Halle aux Draps, and was appropriated to its present use by the worthy prefect of the department. The greater part of the girls' time is very properly devoted to needle-work, and other similar occupations, not however that mental and moral instruction is by any means deficient, certain days in the week being set apart for reading, writing, and arithmetic; the latter was taught in an apparently plain treatise, by Mornval, rue Galande, No. 65. It would appear that the education of females is not so much an object of parental solicitude in France as in England; for although this school was, as we have remarked, calculated for the reception of 500, the full number has never been completed, and not above 300 were actually present. While, on the other hand, in the boy schools, so numerous are the applications, that candidates are often two months on the list before a vacancy occurs. Of the merits of Madame Guignon, it would be impossible to speak too highly. Deeply impressed with the importance of her trust, nothing on her part is spared to promote its success; and there is too much reason to fear that a valuable life will sooner or later fall a sacrifice to anxiety and over exertion. Having "put her hand to the plough," she looks not back, but has now for ten years devoted herself, in season and out of season, amidst evil report and good report, to her appointed work-at one moment anticipating success and patronage; at another trembling for the very existence of her establishment, according to the prevailing opinions, caprices, or prejudices, of the high and mighty who rule the land. If we mistake not, her hour is not far distant; and in that hour verily she shall meet with her reward. In the establishment of Mademoiselle Le Lievre, calculated for 280, we found about 230. Here mental improvement seemed to be rather more the order of the day than at Madame Guignon's. The daily routine was nearly similar throughout the week; the scholars assembling about nine, when prayers were read; after which the classes were taught either reading, writing, or arithmetic, till twelve. In the afternoon catechistical instruction commenced; after which working was continued till four. Drawing was not taught; and singing, as yet, formed no part of the regular school exercises; but we were, however, given to understand, that the latter was to be introduced in a short time. Mademoiselle Le Lievre was unwell on the morning of our visit; but her place was admirably filled by a lively, interesting, and most intelligent little girl, of 11 years old, who not only kept the school in perfect order, but answered every question with a naivetè and quickness worthy of a veteran mistress. We hope that such as chance to visit Mademoiselle Le Lievre's school, may still find on the list of her scholars her young monitress, Jaque Emile. Under the superintendence of Mademoiselle Luchere we found about 160 present, out of a compliment of about 180. Here, as in the preceding case, neither drawing nor music had yet been introduced; but the latter, and we believe the former, formed part of an improved plan then under consideration. Mademoiselle Luchere was assisted by her niece, an interesting young woman, under whose joint auspices the school seemed to be flourishing, and as a proof of the respect and estimation in which they were held, many parents who had removed to a distance, as far even as the fauxbourg St. Antoine, still continued to send their children. This was the eighth year of its establishment, during the first three of which it had been conducted by nuns. We shall conclude our notice of these schools by a few general remarks. They are supported chiefly from two sources, thus:-The establishments of M. Badareau, M. Verlcourt, and Mademoiselle Luchere, are indebted to M. Le Comte de Chabrol, counseiller d'état, and préfet de departement de la Seine. We have recorded the name and designation of this meritorious character at full length, as one worthy to be known and respected by all who can appreciate the value of an individual to whom not only Paris, but his country at large, are so much indebted; for exclusive of these schools, others near his country residence, (near Auvergne, we believe,) have beon either founded by his liberality, or supported by his authority. Long may he live to exert his influence in upholding these good works! fearful as we are, that on his life depends the welfare, if not the existence of plans by which the lower orders of France may reap the benefit of an education vitally religious, and rationally instructive. That he is duly estimated by those who know him, we could give ample and gratifying evidence. We could speak of eyes glistening when his name was mentioned; and fervent prayers offered for his health and welfare. The expenses of these three are, as we have said, defrayed by the city of Paris; whereas those of M. Boulet, Madame Guignon, Mademoiselle Le Lievre, and we believe M. Moyencourt's, are supported by the Philanthropic Institution. Of the influence and funds of this institution we regret that it is not in our power to speak; but the good effects of its operations were so frequently visible in our path, that we should be grateful to any more fortunate visitor who could make its proceedings and history known to the British public. The expenses of these schools vary according to circumstances; but the following data may be sufficient for the purpose of estimating the cost of French and English education. The sum appropriated to M. Badareau's establishment is 2400 francs; of which he receives, as his salary, 1200, exclusive of 300 more for lodging; leaving 900 for actual outgoings on account of the scholars. M. Verlcourt's school