FRANCES MARY BUSS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Illustration: Photo. by Russell and Sons. Yours always [** Illegible] Frances M. Buss ] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ FRANCES MARY BUSS AND HER WORK FOR EDUCATION BY ANNIE E. RIDLEY “We work in hope” THE SCHOOL MOTTO WITH PORTRAITS AND OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS LONDON LONGMANS, GREEN, & CO. AND NEW YORK 1895 All rights reserved ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PREFACE In a life written by a friend for friends there must of necessity be more of the intimacy of private friendship than in a record written dispassionately for an unknown public. The world in general knows Frances Mary Buss as a public worker—capable, energetic, successful. By her friends she was loved as one of the most womanly of women—true, and tender, and loyal. Her work, to which all women of this generation owe so much, must assume prominence in the story of her life; but what is most desired is to show her as she was to her friends. My warmest thanks are here offered to all who have so freely and so kindly helped me in this labour of love: first, to Miss Buss’ own family and personal friends, and to old pupils; to Mrs. Bryant, D.Sc., and the members of the staff in both schools; and, for many valuable educational details, to Miss Emily Davies, Miss Beale, Mrs. William Grey, Miss Shirreff, Miss Mary Gurney, Miss Agnes J. Ward, Miss Hughes, and Dr. and Mrs. Fitch. A. E. R. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE INTRODUCTORY—THEN AND NOW 1 BOOK I. EARLY LIFE. I. CHILDHOOD 25 II. GIRLHOOD 41 III. INFLUENCE 58 IV. HELPFULNESS 73 BOOK II. PUBLIC WORK. I. TRANSITION 87 II. “WE WORK IN HOPE” 103 III. “THE SISTERS OF THE BOYS” 117 IV. TIMELY HELP 131 V. TRIUMPH 146 VI. WITH HER FELLOW-WORKERS 166