European child-life in Bengal / by J. Fayrer.

  • Joseph Fayrer
Date:
1873
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: European child-life in Bengal / by J. Fayrer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    9 17 well as physical discipline under which they live. They inhabit a well-built, ventilated, and commodious house, surrounded by a large open space of garden or ground, in which they find amusement and healthy recreation in garden- ing, or play in the open air. The nature of their occupation is such as to conduce alike to their moral and physical well- being. They have sufficient mental labour to develope with- out fatiguing their intellects, and of a character suited to the sphere of life in which they are intended to live. With this is combined methodic occupation of a fitting character, regular hours, a good but plain and nutritious diet; and all that could tend to injure the health from constant or over- work of any special kind is strictly avoided. The following statement of their daily occupations, diet, and recreation by the Lady Superintendent, explains how the time is passed; and it is a system that might well be followed by other educational establishments here and elsewhere. Diet.—Three regular meals in the day, and bread early in the morning. Breakfast (half-past nine), bread and milk. Dinner (half-past two), meat every day for girls above twelve, and three times a week for those under; dhall and rice, etc.; fruit three days in the week. Supper (half-past seven), bread and milk. The milk is pure ; no water with it. Habits.—All through the year the children rise at five a.m., bathe in cold water, and then take exercise in the compound. Occupation.—During the cold season school commences at seven, and in the hot weather at six a.m. Five hours of regular school, and one of study (preparing lessons) through the day. During the hours of recreation, skipping and active play are encouraged, and, as a rule, the children are as active and fond of a good romp as children in England. In-door exercise consists of cleaning the house, which is all done by the girls. Calisthenic exercises every morning.
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