TIMELY HELP.
“Having reaped and garnered, bring the plough,
And draw new furrows, ’neath the healthy morn,
And plant the great Hereafter in the Now.”
E. B. BROWNING.
But, however it might be borne, the disappointment was bitter, more
especially in the proof given of the absolute indifference of the public
to the whole question. Prejudice might have been overcome, opposition
might have been met, but against indifference so invincible no means
seemed available.
Mrs. Grey gave it up as hopeless. She frankly abandoned the old
position, and opened out new ground in making her next appeal directly
to the British commercial instinct. In starting the Girls’ Public Day
School Company there was offered in addition to thorough education, a
dividend of five per cent.
The success of Miss Buss had proved that schools like hers were wanted
by numbers sufficient to make them pay. There was not the slightest
difficulty in any case in raising the £2000 in shares needed to start
one of the Company’s schools in any locality desiring to have it.[7]
Footnote 7:
Miss Clough, in her interest in Miss Buss’ work, had proposed to the
National Education Union the formation of a company to supply
school-buildings in this and similar cases. But the council decided to
start its own schools, and nothing came of this proposition so far as
regarded the Camden School.
This new departure tended rather to hinder than to help on the endowment
of the Camden School, of which the very _raison d’être_ was a rate of
fees too low even to pay for buildings, a dividend being quite beside
the mark.
Money had come in, though slowly, for the furniture of the Upper School,
and this was now quite self-supporting, though very inadequately housed.
What would, in this school, have gone towards a dividend, went instead
to the salaries of the teachers, higher here than in any similar
institution.
But for the Lower School an endowment was absolutely necessary.
Hitherto, Miss Buss herself had provided all that had been needed beyond
the money subscribed. She had not the very faintest intention of
fulfilling Mrs. Grey’s desponding prognostications of the abandonment of
the scheme as a result of the public apathy. The precise manner in which
it was to be carried out still remained to be discovered, but she never
wavered in her intention that, somehow, it was to be done.
During the year 1872 the pressure on Miss Buss seemed to be a little
increased by this new departure. In June she writes of it—
“Several people have written to me about the £5 shares in the
Brompton School, and my ire was rising.
“Mrs. Grey’s handing over _all_ Mr. Morley’s £500 to purchase
shares in the new school shows pretty clearly—in addition to the
Goldsmid gift—what chance _we_ have of help in that quarter.
There can be no doubt that the new school movement is leaving us
_high and dry_.
“I do not feel aggrieved by the Union in the least. It only
makes me more determined to act. Miss Davies shuts herself into
one bit of work; Mrs. Grey into another; I into a third....
“Mr. Rogers’ suggestion about the Columbia Market (have you seen
it?) if acted upon, will prevent our getting any help from the
City. He says the market is useless—turn it into a splendid
school _for girls_! I hope the suggestion may be acted upon; if
he takes it up, he will soon get the money needed. _We_ shall
have no chance at all. The City Companies will vie with each
other in starting this magnificent scheme. City men like to
‘live in bricks and mortar’—not to say stone. To live in human
hearts is not durable enough.
“Between the two schemes, we shall be swamped entirely if we do
not take the bull by the horns and make a huge effort.”
There was no real antagonism between Miss Buss and the Girls’ Public Day
School Company. She was very glad of the work, and helped it in many
ways, as is shown in Mrs. Grey’s letters—
“18, Cadogan Place, June 18, 1873.
“MY DEAR MISS BUSS,
“... I am troubling you again in this matter as there is a
proposal before our Council to adopt your scale of fees in the
new school....
“Several people have told me that your meeting yesterday was a
splendid success. I congratulate you heartily, and sincerely
regret not having been able to attend.
“I wonder whether I shall live to see similar success won by the
Company’s schools? If we could but get a duplicate of you I
should feel very sure of the success, whether I live to see it
or not.
“Most truly yours,
“M. G. GREY.”
