THE GIRL'S OWN PAPER

VOL. VIII. --NO. 353. 

OCTOBER 2, 1886. 

Price One Penny. 

MERLE'S CRUSADE. 

BY ROSA NOUCHETTE CAREY, Author of "Aunt Diana, " "For Lilias, " etc. 

[Illustration: "'WHAT A PITY YOU STOPPED ME JUST THEN. '"]

CHAPTER I. 

THE VALLEY OF HUMILIATION. 

"Merle, I may be a little old-fashioned in my notions; middle-agedpeople never adjust their ideas quite in harmony with you young folk, but in my day we never paused to count fifty at a full stop. "

Aunt Agatha's voice startled me with its reproachful irritability. Well, I had deserved that little sarcasm for I must confess that I had beenreading very carelessly. My favourite motto was ringing in my ears, "_Laborare est orare_. "

Somehow the words had set themselves to resonant music in my brain; itseemed as though I were chanting them inwardly all the time I wasclimbing down the steep hill with Christiana and her boys. _Laborare estorare. _ And this is what I was reading on that still, snowy Sundayafternoon: "But we will come again to this Valley of Humiliation. It isthe best and most fruitful piece of ground in all these parts. It is afat ground, and, as you see, consisteth much in meadows, and if a manwas to come here in the summertime as we do now, if he knew not anythingbefore thereof, and if he delighted himself in the sight of his eyes, hemight see that which would be delightful to him. Behold how green thisvalley is, also how beautiful with lilies! I have known many labouringmen that have got good estates in this Valley of Humiliation. "

"Merle, " observed Aunt Agatha, a little dryly, "we may as well leave offthere, for it seems that you and I are to have our estate among thelabouring men in this very valley. "

Aunt Agatha was a clever woman, and could say shrewd things sometimes, but she never spoke a truer word than this; but my wits were no longerwool-gathering. 

"What a pity you stopped me just then, " I remarked, somewhatsententiously; "we have missed the purest gem of the allegory. 'He thatis down need fear no fall; he that is low no pride. '" But here a handwas lifted in protesting fashion. 

"Put the marker in the page, child, and spare me the rest; that is infavour of your argument, not mine, " for a weary discussion had beenwaged between us for two whole hours--a discussion that had driven AuntAgatha exhausted to the couch, but which had only given me a tinglingfeeling of excitement, such as a raw recruit might experience at thesight of a battlefield. Aunt Agatha's ladylike ideas lay dead andwounded round her while I had made that last impetuous charge. 

"I am of age, a free Englishwoman, living in a free country, and not allthe nineteenth century prejudices, though they are thick as dragons'teeth, shall prevent me, Merle Fenton, of sane mind and healthy body, from doing what I believe to be my duty. "

"Humph, I am rather doubtful of the sanity; I always told you that youwere too independent and strong-minded for a girl; but what is the useof preaching to deaf ears?" continued Aunt Agatha, in a decidedly crossvoice, as she arranged the cushions comfortably. 

It was true that I was getting the best of the argument, and yet I wassorry for Aunt Agatha. I felt how I was shocking all her notions ofdecorum and propriety, and giving pain to the kindest and gentlest heartin the world; but one cannot lead a new crusade without trampling onsome prejudices. I knew all my little world would shriek "fie, " and "forshame" into my ears, and all because I was bent on working out a newtheory. The argument had grown out of such a little thing. I had shownAunt Agatha an advertisement in the _Morning Post_, and announced myintention of answering it in person the following morning. 

"NURSE. --Can any lady recommend a thoroughly conscientious superiorperson to take charge of two children, baby eighteen months old?Assistance given in the nursery. Must be a good, plain needlewoman. Prince's Gate, S. W. "

To the last day of my life I do not think that I shall ever forget AuntAgatha's face when she read that advertisement. 

"You intend to offer yourself for this situation, Merle--to lose caste, and take your place among menials? It is enough to make my poor brotherrise in his grave, and your poor, dear mother too, to think of a Fentonstooping to such degradation. " But I will forbear to transcribe all thewordy avalanche of lady-like invective that was hurled at me, accompanied by much wringing of hands. 

And yet the whole thing lay in a nut-shell. I, Merle Fenton, sound, healthy, and aged two-and-twenty, being orphaned, penniless, and onlypossessing one near relative in the world--Aunt Agatha--declined utterlyto be dependent for my daily bread and the clothes I wore on thegoodwill of her husband and my uncle by marriage, Ezra Keith. 

No, I was not good. I daresay I was self-willed, contradictory, and asobstinate as a mule that will go every way but the right way, but, allthe same, I loved Aunt Agatha, my dead father's only sister, and Idetested Uncle Keith with a perfectly unreasonable detestation. 

Aunt Agatha had been a governess all her life. Certainly the Fentonfamily had not much to boast of in the way of wealth. Pedigree andpoverty are not altogether pleasant yoke fellows. It may be comfortableto one's feelings to know that a certain progenitor of ours made bootsat the time of the Conquest, though I am never quite sure in my mindthat they had bootmakers then; but my historical knowledge was alwaysdefective. But a little money is also pleasant; indeed, if the pedigreeand the money came wooing to me, and I had to choose between them--well, perhaps I had better hold my tongue on that subject; for what is thegood of shocking people unless one has a very good reason for doing so?

My father's pedigree did not help him into good practice, and he diedyoung--a grave mistake, people tell me, for a professional man tocommit. My mother was very pretty and very helpless, but then she had apedigree, too, and, probably, that forbade her to soil her white hands. She was a fine lady, with more heart than head, which she had lost mostunwisely to the handsome young doctor. After his death, she made futileefforts for her child's sake, but the grinding wheel of poverty caughtthe poor butterfly and crushed her to death. 

My poor, tender-hearted, unhappy mother! Well, the world is a cruelplace to these soft, unprotected natures. 

I should have fared badly but for Aunt Agatha; her hardly-earned savingswere all spent on my education. She was a clever, highly-educated woman, and commanded good salaries, and out of this she contrived to board andmaintain me at a school until she married, and Uncle Keith promised thatI should share their home. 

I never could understand why Aunt Agatha married him. Perhaps she wastired of the drudgery of teaching; at forty-five one may grow a littleweary of one's work. Perhaps she wanted a home for her old age, and wastired of warming herself at other people's fires, and preferred achimney corner of her own; but, strange to say, she always scouted thesetwo notions with the utmost indignation. 

"I married your uncle, Merle, " she would say, with great dignity, "because he convinced me that he was the right person for me to marry. Ihave no more idea than you how he contrived to instil this notion intomy head, for though I am a plain body and never had any beauty, I mustown I liked tall, good-looking men. But there, my dear, I livedforty-five years in the world without three things very common inwomen's lives--without beauty, without love, and without discontent. "And in this last clause she was certainly right. Aunt Agatha was themost contented creature in the world. 

If Uncle Keith--for never, never would I call him Uncle Ezra, even hadhe asked me as a personal favour to do so--if Uncle Keith had been richI could have understood the marriage better, being rather a mercenaryand far-sighted young person, but he had only a very small income. Hewas managing clerk in some mercantile house, and, being a thrifty soul, invested all his spare cash instead of spending it. 

Aunt Agatha had lived in grand houses all her life, but she was quitecontent with the little cottage at Putney to which her husband took her. They only kept one servant; but Aunt Agatha proved herself to be anotable housekeeper. She arranged and rearranged the old-fashionedfurniture that had belonged to Uncle Keith's mother until she had madequite a charming drawing-room; but that was just her way; she had cleverbrains, and clever fingers, and to manipulate old materials into newfashions was just play work to her. 

But for me, I am perfectly convinced that Aunt Agatha would have calledherself the happiest woman in the world, but my discontent leavened thehousehold. If three people elect to live together, the success of thescheme demands that one of the three should not smile sourly on alloccasions. 

For two whole years I tried to be amiable when Uncle Keith was in theroom, and at last gave up the attempt in despair, baffled by my own eviltempers, and yet I will say I was not a bad-tempered girl. I must havehad good in me or Aunt Agatha would not have been so fond of me. I callthat a real crucial test--other people's fondness for us. 

Why is it so difficult to get on with some folk, very worthy people intheir way?

Why do some people invariably rub up one's fur until it bristles withdiscomfort? Why do these same thoroughly estimable creatures bring asort of moral east wind with them, scarifying one's nerves? Surely it isbeneath the dignity of a human being to be rasped by a harsh, drawlingvoice, or offended by trifling mannerisms. Uncle Keith was just like oneof my sums--you might add him up, subtract from him, divide or multiplyhim, but he would never come right in the end; one always reckoned thathe was more or less than he was. He was a little, pale, washed-outlooking man, with sandy hair and prominent brown eyes. Being an oldbachelor when he married Aunt Agatha, he had very precise, formal ways, and was methodical and punctual to a fault. Next to Uncle Keith, I hatedthat white-faced watch of his. I hated the slow, ponderous way in whichhe drew it from his pocket, and produced it for my special benefit. 

I have said that my detestation of Uncle Keith was somewhatunreasonable. I must own I had no grave reasons for my dislike. UncleKeith had a good moral character; he was a steady church-goer, waspainstaking and abstemious; never put himself in a passion, or, indeed, lost his temper for a minute; but how was a girl to tolerate a man whospent five minutes scraping his boots before he entered his own door, whatever the weather might be; who said, "Hir-rumph" (humph was what hemeant) before every sentence, booming at one like a great bee; whoalways prefaced a lecture with a "my dear;" who would not read a paperuntil it was warmed; who would burn every cinder before fresh coals wereallowed on the fire; who looked reproachfully at my crumbs (I crumbledmy bread purposely at last), and scooped them carefully in his hand forthe benefit of the birds, with the invariable remark, "Waste not, wantnot, " a saying I learnt to detest?

