AN APPEAL.
I
shouldvery much like to interest the readers ofThe Girl’s Own Paperin the little Hindu school girls and native ladies in India, with the hope that I may receive occasional supplies of dolls, scrapbooks, and old Christmas cards for distribution. Several times a year I pack a large case with toys and other attractive things, and it is sent to English ladies at Calcutta or Madras, or elsewhere. These ladies give away the contents on prize days and other occasions, when it is delightful to witness the pleasure of the happy recipients. Presents from England are particularly liked, not only because they are novel and different from Indian toys, but also because the school-children are glad to be thought of by friends at such a distance. Though their ideas of our country are very vague, they value these tangible expressions of sympathy in their good conduct and progress, which have come to them from the other side of the world.
One of the ladies to whom I send cases of presents and prizes is Mrs. Brander, Inspectress of Girls’ Schools in Madras. During the last six years her constant occupation has been to examine and report on schools, and she has often to travel a long way for the purpose. Though there are some railways in the Madras Presidency, they do not reach the out-of-the-way places that Mrs. Brander has to visit, so she makes a part of her journey in what is called abullock bandy. This is a sort of small private omnibus, drawn by two patient bullocks, at the rate of two miles an hour. It is sent forward to meet her at some distant station. Besides the bullock bandy for the inspectress, there are several other vehicles, forming quite a procession. One is for the deputy inspector, who has the long name of Miss Govindarajulu; another for the writers (or clerks), and some for the luggage of the party. Two Government peons, or attendants, rather like commissionaires, guard and manage the cavalcade, if so it may be called. The roads are often very rough and dusty, and for part of the day it is extremely hot. Sometimes a river has to be forded, for there are not many bridges. The native drivers are ready to say that the stream is too strong, but Mrs. Brander does not listen to their objections unless there seems to be real danger, so down the bank the bullocks are made to go, and across the water. At night the travellers halt at a rest house, which is provided at certain places by Government, but does not give very good accommodation. At last a village is arrived at, where there is a school, and some of the native gentlemen of the place who are the managers, receive the inspectress. It is often located in a dark, close room, or, more pleasantly, in a verandah, under an overhanging roof. Mrs. Brander then examines the pupils in reading and writing, arithmetic and needlework. She is not hard upon them, for the teachers themselves have had little opportunity of learning. The children are generally bright and quick, very gentle and graceful, and with a winning but shy manner. It is true they are apt to be idle, but then it is trying to learn lessons when the heat is so intense, and they are not taught very intelligently.
Often the mothers of the little scholars crowd to the school, and talk to Mrs. Brander. At one place several of these women begged her to give them a lesson in needlework, and she did so; but they all pressed so closely round her that she had to insist on two or three only looking on at a time.
Altogether, the arrival of an inspectress at a village is an event of much interest. Now she usually carries with her luggage a number of dolls, pictures, small boxes, and Christmas cards, out of her English store. If it is the time for a prize-giving at any particular school, she chooses some suitable things, which are placed on a table and distributed with the usual ceremony, including speeches. Andhow pleased the children are! They hug their dolls as eagerly as English children do, and their dark eyes sparkle with pleasure. Whether or not it is a prize occasion, Mrs. Brander gives Christmas cards to the scholars that have attended for a month with regularity, and she likes to leave a packet with the schoolmaster as future rewards. One school had become almost empty for some reason, but on hearing of the Christmas cards the children all came back. These journeys of the inspectress last often three or four weeks, because there are many schools to visit. At the end of each tour she returns to Madras. There she has to inspect a number of larger and more important schools, but for these, too, she is glad to have prizes ready.
I must not occupy too much space, but I want to mention that when Mrs. Brander is at Madras she gives an afternoon party to native ladies on one Saturday in the month. Some English ladies also attend, and there are various amusements, such as parlour croquet, chess, solitaire, puzzles, music, and for the little ones, games—as several of the ladies bring their children. If Mrs. Brander has just received a box from England, she displays the pretty things, and they are eagerly and minutely examined by the guests. The party is always much enjoyed, and on going away the children are often presented with a toy. Other English ladies at Madras also give occasional parties of the same kind. Last January there was one at which a beautiful Christmas tree added greatly to the entertainment.
Now I shall be very glad to take charge of dolls or other toys, and old Christmas cards (with or without writing upon them) for sending to India. I need presents not only for Madras but for other places, only I cannot refer to those now. The dolls should be of composition or china, not of very soft wax. It is not necessary that their clothes should take off and on, though for large dolls this is an advantage. The Indian children are very pleased to have small boxes with lock and key, to keep their bangles in, and they like bags too. At Calcutta many of the ladies read English, so that interesting books are of use, if not very difficult. I shall be able to inform the donors of the way in which their kind gifts are applied, for Mrs. Brander and my other correspondents tell me particulars about the children who receive them. I give my address, and I shall be very grateful on behalf of the little Indian children if my appeal is responded to.
E. A. Manning,35, Blomfield Road, Maida Hill, W.