In September, 1874, the following letter was received by Miss Buss from
one of the foremost supporters of the St. John’s Wood and Hampstead High
School for Girls, a lady whose enthusiasm had first been roused by her
efforts to help Miss Buss’ work—
“MY DEAR MISS BUSS,
“I am hoping to work for the St. John’s Wood School,
though on the whole I have met with little sympathy. One of the
objections to the new school will amuse you vastly, namely, that
all the people to whom I applied said that they would not like
to subscribe to a school that might in any way interfere with
yours, and that the near (!) neighbourhood of St. John’s Wood to
Camden Town might have this disastrous result. Nothing that I
could say convinced my opponents.... If we cannot get the help
of the intelligent and influential persons here, what shall we
do?... I feel sure that you can do much to help us: your name
could be on our committee, though we should not expect you to
work.
“Yours truly,
“E. TOLMÉ.”
Miss Buss at once took shares in the company, giving her name to the
committee, on which I acted as her representative. Many of her own
friends were members, as well as educationalists like Dr. Abbott, Dr.
Angus, Professor Huxley, Professor Carey Foster, and Mr. Norman Lockyer.
The new school was built by Mr. Robins.
In the mean time her own work went on slowly enough. The main hope was
now in the Endowed Schools’ Commission, since the constitution of both
schools had been arranged in harmony with schemes drawn up by that body.
Whilst one-half of the governing body of the North London Collegiate and
Camden Schools for Girls had formed the memorial committee, occupied
with ways and means, the remaining members had devoted themselves to
working out the details of the constitution, both parties uniting for
the general board meetings, and there discussing all points in common.
In Dr. Storrar, who had all his life been closely connected with great
educational bodies, having helped in the development of the London
University and of the College of Preceptors, we had a practical
educationalist; as also in Mrs. Burbury, who, as the daughter of Dr.
Kennedy, had breathed education with her earliest breath; Miss Ewart,
too, was in like manner born to public spirit, as the granddaughter of
the William Ewart to whom William Ewart Gladstone owed his name, and as
the daughter of a distinguished member of the House of Commons, who, for
forty-six years, helped in every advanced public work, especially the
London University. Dr. Storrar and these ladies, in particular, spared
neither time nor pains in working out the scheme, and in enlisting
sympathy with its objects in all likely quarters.
But, in the beginning of 1872, the Endowed Schools Commission had not
finished its work, and help from this quarter was still remote. Some
extracts from Miss Buss’ letters at this time show how very slow was the
progress made in getting funds—
“January 10, 1872.
“Mr. Ellis _privately_ has sent a cheque for £20 to the Camden
School. Lord Calthorpe has done the same, but as yet there has
been no other response to our memorial letters.
“Mrs. Newmarch writes a kind note, to say she means to pay us a
visit when she can, and she sends a guinea from ‘Mrs. Brown.’ We
are getting on, though slowly.”
“Myra Lodge, Mar. 10, 1872.
“The Camden sites and leases have been pressing much on me.
Nothing has been done about the site. The lawyers are too
dreadful. The land tenure is so complicated that it seems
hopeless to understand it!
“I want to talk to you about _our_ trying to get up a City
meeting. The Lord Mayor is favourable to female education. I
wrote to Mrs. Dakin, asking for an introduction to the Lady
Mayoress, but Mrs. Dakin is abroad. I shall try next Saturday
through another channel.”
“Mar. 22.
“Miss Gurney’s paper seems to be stirring up much interest.
“The Edinburgh Schools will be open during my holidays. So I
propose to leave for Edinburgh on the morning of the 18th of
April. Miss Chessar, who is going there next week, will make
inquiries about apartments for _us_. You mean to go, I trust?
“I want to visit the Dollar Schools, as well as the Merchant
Company’s Schools, and on the road home I should like to stay a
day or so at Newcastle. I must be again in London on Monday, the
29th of April.
“Dr. Hodgson has prepared the way for my admission, and he says
I ‘shall find open doors.’”
“Mar. 25.
“We are to have a city meeting. At least, Mr. Elliott and I are
empowered to _try_ to get one up.
“I am very weary to-day, having been late last night. I have not
an hour to myself, except on Sunday before church, till Tuesday
evening, every moment being filled with appointments—I mean
after school hours.”
“Bournemouth, Mar. 30, 1872.
“All being well I will go with you—not without you, I trust—to
Mrs. Mawson’s, on 27th of April.