I suppose if we are ever admitted into heaven we shall find very oddpeople there; but perhaps they will have dropped their trying ways andpeculiarities, as the chrysalis drops its case, and may develop allsorts of new prismatic glories. I once heard a lady say that she wasafraid the society there would be rather mixed; she was a very exclusiveperson; but Solomon tells us that there is nothing new under the sun, soI suppose we shall never be without our modern Pharisees and Sadducees. The grand idea to me is that there will be room for all. I do not knowwhen the idea first came to me that it was a mean thing to live under aman's roof, eating his bread and warming oneself at his fire, and allthe time despising him in one's heart. I only know that one day the ideatook possession of me, and, like an Eastern mustard seed, grew andflourished. Soon after that Uncle Keith had rather a serious loss--somemercantile venture in which he was interested had come to grief. I beganto notice small retrenchments in the household; certain little luxurieswere given up. Now and then Aunt Agatha grew a little grave as shebalanced her weekly accounts. One night I took myself to task. 

"What business have you, a strong, healthy, young woman, " I observed tomyself, severely, "to be a burthen on these good folk? What is enoughfor two may be a tight fit for three; it was that new mantle of yours, Miss Merle, that has put out the drawing-room fire for three weeks, andhas shut up the sherry in the sideboard. Is it fair or right that AuntAgatha and Uncle Keith should forego their little comforts just becausean idle girl is on their hands?"

I pondered this question heavily before I summoned courage to speak toAunt Agatha. To my surprise she listened to me very quietly, though hersoft brown eyes grew a little misty--I did so love Aunt Agatha's eyes. 

"Dear, " she said, very gently, "I wish this could have been prevented;but, for my husband's sake, I dare not throw cold water on your plan. Icannot deny that he has had a heavy loss, and that we have to be verycareful. I would keep you with me if I could, Merle, for you are justlike my own child, but Ezra is not young;" and here Aunt Agatha'sforehead grew puckered with anxiety. 

"Oh, Aunt Agatha, " I exclaimed, quite forgetting the gravity of myproposition in sudden, childish annoyance, "how can you call UncleKeith, Ezra? It is such a hideous name. "

"Not to my ears, " she answered, quite calmly; "a wife never thinks herhusband's name hideous. He loves to hear me say it, and I love to pleasehim, for though you may not believe it, Merle, I think there are veryfew men to compare with your uncle. "

She could actually say this to my face, looking at me all the time withthose honest eyes! I could not forbear a little shrug at this, but sheturned the subject, placidly, but with much dignity. 

"I have been a working bee all my life, and have been quite contentedwith my lot; if you could only follow my example, I should be perfectlywilling to let you go. I have thought once or twice lately that ifanything were to happen to me, you and your uncle would hardly becomfortable together; you do not study him sufficiently; you have noidea what he really is. "

I thought it better to remain silent. 

Aunt Agatha sighed a little as she went on. 

"I am not afraid of work for you, Merle, there is no life withoutactivity. 'The idle man, ' as someone observes, 'spins on his own axis inthe dark. ' 'A man of mere capacity undeveloped, ' as Emerson says, 'isonly an organised daydream with a skin on it. ' Just listen to this, "opening a book that lay near her. "'Action and enjoyment are contingentupon each other. When we are unfit for work we are always incapable ofpleasure; work is the wooing by which happiness is won. '"

"Yes, yes, " I returned, rather impatiently, for Aunt Agatha, with allher perfections, was too much given to proverbial and discursivephilosophy; "but to reduce this to practice, what work can I do in thisweary world?"

"You cannot be a governess, not even a nursery governess, Merle, " andhere Aunt Agatha looked at me very gently, as though she knew her wordsmust give me pain, and suddenly my cheeks grew hot and my eyelidsdrooped. Alas! I knew too well what Aunt Agatha meant; this was a sorepoint, the great difficulty and stumbling block of my young life. 

I had been well taught in a good school; I had had unusual advantages, for Aunt Agatha was an accomplished and clever woman, and spared nopains with me in her leisure hours; but by some freak of Nature, notsuch an unusual thing as people would have us believe, from some want ofpower in the brain--at least, so a clever man has since told me--I wasunable to master more than the rudiments of spelling. 

I know some people would laugh incredulously at this, but the fact willremain. 

As a child I have lain sobbing on my bed, beaten down by a very anguishof humiliation at being unable to commit the column of double syllablesto memory, and have only been comforted by Aunt Agatha's patience andgentleness. 

At school I had a severer ordeal. For a long time my teachers refused toadmit my incapacity; they preferred attributing it to idleness, stubbornness, and want of attention; even Aunt Agatha was puzzled by it, for I was a quick child in other things, could draw very well for myage, and could accomplish wonders in needlework, was a fair scholar inhistory and geography, soon acquired a good French accent, and did someof my lessons most creditably. 

But the construction of words baffle me to this day. I should beunwilling to write the simplest letter without a dictionary lyingsnugly near my hand. I have learned to look my misfortune in the face, and to bear it with tolerable grace. With my acquaintances it is astanding joke, with my nearest and dearest friends it is merely anopportunity for kindly service and offers to write from my dictation, but when I was growing into womanhood it was a bitter and most shamefultrial to me, one secretly lamented with hot tears and with a mostgrievous sense of humiliation. 

"No, " Aunt Agatha repeated, in the old pitying voice I knew so well, "you cannot be even a nursery governess, Merle. "

"Nor a companion either, " I exclaimed bitterly. "Old ladies want letterswritten for them. "

"That is very true, " she replied, shaking her head. 

"I could be a nurse in a hospital--in fact, that is what I should like, but the training could not be afforded, it would be a pound a week, AuntAgatha, and there would be my uniform and other expenses, and I shouldnot get the smallest salary for at least two or three years. "

"I am afraid we must not think of that, Merle, " and then I relapsed intosilence from sheer sadness of heart. I had always so longed to betrained in a hospital, and then I could nurse wounded soldiers or littlechildren. I always loved little children. 

But this idea must be given up, and yet it would not have mattered in ahospital if I had spelt "all-right" with one "l. " I am quite sure mybandages would have been considered perfect, and that would have beenmore to the point. 

(_To be continued. _)

THE AMATEUR CHURCH ORGANIST. 

BY THE HON. VICTORIA GROSVENOR. 

We believe that young people generally have a desire to be useful. Sometimes not an actually formulated desire, but a vague intention whichthey mean some day shall have a practical issue, when and how they donot quite know, or in what way. It is proposed in this article to pointout one means of eminent usefulness--_i. E. _, that of amateur organplaying in our churches. It is scarcely necessary to show what a largefield of good useful work is open to amateurs in this direction. We allknow that on the one hand parishes wholly agricultural--the othersuburban parishes in large towns--are utterly unable to pay for theservices of a professional player; while there is nothing so calculatedto lift up the heart of the congregations such as these are likely toobtain, as good music. Would it not therefore be a pleasant duty foranyone gifted with musical talent and leisure to qualify in the bestmanner possible for this ennobling and helpful occupation?

The intending organ-player must ascertain that he or she has a gift formusic, and this need not be of the highest order, as even a smallportion of the gift can be improved with care, and fostered intousefulness. A first rate ear can be a snare to those who trust to it toomuch--although it is undoubtedly the best of servants, if kept in itsproper sphere of work. A very ordinary measure of talent, supplementedby calm and good sense, clear power of thought, and determinedperseverance, will be a good foundation to start with. Good sense andattention have more to do with the good music of ordinary persons (asopposed, we mean, to remarkably clever ones) than people are apt tothink. It was said of Mendelssohn that music was the _accident_ of hisbeing; and there are many of whom the same could be said, with thismeaning--_i. E. _, that the powers which make them succeed in music wouldenable them to succeed in other great things if attempted. 

We will therefore suppose the case of a young lady possessing a moderategift for music, desiring to improve it and herself, and to take uporgan playing with a view to real usefulness. She should first find outwhether her playing on the piano is perfectly correct, taking theeasiest possible music to exercise herself upon, and trying whether hermusical ear is competent to be her teacher in the matter of correctness. If neither steady attention nor ear enable her to discover mistakes, shehad better consider that music is not the talent God has given her touse to His glory. A musical ear may, however, be much improved by itspossessor. With even the smallest of voices she should join a choir ormadrigal society and learn to sing at sight. She should, when listeningto a musical performance, try to guess its key. She should endeavour toknow, without seeing, the sound and name of single notes on the piano, practising herself with her eyes shut. It is good practice, also, totake an easy chant or hymn tune, hitherto unknown, and try to get someidea of its melody and harmony without playing it. When all this isdone, one of the most important tasks remains: that of mastering time inall its branches. Slovenliness in this particular is fatal to all music, above all to that for the organ, which is meant to guide and control. Afeeling for rhythm and a quick-sighted accurate knowledge of time, maybe much improved by playing with others, either duets on the piano, oraccompaniments to voice or instrument. The player should compel herselfto account for the time reason of every passage slowly, until she isable to do so with rapidity and precision at sight. At this point it maybe well to begin lessons on the organ, taking great pains to becomefamiliar with the technical part of the instrument, the names of stopsand meaning of these names, mechanism and its use. Then will come thecareful practice of pedals, which are at first so absolutely bewilderingthat amateurs are filled with despair at the apparent impossibilitiesthey are asked to face with hope. 

Into the teacher's work it is not our province to go; but we would askthe learner to be armed with courage and perseverance, and to practisepatiently. Success is more than likely. 

We now proceed with advice to one possessed of some knowledge oforgan-playing and some acquaintance with its technical capabilities. First, we should say--Play on all available instruments, as no two arealike, and the stops are called by many different names, which must beidentified quickly as emergencies arise. Then acquire a knowledge ofharmony, specially useful in accompanying church music with dignity, andenabling the player to fill in chords which the vocal score (or voiceparts) have left thin and ineffective. Volumes might be written onaccompaniments; but on this subject we would advise amateurs to consultheart, head, and common sense, and we would recommend them to read Dr. Bridge's "Organ Accompaniment, " one of Novello's music primers, whichwill open out to them many possibilities, on the use of which they mustdecide for themselves according to their technical ability and theeffect they aim at. It may be they can only try to pull a few weakvoices through the singing allotted to them--in which case a strong, steady accompaniment of the simplest description is the best. 

