Posted in School Days
All right! Your folks have forked out the money for your "finishing" school education at an exclusive academy for young ladies. It's the first day of school. All the young ladies are gathered together in the common room. The head mistress addresses the students. What does she tell you girls? The rules, of course. I found this very eye-opening set of rules for a Young Ladies' school in about 1850.The following rules were read aloud to the assembled scholars once a year only, at the opening of school in September:
(I hope the girls all had good memories!)
Let me know what you think of the book!(I hope the girls all had good memories!)
1. Each young lady must be in her seat at 9 o'clock with Bible in hand, ready for opening exercises. Each one should bow her head in a respectful manner.
2. Each scholar should familiarize herself with her studies, so she may commence preparation for her first recitation. This way all unnecessary questions to the teacher may be avoided.
3. All talking and laughing, note writing, conversation by "signs," eating and leaving of seats, are strictly forbidden during study and recitation hours.
4. Loud conversation, romping, or rudeness of manner must not in any case be indulged in during recess.
5. Perfect neatness in person is expected of every young lady. Books should be carefully covered and carefully used, and not left to lie upon the outside of the desk at any time.
6. No tardiness at school or failure in lessons will be excused, or permission given to leave before the close of school, except by a written note from one of the parents of the young lady.
7. For every perfect lesson the scholar will receive 4 good marks. Two failures in answering, or general imperfect answers, will incur a forfeit mark.
8. Good marks will be given for punctuality, neatness, order, and general excellence; disgrace marks will be given for tardiness, disorder, improper manners, and deficiency in studies.
9. At the end of each month, the marks will be counted so each young lady may know her standing in her classes. Reports will then be sent to the parents.
10. School will end a few minutes before 2 o'clock. When the bell is rung, the young ladies will arrange their books silently for leaving, and remain at their places until they receive permission to leave. The young lady who sits nearest the door in each class may lead the way.
11. We desire that the rules of politeness and good breeding will uniformly be practiced here. As the Bible is the great rule of duty for both teachers and scholars, it is hoped that this truth and virtue and Christian kindness and courtesy will be the governing principle of conduct to all the members of this school.
(Taken from Diary of a Little Girl in Old New York by Catherine Havens). This book is in the public domain and was digitalized by Google. It is the 1849-1850 diary of a ten-year-old girl. If you would like to download for FREE the pdf file of the entire book (takes about 5-10 seconds), click here:
2. Each scholar should familiarize herself with her studies, so she may commence preparation for her first recitation. This way all unnecessary questions to the teacher may be avoided.
3. All talking and laughing, note writing, conversation by "signs," eating and leaving of seats, are strictly forbidden during study and recitation hours.
4. Loud conversation, romping, or rudeness of manner must not in any case be indulged in during recess.
5. Perfect neatness in person is expected of every young lady. Books should be carefully covered and carefully used, and not left to lie upon the outside of the desk at any time.
6. No tardiness at school or failure in lessons will be excused, or permission given to leave before the close of school, except by a written note from one of the parents of the young lady.
7. For every perfect lesson the scholar will receive 4 good marks. Two failures in answering, or general imperfect answers, will incur a forfeit mark.
8. Good marks will be given for punctuality, neatness, order, and general excellence; disgrace marks will be given for tardiness, disorder, improper manners, and deficiency in studies.
9. At the end of each month, the marks will be counted so each young lady may know her standing in her classes. Reports will then be sent to the parents.
10. School will end a few minutes before 2 o'clock. When the bell is rung, the young ladies will arrange their books silently for leaving, and remain at their places until they receive permission to leave. The young lady who sits nearest the door in each class may lead the way.
11. We desire that the rules of politeness and good breeding will uniformly be practiced here. As the Bible is the great rule of duty for both teachers and scholars, it is hoped that this truth and virtue and Christian kindness and courtesy will be the governing principle of conduct to all the members of this school.
(Taken from Diary of a Little Girl in Old New York by Catherine Havens). This book is in the public domain and was digitalized by Google. It is the 1849-1850 diary of a ten-year-old girl. If you would like to download for FREE the pdf file of the entire book (takes about 5-10 seconds), click here:
Photo courtesy of the California History & Genealogy Room, Fresno County Library