“The memorial to the Princess has _not_ gone in, nor that to the
Baroness Burdett Coutts. Nothing has been done about our City
meeting. I am so tied down by the annual exams, that I hardly
know where to turn or what to do, or rather, what _not_ to do.
“I am having, however, perfect peace here. It is a most lovely
place, and I should like _you_ to know my dear sweet friend Mrs.
Hodgson! She knows a good deal of you.”
“April 5.
“Mr. Harries thinks the City meeting would be a failure. The
Lord Mayor could not lend the Mansion House for anything not
Metropolitan or National.
“This school was 22 years old yesterday!”
“April 10.
“About Lord G. H. I do not care a rush. Only if we women had not
submitted to the humiliation of begging from all sorts of
people, on any or no grounds, where should we be?...
“I have sent a book, papers, and a note to-day to Miss B. _I_
think the note, though short, might move a heart of stone!
“If you can come on Friday evening, pray do. Mr. Payne is very
anxious to talk philology with you. I have asked all sorts of
people who have been offering me hospitality, and all the women
teachers in both schools. It is desirable that I should do
something for my fellow-labourers from time to time.
“The Lady Mayoress is going to the Camden School on Friday next,
at 2.30. Do you care to meet her?”
“April 20.
“Mrs. Tolmés success is delightful! I have thanked her for
enlisting the Baroness, but have omitted to say anything about
the _prizes_.
“I did ask about a scholarship, and I have invited the baroness
to pay us a visit. A notice of the £10 donation shall be sent to
all the papers.”
The “Edinburgh Schools” here mentioned had been recently opened by the
Merchants’ Company of that city. Using the money of various old
charities that had fallen into utter abuse, they had made five
thoroughly good schools on the latest and best principles, two for boys,
two for girls, and one mixed. The first school was arranged for 1200
girls, and had proved a great success.
The account of this work had naturally been of great interest to Miss
Buss, and, as she knew that there had been every advantage that could be
derived from the possession of ample means, she was anxious to see for
herself what had been done. She therefore devoted her Easter vacation to
the visit to Edinburgh, in which I accompanied her, dating from this
happy time that closer intimacy which it was my privilege to enjoy. Dr.
Hodgson’s introduction to Mr. Thomas Knox, the Master of the Merchants’
Company, made our way something of a triumphal progress, as I find in my
letters home the record of “intense attention from hosts of masters and
other people—to Miss Buss, of course, I moving round her like an
attendant satellite, and shining in reflected light.” I was still young
enough to be amused at Mr. Knox’s description of the “_two_ ladies from
the south, eminent educationalists,” doing my best to sustain the
character. I could at least appreciate my opportunities in hearing the
talk between Miss Buss and Mr. Knox. Even apart from their friendship
with Dr. Hodgson, they found a strong bond in their educational
sympathies. In my journal I find him described as—
“A tall, fine-looking man, with a grand head, and, I should
think, a great heart. It is he who chiefly has carried the great
reforms, sweeping away one abuse after another by the force of
his strong will and steady purpose. One is struck by his
patriotism. His feeling for Edinburgh breaks out constantly, and
one can see that his public duty lies as near his heart as any
private interest, while he takes as his family all human
creatures, especially all young things, from the scholars of the
Merchants’ Company’s Schools to the waifs and strays of his own
special hobby, the training-ship. It is exquisite to see how
this great, strong man speaks to the old women at the Home and
to the children, with tender consideration for each individually
as well as in general kindness.”
His wife and daughter were absent, so we missed seeing his home-life,
but he showed us all that was most worth seeing in his beloved city. To
Miss Buss it was real holiday, and nothing seemed too much for her in
that busy week which to me was something of severe mental strain, as
well as unwonted physical exercise. We must have marched up and down
miles of stone passages and stonier staircases; and I find more than
once the record that I stayed at home to rest, while Miss Buss took in a
few more schools. A “Home for Boys,” and another for “Aged Poor,” are
“merely incidental” in a day which includes an Art School, and a School
for the Blind, in addition to the ordinary schools. We saw all the
Company’s new institutions, and Fettes College, as well as Heriot’s
Hospital, and the older foundations.