One word on voluntaries. These should be chosen with great care and thedeepest respect for the church and the instrument, and kept well withinthe powers of the player. Amateurs do not as a rule obtain much controlof their nerves, and the greatest help in the world is given by theknowledge that there is not a "difficult bit" coming. Voluntary booksare not quite to be trusted, as their selection often contains operaticmusic very unfit for organ or church; but they generally contain somepieces of a sacred and dignified character, which may be useful. It isalso dangerous for the inexperienced to plunge into easy arrangements ofunknown music, taking perhaps wrong views of the time, and sometimesmaking the more experienced listener smile, if nothing worse, at thecurious rendering of some well-known air, jumbled up with its obbligatoaccompaniment, the existence of which was entirely unknown to the poorplayer. Every organist should possess a metronome, and carefullyascertain with it the correct time of any music intended for use inpublic. 

Finally, if every small action is to be done to the glory of God, howmuch more the playing in His church! Let none take this noble work inhand without a desire to give, in its degree, the best work that can begiven in absolute self-renunciation, humility, and reverence. 

[Illustration]

EVERY GIRL A BUSINESS WOMAN. 

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE WORLD OF INDUSTRY AND THRIFT. 

BY JAMES MASON. 

PART I. 

Every girl who is guided by common sense will aim at becoming a businesswoman. That is to say, she will try to cultivate habits of order, industry, perseverance, method, and punctuality, and will do her best tolearn how to conduct formal correspondence, how to keep accounts, how tomanage money, and what to do with savings. Besides this, she will make apoint of knowing something about the laws relating to domestic life--therenting of houses and the employment of servants, for example--and shewill push her inquiries in every direction, so as to acquire not onlythe right way of doing things, but the right way of forming a judgmentupon them. 

A wise girl will thus greatly increase her usefulness in the world. Shewill be able to take part in the affairs of life with pleasure toherself and without being a trouble and hindrance to her neighbours. 

Another advantage may be pointed out. There are always people trying toget the better of those who know nothing, and their victims more oftenthan not are ladies. It is easy to fall a prey to rogues and sharpers ifone is ignorant of business, especially when nature has made womenkind-hearted and experience has not rendered them suspicious. As aprotection, there is nothing like being a business woman. 

Perhaps someone may say that "business woman" has a hard sound, andstands for a character precise, selfish, and uninteresting. That is notwhat we intend by it at all. Is a girl to be less loveable, less gentle, less charming, whenever we cease to say of her, That girl, in regard toall the ways of business, is a perfect simpleton? On the contrary, business is a fine training-school for many virtues; and of all goodwomen, a good business woman may be reckoned the very best. 

Our articles are intended to be of use to two classes of girls. Thefirst consists of those who either have or are likely to have a littlemoney of their own, and need to know how to manage it and how toregulate those affairs which money always brings in its train. Byignorance of business many a useful life of this class as been marred. 

The second is made up of girls who have to earn their own living andmake their own way in the world. These have a special need to knowsomething about business. People as a rule are valuable in proportion totheir knowledge--those who know nothing being simply worth nothing. 

One great reason for the work of girls and women being poorly paid, isthat few know anything about either the principles or the practice ofthe most ordinary business affairs. We shall try in these articles toput girls in future on a better footing, and to make them in businessequal, at any rate, to any average men. In this way there is a goodchance of doubling their usefulness and value, and of more than doublingtheir independence. 

Nothing is done all at once, and in business, as in everything else, ifyou mean to build high you must begin low. A girl who wishes to be abusiness woman must start with accumulating the same sort of knowledgeas an office-boy. We shall therefore try to deal with the subject simplyand from the very beginning. You may sometimes be tempted to say, "Oh, we knew that before, " but another girl may not have been so fortunate, and her ignorance must be taken as our reason for pointing out whatappears to be familiar facts. 

We begin with the subject of business letters, and the first thing weshall say about them is--Be very particular about their appearance. There is a proverb, to be sure, warning us that appearances aredeceitful, but that proverb is only true occasionally; in general we maysafely draw an inference as to the writer from the look of her letter. An ill-folded, clumsy, up-and-down-hill, blotted, greasy-looking letteralmost certainly comes from an untidy house and a stupid girl, whereas aneat, carefully-written epistle suggests just as surely the opposite. 

In friendly letters our correspondents know something about usbeforehand, but in business we may be writing to perfect strangers, whocan only judge of us by the figure we cut on a sheet of note-paper. Tosecure prompt attention and a polite reply, no plan works so well asputting good taste into the appearance of letters. They are really apart of ourselves, and a girl should as soon think of sending themmarked with carelessness to either a friend or a stranger as of going tomake a call in a patched frock, a faded hat, and gloves with holes. 

An indispensable point in a business letter is to have the meaning quiteclear. It must say exactly what the writer intends, leaving nothing tobe guessed at. 

And after clearness the next point is shortness. A brief letter makesfar more impression than a long one, besides which it usually getsattended to at once. We have known a man open a lady's letter on amatter of business, and, seeing it a long rigmarole, put it at once inhis pocket and let it lie there forgotten for a week. 

That long letters receive most notice is a mistake into which girls fallvery often, but she who aspires to be a real business woman must giveherself to the study of such short epistles as that of the officer whosent in as his official report, "Sir, --I have the honour to inform youthat I have just shot a man who came to kill me. --Your obedient servant, ----. "

All letters should be headed with the address from which they werewritten, the day of the month, and the year; in this way:--

 2, Ireland Avenue, Stratford-on-Avon, 9th October, 1886. 

It is an irritating peculiarity with many people unaccustomed tobusiness to be careless on this point. Common sense suggests that theyshould mend their ways, and by putting the date and a full address onevery letter, save their correspondents sometimes a good deal oftrouble. 

There is a short way, occasionally employed, of writing the date; forexample, 4 / 7 / 86; meaning the 4th day of the 7th month (July, thatis) of 1886. This contraction--which is improved by having the month putin Roman figures (as, 4 / vii. / 86)--is handy now and again, but itdoes not strike one as looking particularly well at the head of aletter. 

Put the name of the person to whom the letter is written at thebeginning or the end. Long ago, when envelopes were not in use, this didnot matter so much, because the name of the person addressed could beseen by turning to the postal direction; but nowadays the envelopebearing the address is dropped into the waste-paper basket, and a secondaddress is required to give the letter completeness, and enable thirdparties, perhaps, to understand it. 

As to how to begin, whether "Sir" or "Madam, " or "Dear Sir" or "DearMadam, " everyone may please herself, only taking note that the "Dear"should be omitted when any special reason exists for being distant andformal. Not, however, that the word when used in a business letter hasanything of an affectionate meaning. It is just one of the drops of oilused to keep the machinery of human intercourse working smoothly. Perhaps it originally crept in to soften the sharp effect of "Sir, "which sounds for all the world as if it would snap a correspondent'shead off. 

"Dear Sir" and "Dear Sirs" are both right, but "Dear Gentlemen" is not, though there seems no reason against it. If you begin "Sir" you must notend "I remain, dear sir. " The beginning and the end should be all of apiece, and in both places the same form of address should be used. 

In concluding a business letter you may say "yours respectfully, " or"your obedient servant, " or "yours truly, " or "yours faithfully, "according to the degree of intimacy existing between you and yourcorrespondent. But really there are no very nice distinctions to beobserved between such phrases, and their use may safely be left to everygirl's common sense and discretion. 

Take pains to sign your name always so that people can read it. Some, out of pure affectation, conceal what they call themselves under ascribble which none can read--"a hopeless puzzle of intemperatescratches. " How is a stranger, getting a letter signed in this way, toknow to whom to send a reply, unless, as is sometimes done, he cuts outthe signature, pastes it on the envelope, and adds the address? Butillegible signatures, it must be confessed, are more often a man's follythan a woman's. 

Always, too, sign your name the same way: get into the habit of it. Don't let it be to-day "Mary G. Snodham, " and to-morrow "Mary Snodham, "and the day after "M. G. Snodham. " If character comes out anywhere inwriting, it is in the signature, and it ought to be every day the same, the same in words, the same in writing, and the same in flourishes--thatis to say, if there are any flourishes. 

When you send a Post Office order to anyone, however, you may make anexception to this rule. It is a good plan to sign a letter accompanyingsuch an order with initials only. When this is done, should the letterfall into the hands of dishonest people, the chances are considerablyreduced of their knowing the name of the sender so as to get payment ofthe order. In getting the money for a Post Office order it is alwaysnecessary, as perhaps you know, to tell at the post-office who sent it. 

When you (we shall call you Elizabeth Fisher) are asked to write aletter in the name of another person (call her Janet Constable), howshould you sign it? Not, certainly, by just writing Janet Constable;that would be highly improper. To put another person's name to anyletter or document whatever, even in fun, is not even to be dreamtabout. You must sign--

 Yours truly, _for_ JANET CONSTABLE, ELIZABETH FISHER. 

Or, if you like it better--

 Yours respectfully, JANET CONSTABLE, _p. _ ELIZABETH FISHER. 

In this case the _p. _ stands for _per_, and means that Janet Constablesigns the letter _by_ or _through_ you. You may write _per_ in full, ifyou like. 

Sometimes you may have to write inquiring about the character of peopleor their standing from a money point of view. In doing so, put the nameor names on a slip of paper and gum it at the foot of your letter, sothat it can be easily torn off. Your correspondent can then at oncedestroy the slip, and should your letter or her reply afterwards be readby other people, they will probably be none the wiser, for they willonly see in your letter an inquiry regarding the person or persons"noted at foot, " and in hers an answer about the person or persons"about whom you inquire. "

All enclosures sent in a letter should be mentioned in a note in theleft-hand bottom corner after signing one's name. Thus:--

 Enclosed: Postal Order, 10s. 6d. Recipe for cooking rattlesnakes. Pattern: the Tullochgorum mantle. 

We have spoken about the clearness and brevity required in businessletters, but to the subject of style a few lines more may be devoted. Business letters are of necessity dry and matter-of-fact, and in writingthem no time should be lost in hunting for fine expressions. They shouldcontain politeness, but light and airy sentences are worse than thrownaway. 

