P.N.E.U. Notes.
Volume 7, 1896, pg. 759-764
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.
The Executive Committee has been approached with a view to starting
Branches in the following places:--
Harrow.
Bradford.
Manchester.
Chichester.
Ealing.
Highgate.
Colchester.--Hon. Sec. pro tem., Mrs. Powell, Great Bentley Vicarage.
Nottingham.
Blackheath.
Croydon.
Streatham.
West Hampstead.
Readers of the Parents' Review living in these districts, or having
friends there, are asked to communicate with Miss Blogg.
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The Library Committee beg to acknowledge, with many thanks, the gift of
the following books by their authors:--
"Knowledge, Faith and Duty." Sir Thomas Dyke Acland.
"Foundations of Success, a Plea for Rational Education." S. de Brath,
M. Inst. C. E.
Also of the following:--
"English Wild Flowers" (J. T. Burgess), From Mrs. Boore.
"Sermons on Human Nature" (Butler) From Mrs. Anson.
"Les Peres et les Enfants" (Legouve); "The Mother's Three Friends:
(Mrs. C. Green); "What Shall I Tell the Children" (Reichel); "Leaves
From the Note-book of Frances Buss" (Toplis);" "God's Garden" (Foxell);
"Form Building" and copies of "Kindergarten at Home" (Shirreff): "Home
Work for Willing Hearts" (Brightwen); "Mothers' Songs, Games and
Stories" (Lord). From Miss Mason.
The following books have purchases for the Library:--"The Early
Training of Children" (Malleson); "Psychology of Child-hood" (Tracy);
"Three Addresses to Girls at School" (Wilson).
The Committee also grafefully acknowledge the following
donations:--Hampstead Branch, L20; Belgravia Branch, L2; Mr. Coote,
L2; Mr. Steinthal; L1.
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BELGRAVIA.--The first meeting of the session was held at 34, Grosvenor Place (by kind permission of the Hon. Mrs. Warren Vernon), when, after a few suggestions and interesting remarks on the late improvements and developments in education from the Chairman (the Hon. Warren Vernon), Miss Vinter gave a much appreciated address on "Habit and Character, and the Effect of Motives." She dealt mainly with the difficulties that parents and teachers encounter who are dealing with children at what is generally termed "the difficult age," and her address cannot but have been helpful to many present. The chair was afterwards taken by the Rev. A. J. Myers. The next meeting will be held on December 15th, at 35, Cranley Gardens, S. W. (by kind permission of Mrs. Guy Pym), when Miss Helen Webb, M.B., will give an address on "Neurotic Children." Classes are being held for children in French (Gouin), by Madame Forckel; in Singing (Tonic Sol-fa) by Mrs. Thouless; Dancing, by Mrs. Boyle; and for adults, in Drawing and Painting, by Miss Conder; Dressmaking, and for the Practice of Concerted Music. For all particulars apply to the Hon. Sec., Mrs. Cockburn, 39, Elvaston Place, S.W.
HYDE PARK AND BAYSWATER:--Hon. Sec., Mrs. Franklin, 9, Pembridge Gardens, W. (at home Thursday mornings). A meeting was held On October 20th, at 9, Pembridge Gardens, when Miss Lawrence, of Wimbledon House School, Brighton, gave a lecture on "The Educational Advantages of Games." Miss Helen Webb, M.B. (Lond.) was in the chair. There was an extremely large attendance of members. Miss Lawrence explained the advantages of such games as hockey and cricket for girls, over and above the mere physical benefit to be derived from bicycling, dancing, drill, &c. The advantages to character to be derived from the discipline of the playground cannot, she showed, be over-rated. The obedience to orders, given, perhaps, by a younger girl, the opportunity for unselfishness, and for the small deeds of heroism, are all most desirable for girls. Moreover, the playing of such games, and the necessary organization in connection with them, help much to keep up a pure and wholesome tone in school and home. Mrs. Franklin spoke of the Hockey and Cricket Club formed by her to meet the want which London parents felt for such games. Parents (she said) could not let their children join everything that was offered to them; they must choose among much that was good, and Miss Lawrence in her lecture had helped them to a wise choice, one about which in the case of boys there never was any hesitation, and why so with girls? On November 11th a meeting was held at 37, Cavendish Square (by kind permission of Mrs. Betts), when the Rev. W.J. Edmonds, B.D. Canon of Exeter, gave a lecture on "The Vicissi--tudes of Plato and Aristotle in their Transit from East to West." On Dec. 10th, Mrs. Clement Parsons will lecture on "A Child's Introduction to Poetry," at five o'clock, at 14, Dawson Place, Pembridge Square.
WOODFORD AND WANSTEAD.--The Annual Business Meeting of this Branch was held on November 25th, when the officers for the coming year were elected and the accounts presented.
