CHILDREN ABROAD.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR:]
Sitt,—I am reminded by your article on the children whom one meets with on the Continent of an American family whom I met with in a pension on the Lake of Geneva, where I spent two days. The party consisted of a girl of about twelve and two younger children ; they had no nurse or servant. The eldest girl was left in charge, while the father and mother were, I believe, making a tour in Switzerland for a fortnight. I did not hear that any express cause had taken them away. The little girl's tnauagement of the younger ones was such as nany a mother might have envied. The boy and another little boy had been out playing till after dinner was ready, and rushed in while we were at table. One of the young culprits was adjured by his mother several times in per- suasive, drawling tones, "Do brush your hair, Tommy, you're not fit to be seen, do go and brush it." When the other appeared his sister said very gently, "You have forgotten to brush your hair, Charlie, you cannot sit down to table so," and Charlie was off to make himself tidy.
In the evening we were going for a row on the lake, and I pro- posed to take the little girl, for whose loneliness I could not help feeling a good deal of pity, on the water. She would like very much to go, but she could not leave Minnie. As I could not bear to deprive my little friend of what was evidently a great pleasure, I asked whether Minnie would be good, and having received the elder sister's promise that she would, I suggested taking her too, though an unknown child of five in a boat is rather anxious work. Minnie was perfectly good, and we returned in safety.
I have often thought since of the eldest girl. I wonder whether hers is an exceptional ease, or whether there are many American children like her. The strange and, to English ideas, pre- posterous notion of leaving a girl of twelve without any elder friend, and without any special recommendation to the mistress of the pension, did not surprise Inc more than the manner of the little girl herself, gentle, childlike, unassuming to strangers ; very gentle yet very decided to the younger ones ; staid and quiet she naturally was, but there was not a particle of self-conceit, or presumption, or self-sufficiency in her bearing.—I am, Sir, &c.,
E.G. T. F.
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