"Accuracy of expression, " says Mr. George Seton, in his pleasant "Gossipabout Letters and Letter-writers, " "as distinguished from looseness andslovenliness of statement, is of the utmost consequence--not only withthe view of saving the time of one's correspondent, but also to preventwhat may prove a very serious misunderstanding. I have known many casesof prolonged litigation which were chiefly owing to some doubtful orequivocal expressions in the course of a business correspondence. "

There are many phrases peculiar to business letters--formal beginnings, for example, such as--

"I am favoured with yours of 14th curt. "

"I duly received your favour of 19th inst. "

"I am in receipt of your lines of y'day, and note that, &c. "

"I beg to confirm my last respects of 25th ult. "

"I beg to confirm my letter of yesterday. "

These phrases and many others which will appear in the course of thesearticles may seem formal enough, but we must not expect in business tomeet with the language of story-books. 

A common business term is "advice, " used to mean information sent byletter. For example: "I wait your advice as to the despatch of theparcel. " A funny misunderstanding of the word occurred recently, when aprovincial postmaster, new to his duties, in the United States, sent thefollowing communication to the Postmaster-General:--

"Seeing by the regulations that I am required to send you a letter ofadvice, I must plead in excuse that I have been postmaster but a shorttime; but I will say, if your office pays no better than mine, I adviseyou to give it up. "

Every subject mentioned in a letter should have a separate paragraph. Very formal, you may say. Perhaps; but it is also very clear. 

Always acknowledge receipt of business letters at the earliest possibleopportunity. If they come with money, an acknowledgment ought to be sentby return of post, that is to say, by the first post after they arrive. The same rule may safely be applied to letters coming with any enclosurewhatever. Sometimes delay may be of no consequence, but to answer atonce will at any rate get you the credit of courtesy. 

Of all business letters a copy should be kept. If you write few they maybe copied by hand into a book kept for the purpose, but if many the useof a copying-press saves a great deal of monotonous labour, and securesabsolute accuracy besides. 

The way to use a copying-press is this. Write the letter withcopying-ink. Then put a sheet of oiled paper under the leaf of theletter-book on which you wish to take the copy. Letter-books of thinpaper are sold for the purpose. Wet the leaf with a brush or softsponge. On the top of the wet leaf put a sheet of blotting paper, and onthe top of that another sheet of oiled paper. Then shut the book, put itin the press, and give it a squeeze for a second to take off thesuperfluous moisture. Take out the book, remove the blotting-paper andthe top sheet of oiled paper, and in their place put your letter facedownwards on the damp page. Shut the book, put it back into thecopying-press, give it a hard squeeze by means of the lever or screw, leave it in from half a minute to a minute, and the whole thing is done;an exact copy of the letter will be left in your letter-book. 

A letter being written and copied, has to be posted; but before beingposted it must be addressed. The address should be written neatly andplainly, neither too high up nor too low down. 

To say, Be sure to put the direction on your letters is not unnecessaryadvice. Thousands of letters are posted every year without any addresswhatever. In the year ending 31st March, 1886, there were no fewer than26, 228 of them, and of this large number 1, 620 contained cash andcheques to the amount, in all, of £3, 733 17s. 5d. 

Be sure, too, that your letters are properly fastened. On this subject, hear Mr. George Seton. "There is, " he says, "no real security in wafers, and probably still less in adhesive envelopes, which are now in almostuniversal use. Both may easily be loosened by the application of eitherwater or steam. The best mode of securing a letter is first to wafer itand then seal it with wax. When, however, an adhesive envelope is used, the proper course is to _damp_, rather than wet, _both_ sides of theflap before pressing it down; and if the paper is very thick, the upperside should be again damped after being pressed down. "

Insufficient and wrong addresses occasion a great deal of trouble to thePost Office officials, and this trouble one of the presentPostmaster-General's predecessors remarks, with some pathos, "oughtscarcely to be given to make up for what generally arises from thecarelessness of the writers, without an additional charge. " Last year, through some fault in the addresses, no fewer than 12, 822, 067 letters, postcards, newspapers, and parcels were received in the returned letteroffices. 

As an example of an insufficiently-addressed letter, we may mention onethe subject of a complaint made by a Mrs. Jones of Newmarket. She statedthat a letter had been posted to her, but had not reached her. Itappeared, however, on inquiry, that there were twenty-nine Mrs. Jonesesat the place, and that there was nothing in the address to help thepostman to decide between their several claims. 

When money or anything of value is sent through the post, the letter inwhich it goes should be registered. By this means we can be almostabsolutely sure of its travelling safely. The fee for a registeredletter was at one time half-a-crown, and not so long ago was a shilling. In 1878 it was reduced from 4d. To 2d. Not only has the fee been reducedto what may be thought the lowest possible point, but registered letterenvelopes are now sold in different and convenient sizes. The PostOffice also undertakes to make good, under certain reasonableconditions, up to £2 the value of any registered letter which it loses. 

If people who have these facilities for sending letters securelyprovided for them choose to run the risk of loss, they deserve verylittle sympathy if the chance goes against them. Last year anunregistered letter containing a cheque was alleged to have been stolenin the post. It was found, however, to have been duly delivered by beingpushed under the front door, and afterwards to have been torn in piecesby some puppies inside the house. The fragments were in the enddiscovered in the straw of the dog-kennel. Now, had the sender onlyspent 2d. In registering this letter, a receipt would have been taken onits delivery, and all chance of its falling into the paws of thepuppies would have been prevented. 

But it is wonderful what people, penny-wise and pound foolish, willsometimes do to save 2d. A few years back the sealing-wax on a letterwas found to contain £1 10s. In gold coins. There could hardly be a morestupid way of sending money. 

If coin, or watches, or jewellery are posted in letters or packetswithout registration, and the fact is discovered, the Post Office peoplebring into force a system of registration by compulsion, and on deliverycharge a fee of 8d. In addition to the ordinary postage. 

When coins are sent in a letter they should on no account be put inloose, but should be packed so as to move about as little as possible. The best way is to take a card, and, cutting quite through to the otherside, make a cross on it for each coin; then slip the coin into thecross, so that it is held in its place by the tongues of cardboard, twoon each side. 

Who owns letters whilst they are in the post? In Great Britain theownership of a letter whilst it is in the post lies in the Queen, asrepresented by her Postmaster-General and her Secretary of State. "Neither the sender nor the person to whom it is sent can claim tointerfere with a letter whilst it is in the Post Office. Only thewarrant of a Secretary of State can stay its delivery. " Once a letter isdropped into a letter-box it is like a spoken word, it cannot berecalled. 

After letters come postcards, which were introduced into this country inOctober, 1870, and have proved a great convenience to many people, saving them both time and money. By means of reply postcards you canmake sure of an answer from a correspondent without putting her to anyexpense or to any trouble worth mentioning. 

The back of the postcard is for the message; nothing must be put on thefront except the address. This limitation of space is useful for thecultivation of brevity; but those who have a great deal to say mayderive consolation from the fact that on the back of a postcard you can, by writing small, easily put at least four hundred and sixty words! Wedo not, however, say that such a performance, good enough for amusement, would be like that of a woman of business. 

All business letters ought to be preserved. They should be folded neatlylongways and all of a size, and docketed, as it is called--that is tosay, the date and the name of the sender and his (or her) address, andthe subject, should be put on the back thus:

 6th September, 1886. MARTIN ROSE AND CO. , Liverpool. Remittance, £10 19s. 2d. 

Do not, however, crowd these particulars together, as has been done herefor convenience in printing; leave a considerable space between thefirst and second, and the third and fourth lines. When letters arefolded and docketed they should be tied up in the order of their dates, or put away in pigeon holes under the different letters of the alphabet. One can never tell when it may be necessary to refer to old letters onmatters of business, so it is prudent to keep them all. Doing so andturning them over occasionally is also useful for giving us a humbleopinion of ourselves; we see by the light of additional experience howwe might often have managed things much better than we did. 

Besides letters and postcards, telegrams furnish another means ofcommunication. For a telegram sent to any place in the United Kingdom, the charge is sixpence for the first twelve words, and a halfpenny forevery word after the first twelve. Addresses are charged for, so asixpennyworth of telegraphing does not represent a long message, but byingenuity--and a business woman is nothing without ingenuity--a fewwords may be made to mean a great deal. The cost of a reply to atelegram may be prepaid. 

About the newspaper post, the book post, and the parcel post, not muchneed be said. Always be careful about wrappers. A great many newspapersand books escape from their wrappers every day, and land in the returnedletter office. In sending parcels the packing is often a weak point; itis not so much that people are either handless or stupid, they are justthoughtless. "It must be borne in mind, " says the Postmaster-General, "although, of course, every care will be taken by the officers, that aparcel with fragile or perishable contents must be several times handledbefore it reaches its destination, and will probably have to be packedwith many others of a different kind and shape, or more weighty andbulky. Eggs, butter, and fruit, especially delicate fruit, such asgrapes and peaches, should be placed in strong boxes and so placed asnot to shift. Fresh flowers should be carefully packed in strong boxes;but cardboard boxes should not be used for the purpose, as they areoften reduced to pulp by the moisture which exudes from the contents. Fish or game should be carefully packed in strong boxes, or hampers, orin perforated boxes. "

Remember that some things are forbidden to be sent by post--liveanimals, for instance. This prohibition is very little regarded by somepeople. Last year, in Dublin alone, two hens, eight mice, and twohedgehogs were stopped on their way through the post. One of the henswhich was addressed to a veterinary surgeon in London, was in badhealth, and though carefully attended to, died in the office. The restof the animals were given up alive to the senders. 

Certificates of the posting of parcels can be got at all post offices. If you have any doubt about the trustworthiness of the person entrustedwith the posting of a parcel, instructions should be given to bring backa receipt. A few months ago the Post Office was charged at Liverpoolwith the non-delivery of a bottle of wine and a box of figs. It turnedout, however, that the missing goods had never come under its charge, the person to whom the packet had been given to post having eaten thefigs and drunk the wine. 

