In

your dealings with any one of these parties, let me urge you, for your own sake, not less than for theirs, to be perfectly candid. It is a weakness to underrate your abilities and acquirements, but to overrate them can only involve you in trouble and annoyance. If, for instance, you say you can teach German or Italian when you know little more than the rudiments of the languages, and the agent, on the faith of your representation, introduces you to a situation where your pupils have already made some progress in it, what can you expect but to be dismissed at the end of the quarter, whilst your employer, indignant at falsehood, will very probably not only hesitate to recommend you, but will also withdraw her patronage from the agent who has been the innocent means of placing you there? You are thus injuring others as well as yourself, as people generally do when they deviate, however slightly, from the path of rectitude. Whilst acting with precision and truth yourself, take care that no mistake arises with the agent. If she gives you an introduction to a family, learn from her whether she is acquainted with their character; if they really require the sort of governess you are; if they will give the salary you demand, &c. I have known a poor girl lose an entire day and a considerable sum of money in waiting on a lady who required only a morning governess, whilst the candidate had expressly stated that she could not take any but a resident engagement. The same agent had sent upwards of a dozen young ladies on the same fruitless errand, to the great annoyance of both parties. But what did she care? She had pocketed the registration fees, and wanted nothing more.

I have said nothing about the free registry at the Governesses' Benevolent Institution, for, though I believe it to be, in many respects, an excellent thing, still it is extremely inconvenient to many governesses to be obliged to go day after day to examine the books and see what ladies are requiring governesses, with the particulars. Doubtless there are difficulties in the way of any other arrangement, but, as this branch of the institution is at present constituted, it has drawbacks which render it unpopular ; indeed, the Society altogether has too much the appearance of a charity to be very much liked or approved by those who are able to earn their own living, and only anxious for an opportunity to do so. They need justice, and get only generosity, a substitute that is by no means an equivalent. In speaking of this institution, however, I am uttering rather the sentiments of others than my own, as I never, personally, had anything to do with it. Nothing can be more benevolent, or more admirable in intention, than its whole arrangement; and of the efforts to provide for the old age of those who have not had the power to lay up anything for themselves it is impossible to speak in terms of too great praise and admiration. Being of human origin, however, we cannot expect it to be without drawback; but perhaps a regulation which so greatly impedes its usefulness may yet receive further consideration; and I am sure that hundreds of governesses would be glad to pay a trifle to secure the addresses being sent to them.

All honour, however, to those who have so earnestly and faithfully exerted themselves to ameliorate the condition of the governess.

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CHAP. XV.

GOVERNESSES.-HOW TO KEEP A SITUATION.

“Well begun is half done."-OLD PROVERB.
“ Bear and forbear."-ANOTHER.

а

In making an engagement with a family, it is, of course, of the utmost importance to you to know what are the domestic regulations of the circle you are about to enter, and what are also the views of the parents in the education of their children. In conversation with the lady, previous to any final arrangements, you can respectfully inquire what the usual routine of life may be: whether you are expected to join the parents at meals, and in the evening, or if you are to be entirely with the children : whether, also, you will have the comfort of a separate bed-room, in which you can enjoy the blessed feeling of freedom and solitude, which is, to a governess, perhaps one of the greatest luxuries of life.

With regard to invariably joining the family circle in the evening, it is a stipulation that I

of a

should never deem it advisable to make. The evening is probably the only time which you can command for your own improvement; and if you neglect to increase your acquirements, you cannot expect to obtain a higher standing in your profession. Besides this, if the master of the house happen to be occupied during the day, and only at home in the evening, the constant presence

third

person cannot fail to be an annoyance. Is there anything more painful than to feel ourselves thus de trop? It is a much better plan, and one which adds greatly to the comfort of the families in which it is adopted, for the governess to be invited to make one of the circle when her presence is desired, and, when so invited, to be treated as any other guest would be. But, in general, her evenings should be devoted to her own improvement, or to the relaxation of her mind by the perusal of a pleasant book.

Another thing, which you are quite justified in mentioning, is your hope that, should the lady see any part of your system or manner of which she disapproves, she would name it to you alone, and not in the presence of your