The palatial structures and perfect appointments of all these schools
made Miss Buss, as she said, “go raging wild with envy,” but this did
not prevent her from carefully noting all there was to see. Nothing was
overlooked that was in any way suggestive. She found a good system of
girls’ cloak-rooms, afterwards adopted, with her own improvements, in
her own new buildings. She noted that Scotch scones were more wholesome
than English buns for the children’s lunch, and in the future secured a
Scotch baker to supply them for her own girls. She discussed time-tables
and all the intricacies of school management, while I listened and
marvelled, and felt more and more like an eminent educational fraud.
Among the few things actually novel to her was the teaching of
pianoforte playing in classes, eight girls being taught at eight pianos
at the same time by one master. Perfect time was thus secured, as the
discord otherwise would have been quite beyond endurance. Some
modification of this system was afterwards introduced by Miss Buss into
her Upper School.
One thing that roused her disapproval, amidst so much that she admired,
was the position of the women-teachers, who, if employed at all, held
only inferior and ill-paid posts. Whilst in Edinburgh, she lost no
chance of putting in a word for them, and after her return to London,
she wrote: “I am firing shells into the Edinburgh schools one by one—Mr.
Knox, Mr. Pryde, etc.—to make them use the Local Examinations. Professor
Masson has been here this morning, and he advises me to go on, as good
may come of it.”
Wherever Miss Buss went she acquired new ideas; but she also scattered
them broadcast. As I had an introduction to Miss Eliza Wigham, the
well-known leader in all philanthropic movements, we found ourselves in
the centre of work of all kinds, being well pleased to discover that
though Edinburgh might be ahead in education, London could still hold
its own as regarded the employment of women.
I find that we had an afternoon tea, to which leading workers and
teachers were invited, of which I record: “At our party we have had a
grand seed-sowing. Everywhere Miss Buss throws out hints and suggestions
likely to bear good fruit. There are many persons who will remember the
talk to-day.”
At Gateshead it was just the same. She secured several pupils for her
friend Mr. C. H. Lake; and, although the sisters of these boys became
pupils at Myra Lodge, she at that time set going the idea of the Girls’
High School, soon afterwards started, which took the younger members of
these families from herself.
Before leaving Scotland we paid a visit to Dollar, where Miss Buss saw
her ideal system at work, as she here found an old-established “mixed
school.” Her theories were, on the whole, confirmed; but she found some
drawbacks, which made her content to wait till all the perfect
conditions could be secured.
After Dollar, we had a few days of quiet, with delightful drives in the
scenery round the Bridge of Allan, where our friend Mr. Forster chanced
to be staying at the Ochill Park Hydropathic Establishment.
The whole trip was full of interest, and not the least part of it was
the delight of having that full mind pouring itself out on all possible
subjects, and in scenes where the historic and poetic associations add a
new charm to the beauty of nature.
But there was still more to come in an event which, important as it was
in itself, acquired still greater force when taken in connection with
the feelings excited in Miss Buss’ heart, by the sight of the richly
endowed Edinburgh schools.
We broke our journey southwards at Gateshead, where we visited Mrs.
Mawson at Ashfield, a house well known to many a worker as a place where
pleasant things are wont to happen, and therefore most suitable for this
most happy occurrence. The large family circle had gathered round Miss
Buss, to hear her recent experiences, and to ask about her own work,
entering into her hopes and plans for the future of the schools, when a
telegram was brought to her. She read it; and, after a silent pause,
rose and, crossing the room, put her arms round me in her own impulsive
way, as she said, with rare tears in her voice as in her eyes, “Miss
Ewart has given £1000 to the Camden School!”
How much this meant to the founder could be known only to those who had
learnt how near to her heart was this dream of so many years. If only
Miss Ewart herself could have seen, as we saw who were there, the joy
thus given by her generous act, she would have been content, even
without all that is still to come out of it to the girls of generations
unborn, who will remember her name with gratitude.
Miss Ewart completed her good work by a large loan, which made it
possible at once to think about buildings for the Camden School. Miss
Buss left me at Gateshead, and went back to her work with a renewed
energy and courage, which come out very noticeably in the letters
received during the next few weeks.
“Myra Lodge, April 30, 1872.
