C. Y. P. R. U.
I said last week that I would try to think of some other pleasant evening entertainment for the little club which asked the Postmistress to help them in that way. Here is the game of Rhyming. It may be played by any number of persons. The leader begins by saying to the company, "What do I think of which rhymes with ——?" any word of one syllable which he or she may select. We will suppose the word to be hop. The question will then be, "What do I think of which rhymes with hop?" The person next will then inquire, "Is it an upper surface?" and the questioner will reply, "It is not top." "Is it an undignified movement?" the next may ask, and the answer will be, "It is not flop." "Is it an implement?" somebody else may say, and the reply will be, "It is not mop." And so on, until some fortunate inquirer guesses the word which is in the leader's mind, which may be fop, lop, stop, or any other word which rhymes with hop. This game will furnish a circle of bright young people with fun and good-humored amusement for an hour or two, and will, besides, give them an exercise in definitions which will help to increase their vocabulary.
A Predicament.—The other evening Charlie and I were reading the life of an eminent English artist, David Cox. At one time he gave lessons in drawing, and as his pupils' houses were quite distant from each other, he bought a pony to carry him from place to place. "The pony had previously belonged to an apothecary, and was accustomed to go round with the lad who took out medicines to the residences in the neighborhood. Having been often employed on this business, he knew the connection well, and did not need to be told where to stop. This knowledge had not forsaken him when Mr. Cox became his owner, and when the drawing-master mounted him to go to his teaching, he fancied that he was taking out medicines still. Accordingly, often during the journey he pulled up short at somebody's door where he had been used to deliver the pills and lotions, and his rider had much difficulty in getting him to proceed. On one occasion Mr. Cox was actually obliged to dismount, hitch the bridle to a gate, and make a pretense of going up to the house, before the pony could be persuaded to budge an inch."
The Postmistress wants you to tell her which English poet it was who wrote the history of a kind of chair. You know chairs have a history, and a very interesting one too. In which of his works can you find the passage referred to? What can you tell about himself, and what were the names of three dear little friends of his who never spoke a word in their lives?
The Postmistress will print in No. 108 the names of all who send answers to these questions. She will also publish the best and most complete answer which she shall receive to these three questions.
K. McD.—To become an expert in the art of illustration, severe and thorough study is the essential thing. You must be an excellent draughtsman, and that no one can become without practice and training. Learn to discipline the hand and to use the eye. Study anatomy, and try to show the varying expressions of the human face, as played upon by passion, sorrow, delight, content, or despair. Endeavor to catch the salient points in a situation, and make a picture which shall emphasize and add to the effect of the descriptive narrative. Your natural talent for sketching will be a great help to you, but nothing will make you really successful except patient and persevering study of drawing, and entire forgetfulness of yourself in your work.
Cohasset, Massachusetts.
Dear Postmistress,—Will you please tell me how to make a leaf album? I have heard of them, and thought I would like to make one, but do not know how.
Could you tell me of some nice books? I like histories ever so much.
I shall be ever so much obliged if you answer my questions in Our Post-office Box.
E. Lulu F.
There are several ways in which a beautiful leaf album might be made. I once possessed one which was composed of card pictures, every one of which represented either a single leaf or a cluster of leaves, with descriptions printed under each picture. A person with skill in painting could make a very lovely album by copying the leaves in their fresh or ripened tints. But probably the best way for you will be to gather leaves and press them carefully, and then fasten them upon your pages either with mucilage or by cutting a little slit in the paper large enough to hold the stem of each leaf. Write under every leaf the name of the species, the place where it grew, and the date of gathering it. You might also write a stanza of poetry on every page, selecting from American or English authors as you prefer. Any blank-book of convenient size will do for an album.
I am very glad you like history. As I do not know what books you have already read, I can give you only the names of some which I like. The Life and Letters of Lord Macaulay, by G. Otto Trevelyan, is a charming biography, and after reading it you will not rest until you have read Macaulay's History of England. Green's Short History of the English People, in one volume, is a book which will charm you from the first to the last page. I hope you read Shakspeare, especially the historical plays. And I advise you to read, by way of informing yourself about American history, Miss Eliza Robins's Tales from American History, and Thatcher's Tales of the American Revolution. Lossing's Field-Book of the Revolution is delightful reading. You will say, "Please, Postmistress, stop," and I will do so, because I might fill a column with the names of books which an intelligent young person would enjoy reading. One thing let me add, and that is, that a good school text-book is always an excellent book to keep at hand for reference when you are reading larger histories.
The careful perusal of Young People will help you to learn about out-of-the-way episodes in history, which you might have to look over many volumes to find.
The following articles in this number are specially designed for the C. Y. P. R. U.: "The Home of the Reindeer" (illustrated), by John Habberton; "Bits of Advice"; and "Window Gardening," with several illustrations.