CLAPHAM.--The October lecture was given by John Jackson, Esq., on "The Day of Small Things: Health in the Schoolroom." Mrs. Mackenzie Evans was the hostess, and the Rector of Clapham took the chair. The lecture was very lively and interesting, and we warmly recommend it to other branches. The November lecture was given by John Burgess, Esq., at Elm House, Clapham Common (by kind invitation of Miss Penfold), the Rector of Clapham being in the chair. Subject: "Stray Thoughts on Education." The paper was excellent, and an interesting discussion followed.
HAMPSTEAD AND ST. JOHN'S WOOD.--By the kind invitation of the Teachers' Guild, the members of this branch were invited to be present at the lecture given by Sir J. Fitch, on "The Educational Uses of the National Portrait Gallery," at the High School, South Hampstead, on Nov. 10th. The next meeting will be on Dec. 9th, when Miss Pridham will speak on "The Teaching of Mental Arithmetic." A course of visits for children to places of interest in London during the Christmas holidays is being arranged. The parties will be under competent guidance. Children of members of other branches are invited to join in these excursions. Full particulars can be had from the Hon. Sec. of the Hampstead Branch.
WIMBLEDON.--The first meeting of this branch was held on November 6th, at "The Lynch," Clifton Road (by kind permission of Mrs. Wolryche Whitmore), Mr. Tyrrell Giles, M.P., in the chair. It was a most successful meeting , being extremely well attended, and the address, delivered by the Rev. F.S. Colman [published in vol 8], being admirable from every point of view, and offering food for much thought to any who had to do with the bringing up of children. Starting with the words of one of the Seven Sages--"Know thy opportunity," Mr. Colman pointed out the great opportunity parents had, while their children were young, of setting them on the right lines. A right education must aim, he said, at making the child;--(1) Happy, for himself; (2) Helpful, for others; (3) Perfect, in himself. He laid great stress on the necessity of happiness for children as the basis of usefulness and perfectness. Referring them to the way in which the children of Sparta were taught to live for the community, he said all children ought to be brought up with the idea that they were to be useful and live for others. He finally pointed out that the child must be taught to aim high, to feel the incentive of progress, and to desire perfectness in all his work. Mr. Tyrrell Giles offered a vote of thanks to the lecturer, and said a few words as to the usefulness of such a society as the Parents' National Educational Union.
EASTBOURNE.--On October 23rd--"Education out of School." This lecture, given by Miss Edith Barnett, was well attended , and her many helpful suggestions and kindly criticisms greatly appreciated. November 27th--at Hampstead House, by the kind permission of Mrs. Farnell, "Obedience," T. G. Rooper. Esq., H.M.I. December 2nd -at Town Hall, "The Psychology of Attention," Miss Carta Sturge. January--address by Miss Mason (the founder of P.N.E.U.) February--address by Mrs. Franklin, Hon. Org. Sec. The home readings, with informal discussion, will be resumed in January.
FOLKESTONE.--December 3rd--Miss Edith Barnett, on "Training v. Inheritance." January--Dr. Helen Webb, on "Heredity." February--Head Master of Dover College, on "The Sphere of Home Influence in School Life." A Brush-work class meets every other Monday, at 58, Bouverie Road, W.; fee, 12/6, for twelve lessons. A Reading Circle is held on first and third Wednesday, at 9, Christchurch Road, at 9.30 p.m. The Natural History Club has been started.
LEEDS--On Friday, November 27th, the Hon. Mrs. Lyttleton gave an address after the annual meeting, on "The Home Education of Boys and Girls in their teens." On December 15th, a Drawing-room meeting will be held, by kind permission of Mr. Gibson, at the Vicarage, when the Rev. Canon Bullock will read a paper on "A religious basis essential in the Education of the Young."
SHEFFIELD--A meeting of this branch was held on October 14th, at the Wesley College, when Miss E. A. Barnett, of London, gave and address on "Education out of School"; Miss Barnett took as a motto the saying of Frederick Harrison, "The true work of education is the inculcation of human duty." The next meeting will be held early in December, when Mrs. Hallowes, of Curbar, has kindly promised to speak.
SOUTHPORT.--The following lectures are announced:--December 8th--"A lesson in Geography, to children of all ages," by Miss Stead, at South Lawn, Rawlinson Road (by kind permission of Lady Wheler). January 27th--"Birds," by Miss Taylor, at Olive House, Queen's Road (by the kindness of the Rev. H. E. Mocatta). On February 16th, a lecture will be given by Dr. Cecil Treadgold, B.A., M.B., entitled, "Hints on Home Nursing," at South Lawn, Rawlinson Road (by kind Permission of Lady Wheler). Miss Mason (founder of the Union) and Mrs. Steinthal will address the branch on March 16th; the meeting will be Held at Wintersdorf, Birkdale. All communications, during Mrs. Dixon's unavoidable absence, to be addressed to Miss Simon, Wintersdorf, Birkdale
BEDFORD.--The first meeting of the session was held on October 14th, at the Bedford Kindergarten, when a paper, by Miss M. E. Porter, on "Art and its relation to Education," was read by Mr. A. Ransome, Miss Porter having been prevented from being present herself through sudden illness. Notwithstanding the exceedingly inclement weather, a fair number of members were present. The chair was taken by the Rev. R. B. Poole, D.D. A lecture was also given to the members of the Natural History Club, on the 10th October, by L. Fishwick, Esq., H.M.L. "Ugly Customers, or, a chat about snakes." This lecture was exceedingly appreciated by all present, young and old, and was well attended. A course of lectures, Miss Wickam, M.B., is now being given to nurses, on "The Care of Children," the first of these lectures was on the 11th Nov.