Parcels can also be insured against loss and damage by the payment of asmall sum. Paying a penny insures to the extent of £5 and twopence tothe amount of £10. 

In order to understand the outs and ins of the Post Office--and it is asubject with which every sensible person should be familiar--let a girlinvest sixpence in a copy of the Post Office Guide, a publication ofwhich an edition is issued every quarter. She will there find everythingnecessary to be known about the posting of letters, postcards, newspapers, book packets, and parcels to places in the United Kingdom, or abroad, the sending of telegrams, the rates for money and postalorders, and the regulations of the Savings Bank. To turn over its 300pages or so is decidedly interesting. One sees what a complicatedmachinery is now employed for the convenience of the public, whatwonders--to speak of letters alone--can be done for a penny, and howthousands of miles can be reduced to insignificance by the magic oftwopence-halfpenny. 

In the twelve months from the 31st of March, 1885, to the same day ofthis year, the number of letters delivered in the United Kingdom was1, 403, 547, 900, giving an average of 38. 6 to each person in the kingdom. The total number of postcards was 171, 290, 000. Adding to the letters andpostcards the book-packets, newspapers, and parcels which passed throughthe Post Office during the twelve months, we have a grand total of2, 091, 183, 822, which shows an average to each person of 57. 5. 

VARIETIES. 

THE "WOMAN OF STENAY. "

"And so you have not heard the story of the 'Woman of Stenay'?" said aLorraine peasant. "It was in war-time, and she offered a barrel of wineto a detachment of Austrians, saying--

"'You are thirsty, friends. Drink. You are welcome to all my store. ' Andas she spoke she drank a cupful in their honour. 

"The soldiers accepted with pleasure, and in a few minutes four hundredmen were writhing on the ground in agony. 

"Then the 'Woman of Stenay' rose, and with her dying breath shriekedout--

"'You are all poisoned! _Vive la France!_'

"She then fell back a corpse. "

This is the legend of Lorraine, and the memory of its heroine is reveredby the peasantry as highly as that of Charlotte Corday. 

SINGING SERVANTS. 

Tusser, in his "Points of Huswifry united to the Comforts of Husbandry, "published in 1570, recommends the country housewife to select servantswho sing at their work as being usually the most painstaking and thebest. He says--

 "Such servants are oftenest painful and good That sing in their labour, as birds in the wood. "

A HINT FOR WORKERS. --St. Bernard has said that the more he prayed andread his Bible the better he did his ordinary work and the more clearlyand regularly did he conduct his correspondence. An increase of privatedevotion will be found not to lessen one's power of work or one'sefficiency in ordinary duties. 

OUR OWN SELVES. --How can you learn self-knowledge? Never by meditation, but best by action. Try to do your duty, and you will soon find what youare worth. What is your duty? The exigency of the day. --_Goethe. _

USELESS ANXIETY. --I shall add to my list as the eighth deadly sin thatof anxiety of mind, and resolve not to be pining and miserable when Iought to be grateful and happy. --_Sir Thomas Barnard. _

THE MOONLIGHT SONATA. --The "Moonlight Sonata" is an absurd title whichhas for years been attached, both in Germany and England, to one ofBeethoven's sonatas. It is said to have been derived from the expressionof a German critic comparing the first movement to a boat wandering bymoonlight on the Lake of Lucerne. 

[Illustration: THE SHEPHERD'S FAIRY]

THE SHEPHERD'S FAIRY

A PASTORALE. 

BY DARLEY DALE, Author of "Fair Katherine, " etc. 

CHAPTER I. 

THE FAIRY'S ORIGIN. 

"Die Eifersucht ist eine Leidenschaft der mit Eifer sucht muss Leidenschaffen. "--_German Proverb. _

Very many years ago, in a valley a few miles from the coast, there stooda French château, beautifully situated in a handsome park near theNorman village of Carolles. The rich woodland scenery, the greenpastures with their large wild fences now laden with wild roses; theshady lanes, whose banks will soon be covered with the long, brightgreen fronds of the hartstongue, and the delicate drooping trichomanes;the fine timber, and the picturesque farmhouses with their thatchedroofs nestling in the valleys--all tend to give a home-like English airto the scenery of Normandy. And the district in which the Château deThorens stands possesses all these attractions for an English eye. Notthat any English people lived in the château; the De Thorens wereFrench, or rather Norman, to the backbone, descended from the greatduke, and proud as Lucifer of their birth. Pride and poverty aregenerally supposed to go together; and though poor is perhaps hardly theword to apply to people who could afford to live in the ease and luxurywhich prevailed at Château de Thorens, yet for their rank the De Thorenswere not rich, and, consequently, after the fashion of many Frenchfamilies, there were three generations of them now all living under theancestral roof. 

First there was the old baroness, a picturesque old lady with very whitehair and piercing black eyes, with whom we have very little to do; thenthere was her eldest son, the present baron, for his father had beendead some years, and his beautiful young wife, whom he was sopassionately fond of that he was jealous--dreadfully jealous--of herlove for her baby, a little girl a few months old; and, lastly, therewere the baron's three younger brothers, who with Père Yvon, thechaplain, made up the family party. The two younger brothers were mereboys, still under Père Yvon's charge, for he acted as tutor to them aswell as chaplain; but Léon de Thorens was a young man offive-and-twenty, only a year or two younger than the baron. He was afine, handsome man, tall and thin, with his mother's fine black eyes andsmall well-cut nose and mouth. He was of a bold, reckless nature, fullof animal spirits, the very life of the house when he was at home, whichwas seldom, as he owned a yacht, in which he spent a great deal of histime. He was his mother's favourite son, and both he and she had oftenprivately regretted that he was not the eldest. 

The baron was smaller and fairer than Léon, and not so handsome, thoughthere was a strong family likeness between the brothers. He was of aquieter disposition, and his restlessness took an intellectual ratherthan a physical form, his wanderings being confined to the shelves ofthe valuable library which the château boasted, instead of extendingover the seas on which Léon spent so much of his time. The baron'sstudious nature had endeared him very much to Père Yvon, with whom hewas a prime favourite, and who had never shown him any of the severityof which the other brothers often complained, but, on the contrary, haderred on the opposite side with the baron, whose wishes had never beencrossed in any way, and who had grown up to think himself the oneimportant person in the world to whom the convenience of everyone elsemust be sacrificed. 

For the first year of their married life the pretty baroness hadcontributed as much as Père Yvon to spoil her husband, whose every whimshe had humoured until her baby was born, and then, much to hisastonishment, the baron found that his beautiful, gentle wife had a willof her own, and, what was still worse in his eyes, a large place in herheart for someone else besides himself, and although that someone elsewas only his infant daughter, the baron was jealous. 

In vain had he urged that the baby should be sent away to some peasantto nurse until it was a year or two old, as he and all his brothers hadbeen, after a very common custom in French families. No, the baronesswould not hear of such a thing; she could not live without her baby, andevery moment she could spare she spent by its cradle. Indeed, soinfatuated was she with her new possession, whose every movement was adelight to her, that she did not notice the baron became daily more andmore morose, and that an ominous frown had settled on his fine forehead, while his mouth was closed with a determination that boded ill for hiswife and daughter. But the baroness lived so much in her child that shedid not observe the change in her husband; and as he never allowed thebaby to be brought into his presence, the baroness saw but little of himexcept at meals, when all the others were present, and Léon's wildspirits covered his brother's depression and silence. 

At last, one fine June morning, matters reached a climax, when thefamily sat down to their one o'clock _déjeuner_. The baroness was late;the first course was finished, and still she did not appear. 

"Where is Mathilde, Arnaut?" asked the old baroness. 

"I don't know, " said the baron, sulkily. 

"I do, " said Léon; "she is worshipping at the shrine of that preciousbaby of yours, Arnaut. Why on earth don't you send it away till it isold enough to amuse us?"

"Go and tell Madame la Baronne the soup is already finished, " said thebaron to a servant at his elbow; but he vouchsafed no further answer. 

"I think Arnaut has suggested that the baby should be sent away, butMathilde objects, " remarked the old baroness. 

"Send it away without asking her, then. Give her a pug instead; it willbe much more amusing, and not half the trouble the baby is, " said Léon. 

Here the servant returned to say madame would take her _déjeuner_ in thenursery, as the nurse was out and she could not leave the baby. 

"Really, Mathilde is too absurd, when there are at least three or fourother servants in the house who could look after the baby as well as thenurse, " said the old baroness, helping herself to some omelette. 

"She is mad, " muttered the baron, angrily. 

"Quite, all women are; there can be no doubt about that. Look here, Arnaut, it is quite clear if you don't send that infant away, you mightjust as well live _en garçon_, like me, as I foresee you won't have muchof Mathilde's society now, " said Léon. 

"It does not require much foresight to predict that, " said the baron, bitterly. 

"Well, if Mathilde won't send it away, just hand it over to me the nexttime I take a cruise, which will be as soon as ever there is wind enoughto fill my sails, and I'll place the child somewhere where there is nofear of Mathilde getting it again till it is of a reasonable age, " saidLéon. 

The idea of handing the baby over to the tender mercies of Léon struckthem all as so comic that a general laugh, in which all but the baronjoined, greeted this speech, which was forgotten as soon as it wasuttered by the speaker. 

A few days after Léon announced that he was going on board his yachtthat evening; a south wind was blowing, and he should take a cruise upthe Channel. Would the baron go with him? They were sure to have fineweather, and it would be delightful at sea in this heat. The barondeclined the invitation, as he was a wretched sailor; but that evening, when he and Léon were smoking after dinner, he said, suddenly, "Whereare you going, Léon?"

"I don't know; it depends on the wind. I may run over to England, or Imay only go to the Channel Isles. I shall see. "

"Shall you touch anywhere?"

"Oh, yes, I shall go ashore; I shan't take provisions for more than aweek. Why?"