“A few lines before going to the great Suffrage meeting. Forty
new entries in the Camden Road. Thirty, so far, in Camden
Street.”
“May 1, 10.30 p.m.
“I was interrupted last night by the arrival of a mother—Mrs.
Crookes, wife of the Psychic Force Mr. Crookes. While she was
talking, the cab arrived—no, no; just after she had done
talking, the cab came with Mr. and Mrs. Sep, for me to go to the
Suffrage meeting. We got back at _one_. We met everybody—Mrs.
Tolmé among others. All day I was driving at express-train
speed. At two o’clock Dr. Storrar came in, and, as he had a
committee at University College at five, stayed till 4.30. I had
had no lunch, and a council of teachers had assembled at four.
“The meeting lasted till eight. Tired out, I walked home with
Miss Begbie, and found here Mr. and Mrs. J. waiting to arrange
poor Mrs. B.’s affairs with me.
“They have just gone. The pressure of new pupils is enormous,
and the reorganization of the school is also heavy. There is
just the same pressure in Camden Street, but I have taken
nothing up there, and cannot till to-morrow afternoon. Teachers,
furniture, etc., are all to be found.
“Did I tell you on Sunday night that I asked Dr. Storrar if the
lender of the £3000 was Miss Ewart? He does not answer, so we
can draw our own conclusions.
“I am to ask her to fix the time for a special meeting, and must
do so to-morrow, if I can find a few minutes.”
“Myra Lodge, May 3.
“I am sure you will believe in the impossibility of my writing
much. The whole day—four o’clock now—I have been walking about,
organizing classes.
“How to dovetail all the subjects of instruction and the pupils
is a difficulty not to be described. Things are getting into
order; but I have found no housekeeper, and want a new teacher.
“The Edinburgh papers are untouched, as I have not had a moment
to arrange them. But yours will serve for the School-Mistresses’
meeting.
“Don’t be vexed, but the City meeting is quite off, so I judge
from Mr. Elliott’s remarks; also there seems a feeling that all
mention of _us_ to the Princess Louise has been omitted. She
called a meeting of Lord Lyttelton, Mrs. Cowper Temple, and
others, to give her advice, and it seems Dr. Storrar wrote later
to Lord Lyttelton to express his vexation that Lord L. had not
pointed us out as leaders in the question of girls’ schools. We
are to get at Princess Louise, but _how_ is not settled. Dr. S.
does not think we can hold a City meeting.
“Mrs. Bonham-Carter sends _me_ £25. You shall see the note.
“My love to you and all the Ashfield circle. My little stay
there was so pleasant, I wish I were with you now. Did I ever
say how charming my Edinburgh trip was? My companion was such a
dear, sweet girl.
“Did you find your new dress much tumbled, I wonder?
“Love to Mrs. Mawson and her girls.
“Did you not know that my Edinburgh trip was _quite delightful_
to me?”
“Myra Lodge, May 13, 1872.
“I had no opportunity of expressing my pleasure at seeing you
again, so do it on paper.
“Dr. Storrar knew what Miss Ewart meant to do, and he knew what
I only dimly suspected—namely, that she offered to lend the
£3000 also.
“She paid the school a visit on Thursday with Madame Bodichon,
and Dr. Storrar says she has grown into a regard for our work.
She was perfectly charming to me to-day, and especially about
Mrs. Bonham-Carter’s note.
“I whispered that I could make ducks and drakes of the £25: buy
a dress if I liked, as the money was given to me for my comfort!
She took me by the hand, and said she wished I would spend it
exactly as I liked; it really was at my disposal.
“If Mr. Robins is not our architect, I am sure he will exonerate
you and me. I hope he will. Perhaps things will go as we wish.
“Dr. S. distinctly told me he thought Miss Ewart had no
particular person in her mind’s eye.
“I am going to Mrs. Tait in the morning, and out to dinner in
the afternoon. I mention the latter merely to let you know that
I shall be hurried to-morrow.”
“202, Camden Road, May 28.
“I fear I cannot manage to get to you to-morrow evening. There
is a Dorcas meeting here, followed by a lecture, which will keep
me very late; and I have been under an engagement for more than
a fortnight to go to Mrs. Arthur Arnold’s At Home (A. Arnold is
editor or proprietor of the _Echo_) at Stanley Gardens, nine
o’clock.”
