Note 381 — Chapter XVII · DOMESTIC SERVICE IN EUROPE

These usually receive young girls after they have been confirmed,—at about fourteen years of age,—and train them in everything pertaining to the house. They do not naturally at that age go of their own accord, but they are taken by their parents or guardians who often sign a contract, agreeing that the girl will remain in the school at least one or two years, as the case may be. The schools are well attended, and the girls apparently contented.

Edward S. Joynes, in his report on the Industrial Education of Women in Germany (Columbia, S.C., 1896), gives a full description of the training in domestic work given in the regular German industrial schools for girls.