GOVERNESSES IN PRIVATE FAMILIES.
After having said so much about the necessity of training, examinations, &c., I think it only fair to make some mention of governesses in private families for the younger children, under fourteen. Many parents are wise enough to prefer for these posts a thoroughly conscientious lady, even if she is not accomplished, to one who has any number of certificates, unless she combines with them a due sense of the importance of her task.
Ladies whose circumstances induce them to seek a situation in some one else's house should, above all things, avoid undue sensitiveness, and the habit of attributing unkind motives (which probably never exist) to every little incident which may occur. Of course a governess's life is not likely to be the happiest one could imagine, but I think it is usually her own fault if it is not a contented and useful one, and perhaps this is as much as it is wise for any of us to expect.
The best place for governesses of this class to apply to for situations is the Governesses' Benevolent Institution, 47, Harley Street, where no fee is charged. Any governess on procuring and leaving two satisfactory letters from respectable parties, written in the first person, signed, sealed, and addressed to the Board, may enter her name, and such other particulars as she may wish to state, in the books of registration, kept for that purpose. There is also a book to register applications for governesses. The Board of Management abstain from all interference between the parties, and the entries must be made by parties themselves, ladies in the country acting by a friend. No letter or testimonial can under any circumstances be returned nor taken from the office. It is necessary that all letters be written in the first person. Office hours from 12 to 5.
[CHAPTER III.]
ARTISTIC EMPLOYMENTS.
Schools of Art.—A knowledge of drawing is required in so many of the employments open to women that I think it advisable to give some information as to how it can best be acquired.
In connection with the National Art Training School at South Kensington, Metropolitan District Schools of Art are established at the following places:—
- 1. The Female School of Art, 43, Queen Square, Bloomsbury.
- 2. Blackheath, Lee, and Lewisham (Bennett Park).
- 3. Blackheath Hill, 13, Lansdowne Place.
- 4. Chelsea, Onslow College.
- 6. Chiswick, Bath Road, Bedford Park.
- 6. Holloway (Camden School).
- 7. Hornsey.
- 8. Islington, Barnsbury Hall.
- 9. Lambeth, Miller's Lane, Upper Kennington Lane.
- 10. North London, Sandringham Road, Kingsland.
- 11. St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, Castle Street, Long Acre.
- 12. St. Thomas Charterhouse, Goswell Road.
- 13. Stoke Newington.
- 14. Stratford, Maryland Point.
- 15. West London, 155, Great Titchfield Street.
- 16. Westminster, Royal Architectural Museum.
I give the rules of the South Kensington School; the others differ slightly, but further particulars can always be obtained by application to the head masters; as a rule the expense of studying at the local schools is less than at South Kensington, but the same system of instruction is pursued. The second grade certificate, so often mentioned in these pages, is by no means difficult to obtain. As will be seen by the rules, it is necessary to pass the examination for it before joining the art classes.