But when are they then to have their piano lessons?
After they have escaped from the school-room, and consequently when the children are exhausted and their nerves unstrung.

What cruelty! Instead of bread and butter and fresh air, piano lessons! The piano ought to be studied with unimpaired vigor, and with great attention and interest, otherwise no success is to be expected.

Besides this, much writing, in itself, makes stiff, inflexible fingers.

But when is the child to find time for the necessary practice of the piano lessons?
Well, in the evening, after ten o'clock for refreshment, while papa and mamma are in bed! And now, after the school-days are happily over, and the children have possibly retained their red cheeks, then their occupations in life lay claim to their time; or, if they are girls, they are expected to busy themselves with embroidery, knitting, sewing, crochet, making clothes, house-work, tea parties, and alas! with balls; and now, too, comes the time for lovers.

Do you imagine that the fingers of pupils sixteen years old can learn mechanical movements as easily as those of children nine years old?
In order to satisfy the present demands in any degree, the technique should be settled at sixteen.