coming. There is nothing for the girls but to “go out,” either as governesses or emigrants; and it is impossible to say which is the hardest. There is a way of saving all this, and, at the same time, of improving the prospects of the governess class. If the method were generally known, it must surely have been extensively adopted by this time: and if it is not so known, it ought to be.
Mr. Brace, the American traveller, has explained to us the structure and operation of the Danish institution of “the Cloisters,” which, if we knew anything about it at all, we had supposed to be something in the way of a convent; whereas its main principle is the commercial one of mutual assurance, applied to the case of a provision for daughters. In ancient days, no doubt, it must have had more or less of the conventual character; but the essential parts of the scheme are fit for the handling of middle-class parents in our manufacturing towns, or the professional classes in the London of our own day.
The Maiden Assurance Companies, which are the present form of the old “Cloister” institution of the Danish nobility, consist chiefly of the daughters of gentry of small fortune; for nobility there, as in Russia, extends very far down in society. When a daughter is born, the father deposits a sum—say 2000 dollars—in the funds of one of the societies, registering the infant as a member. By beginning thus early, and whole classes joining in the scheme, all unpleasant speculation as to probable marriage or single life is obviated. The child receives four per cent. interest on the deposit till she is married. When she is married, or if she dies, the sum lapses into the general fund.
While single, she enters, with the names above her, into the enjoyment of the privileges of the institution, according as marriage and death occasion vacancies. There are three stages of privilege. The lowest, whose occupants are called the third class, confers an income of 250 dollars, and rooms and appointments in the institution, where there is no conventual restraint, but simply a comfortable private residence. The members of the second class have an income of 500 dollars, and those of the first class of 1000 dollars, also with residence and appointments.
A member who has received nothing beyond the interest of her deposit is entitled to a grant of 500 dollars, in case of becoming a widow in needy circumstances. A member marrying after receiving nothing more than the interest may, when the fund permits, have a dower of 1000 dollars from it.
The property of these institutions has increased very largely by means of the principle of assurance. There is so much more marriage and death among the members than ultimate celibacy that a sound basis of assurance is afforded; while the parents find their share of advantage in the peace of mind attendant on the certainty of a provision for unmarried daughters in good time, and meanwhile a small income for purposes of education.
Who can doubt that, such associations once formed, they would be eagerly supported by professional men, and parents of all classes in which there is not a large accumulated property? We might have associations differing in their scale of deposit and allowance with the station and prospects of the members—from the physician, or barrister, or engineer in large practice, who could deposit 1000l. for each daughter, down to the tradesman who could spare only 100l. Even this lowest sum might go far to keep unqualified women out of the education market; while the highest would afford a real independence. The project, illustrated by centuries of success in action in Denmark, commends itself to the attention of parents in all European countries—as Mr. Brace says it does in the American States. If it ever gains a footing in England, it will be the brightest event in the history of the governess class.
It does not follow from any detail of the evils of the governess system that it is always a failure. Most of us have known some one happy governess. It certainly takes a great deal to make one—natural constitution, in harmony with the nature of childhood; intellectual and moral power adequate to a great work; a nice union of self-respect and modesty; a steady good sense, resolution, fortitude, and generous cheerfulness, not to be daunted by personal privations and solicitudes—all these are requisite to make a happy governess. Some will suggest as an addition, favourable circumstances in her position; but such a governess makes her own circumstances—not in the form of money, but of opportunity to do her duty well. Such a governess has also as fair a chance as any woman of a vigorous old age, rich in ideas and affections, if not in fortune.
Harriet Martineau.
A GROUP OF GRAVES.
It is but a short walk from the former dwelling of the living to the last home of the dead poet Wordsworth. In the little garth of S. Oswald’s, Grasmere (“the lake of the wild boar”), the Churchyard of the Excursion, and the subject of Wilson’s verse, there are three lych-gates, according to the country folk one for each of the parishes of Ambleside, Grasmere, and Langdale. To the east of the church, hung with a screen of larches, the Rotha glides not far off, and under the gloom of yews which he saw planted, are the graves of Wordsworth and his household. The turf is washed green by summer dew and winter rain, and in early spring is beautifully dappled with lichens and golden moss. The graves are in a line, and a pathway has been worn to them from the wicket-gate on the bridge. Dorothy Wordsworth is the name we read on the first grave—that of the poet’s favourite sister; then an interval filled by the grave of Mrs. Wordsworth, near William Wordsworth; then the grave of Dora Wordsworth, with the Agnus Dei, and the text, “Him that cometh unto Me, I will in no wise cast out;” then the grave of her husband, Mr. Quillinan, the translator of the “Lusiad;” and behind them, marked by two little head stones, the graves of Wordsworth’s two infant children. The inscription upon the stone, written by Wordsworth, is:
