Frances Mary Buss and her work for educationRidley, Annie E.
History
Frances Mary Buss and her work for education
Ridley, Annie E.
Buss, Frances Mary, 1827-1894
After Dollar, we had a few days of quiet, with delightful drives in the
scenery round the Bridge of Allan, where our friend Mr. Forster chanced
to be staying at the Ochill Park Hydropathic Establishment.
The whole trip was full of interest, and not the least part of it was
the delight of having that full mind pouring itself out on all possible
subjects, and in scenes where the historic and poetic associations add a
new charm to the beauty of nature.
But there was still more to come in an event which, important as it was
in itself, acquired still greater force when taken in connection with
the feelings excited in Miss Buss’ heart, by the sight of the richly
endowed Edinburgh schools.
We broke our journey southwards at Gateshead, where we visited Mrs.
Mawson at Ashfield, a house well known to many a worker as a place where
pleasant things are wont to happen, and therefore most suitable for this
most happy occurrence. The large family circle had gathered round Miss
Buss, to hear her recent experiences, and to ask about her own work,
entering into her hopes and plans for the future of the schools, when a
telegram was brought to her. She read it; and, after a silent pause,
rose and, crossing the room, put her arms round me in her own impulsive
way, as she said, with rare tears in her voice as in her eyes, “Miss
Ewart has given £1000 to the Camden School!”
How much this meant to the founder could be known only to those who had
learnt how near to her heart was this dream of so many years. If only
Miss Ewart herself could have seen, as we saw who were there, the joy
thus given by her generous act, she would have been content, even
without all that is still to come out of it to the girls of generations
unborn, who will remember her name with gratitude.
Miss Ewart completed her good work by a large loan, which made it
possible at once to think about buildings for the Camden School. Miss
Buss left me at Gateshead, and went back to her work with a renewed
energy and courage, which come out very noticeably in the letters
received during the next few weeks.
“Myra Lodge, April 30, 1872.
“A few lines before going to the great Suffrage meeting. Forty
new entries in the Camden Road. Thirty, so far, in Camden
Street.”
“May 1, 10.30 p.m.
“I was interrupted last night by the arrival of a mother—Mrs.
Crookes, wife of the Psychic Force Mr. Crookes. While she was
talking, the cab arrived—no, no; just after she had done
talking, the cab came with Mr. and Mrs. Sep, for me to go to the
Suffrage meeting. We got back at _one_. We met everybody—Mrs.
Tolmé among others. All day I was driving at express-train
speed. At two o’clock Dr. Storrar came in, and, as he had a
committee at University College at five, stayed till 4.30. I had
had no lunch, and a council of teachers had assembled at four.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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