Edinburgh.--Hon.Sec., Mrs. Berty Hart.--On the 8th December, by The kind invitation of Mrs. Ralph Dundas, the meeting will be held at 28, Drumsheugh Gardens, when Mrs. Mirrless will read a paper entitled "Why is Self-discipline essential to Mothers?" The Cardboard Sloyd and Brush-drawing Class for children began on Saturday, 14th Nov., at 9.30.
ILKLEY.--Hon. Sec., pro tem., Mrs. F. Steinthal.--Miss Simpson, of the Yorkshire College, gave her second lecture on October 20th, on "Climbing Plants," and on November 3rd, on "Winter Sleepers," and on November 10th, on "Birds, and how they fly." The audience increased each lecture; and finally, about 200 children joined. Miss Simpson has promised to give a second course of lectures next spring.
DERBY--The inaugural meeting of this branch was held on Friday, October 30th, when Miss Mason, the founder of the Union, addressed a large and representative gathering in the Albert hall. The chair was occupied by the Rev. Canon Furneaux, Headmaster of Repton School. The chairman gave an excellent introductory speech, in which he shewed very clearly the supreme importance of the earliest stages of education and training, and its vital connection with the later life of the school. The schoolmaster could only supplement and develop previous home training, and his success is to a large extent determined by the nature of this training. The aim of the Union was to give parents help and guidance in their work, and he hoped the branch about to be formed would have a career of wide and increasing usefulness before it. Miss Mason then delivered an address, which combined the force and vigour of a full scientific knowledge of her subject with a deep and loving sympathy in childhood and its needs. After referring in general terms to the formation of the Union nine or ten years ago, and its uniform progress since that time, the speaker proceeded to give a detailed exposition of the motto of the Union--"Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life." Miss Mason discussed the far-reaching influence of "environment;" the physiological basis of "habit" and its main laws; and the difference between mental life and mental station, the difference between loading the memory mechanically and implanting living "ideas." In all the phases of education the mother influence cannot be over-estimated: it is in virtue of this divine right of motherhood that women are the rulers of the world. It is for them to awaken the first drawn of life, mental, moral and spiritual, in their children, and so follow the steps of Him who said, "I am come that they might have life." She hoped the formation of the branch in Derby might be a help and stimulus in this direction. The Rev. C. H. Parez, H.M.I., proposed, and Dr. Reddie seconded, a resolution, that a branch be formed in Derby. Thanks to the speaker and chairman concluded the meeting. About forty ladies and gentlemen gave in their names as members of the branch.
BIRKENHEAD.--On Oct. 29th, an address was given by Mrs. Steinthal on "The Object of the Parents' National Educational Union," at 10, Caroline Place (by kind permission of Mrs. Brownell). The branch was formally started with thirty-six members. On Nov. 27th, at eight o'clock, Miss Sturge gave a lecture on "Psychology of Attention," at 18, Devonshire Road (by kind invitation of Mrs. Irvine).
WEYBRIDGE.--The opening meeting of this branch was held on Saturday, October 24th, at Church End (by kind permission of Mrs. Butler), Miss Webb, M.B., Mr. Perrin, and Miss Blogg explained the aims and principles of the Union, and the work done in connection with it. The proposal to form a branch of the P.N.E.U. in Weybridge, was unanimously carries. A committee has been elected. Programmes of lectures, &c., will be issued shortly; Mrs. Vernon Harcourt has kindly consented to act as hom. sec., pro tem.
RICHMOND AND KEW.--A meeting, to inaugurate this branch, was held (by kind permission of Mrs. Scott) at the Old Palace, Richmond, on November 10th. Mr. Arthur Palliser, jun., in the chair; Miss Webb, M.B., and Mrs. Franklin delivered interesting addresses, explaining the objects of the Union: Miss Blogg, the London Secretary, also attended. About sixty people were present, and several joined the Union. The following day, a business meeting was held, when a committee was formed, and arrangements made for lectures, etc.
HIGHGATE.--It is proposed to start a branch in Highgate, apart from Crouch End, as the distance has been proved too great to allow of their being worked as one. The inaugural meeting will be held quite early in December.
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