commenced in March, 1822; his salary and lodging-money being similar to M. Badareau's : The expenses in 1823 was 4000 francs. Ditto Ditto 3450 ditto. Expenses per ( 6f. 40c. 1826 it was expected to be less. Ditto Madame Guignon was allowed as salary 1000 francs per annum, out of which she was to provide the senior monitors, or, as we should call them, permanent assistants. She has, however, a further allowance of 300 francs for lodging, with the privilege of teaching a certain number of children, not admitted on the charitable foundation. The average expense per annum for each scholar was about six francs. Mademoiselle Luchere's appointments were nearly similar. The moral character and state of religious instruction in these schools, next demands our attention. It should be premised, that the masters, mistresses, and teachers, in all we visited, were Catholics, and with a vast majority the scholars were of the same persuasion. They are, however, open to professors of all religions whatsoever; con sequently there were several Protestants, and even some Jews. In fact no questions are asked, nothing more being required than strict obedience to the existing regulations. Of their proficiency in Scriptural knowledge we endeavoured as much as possible to form an opinion, by omitting no opportunity of examining classes or individuals out of hearing of the masters or mistresses; and in common candour we are bound to say, that they appeared by no means inferior to the higher classes of our national schools. It may be urged, that there is in the French character a greater portion of inherent vivacity, or species of mental latent heat, ready for action whenever excited: but granting this, we know not why the prevailing obesity so visible in John Bull's children, should be thrust forth as a counterbalancing virtue of peculiar value. The quickness and intuitive comprehension of the former, was strikingly displayed during a long examination on John xix. of a class consisting of about 20 children, in M. Verlcourt's school. Our interrogatory system, it should be observed, is little, if ever, practised by French teachers; consequently a series of questions put by perfect strangers, and those strangers foreigners, with imperfect accent, might naturally have placed the young catechumens in some difficulty. But so far from this, no sooner had we expressed our wish and intention, than every little figure bent forward with eagerness, and every ear and eye were on the alert; all gratified with the novelty, and ready to give, not always perhaps the exact answer, but invariably a rational and intelligent one, to questions directly or indirectly arising from the subject. We hope too that we shall stand acquitted of any very underhand dealing, if we honestly confess, that availing ourselves of M. Verlcourt's absence for a short time, we took occasion to sound this rising generation of Catholics, and elicit their practical as well as theoretical religious views: the result of which was, that the difference between the pure and spiritual fruits of our own creed and theirs, when administered by sober-minded teachers, appeared to consist vastly more in name than in reality. There was no inference drawn from any doctrinal point which did not, in their view, enforce a vital and influential religion. We touched upon the grand doctrine of image worship; but the minds of these idolaters, as they are so often charitably termed by the ultra-orthodox of our own church, revolted at the idea of its leading them to bow the knee to the figured representation of Deity in any other light than as a mark of respect, and medium of offering real homage, to Deity itself. We will give one instance of an immediate, though incorrect answer, as a specimen of readiness and comprehension. The question was what sanctified them? the true answer to which ought of course to have been-the Holy Spirit. In an instant, however, one replied, "Mais monsieur, c'est le sacrement penitence." How so?-why, continued the respondent, because if we repent we shall be saved, and therefore must be sanctified. We doubt (without entering deeply into the accuracy of the answer) if on the whole a more logical answer could have been made by many a wiser and better informed Protestant; and we could not help surmising that if this juvenile divine goes through life with this practical application of his catholic version of a scriptural doctrine, he will not at its close be very far distant from the desired goal sought by all of every creed. The books we chiefly observed in use, exclusive of the Scriptures, and those already noticed, were Catechismo Historique, by Abbé Fleury, Lyons, 1816-sur l'histoire sainte et la doctrine Chretienne-and a Bible Society's reading book (we forget the exact title). We wish it were in our power to speak more favourably of the good effect and real interest manifested by the generality of the people and parents for whose benefit these schools were instituted, but we fear our remarks must on this very important point be somewhat unsatisfactory. True it is, as we have stated in the case of Mademoiselle Luctere's school, instances are on record of parents manifesting gratitude and partiality for those who have watched over their children; and true it is, that the applications, as in the case of M. Badareau's school, far exceeded the powers of accommodation; but still it must be confessed that the mass of the parental population of the lower orders is by no means sufficiently alive to the advantages and importance of education; and more decidedly must we add, with still greater reluctance, that to the benefits of moral and religious instruction they appear awfully indifferent. Some of these