AN EX-TEACHER LOOKS BACK.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20450, 3 July 1928, Page 16

AN EX-TEACHER LOOKS BACK.

Looking back to my life -work as a teacher in quiet English villages I cannot help contrasting the education then with that of to-day; and I wonder, with increasing doubt, whether, in the things that matter, the country maiden is really better educated than formerly. The village maiden of those days was a happy, contented little mortal. The ambition of her parents principally centred round their girl’s moral character. She must, above all, be a good girl, respectful and obedient to her elders, regular in her attendance at church and Sunday school. That she was not brilliant at school was no great grief to her parents. But they expected her to be able to sew, knit, and mend. Often, indeed, her talent for dressing and nursing baby was called forth, while she must learn to bake the bread and cook a plain dinner as early as possible. Her chief gaieties were the annual Sunday school tea party, the Maypole, the playground swing, a visit to the fair, or the occasional performance of a touring showman. When she left school she was put into service, learnqd teaching or dressmaking, or, on a farm, stayed to help mother with the dairy and cooking. She was a treasure for the young lover when he appeared, and settled down to rear a family like an experienced housekeeper, taking them proudly to the village church to be baptised, and seeing to their religious training above all else. Whether her life was passed in the old home village or not, her early training was the ruling influence. Her girls, too, must be quiet, well behaved, and able to manage their home when the chance came for them. This is a true picture of my old pupils, now married, with families. But will the modern civilisation upset their plans? To-day I live in a Scottish village where, I am told,, the girls of 40 years ago used to be as domesticated as their English sisters. Their home-knitted stockings and beautiful needlework might be seen in the humblest cottage. The observance of the Sabbath and other holy days was reverently kept with their elders. The “ hame ingle ” provided rest and relaxation on winter nights. But, alas! these girls are gone. Their place is taken by dainty, scantily-clad maidens with cheap silk stockings and flimsy high-heeled shoes. Home and home duties are taboo to them. Fun and gaiety they will chase for miles. No matter at what cost, they must see the latest film and attend every dance within reasonable distance. They must have pretty clothes though they run into debt. They will pay some time! They must have a good time like other girls. ■ The movie heroines are their “ ideals.” When the lover comes along he must have a motor cycle and pillion. And the mothers, who adore their dainty daughters, are content to stay at home and let them have “ a good time.” Somehow that idea has been drummed into them, and they try to efface themselves, feeling privately a little bit hurt at the small sum handed over for her board by the little "butterfly.” Not all, of course, are so selfish. I know a few mothers who are able to influence their girls and fit them to be good wives.—Weekly Scotsman.