The baron looked round the verandah in which they were sitting to makesure that they were alone, and having satisfied himself of this he leantforward and said, in a half-whisper, "Tiens, Léon! Will you help me? Iam determined to stand it no longer; it is wearing my life out; I havenot a moment's peace. If I don't get rid of it I believe I shall gomad. "

"What is it you are talking of? I'll help you if I can, but what iswearing your life out?" said Léon. 

[Illustration: THE BARONESS. ]

"The baby, of course, " said the baron. 

"The baby! Well, but what do you want me to do with that! I can't killit, you know. "

"Of course not, but you said in joke the other day you would take itwith you on one of your trips, and put it out to nurse. I wish toheaven, Léon, you'd do it in reality. It is no use my sending it toanyone near here; Mathilde would go after it the next day. My onlychance is to send it somewhere where it will be safe, of course, andwell looked after, but where Mathilde can't go after it, and as shewould go to the end of the world for it if she knew where it was, itmust go where she can't find it; she must not know where it is. No one, indeed, need know but you, for as far as I am concerned the less I knowabout it at present the better; it has spoilt all my happiness. Mathildeis so wrapped up in that child she does not care a fig for me now; infact, I rarely see her. If you can only put that infant safely out ofour way for a year or two, I'll never forget it, Léon. "

"Are you in real sober earnest, Arnaut?" asked Léon, who, in hisastonishment, had risen to his feet, and was puffing away vigorously athis cigar. 

"Of course I am. I am willing to pay handsomely for it, and I shalldepend upon you putting it where it will be well taken care of. As forall the rest, I leave it to you to take it where you like--Australia ifyou wish, only don't tell me where it is, or I might cut my own throatby telling Mathilde if she makes a great scene, as she will when it isgone. Will you do it, Léon?"

"Whew!" whistled Léon. "I don't care for the work, for if anythingshould happen to the child Mathilde would never forgive me nor youeither. However, if you insist, I think I could manage it, but as I amgoing to start in two or three hours, there is not much time. I must godown to the yacht and speak to my men first. If I may tell them I amtaking the child by your express wish I could manage it, I think. Thenext difficulty is where to take it, but I have an idea about that, soI'll be off now, and see what I can arrange. I shall ride, so I shall beback in an hour. "

"Tell them anything you like, except not to let anyone know where youleave the child, " replied the baron, as Léon started on an errand which, in spite of his protest to the contrary, was thoroughly after his ownheart; indeed, any mad freak such as this was quite in his line. 

Among his crew he had an English sailor who acted as carpenter, and, asLéon often said, was worth two or three French sailors in a gale or anemergency. He knew the Channel, too, as well as a pilot, and, indeedoften acted in that capacity; he was an honest, trustworthy man--atleast, so Léon thought; and as he rode over the hills to Carolles, hedecided to take this man into his confidence, and see if he could helphim; it was possible this Englishman knew of some of his owncountrywomen who would undertake the charge of the child. 

Accordingly, when he reached his yacht, Léon called for John Smith, andhad a long conversation with him in English, which he spoke fairly well, the result of which was the carpenter, after a little thought, declaredhe knew of a shepherd and his wife in Sussex who, he felt sure, wouldundertake the charge of the child; his only fear was that they mighthave some scruples about keeping the matter a secret, and might want toknow who the child was; but if Léon would leave this to him to arrange, he could, he thought, manage it so that the shepherd should have no ideato whom the child belonged, nor why it was put into his care. 

"Where does this good man live?" asked Léon. 

"About four or five miles from Brighton, sir. The wind is favourable; wemight run across in twenty-four hours or less if it lasts, and I thinkit will; we shall have the tide with us going out if we start at tento-night, " said the carpenter. 

"Well, that is settled. Now the next point is, who is to take care of iton board? It must be fed; who of our men understands babies best?"

"I can't undertake that, sir, but there's Pierre Legros, he has half adozen of his own, and when he is at home looks after them all I believe;he ought to know all about it. "

"Call Pierre, then. "

Pierre Legros was accordingly called, and, on hearing what was requiredof him, professed with pride his ability to act as nurse during thevoyage; and having commissioned him to lay in a stock of food for thebaby, about which Léon's ideas were exceedingly vague, Léon rode back tothe château. 

The baron was on the lookout for him, and was delighted to hear all wasarranged for the baby's removal. 

"I have not been idle since you have been gone. Luckily Mathilde has aheadache, so I have sent her to bed, and I sat with her till she wasasleep. My next care was to get rid of the nurse, so I have packed heroff to Brécy with one of the other servants for some medicine forMathilde, and the coast is clear to the nursery now. There is only oneof the housemaids with the baby, and when you are ready to start youmust lose something and require her to find it while I secure the child. Lastly, I ordered the dogcart, and said I would drive you. "

"But how about the child?" interrupted Léon. 

"I am coming to that. Just as we are going to start, you must lose astick or a coat. I'll offer to go back for it, and meet you at the sidedoor; there is a staircase leading to the nursery close to it, downwhich I shall come with the baby after I have sent the housemaid who isguarding it to look for your stick. We shall be off and the baby onboard before it is missed, for the girl is sure to stay gossiping withthe other servants when we are off. "

"Well, I hope you'll succeed, but I confess I think this is the mostdifficult part of the affair. However, there is no time to lose; you hadbetter order the dogcart at once, while I go and say good-bye to motherand the boys. We must be off in twenty minutes, " replied Léon. 

Half an hour later the brothers were seated in the dogcart, while theold baroness, with a shawl thrown round her head, stood on the stepsunder the portico to catch the last glimpse of her handsome Léon, withher two younger boys by her side, and Père Yvon and some of the servantsin the background. The groom had just let go of the horse's bridle whenLéon exclaimed--

"Wait a minute! I have forgotten my Malacca cane. I lent it to you theother day, Arnaut. I must have it. Where shall I find it?"

"So you did. Here, one of you boys, run into my--but no, you'll wakeMathilde, I'll go myself. Here, Léon, take the reins, and drive round tothe side door; I'll meet you there, " said the baron, descending from thedogcart, and running into the house. 

(_To be continued. _)

FASHIONABLE EMBROIDERY. 

The fancy embroidery of the present day is of such varied character andmake that all would-be workers will find among the diversities of stitchand material some description that suits their particular need andingenuity. 

A few years ago one embroidery alone claimed attention. This was thecelebrated crewel work, of which there is no fault to be found in theexecution and design of its higher grades, but which, like all fancywork that becomes the rage and is cheapened and multiplied without anyregard to reason, degenerated to the most impossible designs and theworst execution attainable. Thus crewel work passed away, and though thebest kinds are still to be met with, it is really superseded in moderndrawing-rooms by embroideries all originating in the present desireafter Oriental colouring and design, but of kinds distinctlycharacteristic and individual. 

The work known as Leek embroidery recommends itself in many ways, itbeing very reasonable in price, easily executed, and extremely rich andhandsome when finished. The foundation is Tussore silk, specially madewith the pattern to be embroidered upon it printed upon the foundation, during its manufacture, and therefore indelible. The colouring of thefoundation is either cream, straw, pink, blue, green, or terra-cotta, and the pattern is not printed in outline only, but filled up withindications guiding the arrangement for the centres of flowers, veins ofleaves, and other distinguishing marks. To work the embroidery it isnecessary to line the Tussore with fine unbleached muslin, and to workwith Tussore silk and Japanese gold thread. The Tussore silk costs 1d. The skein, and is dyed in every shade of Oriental colouring. Three tofour shades of a colour are used to work in a flower, and two shades ofgreen for the leaves. The stitch is crewel-stitch worked very close. Noshading about each leaf is necessary, but different greens are used fordifferent leaves, and thus a variety of colouring is attained withouttrouble. Every part of the pattern, the bordering included, is worked, and only the foundation left, showing where it forms the background tothe design. The gold thread is laid on as the finishing touch. It isplaced round all the chief parts of the design, and sewn on as an edgingwith a couching stitch; that is to say, the gold thread is held tightlystretched in its position with the left hand, while a stitch broughtfrom the back of the material is passed over it and put down to the backagain with the right hand. Lines of gold are used to mark out the borderpattern, and are fastened down with the couching stitch. When sewing onthe gold it is very important to keep it tightly stretched, as if put onloosely it is not effective. If the work is at all puckered, iron itwith a warm but not hot iron on the wrong side before laying down thegold thread. Leek embroidery is sold by the yard in strips, varying fromone inch to twelve inches in width, and costing from 6d. To 2s. Theyard. These strips are used for mantelpiece borders, table borders, chair backs, and curtain bands, according to their width. They look bestmounted upon plush or velveteen, but are often mounted upon Liberty'sOriental silks, or made up as perfectly plain bands. When used for chairbacks or for hanging firescreens the background should be handsome, andeither ruby or dark blue in colour, and the work arranged eitherstraight down its centre or crossing it in a number of diagonal lines. This manner of making up is newer and more effective than merely layingit on as an edging. Bands of unmounted Leek embroidery, simply linedwith twill, are much used for looping up summer curtains, and giverichness to the soft, creamy materials now employed for curtains. 

As dress trimmings Leek embroidery is good, the wide bands making awaistcoat front and the narrow the cuff trimmings. To a velveteen winterdress a waistcoat and cuffs so made are an admirable finish as long asthe embroidery is kept subdued by rich colours, and the gold carefullyput on, while for dinner dresses a broad panel of embroidery is carrieddown the skirt, and the waistcoat cut low, and no trimming required forthe sleeves. 

Oriental embroidery cannot be made up in so many different ways as Leekembroidery, but it is quite new, and aims at reproducing early Easterndesigns. The foundation material is surah silk, the silk sold in largesquares as Liberty's handkerchief being correct in colouring andtexture. Upon this foundation the patterns, which all consist of singlepetalled flowers resembling single dahlias, sunflowers, orchrysanthemums, are worked with Oriental silk, which are silks of athick make, but very soft and with a gloss on them similar to the glosson floss silk. The leaves surrounding the flowers are of the shape ofthe jessamine, and to these are added tendrils and queer-looking bunchesof seed-vessels. 

