MRS. MILLS’S BOARDING SCHOOL.

Samoan Reporter, Issue 3, 1 March 1846, Page 2

MRS. MILLS’S BOARDING SCHOOL.

Ever since the arrival of the “John Williams” we have felt greatly stimulated to persevere from the many warm expressions of interest we then received from British Christians, as well as from their munificent contributions. The seasonable supply of paper &c, soon told on the penmaship of the girls, but it is long since I have been compelled to put the reins upon the free use of paper

and reserve it principally for the more advanced classes. lam sorry for this restriction as the fingers of the younger scholars are more pliable, and they could now easily be taught a free use of the pen. We get on but slowly with Geography, for want of maps, having none that I can have in school in my absence, still the limited use is not in vain, and always affords interest. 1 hope some day to have the necessary apparatus, when I shall be able to give a better report. Arithmetic is not a favourite study, and perhaps there is a more general deficiency in this than in any other they attempt, still there are a few girls who show a natural readiness atnumbers, and all of them can do something with perseverance. In reading, they get on so rapidly, that an Elementary book is of very short use. The youngest scholars soon get to read the Scriptures fluently though they are always taught by monitors.

Needlework is still a favourite employment, and consequently they make great progress in this departmeut. Some of our first sempstresses of more favoured lands, would not be disgraced by such work as many Samoan girls can present. They have not done much at fancy work, partly for want of time, but principally for want of the proper materials; however this is of secondary importance.

We have now got a better house, and the parents continue to supply food in abundance. There is no homesickness, but a decided preference to school, with all its restrictions. If any little disagreement occurs, a word or two is sufficient to banish it. I never could have believed so many collected together, of different families, tempers, habits &c. would have lived in such harmony. Such a train of favourable circumstances renders the labour comparatively easy, and calls loudly to improve them, while they continue. No deaths have occured in school ; two have married. There are still 37 on the list their ages between 14 and 15.

Feb. 17. 1846.

LILLIAS MILLS.