Contributions received for Young People's Cot in Holy Innocent's Ward, St. Mary's Free Hospital for Children, 407 West Thirty-fourth Street, New York:
Rev. John G. Smith, Chicago, $1; Amy Fownes, Alleghany, 51c.; Annie Rothery, Matteawan, $1.25; D. W. Bishop, Jun., Lenox, 50c.; C. F. Bishop, Lenox, 50c.; Frank L. Cisco, Staten Island, $1; May Cisco, Staten Island, $1; Walter E. Saunders, Washington, N. J., 50c.; Grace C. Hayes, Clinton, N. Y., 51c.; Grace and Willie Fyfield, Yocumville, $2.50; J. Clarke Burrell, New York, $1; proceeds of a fair held by Lulie Lawrence, Lulie H. Fox, Gertrude Birch, Adelia F. Doolittle, Jennie I. Baxter, Josie A. Lawrence, Mamie Doolittle, and Carrie H. Lawrence, of Linden, Montgomery Co., Md., $6.75; Gerald Morton Bliss, East Providence, 27c.; Alma L. and Kleber A. Campbell, West Rutland, Vt., $1; Anna and Levi Rassow, Reading, Penn., $1; Jamie and Freddie Miller, Mamaroneck, $1; Amy Cohen, Albany, 25c.; Willie Needham, New Bedford, Mass., 35c.; Maude and Carrie Cooke, Cheltenham, Penn., $1; Marguerite Laquer, Mendrisio, Switzerland, $2; Dudley A. Williams, Hackensack, 50c.; Allie Bales, Philadelphia, 1c.; A Reader of Young People, Flushing, $1; L. D. C., Chicago, $2; "Little Ada," Cincinnati, 20c.; Hope Kishlar, Goodland, Ind., 50c.; Grace V. C., Watertown, N. Y., 25c.; total, $28.35. Previously acknowledged, $138.61; grand total, $166.96.
E. Augusta Fanshawe, Treasurer, 43 New St.
October 15, 1881.
Goodland, Indiana.
I ride down to the pump on Billy, and lead Charlie. Papa or George pumps the water. I have a tabby cat, but think my Billy horse is the nicest pet. I asked mamma if I could shake some money out of my bank for the Cot. I shook out fifty cents. I was five years old last April. My little playmate, Mamie Harper, is very sick. My aunty wrote this for me. I told her what to say.
Hope Kishlar.
East Providence, Rhode Island.
My little son is very anxious to send his contribution, which he has earned himself, for the Young People's Cot in St. Mary's Hospital, New York. He has just recovered from sickness, is eight years of age, and his name is Gerald Morton Bliss. Wishing you success in your good work, I am, yours truly,
T. A. Bliss.
Alleghany, Pennsylvania.
I am a little girl two years old. I live with my grandparents. My aunt has been telling me about the cot in St. Mary's Free Hospital, and I want to send my money for the poor little sick girls and boys who have nobody to take care of them. My grandpa and grandma give me money, and I put it into a pretty little shell purse I have. I send you all I have in my purse now, and maybe I will send you some more another time.
Amy Fownes + Her mark.
I inclose fifty cents, the contents of my bank, which I wish to give for the Young People's Cot. I work for mamma, gathering up dead leaves, which she pays me for, and I will try and save some more money to send to you before winter comes. I am seven years old, and live in Hackensack, New Jersey.
Dudley A. Williams.
West Rutland, Vermont.
Inclosed find one dollar for the Young People's Cot from Alma L. and Kleber A. Campbell, of West Rutland, Vermont. They were so interested in the account of it they saw in Harper's Young People that they have gladly been without candy to earn the dollar to send.
A. C. Campbell.
Linden, Maryland.
We take the Young People (my two little sisters and myself), and we read in the Post-office Box your letter to the children, asking us to help endow a cot in the little folks' ward, to be called the Young People's Cot. We wanted to do something to help you, so we called our little neighbors together, and read them your letter. We talked it over, and concluded to have a little fair. We did not expect to make much, as there were so few of us; but we did the best we could, and held our little fair Thursday, September 15. We inclose the proceeds, $6.75, hoping it will help you in the good work. It will please us very much, if you have received this, to let us know through the Young People.
Lulie Lawrence,
Lulie H. Fox,
Gertrude Birch,
Adelia F. Doolittle,
Jennie I. Baxter,
Josie A. Lawrence,
Mamie Doolittle,
Carrie H. Lawrence.
New Bedford, Massachusetts.
I have been saving my pennies till I have twenty-five cents, which I send to Young People's Cot. My mother has given me ten cents, making in all thirty-five cents, for which amount you will find stamps inclosed. I have taken Young People nearly a year, and like it very much.
Willie Needham (8 years).
N. B.—The History of a Mountain, by Élisée Reclus, translated by Bertha Ness and John Lillie, and profusely illustrated with fine engravings, will be sent to the boy or girl who shall send the best puzzle to Our Post-office Box between November 1 and December 7. This book is one which will be an addition to any library, and we hope our puzzlers will try to earn it. Obsolete words must not be used in the puzzles submitted for the prize.
Correct answers to puzzles have been received from Alfred C. Gondie, "Dolly Varden," J. Knight Durham, E. E. Steele, George Sylvester, Pansy Elcton, Thecla Clark, Jenny C. Ridgway, Susie M. Farrell, Maggie A. Farrell, Alice M. Southworth, "Queen Bess," W. W. S. Hoffman, Willie Volckhausen, Emma Roehm, G. E. H., J. Marks, Jemima Beeston, Leo Marks, Alice and Katharine, "Lodestar," "Blizzard," Eddie S. Hequembourg, Frank S. Davis, Joseph C. Welch, "Dandy," Henry Elliott Johnston.
PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS.
No. 1.
EASY HALF-SQUARE AND DIAMOND.
| 1.—1. A guide. 2. A boy's name. 3. A gum. 4. Above. 5. A letter. |
| 2.—1. A letter. 2. A nickname. 3. To prevent. 4. A mound of earth. 5. A letter. |
Captain Hal.