Item 6 - Letter from Ellen M. Watson to Lucy Clifford

1 folded sheet

Formerly inserted in CLIF B1/1, after f. 16 and 17.

(Grahamstown, Cape Colony, South Africa.)—They have been at Grahamstown since November. Her brother is at the Standard Bank, and she is teaching science at the Diocesan School for Girls and holding evening classes for women. Has sent a paper on ‘A liberal education for girls’ to the South African Review. They are invited to spend all their holidays with Roman Catholic friends at Uitenhage.

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Transcript

My dear Friend

How long it is since I saw you. I cannot remember whether I have written since we left England for I have thought so often of you that I can’t be sure whether I have put my thoughts on paper.

I wish there were anyone whom I know to send me news of you. Of course I should not expect you to be able to write, although I know you will think of me kindly.

What shall I tell you first? There seems so much to be said when I try to say what we are doing. In the first place we have been here since November:—my brother is doing very well at the Standard Bank here, while I am teaching at the Diocesan School for Girls—one of about 100,—more than half boarders. It is the best in the Eastern province. The only schools in which it would be at all pleasant to teach here are Church schools. Of course I have nothing to do with the ‘Divinity’ which forms a large part of the school course. I am much stronger and very happy in my work. Even now I can do some little good by teaching the little science that is admitted into the school—thoroughly and I am gradually, I think, gaining influence over the girls. When this is once won there are many reforms that I have set my heart on working. Canon & Mrs Espin who under the Bishop & a Committee are at the head are very good to me and let me have my way about most things. There are four other governesses living in the house, but I am staying with my brother at a very small & quiet boarding house: there are only three other lodgers. I go to the school three hours a day and am holding evening classes for ladies from the town in Botany and Arithmetic. Soon I hope to widen the range of my subjects and bring in Physics, higher Mathematics, Chemistry & what I think is most needed—Human Physiology.

This is where my nominal work lies but I confess I care much more for the moral hold I hope to gain over some of the girls. Their tone generally speaking, is a very low one. Many come with nothing in them but ignorance & folly—already engaged to be married—to be ‘finished’ for a year at school and the 3 essentials that their parents ask are music, {1} dancing & flower-painting.

The government Examinations for which girls can now enter is† raising the standard by appealing to the parents’ vulgar ambition to see their daughters’ names in the Gazette. At any rate this is better than the old way. Most of my notions on Education either raise a laugh or shock the good people here, and I have done rather a rash thing in sending a paper on ‘A liberal education for girls’ to a new periodical, the S. African Review. The friend to whom I sent it who is starting the magazine has taken upon himself to add ‘by a governess in the Eastern province’ & as there are only one or 2 schools in that district he might as well have put my name. I expect to be called to account pretty sharply for my abuse of evils, many of which are institutions of the Diocesan School. We are invited to spend all our holidays with some Roman Catholic friends at Uitenhage, very kind people.

The inhabitants of Grahamstown have been good to us in many ways and as we live independently we are not limited for our society to the Episcopal clique. These however are among the pleasantest people.

This is really a horrid letter—but now I have told you all the news and another time I can write to you as I like & tell you all my thoughts. Kiss dear Ethel & Baby for me.

Ever your loving
Ellen M. Watson

If ever you write to me please send to mother to enclose or else address Miss E. M. Watson | Standard Bank | Grahamstown | Cape Colony | S. Africa.

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{1} Comma supplied.