benevolent and right-minded superintendents abovementioned have attempted Sunday schools, but without success; the average number of attendants scarcely amounting to more than five, or at most ten per cent. of the weekly school list; and in too many cases it was obvious that the earnest application for admittance, whether for the week or the Sunday, was founded more on the wish of parents to have children taken off their hands for a given time, than from any laudable and well-founded desire to see them trained up in the way they should go, either as good citizens or pious Christians. Not so, however, is the visible effect on the scholars themselves; and here it is, in observing symptoms of life, we encourage hope; and cordially agree with some previous visitor who had recorded his opinion in the words, "Cette école donne des grandes espérances." For although their parents may disregard the benefits, the children, we have no hesitation in saying, are fully alive to the obvious advantages, and in a state of rapid improvement. The answer of all, without a single exception, and we spoke to many, were most satisfactory. They seemed thoroughly to enter into the spirit of the institutions, in all their details and bearings. Did he like drawing? was a question put to Auguste Dournelle, a little fellow under ten years of age, and chief monitor, who was sent to show us the way to a distant part of the town, and whose whole conversation was a series of eulogium on his master and his school. "Oh que oui," was his answer-he delighted in it; besides, it would be so useful to him in his trade as a mechanic, his father being a watch-maker. In a word, we took our leave of these establishments, with a conviction that if national education were beneficial in England, it would be doubly so in France. In our country, the habits of the lower orders, associated with, and indebted as they more or less are, to the higher classes; living moreover under the influence of sound, salutary, and impartial laws, must, if we may use the expression, be always at a premium. There is a line, a sort of par, below which they can in few instances, to any extent, descend: but not so our vivacious neighbours; they are far more the creatures of accidental circumstances; and untune but one string in their characters and usual habits, and what discord follows. Under a press of sail, they scud rapidly, merrily, and thoughtlessly, over the waters of life; and as long as the surface is smooth, a deficiency of ballast is not perceptible. But increase the breeze, or ruffle the wave, and woe be to those who sail in company. They have the matériel"—they want but the "morale" to render them all that might be desired in society. Infuse sound religious principles, and we cannot conceive more attractive creatures. With a natural ease and liveliness of manner, living to enjoy life, anxious to please-infuse but spiritual mindedness-impress God in his holiness and purity within their hearts, and where could we look for human beings nearer to our beau ideal of perfection. But, alas, this is but a picture to be drawn in imagination. Influenced by causes to which the people themselves are not privy, we fear permanent amendment by the beautiful machinery of national and liberal education can never be their lot. We have hinted that the number of these schools is few, their support limited, and their progress impeded. We have some hesitation in giving utterance to all we know, and all we have heard and seen, on this subject; but whatever may be made obvious to the most casual observer, can neither be mystery nor breach of confidence. We hesitate not therefore to state, that the system of national education, in our sense of the word, does not bask in the sunshine of royal favour; and we strongly suspect, from signs by no means equivocal, that the feelings of the Bourbons in France, respecting a rational and liberal improvement of the people, are little more exalted and expanded than those of their beloved cousin Ferdinand, in Spain. On looking over the books recording the names of visitors, few and far between are those of titled aristocracy; one indeed we saw noted down, and heard with pleasure, though not with surprise, that she took a warm and lively interest-it was, Stäel de Broglioa daughter worthy of a mother who well knew the necessity and advantages" des institutions libres pour dévellopper l'intelligence et la sagesse du peuple ;*" and who, in the innocent looks of childhood, saw the value of engrafting pure and undefiled religion, "et semble (she observest) que le créateur tienne encore l'infant par la main, et l'aide à marcher doucement sur les nuages de la vie." One other name of note, and we were told not an unfrequent visitor, met our eye in the same book, a worthy associate, though neither titled nor seeking for titles, though well known and valued by all who look to higher things than the fading glories of a lower world-it was that of William Allen. A royal duchess had indeed once visited the girl school in the Halle aux Draps; but we have reason to believe that her attention was chiefly turned to the vestiges of antiquity yet remaining; at all events, those who were present will remember that neither school nor scholars excited much interest or curiosity; the few words she condescended to utter being addressed to her ladies in waiting. But in this dearth of royal and noble patrons, surely it will be said amongst the holy profession of the priesthood, plentiful as they are, there must be a superabundance. Gentle reader-this, in the simplicity of our hearts, was our own conclusion. But to the question put in every school * Stäel de l'Allemagne, vol. i. p. 184. + Ditto, vol. i. p. 170. |