EDUCATION IN FRANCE.
I was often asked by anxious parents as to the facilities for education
in France, indeed it was part of one’s daily work answering enquiries on
the subject. It may not be out of place to give here the result of my
experience. For English boys there are very few schools carried on as
our public schools are in England. For parents living abroad, the best
plan is to send their young boys to French “cours” or classes, of which
there are many, where they will readily pick up the language, and then to
send them over to England for further education. The instruction given in
French schools is not of the character or sufficient for those who intend
to enter professional life in England. When it is not convenient to
send boys to England, I would strongly advise parents to see the school
carried on by my friend, Mr. E. P. Denny, M.A. (Oxon.), at 55 Boulevard
Suchet. He has been very successful, and parents may safely entrust their
sons to his care. For older boys and young men entering the army or navy
it is better to select one of the many French families where young men
are received to learn the language. The resident chaplain can always
supply a list of thoroughly reliable homes. For mercantile life some of
the Lycées are very good. I may especially mention the Lycée Lakanal, at
Bourg la Reine, a short distance by rail or tram from Paris, where many
English boys have been received, and where every care is taken as to
moral training. I was appointed by the French Government as Religious
Instructor for the English boys there, and occupied the position for
some years, so that I had every opportunity of knowing the merits of the
school.
The advantages for English girls in Paris are very great. There are a
number of excellent schools, as well managed as any of our schools at
home. It is not usual to receive very young girls or day boarders in
the best schools. For the most part they are finishing schools, and the
girls do not usually stay more than one year. I need hardly say anything
to commend the old-established school founded by Madame Yeatman in the
Boulevard Victor Hugo, Neuilly. Her name is well known in England and
America, and other parts of the world. Some eight to nine hundred young
ladies passed through this school during my sojourn in Paris, and the
classes I held there will always be a pleasant memory. Madame Yeatman
is now enjoying a well-earned rest, although she continues to take the
kindliest interest in the school, and her charming house with access
to it enables her to pay frequent visits. Madame Yeatman displayed her
knowledge of character in the choice of Miss Easton to carry on the work,
a lady eminently suited to the position, who has already attained to a
well-merited success. An interesting gathering of old pupils is held
every year at the Grand Hotel in London, known as the “Yeatmanite tea.”
Another school which I can speak of in equally commendatory words is that
carried on at “The Maronneries,” Auteuil, by Mlles. Hogg and Guyomard.
This is quite an up-to-date establishment, and has largely increased of
late years. Two houses standing in extensive gardens, and a large field
for recreation, make one feel quite in the country. Nothing can exceed
the kindness and care of the principals—the teaching is excellent, and
many of the pupils have gained high distinction in French examinations.
These two schools occupy the galleries in the Embassy Church every Sunday
morning, forming an important part of the congregation. I always felt the
responsibility of speaking to so many young people, who would so soon
occupy important positions in English life.
Besides these two large schools there are several excellent smaller ones
where equal advantages may be obtained. Some of them take a certain
number of French girls, who take their lessons with the English—an
arrangement for and against which something may be said. The more
important of these, and all of which I knew well, and can speak of
in the highest terms, are Mlle. Lacarrère, Rue St. James, Neuilly;
Mlle. Bourré, Auteuil; Madame d’Almaine, Passy; Madame Morel de Fos,
Bolougne-sur-Seine; Mlles. Expulson and Metherell, Auteuil. The Marquise
de San Carlos has a successful school at Bornel, about two hours from
Paris, which is a delightful country home for girls, for whom it may be
well to add a country life to the advantages of education. There are
other schools, French and partly French and English, which I do not
mention, not because of any reason against them, but only that I was not
brought into contact with them in the way that I was with the above.
Sometimes parents have written to me asking if it was safe to send
English girls to France at all, and many have sent their daughters in
fear and trembling. My answer was that if parents would only be careful
in the choice of a school, and consult those on the spot, who had no
object to serve but to give the best advice they could to enquirers, no
harm would result. Schools in Paris cannot be carried on cheaply—the
necessaries of life are all taxed, and consequently living is dearer than
in the country in England. Many mistakes have been made from choosing
a school where the fees were a few pounds less than others. Those who
cannot afford a good school had better keep their daughters at home.
Convents have been a temptation to some owing to cheapness, and I would
warn parents who are anxious (as all should be) about the religious
education of their children that they should avoid these establishments
for their daughters. The food is often insufficient for English girls,
who find it hard to work on the “petit déjeûner” up to midday, and I
have known many become anæmic from this cause. But this is not the only
difficulty. While the promise is frequently made that there shall be no
interference with the religious belief of the pupil, it is rarely kept.
Parents should remember that it is after all the business of a convent
to propagate the religion of the Church of Rome, and if parents, for
the sake of cheapness, allow their children to go, they must not be
surprised at the consequences. I had several most painful cases while in
Paris where the parent was inclined to blame the chaplain for what had
happened—whereas his advice had not been asked in the first instance. I
do not as a rule recommend French families for girls. There are some most
excellent homes (French pastors and others) where every care is taken.
But I have known others where there was culpable laxity. English girls
cannot go out alone in Paris as they do in England, it would not be safe,
and in some families it is not easy to find a chaperon, and mischief
follows. In seeking a family for an English girl, it is well to ask if
there are any daughters about the age of the pupil, as if so the above
difficulty is lessened.
One further point about learning French. It is important for both sexes
that they should (if beginners) learn colloquial French from one who
speaks some English—at least sufficient to explain the meaning of words.
I have known some ludicrous mistakes arise from this cause.
On the whole I recommend Paris rather than the country parts of France
for the education of young people; it is the centre for music and art in
all its branches, and the best professors congregate there. Moreover, in
case of illness or difficulty of any kind, it is better not to be too far
from home, or an English doctor, and may I say, an English clergyman.
The children of the working classes in Paris are well provided for in the
British schools, where they receive a good sound elementary education,
both in French and English. The children trained in these schools do
remarkably well, as they are taught shorthand and typewriting in both
languages, and are thus able to take positions in French commercial
houses, and earn good salaries. There are often more applications for
boys than can be met. The schools are managed by a committee of which Sir
Henry Austin Lee, C.B., is the chairman, who takes the warmest interest
in their welfare. A small fee is collected from those able to pay, and
the very poor are paid for by the British Charitable Fund.