school as close to us as the school for boys. The garden, equally
large with the other, affords no sign whatever of any provision for
juvenile recreation; but is entirely laid out with prim
grass-plots, gravel-walks, shrubs, and flowers, after the usual
suburban style. During five months we have not once had our
attention drawn to the premises by a shout or a laugh. Occasionally
girls may be observed sauntering along the paths with their
lesson-books in their hands, or else walking arm-in-arm. Once,
indeed, we saw one chase another round the garden; but, with this
exception, nothing like vigorous exertion has been visible.

"Why this astonishing difference? Is it that the constitution of a
girl differs so entirely from that of a boy as not to need these
active exercises? Is it that a girl has none of the promptings to
vociferous play by which boys are impelled? Or is it that, while in
boys these promptings are to be regarded as stimuli to a bodily
activity without which there cannot be adequate development, to
their sisters Nature has given them for no purpose whatever--unless
it be for the vexation of schoolmistresses? Perhaps, however, we
mistake the aim of those who train the gentler sex. We have a vague
suspicion that to produce a robust physique is thought undesirable;
that rude health and abundant vigour are considered somewhat
plebeian; that a certain delicacy, a strength not competent to more
than a mile or two's walk, an appetite fastidious and easily
satisfied, joined with that timidity which commonly accompanies
feebleness, are held more lady-like. We do not expect that any
would distinctly avow this; but we fancy the governess-mind is
haunted by an ideal young lady bearing not a little resemblance to
this type. If so, it must be admitted that the established system
is admirably calculated to realize this ideal. But to suppose that
such is the ideal of the opposite sex is a profound mistake. That
men are not commonly drawn towards masculine women is doubtless
true. That such relative weakness as asks the protection of
superior strength is an element of attraction we quite admit. But
the difference thus responded to by the feelings of men is the
natural, pre-established difference, which will assert itself
without artificial appliances.