An introduction to the Rev. Stopford Brooke gave further pleasant
encouragement as Mr. and Mrs. Stopford Brooke visited the schools, and
were so much interested that they even spoke of sending their own
daughters. The distance made this plan impracticable, but Mr. Brooke’s
interest was shown in other ways. Miss Buss writes—
“Mr. Stopford Brooke sent yesterday a cheque for £13 8_s._
11_d._, with a note saying his people were away, but he would
try again next year. Decidedly the publication of his sermon
would be helpful to the cause of education, but I hope the right
place would be given to Miss Davies. Please also take care of
her note, which I enclose. Mr. Latham seemed to think we might
perhaps get £300 a year for endowment.
“The ‘leaving scholarships’ are like the £100 a year, for three
years, given by the Merchants’ Company in Edinburgh. It would be
delightful to send some girls to Girton College (papers of which
I send you some copies) or to Germany, for music, etc.
“If it is fine on Tuesday afternoon, what do you say to meeting
me _here_ at six o’clock sharp, and of our going together to the
Botanic Gardens?
“We should at least be quiet; and a walk would be pleasant, or a
drive to the entrance, and a walk inside? I want to see you.”
“June, 1872.
“Oh, how very heavy the work has been this week! I was almost
overdone this morning. Last Saturday, I had to hunt about for
sites, etc. There is scarcely anything to be found that will do
for the Camden School, and I have been nearly tearing my hair,
because the ground opposite the Upper School may be sold for a
chapel. It is very trying to see that splendid site, actually
the only available spot in the district—nearly half an
acre—commanding Hampstead, Kentish Town, Highgate, and Holloway,
and yet be unable to find any one willing even to lend on the
security of the land and building. From eighty to ninety years
is the length of the lease. I have been doing my best to get
people to take up the Upper School—MY very own work—as Miss
Ewart has done the Lower, but so far have been unsuccessful.
Could we get at Mr. George Moore anyhow? Mr. Reeve, of Portland
Chapel, is his guide, philosopher, and friend. Could we enlist
Mr. Reeve?
“It is very wicked, I know; but, all the same, I can’t help it.
I feel quite sick with despair, with that land opposite, and
such worry from overcrowding inside our school-house. We must
refuse pupils. And we might have such a splendid school for
three hundred girls! If only we could get the sinews of war!
“Why should not Agnes write to Mr. Froude herself? Mrs. Arnold’s
_soirée_ enabled me to speak to several people—notably to Mrs.
Pennington, who is doing her best to persuade her husband to
give us a thousand pounds.
“I did not tell you that on Thursday morning I called on Mr.
Jowett at Cowper Street. He was occupied in taking over the
schools an American and the Warden of the Fishmongers. My card
was taken to his room, where was standing a tall, gentlemanly
clergyman, whom I at once recognized as MR. ROGERS.
“At first the mere mention of my name did not strike him, but
presently he took up the card, peered curiously at it, and then
turned round to me. We had some talk. I told him about the land.
He said, ‘Nothing venture, nothing get. You must take the land.
Secure it by putting your £1500 down; then go boldly to the
public with a _clear, definite scheme_. People will not listen
to vague plans.’ He said, ‘Don’t amateur your plans. Get a
surveyor’ (he mentioned one), ‘pay him to get up the
information, etc.’
“I am quite sure we have been amateuring too long. We ought to
carry in Mr. Robins. I have sent his testimonials to Dr.
Storrar, and Mr. Robins’ application will come on Monday. In
three days Mr. Robins can put us into a position to say we want
so much.
“We must _do_ and _do_ and _do_.
“But Mr. Rogers says, ‘We shall get no help for the Upper
School.’ I could have said, ‘You are a University man. How did
you get your education? From old endowments? or from your
father’s pockets ENTIRELY?’ But that would have been rude; so I
was silent.
“I am resolved _not_ to let the Lower School be put down on the
new land FIRST. Both must be done together, or the Upper
_first_. You see why it would be dangerous to risk the Upper
School. If we can only get help for the _Lower_—so be it. We
will then _borrow_ for the Higher, and do the two together.”
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