Echoes from Paris.

39

SUMMER'S PLEASURES AND WINTER'S WORK. HE summer is ended, and the influx of our girl visitors, who have been regularly invading us in parties of twenty, each spending a week in the gay city of Paris this Exhibition year, has ceased. It is now some months since Mr. Mitchell, Secretary of the Regent Street Polytechnic, called on us to ask if we could take in twenty a week! The proposition sounded too tremendous, and walls are not elastic! However, on ascertaining the why and the wherefore; in other words, the nature and object of the parties to whom we were invited to extend a lodging, we consented. We found they would be very well satisfied with whatever accommodation we could afford, and agreed to our stipulation for no luggage. During their stay we have come to know more about our young countrywomen in London than we ever did before; and links of sympathy and union were forged between Christian workers there and Christian workers here, which must tend to strengthen the force and influence of God's labouring band.

Right well did these girls enjoy their week's holiday, and cordially did we admire the kindness and persevering care of the lady in charge, in taking them to see much to interest, instruct, and delight. One fails to remember a single instance of discontent or discourtesy. Of course,

the time allotted to each party being so short, we could not know them individually, as we wished. But we thankfully recall how many loved to join us every morning. around a Throne of Grace, at Family Prayer. They also mustered in goodly numbers at the Bible-readings on Sunday afternoons; and we trust the good seed there sown may bear fruit in many a young life, unto God's glory.

These lives will flow in different channels, and take different directions, but each, short or long, will have immense influence. Some were governesses, Board-school teachers, milliners, dressmakers, type-writers, photographers, teachers of music, girls in business of various kinds, but all connected in some way with the London Polytechnic. Of the working of this Institution, upon our close acquaintance, we can but express our fervent admiration. Certainly enterprise, energy, and careful supervision are not lacking on the part of those in authority. And when we learn that its members number some ten thousand, we rejoice to think it is so well appreciated, and what an element for good it may become.

But to return to ourselves. Now our holiday inmates have left us, we are gradually settling down to our winter's work. The Art students are returning, and resuming their places in the various studios. The students of music and singing are rejoining their classes, while the governesses are again taking up the broken educational threads, dropped during the summer vacation. Our Home is nearly full, and real hard work lies before every one. Our friends in suburban schools are dropping in to visit us. We have had our first Soirée, which brought together some fifty from all quarters of Paris, and reminded us of happy gatherings in the past. These monthly Soirées are greatly appreciated by all our circle, and afford pleasant opportunities for social intercourse and recreation. We ask our kind friends in England to pray for God's abiding blessing on our Institute, and that a real work of grace may be wrought in the hearts of those who enter it. "If any lack wisdom, let him ask of God."

Note. We are pleased to hear that a Medal has been presented to Miss Hockly, Lady in Charge of the

66 '309, REGENT STREET, LONDON, W.,

"Nov. 12th, 1889.

53, FAUBOURG ST. HONORÉ, PARIS.

s HOCKLY,-I have to inform you that my Comyou very sincerely for the kind attention you gave he time of their visit to Paris.

st that you will accept of their medal, as a small preciation they have for all your kindness to those

"Yours sincerely,

"R. MITCHELL, Secretary."

ESSES AND ARTISTS' INSTITUTE.

“153, FAUBOURG ST. HONORÉ, Paris, "Nov. 14th, 1889.

'CHELL,—I hasten to acknowledge receipt of your Medal, and to thank you and your Committee very have great pleasure in accepting the Medal, and ; a memento of the pleasant intercourse between ourself and the members of your Institution who can only say that we were very glad to welcome e for whose good you are working so hard; and 1 the Polytechnic 'God speed.'

enough to convey to the Committee for me my d with very kind regards to yourself,

to remain, yours very faithfully,

"CLARINDA M. HOCKLY."

>ns of mutual esteem are very gratifying n interest in the London Polytechnic or -ED.

OUR DAY AT THE EXHIBITION.

UR day at the Exhibition was indeed one to be remembered with gratitude and joy. As mentioned in October Echoes, a kind friend had presented all the inmates of our Orphanage with tickets. A gentleman who visited us left five francs for the children to spend as they pleased. This they unanimously agreed should procure for them a trip through the Exhibition by rail. With the little necessary addition from our purse, we were able to afford them this treat.

Our party was divided into "two bands": our governess and nurse taking charge of the very young children, while the older ones followed my lead. It was amusing to see the notice their fresh, bright faces attracted; and the ring of their clear voices, with the perfect abandon of delight, was infectious. Everywhere people turned curious eyes on the light, neatly-dressed figures as they passed, and constant exclamations of: "Do you hear all those children talking English?" "Who are they?" "Have they just

come over from England?" sounded on all sides. One gentleman, Mr. Gibson, of Regent Street, an exhibitor in the British Section, appeared much interested. At last he addressed inquiries to me, listening with earnest attention to what I told him of the origin and history of our Orphanage, and the formerly neglected class to whom it had indeed proved a home. In reply, he generously presented us with forty francs, acknowledged in our Gift List of last month.

But in that Gift List we were unable to notice the extreme kindness of others. When our divided bands became united in order to partake of refreshment, which we needed, having left our Home at 9 a.m., the English

Echoes from Paris.

43

Bakery sent us three large jugs of milk (gratis), with tea, buns, and sweets. While seated at a table, our two little boys were spoken to by some young gentlemen, who gave them two francs for more sweetmeats. Thus we received in all, forty-seven francs, as expressions of interest in our little ones and sympathy with our work.

The London and Provincial Dairy Company invited all our party to return in the afternoon for tea. This we hesitated to promise, as we had been dealt with so liberally already, and did not wish to become a burden to others. The request was so graciously pressed, however, that we could not refuse. When we did return, we found a most luxurious tea awaiting us. Two fresh rolls with ham, made into tempting sandwiches, with two cups of tea, were apportioned for each, while we were served as though we had been the best paying customers. The genial kindliness of the English hearts of our entertainers seemed stirred into lively action by the sound of our English tongues. It added not a little to the general satisfaction, to learn from the British Commissioner that the Bronze Medal had been awarded for our Model of the Orphanage in the English Section.

In grateful remembrance of this most pleasant holiday, our children contributed towards a handsome bouquet, and sent it to the Matron in Charge of the London and Provincial Dairy Company, by our kind friend and cohelper J. H. Barnard, Esq., Hon. Sec. of Paris Council.

I. H.

Note. We would remind our readers that gifts for our Christmas Tree may be sent to the Paris and Continental Home, 22a, Queen's Road, Bayswater.

Many gifts have been received from the Paris Exhibition, but as others are promised on its close, we cannot publicly express our thanks until next issue.