THE GOVERNESS'S QUEST.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12442, 3 March 1906, Page 7

THE GOVERNESS'S QUEST.

Visits to registry offices are full of disappointments, writes on Australian woman in reference to the governess's difficulty in finding work, as, indeed, are visits to employers in their own homes. It is so hard to find tho particular niche that one is able to fill, and the requirements are so contradictory. One lady thought I was too old to teach hor daughter; she wanted someone nearer her little girl's age. And tho very next day a lady complained that I was too young, she wanted someone between forty and fifty years of age, though she must be up-to-date in her accomplishments. Tho principal of one school would not engage mc beoause 1 had no University degree, while the principal of another school rejected mc because I wa6 an undergiaduate anxious to finish the arts oourse, and, therefore, requiring a larger salary than sho wished to give. Sometimes rejection was a matter of religion; sometimes a question of health, as when in addition to playing tennis with the boarders before and after school, basket-ball was required before evening study. A governess in a school needs an iron constitution. Sho must rise at 6 a.m. to regulate the piano practice, and is "on duty" from that time till half-past 0 p.m., when her own particular work of preparing lessons and correcting papers begins. In a large school the number of teachers on the staff considerably oases the strain, bnt in a small school, whero thero is only one resident governess, the burden soon becomes intolerable. I have at present before mc an offer to be an assistant teacher in a boarding school, to tako sole charge of twelve boarders all day and every day, with the exception of "one Saturday and one Sunday a month. For these duties tho munificent sum of £30 the first year, with a chance of £36 the second, is offered. Imagine the scorn of a housemaid in receipt of £30 a year if told she would be "allowed out" once a month!

In several interviews everything went most satisfactorily until the little pause for thought previous to entering upon an engagement. I grew to expect the query that almost invariably came, "You are English. I suppose?" And then the avowal of my Australian birth and education decided the matter. Usually, rejection was couched in language calculated to soothe the sensitive Australian feelings but one employer declared, with merciless frankness, that she wouldn't have a colonial governess in her house on any account, and called her maid to "show tho person to the door." I judged by the twinkle in her eve that that maid was also a "colonial." Rudeness of any kind, nowever, is an exception—the rule is unfailing courtesy alike from harassed employer as from busy agent. A QUAKERS WEDDING. A wedding is ever interesting to the

feminine, mind, but. unusually so was one which took place recently at the Melbourne meeting-house of tlie (Society of Friends (Quakers). Marriages in this denomination occur seldom, for the society is small, and it Ls an unwritten law. that both the contracting parties must belong to it. Otherwise the marriage must take place elsewhere. Nothing can be simpler than the form used. The ceremony can only take place at tho 11 o'clock Wednesday worship, when it is treated as an incident in tho proceedings. There is no special service, for tho couple marry themselves, without the aid of a clergyman. They sit facing tho congregation, and nothing is said until someone feels inclined to speak or pray. Then the Iwo principles stand up, and the bridegroom, taking the bride's hand, says, ''Friends. I take my friend (giving the bride's name) to be my wife. With Divine assistance. I will make her a loving and faithful husband until death separates us." The bride uses similar formula. Then they sit down, and sign the register. When tho clerk has read aloud the contract the wedding Ls over, and unless tho ''spirit moves someone." not another word is spoken until 12 o'clock, when the meeting is over, and all present are invited to sign the certificate, which is kept, to bo handed down to future generations as an heirjoom. Often it is ornamented with small photographs of tho wedding party. The old-fashioned Quaker costume is not seen nowadays, and the congregation on this occasion wore ordinary attire.