P.N.E.U. Notes.
Volume 7, 1896, pg. 693-696
Edited by Miss Frances Blogg, Sec., 28, Victoria Street, S.W.
To whom Hon. Local Secs. are requested to send reports of all matters of interest connected with their branches, also 30 copies of any prospectuses or other papers they may print.
New Branches.
Arrangements are being made to start Branches of the P.N.E.U. in the
following places during the coming season:--
Harrow.
Ilkley.
Bradford.
Manchester.
Chichester.
Haling.
Highgate.
Colchester.--Hon. Sec., pro tem., Mrs. Powell, Great Bentley Vicarage.
Nottingham.
Readers of the Parents' Review living in these districts, or having friends there, are asked to communicate with Miss Blogg.
____________________________
Belgravia.--Lectures are arranged for November and December, and also several classes, of which notice has been sent to members.
Hyde Park and Bayswater--Hon. Sec., Mrs. Franklin, 9, Pembridge Gardens, W. (at home Thursday mornings). A meeting will be held on Nov. 11th, at 37, Cavendish Square (by kind permission of Mrs. Betts), when the Rev. W. J. Edmonds, B. D., Canon of Exeter, will lecture on "The Vicissitudes of Plato and Aristotle in their transit from East to West," Algernon C. P. Coote, Esq., M. A., in the chair. On December 10th, Mrs. Clement Parsons will lecture on "A child's introduction to Poetry," at 5 o'clock, at 14, Dawson Place (by kind permission of Mrs. M. S. Waley), Mrs. J. Hobson in the chair. The following classes have been arranged, particulars of days and fees from Mrs. Franklin, 9, Pembroke Gardens:--Brush-drawing, Slöyd, Swedish Drill, Tonic Sol-fa, French Games, French (Mdlle. Duriaux), German, Hockey.
Hampstead and St. John's Wood.--The opening meeting of the Autumn Session was held on Wednesday evening, October 14th, when Dr. Schofield read a paper on "The Development of the Unconscious Mind." Dr. Abbott, who presided, introduced the lecturer, and referred to his work in connection with Hygiene. Dr. Schofield then opened his address by remarking that the mind might be said to consist of two parts, the conscious and the unconscious. The unconscious mind was the more important of the two, because it was there that habits were formed, and habits have been well described as the railroad of character. Most habits were formed before fifteen years of age, and hence the importance of this subject in the training of children. Even moral qualities might be formed as mental habits, thus a habit of accuracy in speech and observation inevitably leads to truthfulness. Habits once formed had immense influence over life, and it was far better to educate and form character by the unconscious operation of good habits than by the attempted application of precept. It was in times of crisis that the usefulness of good habits was most felt, as the unconscious mind would then perform acts which the conscious mind would be unable to determine upon. This was why a hardened soldier could pass through ordeals which the recruit, though equally brave, could not face. After the paper Dr. Abbott made some valuable remarks, and questions were asked by several members. There were about 50 people present. The wet evening undoubtedly prevented a larger attendance. On October 23rd, Mrs. E. L. Franklin gave an address on "What the P.N.E.U. offers to its members." The next meeting will be held on November 10th, at the High School, by the invitation of the Teachers' Guild, when Sir. J. Fitch will lecture on "The Educational Uses of the National Portrait Gallery."
Woodford and Wanstead.--On October 26th Dr. Catherine Wickham gave a lecture on "Nursery Hygiene," at Monkhams (by kind permission of Mrs. Arnold Hills).
Clapham.--The first reading circle of the session was held on October 12th at the Rectory (by kind permission of the Rev. C. P. Greene). The concluding chapter of "Home Education" was read and discussed. A lecture was given on October 22nd by John Jackson, Esq.
Dulwich.--Mrs. Franklin gave a lecture on October 6th, at Belair (by kind permission of Mrs. Evan Spicer), on "What the P.N.E.U. offers to its members," Mr. G. C. Whiteley in the chair. On October 28th, Mademoiselle Duriaux gave a lecture at the Dulwich High School (by kind permission of Miss Cooper) on "Language Teaching." On December 1st, Mrs. Jackson will speak on the "Hygiene of Handwriting," at Hillsboro, Alleye Park (by kind permission of Mrs. Mullinson). A brush-work class is being arranged.
Finchley.--The work of the new session commended on October 15th, when Professor Sully gave an address on "Some aspects of child study," at Biana (by kind permission of Mrs. Turncliffe).
Reading.--Hon. Sec., Wm. Salmon, 54, London Street. A meeting was held on September 26th, at the residence of Dr. Eleanor Warner, Portland Place, when Miss E. C. Pollard, B.Sc., gave an address on "Co-education." The annual meeting of the branch will be held in November, when the report of the Executive Committee and Treasurer's Account will be presented, and the Committee for 1896-7 elected. The annual meeting of the General Committee will take place about the end of November or the beginning of December, when the programme of arrangements for the ensuing year will be made and the Executive Committee elected.
