Questions and Answers.
Music.—The only place to which we can refer you is the United States Marine Recruiting-office, 109 West Street, New York. That office wants boys from fourteen to sixteen to learn music. Apply for conditions. "Gold Fever" asks about gold-prospecting, especially in Alaska. The occupation has many risks, and only the hardiest of persons, not alone in body, but in determination and cheerfulness, ought to undertake it. The Alaskan field is well to the north—in the Yukon country, which is near the arctic circle. It is cold there. But perhaps the worst discomfort is mosquitoes. An odd pest for that climate, yes. But they abound there as they do in few other regions. A recent prospector says, "When a man goes up one of the creeks he must envelop his head in a mosquito-frame of cheese-cloth—their bills go through netting like a knife through tissue-paper—must wear gloves, and tie his trousers and shirt sleeves closely about his ankles and wrists." Mining is a lottery, and the young man ought to think not twice only, but a dozen times before undertaking it.
George J. Smith asks.—"Will you kindly tell me the names of artists who teach pen-drawing and illustrating? When does the annual contest for prizes begin?" Many artists take students, if such students possess native talent. They require students to come to their studios, though some of them have classes at art-schools. Apply to Irving R. Wiles, Charles Broughton, or Clifford Carleton. Their addresses may be had in the directory. Of course they charge for lesson-giving. And we do not say that these gentlemen will now take pupils. Why not join the classes at the Art Students' League? Round Table contests are announced, usually late in October. See one of the issues of this paper for them. It is not likely there will be an illustration contest unless there proves to be a good prize story to make a picture for. In almost no other way, save that of giving all contestants the same thing to illustrate, can conditions fair to all be made. Full information will be published in the Table later.
Frank S. Teal.—We know of no place to procure the Table button or pin save through this office, and we have none in stock. David A. Hill.—So great has been the growth of the Good Will institution that a building suitable to house its industrial school should cost, on the ground of present and future need, $10,000 at least. This sum is quite beyond the power of the Table to give. When, three years ago, the Good Will work began, the size of the Institution did not demand a building costing one-half that sum. The Table thought to raise $3000. It raised about $1600, when the situation developed as above outlined—a situation in which all of us, as friends of Good Will Farm and its work in behalf of poor boys, greatly rejoice. The money raised by the Table is to be, by vote of the founders, turned over to the trustees of Good Will, to be invested in a Round Table Fund, and the income used to help such boys as the trustees think most deserving of aid.