too vague.
One of the Girls (Belfast).—The openings in India at present are generally in connection with medical missions, and good governess situations are not easy to get. You are far too young to think of it yet.
A Cornish Lassie.—We recommend you to study Dr. Angus’s “Handbook of the English Tongue” (Mr. Tarn, 56, Paternoster-row, E.C.). You must not end any sentence with a preposition such as with, for, by, to, in, or of. Transpose the phrase so as to avoid it or alter it. “What did he do it for?” is incorrect. You should say, “Why did he do it?” or “For what reason did he do it?”
Schoolgirl (Toronto).—Backboards and stocks were both used. The former are to be seen now in many schoolrooms in England, and when one sees the rounded shoulders and poor carriage of so many of the present generation of girls, one wishes that the backboard régime could be restored.
E. M. H.—The name Abram meant “a high father.” This was afterwards changed to Abraham, which means the “father of a great multitude.” See the promises of God to him in the Book of Genesis.
H. Y. M.—We must request you to read all that we have recently said to other correspondents desiring to become governesses, and reckoning on salaries in accordance with the amount of their certificated acquirements, but overlooking the circumstances of youth and inexperience. In your own case, your hand is not formed, and you are incapable of teaching that essential branch of education—writing; nor do you express yourself properly—i.e., you should not say “for teaching same as above.” This is a very commercial style of abbreviating a sentence. Also, you should not say “over seventeen,” but “upwards of.” We point out such little inelegancies only in kindness, because your style of letter-writing might obtain or lose you a good situation, and we wish you well. A visiting governess is generally better paid than a resident one.
A Constant Reader.—We recommend you to procure a small “Directory of Girls’ Clubs,” published by Griffith and Farran, corner of St. Paul’s-churchyard, E.C.
Miss A. S.—We are glad to bring the Parkinson Society of Lovers of Hardy Flowers into the notice of our readers, and regret that, although not specially designed for our girls, it was not until too late for publication brought before the compiler of the shilling manual of girls’ clubs above-named. It was founded by the late Juliana H. Ewing, and had its origin in her story of “Mary’s Meadow,” in reference to the cultivation, study, and preservation of hardy wild flowers. The name was given in commemoration of the old herbalist, John Parkinson. Members of this society receive a parcel of MSS. and books on gardening every month, from April 1st to November 30th. For rules and other particulars, apply to the hon. secretary, Miss A. Sargant, 7, Belsize-grove, London, N.W.