Hastings and St. Leonard's.--A meeting was held on October 30th, at Miss Tiddeman's studio (by kind permission), when an address was given by the Hon. Mrs. Campion on "Our difficulties," Mrs. Harkness in the chair. Other lectures announced are: December 1st--"Hygiene, with some remarks on the nature of life," Dr. Niven; February 3rd--"The nurture and admonition of the Lord," by Rev. G. E. Frewer; February 25th--"Professions for girls," Mrs. Francis Steinthal; April 3rd--"Children's books," Rev. T. B. Burrows, M.A.
Scarborough.--A lecture was given on October 15th, by Miss Barnett, on "Education out of school." The annual meeting of this branch will be held in November, when Mrs. Boyd Carpenter will give the address. Other lectures announced are: November 18th--"Brush-drawing and design," Mrs. Steinthal; December 3rd--"Some phases of religious teaching," the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Hull.
Folkestone.--The first meeting of this session was held on October 15th, when Mrs. Franklin gave an address on "What the P.N.E.U. helps us to do for our children." November 17th--"Teaching of language," Mademoiselle Duriaux, with demonstration; December 3rd--"Training and inheritance," Miss F. Barnett.
Leeds.--Hon. Sec., Mrs. Arthur Smithells. A course of Natural History lectures was given by Miss Simpson in the Spring. In connection with the lectures, a Children's Natural History Exhibition was held in July. The children appeared to take pleasure in this exhibition, and their exhibits showed a real interest in the work. To avoid numerous objects of the same kind being displayed, the work was planned out among the children. Thus one little girl undertook to show the various ways in which plants climb; on the portion of the table allotted to her were beautiful living sprays of Virginia creeper, clamatis, honeysuckle, &c. Two little boys made their table attractive by their show of the fruits of trees. Another group of children showed examples of the leaves of British trees. The little ones brought bunches of wild flowers in some cases; the flowers freshly gathered were arranged separately, each with its label attached. The older children undertook to illustrate the natural orders of flowering plants; thus one took the nettle family, another the dandelion, and so on. Some of the living animals were of great interest to the children, especially newts and silkworms, water insects and pond snails. There were some good drawings of the leaves of trees, and also some beautiful pressed flowers and other objects of interest. Mrs. Francis Steinthal spoke to the parents and children present, and proposed was warmly seconded and carried unanimously. The children's Natural History Club has since been formed, and lectures and meetings will be held fortnightly throughout the year. October 30th--A drawing-room meeting was held, when Miss Caroline Hertford read a paper on "The training of the will." November 27th--The Hon. Mrs. Lyttleton will read a paper on "The home training of boys and girls in their `teens'."
Sheffield.--The first meeting of the winter session was held on October 14th, when Miss E. A. Barnett gave an address on "Education out of school."
Wallasey.--The first lecture to this branch was given by Mrs. Franklin, on October 29th, at "The Springs," on "The Formation of good Habits in children." Other meetings arranged are: On November 27th, at 3.30, Miss Sturge will speak on "The psychology of attention," at Bengairn, Grove Road (by kind permission of Mrs. Barker); on December 14th, at 3.30, Dr. Craigmile will lecture on "Health and physical education of children," at the High School, Manor Road.
Edinburgh.--Hon. Sec., Mrs. Berry Hart, 29, Charlotte Square. The opening address, on October 19th, by John Strachan, Esq., M.D., Dollar, subject, "The position of play in a system of rational education," will be followed on November 20th by a lecture on "Child study," by John Gunn, Esq., M.A., D.Sc. "by the kind invitation of Mrs. Freeland Barham), the meeting will be held at 4, Charlotte Square; John Kerr, Esq., M.A., L.L.D., will preside. Lectures have been arranged for the months of January, February and March. Programmes may be had from the Hon. Sec. Classes for teaching of Slöyd (cardboard) and Brush-drawing to children will commence in November.
Ilkley.--Hon. Sec., pro tem., Mrs. Francis Steinthal, Wharfemead. Miss Simpson, of the Yorkshire College, gave a lecture on "Seed scattering," to children, on October 13th. About a hundred were present, and the interest taken in the subject was so great that all but five stayed for the second, or students' class. An exhibition will be held on November 14th, of leaves, drawings, brush-drawings, seeds, &c., collected and drawn by the children.
Richmond and Kew.--Hon. Sec., pro tem., Mrs. D. H. Scott, Old Palace. It has been arranged to open this Branch on November 10th.
Weybridge.--The opening of this Branch took place on October 24th.
Derby.--Hon. Sec., pro tem., Mrs. Johnson, Little Over Hill. This Branch was started on October 30th.
Glasgow.--The meeting for the inauguration of this Branch is fixed for Nov. 27th. For particulars apply to Mrs. Mirrlees, Redlands, Glasgow.
Proofread by LNL, Sep. 2020