Lady Victoria Campbell

FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE 33
of the fun and mischief that was going on in the
family circle. Her sense of the ludicrous was always
keen, the best tonic for all her life, and it was at
its height in those days, and she led many a wild
" causerie " with her heart-whole laughter. The
schoolroom, after being presided over by a series
of foreign potentates, was at this time ruled, or not
ruled, by a lady as remarkable for her learning as
she was for personal appearance and precise methods
of speech.
Miss Georgina Johnstone was one of a family of
five sisters, who were at that time living in Brighton.
She was a great friend of Sir Charles and Lady Lyell,
and the latter informed the Duke of Argyll that Miss
Johnstone was desirous of obtaining the post of
governess. The family possessed independent means,
and there had been no intention of any of the members
taking to professional work. The desire, however,
to assist in the education of some nephews made
the two youngest of the Misses Johnstone seek for
suitable employment, and in 1864 Miss Georgina
became the friend of the wide family circle, and the
instructor of the unstudious team she had to manage
in the schoolroom.
Miss Johnstone's impression of the first sight of
her pupils was often recorded in their hearing, but
unfortunately was never placed upon paper. Some
of the family were at Brighton visiting their sister,
having swimming lessons, and enjoying donkey rides
on the downs.
" Georgina " entered into the sitting-room of the