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nature. The barriers that separate different classes can only be over passed by two principles. First, the desire on the upper side to lower them, and next, the cordial recognition of them by all parties-whether personally affected by them or not. The person, whether worker or worked upon, whatever her standing, who cannot see the delicate social distinctions above her own head, will run that head against brick walls in ways too obvious to specify. It is well to remember in these days, when ladies of every rank, from princesses downwards, are united in philanthropic work, that people belonging to the 'classes,' as well as to the 'masses,' have to consider their ways, often for the first time, in personal intercourse, with those who are obviously their social superiors.

But taking the matter from the superior's point of view, different classes can never work, or be worked upon, together, unless the distinctions between them are recognised by the person who wishes to bring them together. The professional or county lady who thinks it ridiculous in one of her tradesmen's wives to feel herself on a different level from the wife of another, who cannot see that the artisan's or small shopkeeper's daughter has had quite a different bringing up from the bricklayer's, and will probably have quite another set of friends, and who will not recognise the right of people of every grade to get the best society open to them, will never be able to unite different classes in philanthropic work. But if she recognises all these claims in her own mind, she may gradually, working downwards by the example of one to another, induce people to think them of minor importance, and to be willing to waive them and ignore them, for the sake of the great principle which should bind them all together.

It is a very common remark, that those who are certain of their position can do anything. Every one is certain of it, in some relations, and most are uncertain in some others. It is where people are not quite certain, that the courtesy and cordiality of the slightly superior tends to union, because it is felt to have a real result.

Pellegrina. The principle of division here applied to the term Work, gives Philanthropic and non-Philanthropic work. Philanthropic denotes the motive of work, not its nature. But the relations of any work to any class depend on the nature of the work, not on the motive which prompts the worker. Therefore, the question as put has no answer. The nature and circumstances of the work must first be supplied, explicitly or implicitly, in answers which may appear contradictory, even when given by persons who agree, because they are really answering different questions put virtually by themselves. Barriers between different classes, as between the respectable and the criminal class, between masters and servants, princes and subjects, etc., are likely, if real, to hurt those who run up against them, however philanthropic. But those engaged in philanthropic work are not, therefore, bound to 'emphasise' these barriers.

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We may imagine cases, as a railway accident, when the philanthropic helper will ignore all barriers between classes. Or, on the other hand, should any one for philanthropic reasons become a special constable, it might be his duty to emphasise a barrier between different classes by guarding it. But in neither case nor in any other is it desirable to emphasise or to ignore such barriers because the work is philanthropic.

DEAR CHELSEA CHINA,

I am inclined to think that places and people differ so much nowa-days that it is hard to give a definite answer. You may find a large town, or a suburban district, where every one considers themselves socially about as good as every one else, and where each class has its own circle of acquaintances and has no burning desire to enlarge them in any direction. In such places I think the more the different classes are mixed together in philanthropic work the better. In smaller places, where there are very strongly-marked barriers of caste, I think difficulties arise, unless the person at the head of the philanthropic work is a person of age and experience, because well-meaning persous, with a touch of worldliness and pretension, sometimes mix their motives and make their philanthropy a ladder for social advancement, which is neither good for themselves nor for the work. Huffiness and readiness to take offence on one side, and superciliousness on the other, are also not easily manageable by a young, inexperienced, or not thorough-bred President; and therefore I should be disposed, when the place is small, the barriers strongly marked, and the leader young, to advise her to mix her classes with great descrimination.

X.Y.Z.

X.-Ladies' resent mistakes made by the 'middle classes,' in the ways of addressing them either personally or by letter. They think social distinctions are ignored, and frequently emphasise them in return; but if these very ladies have lived retired lives, they might feel perplexed, if suddenly called upon to discuss the character of a G.F.S. girl with an unknown duchess, whether and when to say 'Your Grace'; and if they wanted to call the attention of a Bishop or a Lord Chancellor, might be quite uncertain what to call him. Want of social experience is not the same thing as want of proper feeling, and should be allowed for when different classes mix, perhaps for the first time. Arnaud. It is not quite clear to me if the word 'barrier' is not used by mistake for difference.' Naturally it would not be well to emphasise a barrier in any work.

Perhaps it is assumed that class difference is a barrier. I do not think so, or rather I do not think that ignoring the difference would help philanthropic work.

Emphasising it would of course be fatal, but ignoring would have

merely the effect of any false action, it would do corresponding harm, if, indeed, the attempt were not utterly futile.

'Sisters,' who are supposed to go among the poor as one of themselves, do not by any means lose their caste practically, for to their class is accorded a respect and safety which is exceptional.

Whoever gives what another takes, or has knowledge which another lacks, represents the wealthy, the cultured, the responsible class, and rightly. Why ignore it?

