[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sin,—Are not Miss King-Hall's comments on the education of the " average girls' school " a little out of date and belonging rather to the period when, under reaction from the Early Victorian insistence on accomplishments, girls' schools approximated for a time more nearly to boys' Public Schools Personally I think that even if Latin and mathematics are " of very little importance to girls in later life " from the utilitarian point of view, they are of the greatest educational value : but, to meet the opposite view, in this school as in many others girls may substitute Italian and German for Latin and Greek, and b3ok-keeping for algebra and geo- metry. The book-keeping course includes " a superficial knowledge of banking accounts, investments, &c.," in addition the public accounts for games, Guide companies, School Mission Fund are kept by girls in the school, balanced by them and audited, and each girl is required to keep and balance private accounts and to submit them for inspection.
All learn sewing, including plain needlework, dressmaking, embroidery ; all darn their own stockings under supervision.
Handicrafts and cooking are also taught to some. • European History is taught, and English History to 1919. Occasionally there is a mock League of Nations, at which older girls make speeches on behalf of different countries, having studied the question raised in newspapers, in special reports, and in a class devoted to current events. Once or twice a year they are encouraged to make speeches to the school on foreign or home policy, and time is given for the preparation of these.
I admit the indictment as regards foreign languages, but I think it applies to the English nation rather than to English girls, who often have to interpret for husbands and brotherS less well equipped than themselves.—I am, Sir, &c.,
HEAD-MISTRESS.
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