There is little variety in the design, as the embroidery is entirelyexecuted in one stitch (that of a close herringbone), but there is greatvariety and great scope for good shading in the colouring. Orientalsilks are all dyed in the shades of blues, yellow pinks, terra-cottareds, and brilliant yellows, to be seen in Eastern embroideries workedbefore the introduction of aniline dyes, and the consequent lapse intoImperial purples and magentas and royal blues. 

By a judicious use of good colours the same design can be so repeated asto look entirely different. Thus, a spray of flowers worked upon anorange-red ground, with cream, yellow, pink and pale blue colours, willbe quite distinct from the same spray laid upon sea-green silk, andcoloured with deep orange-reds and blues running from sky into navyblue. 

As before mentioned, the only stitch used is herringboning, and the onlyflowers single petalled ones; but the herringboning is done so closelytogether that it looks like an interwoven stitch of double crossings, and the flowers are all worked in their centres in a different silk tothat used on their tips, and therefore resemble double petalled flowers. The tips of each petal are wider than the commencement, and theherringboning is not taken along as a wide line of equal width, but as acurved line running small, and widening out again several times if thepetal or seed-vessel is a long one. Each petal is worked separately, andthe silk is never dragged or drawn tightly, but is allowed to lie easilyover the foundation, and rather loosely, although the stitches followeach other so closely that nothing of the foundation can be seen wherethey are laid. The stems, long leaves, and large branches are worked asclosely as the petals in herringbone, but tendrils and sprays are moreopened out, and are given the look of single coral stitch as a variety. 

When shading a flower select two colours that are distinct in tone butnot jarring in their contrast; thus, cream-white used for the outerpetals can be finished with pale blue, yellow pink, pure orange, or paleyellow for its centre petals; scarlet red outside petals with blackinner petals, bright blue outside petals with lemon yellow orterra-cotta red inside petals, and every one of these colours areallowable when working bunches of flowers scattered over the whole of afive o'clock tea-cloth or fireplace curtains. 

The embroidery is used for table-cloths, mantel borders, and curtainbrackets, knitting bags, handkerchief cases, and as a trimming toevening dresses. In all cases it requires a silk lining, and should beworked with a muslin lining beneath it. Embroidering Bretonhandkerchiefs is not a new description of fancy work, but it is still invogue; and when a lady has had sufficient patience to successfullyaccomplish the feat of covering every portion of the handkerchief withthick filoselle work, there is no doubt that she has produced a piece ofembroidery not only handsome and durable, but that will justly hand hername down to posterity as a real worker, and not one who takes up thewhim of the hour and throws it on one side as soon as it bores her. Thesquares made of these embroidered handkerchiefs are shown moreeffectually when they are lined with quilted silk and used asbanner-screens than when they are bordered with wide plush and used astable-cloths. The pattern in the latter case is never seen as a whole, and the beauty of the work is often marred by water from flower vasesspilt over it, or wet teacups and saucers put down on it. The smallscreens now so fashionable make another admirable place for mountingBreton work. These screens are made of two compartments only, in heightabout 4½ feet. To each panel, 2½ feet from the ground, a ledgethat can be put up or down is fixed, and that is used for holding a bookor a teacup. The panel below this ledge is merely filled with a littlecurtain made of coloured Oriental silk, and arranged in very full folds. The panel above the ledge, that is fully displayed to every eye, isfilled with the embroidery stretched quite tightly across it anddisplayed to its full advantage. The back of the embroidery isconcealed with a satin or silk matching the little curtain beneath. TwoBreton handkerchiefs are required, one for each division, but theyshould not be selected both of the same design. The little screens aremade of oak, mahogany, and ebonised wood. They are a simple framework, an inch and a half square, and any working carpenter would make them toorder. 

Breton embroidery is too laborious for many people, and those whose timeis much occupied with household matters, and who cannot devote much ofit to the task of making their drawing-rooms pretty, we recommend to trycrazy patchwork in its place. We have lately seen this easy work carriedout most successfully, and used as mantel and table borders, covers forfootstools, and as the centres of small table-cloths. The work is one ofthe least expensive that can be tried, and can be put down withoutderangement of effect at any moment (a great point in its favour whereinterruptions are frequent). Before commencing any piece of it, it isbetter to accumulate all the oddments of ribbons, plush, velvet, silk, and satin lying in the piece-drawer from dress trimmings or sent aspatterns from shops. The more plush and velvet obtainable, the greaterthe effect produced, while the colouring should be of a vivid tone, butexcluding the bright aniline dyes already once referred to as beingunsuitable to blend with other shades. A strong piece of ticking isrequired for the foundation, and on this the pieces are arranged. Theyshould be pinned on while the amalgamation of colouring is being tried, and, when that is settled, basted on to the lining, the edges of softmaterials being turned under and secured with the basting lines. Similarity in shape and size is to be avoided when placing the pieces, and the effect aimed at that of the colouring of a kaleidoscope in itsvariety and brightness. In order to obtain queer shapes and corners, itis not necessary to carefully cut them out and fit them into theirvarious spaces; in fact, it is better not to do so, but to lay onematerial partly over another, and by so doing make the desired form. Theembroidery is generally left until the pieces are basted down to thelining, but now and again the scraps should be embroidered before theyare fixed down, this method being the least troublesome when fine silkwork is attempted, such as working flowers in shades of colour orintricate designs, or following out the lines of stamped velvet orbrocade with couched-down cords and gold thread. Thin Oriental silksrequire a thin muslin lining underneath them, and the embroideryexecuted before they are tacked to the ticking, as unless thisprecaution is taken they are apt to pucker and look uneven and poor. When the patchwork scraps are all arranged, spare strands of filoselleof any shades are used to cover over the basting threads with lines ofcoral stitch, feather, chain, rope, and herringbone, while oddments ofsilk cord, Japanese gold thread, very fine braids, etc. , are sewn downeither as borderings to the securing lines or as forming designs andfigures on the patches themselves. Embroidery stitches of all kinds areused to fill in the centres of the patches, and advantage is alwaystaken of any pattern on the patches either by filling it in entirelywith shaded silks, filling up its background with stars, crosses, ordots, or by enclosing it within diagonal lines, or sewing spangles downso as to cover it over. Every effort is made to enrich the patches bythe use of gold thread, spangles, gold lace, and silk cords, and whenthe work is faithfully done, no one could guess it was devised out ofoddments and produced at a nominal cost. 

B. C. SAWARD. 

ROMANCE. 

FOR VIOLIN AND PIANOFORTE. 

PROFESSOR SIR G. A. MACFARREN. 

[Music]

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

A. Z. --The part of a whole made by two-thirds of three-fourths isone-half. Such books as those you name are not so appropriate for younggirls as very desirable, instructive, as well as interesting books, although a girl of twenty-one might read one of such a kind once in away. There is an article by Dr. Green in the last two numbers of the_Leisure Hour_ (published by the Religious Tract Society, 56, Paternoster-row, London, E. C. ), those for April and May, in which suchbooks as you require are recommended--history, biography, travels, archæology, geology, astronomy; Shakespeare, Milton, Elizabeth BarretBrowning, Longfellow, Tennyson, etc. Such books should occupy all yourleisure for reading, besides the study of household economy, nursing, cookery, needlework, and cutting out. The first five years after leavingthe school-room should be devoted to such studies as these, not wastedon the class of literature you specify. 

G. H. T. --Yes, there is a Kindergarten College and Practising Schoolestablished by the British and Foreign School Society. It is at 21, Stockwell-road, S. W. , and it is directed by the Misses Crombie. Thereare ten such schools in London and eight in the provinces. Write forpapers, and all information will be supplied you direct from that or anyof the other schools. Had you given your address we could have giventhat which is the nearest to you. We think your age would be suitable. The answer you receive as to terms may decide you as to the way in whichyour £20 may be required. Perhaps if you annoyed your cousin she wouldnot allow you to return home to sleep. Whether you could do so as wellas board at the college we could not say. "Look well before you leap. "

ART. 

SHELTIE. --To ornament ginger jars, or any kind of earthenware, withoutknowing how to draw or paint, first size it with ordinary glue-size, melted over the fire; then cut bright scraps of chintz, or gaily-paintedcottons, into diamonds, squares, half-circles, triangles, etc. , andpaste them to the jars, carefully covering every part of the jar withthe scraps laid closely together, but without making any set design. Letthe paste dry; then size the jar, and varnish with white hard varnish. 

FLEUR DES ALPES. --We fear there are no chances of a sale in London, asthe market for screen and fan painting is already so full. Besides, youshould take such work personally to shops and obtain trade orders. Wouldit not be wiser and more easy to dispose of them at Geneva, which iswithin your reach? Accept our best wishes. 

WOULD-BE PHOTOGRAPHER. --The reason that the object to be taken appearsupside down in the camera is this. Light travels in straight lines, andrays coming through little crevices (such as are used in cameras), crosseach other, and become inverted. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

EFFIE. --The texts of Holy Scripture which you cannot find are to befound as follows:--Psalm xciv. 22, and Gen. Xvii. 8; Exodus xxix. 45;Ezekiel xi. 20; Zechariah viii. 8; 2 Cor. Vi. 16; Rev. Xxi. 3, and inother places. Your "Concordance" must be a very bad one. Yourhandwriting is not formed, but promises well. 

GOWAN COBBAN. --We do not recommend publishers to our correspondents. Allthree specimens of writing are legible, but No. 2 is careless andunfinished. Why write a small "b" for a "v"? The latter has no tallupper stroke. 

E. M. --The health of bride, bridegroom, bridesmaids, and respectiveparents of the newly-married pair is drunk, but no others, as a rule. 

CORISANDE. --We could not possibly assist you in carrying out or devisinga method of revenge on the wrong-doer, nor do we think that even theaggrieved parents of the injured friend would approve of the plan. Ifyou reprobate an ill-bred action, you cannot, consistently with your ownviews of what is seemly and dignified, punish that action by followingsuit, and doing what would be ill-bred yourself. Besides, as aChristian, read Romans xii. 19. 

