Graham's Magazine, Vol. XLI, No. 2, August 1852Various
General
Graham's Magazine, Vol. XLI, No. 2, August 1852
Various
Literature -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals
During the several years’ labor which noble-minded men and women in
England have given to searching out and alleviating the silent misery
which prevailed in this class of society, it has been proved that there
is no class more deserving of esteem and attention; that no women better
deserve the aid and esteem of society than the aged governesses.
Out of seven thousand teachers (it is estimated that the number of
governesses in England amounts to about fifteen thousand) who during
this time had come under the notice of the Committee of Direction which
had been organized for their aid, several were found in lunatic asylums,
but none in prisons. Many were without means of support in their old
age, because they had maintained aged parents with the wages of their
labor, assisted young brothers and sisters, or had brought up orphan
nephews or nieces. Too many in consequence of their labor had weak
sight, or were suffering from severe nervous complaints, of all
suffering the worst.
Since the public attention in England has been so much directed to the
responsible vocation of the governess, to her difficult position, and
her unprovided-for old age; the public endeavor has increased with every
succeeding year to elevate and improve the condition of the governess.
Academies have been established for the education of young persons;
annual pensions have been established for the old and needy; the
crowning flower of this beautiful growth of human love and gratitude
being the Home for the Aged Governesses, the asylum in which I now found
myself, and which, when completed, will leave it difficult to imagine
one more perfect.
Among the earliest promoters of this institution I found the names
of—men. Men had been the earliest friends and protectors of the old,
solitary ladies! The Duke of Cambridge, Dr. Thackeray, John Hatchard,
(who lately closed a life full of good works) had long, both by word and
deed, labored to improve the fate of these lonely beings. These good
men, in connection with noble-minded ladies, such as Mrs. S. C. Hall and
Mrs. Laing, had carried through this beautiful undertaking, and hence
this final home for the aged governess.
Since then have the subscriptions for the support of aged governesses
been so numerous, and so considerable in amount, that now a better
future may be anticipated with certainty.
A payment of five hundred pounds entitles to nominate a lady to the
asylum. And with all the conveniences and even luxuries of the
establishment, all has been so well calculated that the cost of each
inmate’s support is remarkably small. A physician and medicine are also
provided by the institution.
One agreeable thing for the old ladies seemed to me, that they were
permitted to have their friends and acquaintance to tea, on the payment
of a mere trifle for each guest.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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