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There is no denying the fact, that God has not made all men equal (else there would be no need of philanthropic work), and it is a real wrong to the poor, to act in any way that may tend to the 'I'm-as-good-as-you' tone of mind. Lady' means 'loaf-giver,' and so long as a woman gives bread (or its equivalent for mind or body), a 'lady' she will be in the mind of the poor, and no wearing of old clothes or other innocent little frauds will make any difference; the poor are very clear-sighted, and practical in some things, and naturally know the 'difference' (or barrier) between those who work, be it ever so hard, because they wish to, and those who do so only because they must. They know, too, that money does make a difference, that knowledge is power, and to try to ignore these things is waste of time.

There is no more reason that such a difference should come in the way of real trust and sympathy, than that a child should distrust its mother because it knows her to be older and wiser than itself.

Of course, emphasising' and 'ignoring' would differ in individual cases; but for this work, as for any other in life, I suppose B Natural is the one safe key, and a person who is really in earnest, and not merely anxious for influence, or thinking of self-will generally, get, to people's hearts, and there 'class' difference counts for little, for then it is too late to emphasise or ignore.

Spermologos.-Let me just touch on one difficulty, not of manners. It is by no means meant to suggest an obstruction, but a caution, i.e. that a gentlewoman has a code of minor morals connected with 'honour' that are instinctive to her birth and breeding. They sometimes come by character to what we call 'nature's true lady,' and are acquired as parts of religious principle by grace by others; but they are not so certain as to be absolutely reckoned upon, where tact is required, or there is a need of trust (not in material things). It is better to have experience of each person in these instances before making a venture, or there may be disappointment, undue and exaggerated. Amalgamation and common interest is the way to inspire this higher tone; but without necessity, it is better not to go too far with the unproven in any degree, and each presents a different set of stumbling-blocks.

I. M. D., Edith, Polly, Madame la Baronne, Gretchen, L. J. B., Wild Iris, are in favour of ignoring class distinctions; Titania, Dorothea, think they may be recognised as facts without either emphasising or

ignoring them. Paulina seems on the whole to be of the same opinion; but the fact that a countess is an attractive lady patroness, is not an argument either way.

The papers are interesting; but the practical difficulties of the matter are very faintly indicated in them, and they deal much in incontrovertible generalities.

X.'s remarks do not constitute an argument, but give an instance of the kind of misapprehension that makes the subject so difficult to deal with practically.

Chelsea China would be much obliged if Pellegrina would give her an address, as she would like to answer her letter, with much of which she concurs.

A Learner's paper received too late.

QUESTION FOR JULY.

Is verbal truthfulness always the highest duty?

Answers to be sent to Chelsea China, care of the Publisher, before August 1st.

There is no subscription to Debatable Ground.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

HISTORY OF ROME.

Questions for July.

25. Write a character of Scipio, with biographical illustrations.

26. Of what nature was the authority of the Roman Senate, and how were the Senators appointed? Enumerate the functionaries of the Republic.

27. What is known about (1) the Atellane Fables, (2) the Fescernine verses, (3) Saturnian poetry?

28. Relate briefly the events which led to the first Macedonian War.

The February and March class lists are unavoidably postponed until August.

The Monthly Packet.

AUGUST, 1887.

BEECHCROFT AT ROCKSTONE.

BY THE EDITOR.

CHAPTER VIII.

GILLIAN'S PUPIL.

GILLIAN was not yet seventeen, and had lived a home life totally removed from gossip; so that she had no notion that she was doing a more awkward or remarkable thing than if she had been teaching a drummer-boy. She even deliberated whether she should mention her undertaking to her mother, or produce the grand achievement of Alexis White, prepared for a college, on the return from India; but a sense that she had promised to tell everything, and that, while she did so, she could defy any other interference, led her to write the design in a letter to Ceylon, and then she felt ready to defy any censure or obstructions from other quarters.

Mystery has a certain charm. Infinite knowledge of human nature was shown in the text-Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant'; and it would be hard to define how much Gillian's satisfaction was owing to the sense of benevolence, or to the pleasure of eluding Aunt Jane, when, after going through her chapter of Katharine Ashton, in a somewhat perfunctory manner, she hastened away to Miss White's office. This, being connected with the showroom, could be entered without passing through the gate with the inscription-No admittance except on business.' Indeed, the office had a private door, which, at Gillian's signal, was always opened to her. There, on the drawing-desk, lay a Greek exercise and a translation, with queries upon the difficulties for Gillian to correct, or answer in writing. Kalliope had managed to make that little room a pleasant place, bare as it was, by pinning a few of her designs on the walls, and always keeping a terra-cotta vase of flowers or coloured leaves upon the table. The lower part of the window she had blocked with transparencies, delicately cut and tinted in cardboard, done, as she PART 80

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