UNA MILDRED HITCHINGS (N. Z). --The 14th of February, 1809, was a Tuesday. Many thanks for your nice letter. 

E. B. P. We think had better take more exercise, and avoid late suppersand sitting up late, as it seems probable her digestion is weak. 

SEPIA. --Hairpins are not injurious to the hair except when the hair istoo tightly put up, when that certainly affects the nerves. We thinkyoung people, as a rule, do not require stimulants unless under thedoctor's orders. We think oils are far easier to use than water-colours. 

MORNING DEWDROP. --We do not think the poetry worth much now, but itshows that at fifteen you are thinking about good things in preferenceto evil and idle things, and so we consider writing poetry, in manycases, a good amusement. 

QUEENIE FOSTER should return the duplicate copy and ask for the rightone, and if enclosing stamps, as the surest way of getting it, she canretain the duplicate. 

AN UNHAPPY ONE should not marry her widower on any account, if she feelsas unhappy as her letter portrays. She must not grow discouraged toosoon, but cultivate patience, and never minding. And should she finallyundertake the care of a ready-made family, she must be brave andcourteous, not rendering railing for railing, but, contrariwise, blessing. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. 

HAWTHORN. --We know of nothing better than your present treatment. We aremuch obliged by your kind offer, but we do not require any at present. 

IDONEA. --We should think your digestion was out of order. Read theadvice given by Medicus to "Working Girls, " page 295, vol. Vi. 

MYSOTIS. --Your nationality is that of your father, but you may adopt acountry; and if he be naturalised English, you become English too, oryou may legally become so yourself. Also, if you marry an Englishman youbecome an Englishwoman, without going through the process ofnaturalisation. Of course by blood you are half English, through yourmaternal descent. 

OPHELIA. --We feel for "Ophelia" very sincerely; but she should rouseherself, and not give way to morbid brooding over her troubles. Has sheno sacred duties to perform to those around her? No Lord and Masterabove to serve and glorify, by submission to His dispensations? Has sheno blessed hope of a life beyond the grave? We could not insert yourverses. "All else" is not "gone, " whoever was removed, when you have"one that sticketh closer than a brother" to lean upon. Read St. Johnxiv. ; indeed, you had better study the whole Gospel, and set yourselfresolutely to devote yourself to others. 

MAY ELWIN. --Our publisher, Mr. Tarn, sent us your letter. We suppose youthought him the editor. The writer of the poems you name is not one withwhom we are acquainted. 

MYSELF. --We cannot do better than refer you to the abuses of the Lord'ssupper, to which St. Paul alludes in 1 Cor. Ii. 21, 22, which answersyour question. Also see Hebrews x. 25, and 1 Cor. Xiv. 40. Beware howyou trifle with sacred rites and sacraments. You had better look up thewhole of the text about Elders and their office in the New TestamentEpistles. Our Lord's promise is that where two or three are gatheredtogether He would be in their midst and bless them. You had better lookout the word communion in the dictionary, as it cannot refer to oneperson alone; it is an act performed by a certain number of personstogether, more or less. Again, when the clergyman prays for hiscongregation, is he not a mediator? And when you and your friends prayfor each other, are you not mediators? And this, without disparagementto the doctrine that Christ is the great and chief Mediator, withoutwhose divine mediation all other would be useless. 

BRUNETTE. --The soul does not attain its highest state of bliss until itbe re-united to the body; but the soul of a believer in Christ (by whichwe mean one of His faithful people, who loves, serves, and trusts in Himand His atonement alone) will enter into a happy and sinless rest. Hehas made "an everlasting covenant with them, " not with those who denyHim. Any mercy shown to such would be uncovenanted. See for yourselfwhat the Scriptures say. We know nothing more than what is revealed inthem. As to the heathen who have not heard the Gospel, they are "a lawunto themselves, " and will be judged as such, not as those who rejectedChrist. 

ONE WANTING TO LEARN. --We are glad that you find the SulhampsteadQuestion Society, which we recommended, so useful in helping forwardyour education. We do not print our correspondents' letters. 

ROY. --We regret that we cannot accede to your request. It wouldinterfere with the general usefulness of our magazine if we were tointroduce the subject of politics into it. We do not even discuss vexedquestions of religious belief, because our paper is meant for persons ofall denominations, whose feelings should be respected. We limit ourteaching to the broad principles of our common Christianity. 

LOTTIE. --If in so feeble a state of health, you should obtain medicaladvice. We could not prescribe for a perfect stranger. 

JUNE. --All the chief writers of this paper, with the artists and musicalcomposers, including ourselves, have already been represented, in a moreor less satisfactory manner. The story, "That Aggravating Schoolgirl, "appeared in the second volume, beginning at page 9. 

M. C. F. --We do not quite understand what you mean. Visiting cardsshould never be sent by post, and if they be left at the house youacknowledge them by calling in return. If people be at a distance fromyou, you must take an opportunity of calling when near. You must answercongratulations either by letter or a call. 

BIRCHBROOM. --St. Paul was a bachelor, and tells you so in 1 Cor. Vii. You will find many pretty designs for knitting in our paper. We do notpropose to keep any space specially for knitting recipes. You will findone for a petticoat at page 41, vol. Ii. , in the number for October, 1880. 

NELLICA. --We thank you for your kind and grateful letter, and rejoicethat you enjoy our paper and are allowed to read it. You write a veryfair, legible handwriting. 

A HOTHOUSE PLANT. --Pampas grass must be bleached in a solution ofchloride of lime. You had better consult the chemist of whom you procurethe drug as to the proportion of water. Perhaps he would prepare it foryou. You write well, but use a bad pen--we mean an old, worn-out one. 

BEDWAEEN (Hyderabad). --We acknowledge your kind letter with our bestwishes and thanks. You do not ask any special question; but as youregret a want of acquaintance with the rules of English grammar, werecommend "The Handbook of the English Tongue, " by Dr. Angus, publishedat our office, 56, Paternoster-row, E. C. ; address Mr. Tarn. 

AMELIA should take her "twopenny mulready envelope" to a shop wherestamps are sold for collections. This is the only plan, if not disposedof to a private collector. We do not think she will make very much onthe sale. 

THE BIRD. --Kindly refer to the article in question, where allinformation is already given. 

ORMONDE should call after all invitations, whether she accept them ornot. 

LILY WALKER. --The bridegroom presents the bride and bridesmaids withtheir bouquets; but it is not needful that the latter should have them. The health of the bride and bridegroom respectively are proposed by theoldest friend of the family present; but other healths are no longerdrunk as a universal rule, we believe. 

ITALIA. --The competition papers are in no case returned. Your quotationis very good, but is useless under the circumstances. 

DULCIE WESTON should consult a doctor and take a tonic. We shoulddecidedly object to cold baths in her case. They should be rather warmerthan tepid. 

DEWDROP. --When the right time comes for the hatching of silkworms, theyshould be kept in the sun. Before that they should be kept cool, astheir coming out should be delayed until that of the new mulberryleaves. The worms need not to be kept in the sun. 

BLUEBELL and DOLLY. --Many thanks for your kind letter. 

MAYFLOWER. --We should think, from the price you name, that you arebuying spirits of wine. Send your own bottle to an oilshop formethylated spirits. But why not do this:--Get a small oil-lamp andkettle, enough to boil a quart of water; when quite boiling it will beenough for two gallons of cold water, and, using a sponge bath, you canhave a comfortable bath?

GRACE should wear the backboard and faceboard, so often recommended byus, for an hour every day while reading or learning her lessons. Thebook could be set on a stand or shelf, and she could learn while walkingto and fro. 

GUELDER ROSE. --Some words and names have been given an arbitrarypronunciation by that tyrant--the fashion of the day. There is a rulefor each class of society, by which all within those respective circlesis bound, unless its members wish to make themselves remarkable. Amongstthe "Upper Ten" the name Derby is pronounced "Darby, " Shrewsbury as"Shrowsbury, " and clerk as "clark. " Balmoral is "Bal-moral, " the "mo"chiefly accentuated. Writing fairly good. 

TRY AGAIN is thanked for her kind letter. That a competitor should notbe successful is no discredit to her work, because the number of paperssent in is so enormous, none but the most remarkably perfect amongst thegood ones can be awarded even certificates, not to say prizes. 

COMING THRO' THE RYE. --You form your letters fairly well, but reversethe heavy and light strokes. The down strokes should be heavy, and theup strokes light. Also, if you did not make the ends of your finalletters in every word turn up like pig-tails, your writing would beimproved. Perhaps your handwriting may be formed, or begin to be so, atsixteen. No children write running hands. 

ROSE. --No "gentlemen" presume to speak to girls in their own rank oflife without an introduction; it would be an insult. And as to proposingto walk with you, as a stranger, if you have no father, brother, noruncle to warn him away, he deserves to be handed over to the police. Butmen do not usually take such liberties unless they have had someencouragement. Beware of looking at strange men in passing them. Lookaway when they come near. 

EDITH. --Sage tea is good for cooling the face and healing the skin whenmuch sunburnt; but it should be used the same day. Lie on a sofa, andlay the wet leaves over your face. 

AUTUMN. 

[Illustration]

BY HELEN MARION BURNSIDE. 

 The chestnut burrs are falling On the shining dew-steeped lawn, Where the swallows have been calling To each other since the dawn; For again the forest leaves, And the upland's crown of sheaves, Wear the fair pathetic glory, which so quickly is withdrawn. 

 And a youthful pair goes straying, As we used to do of old, With the sunlight on them playing, Through the elm trees' paling gold; And I wonder as they go, Pacing slowly to and fro, Are they telling one another just such secrets as we told?

 In the cool and fragrant dunlight Of the woodlands, wet with dew, Looking out towards the sunlight Here I stand--but where are you? Where are summer's lusty leaves, Where the swallows from the eaves, And the hopes, and dreams, and longings that in those old days we knew?

 Many a spring has blossomed brightly On the grave of a dead past, Many a summer has tossed lightly Her cast leaves upon the blast; And as autumn fades away Into winter's quiet grey, Comes the hope: eternal springtide will give back my friend at last!