MISCELLANEOUS.
Pineapple.—An ordinary afternoon garden and tennis party might be held in September if the weather were fine.
Gillespie.—Most stationers keep very pretty menu cards now, which can be filled in by hand with the names of the guests and the dishes.
X. Y. Z.—Press the flowers in blotting-paper, which should be frequently changed.
Rexie.—We are much obliged for your impromptu verses on the G. O. P., and for your good wishes also.
Ray Majendie.—The warts may be touched with a stick of lunar caustic. You had better get a doctor to do it if they be very bad. The 8th July, 1867, was a Monday.
K. T. S.—The digestion is weak and the circulation is affected. You should consult a doctor about it.
Pomps and Vanities.—The maidenhair fern was probably chilled in some way; it needs warmth and dampness. Your education should be quite completed before you think of society and its distractions. When you are twenty (about) will be time enough. Do not write to us again on blue paper with blue ink, please.
Asphodel.—We sympathise much with you, but we cannot advise you to have anything done to your face. The result is generally a bad scar. Use a little harmless powder (magnesia), and try to forget it as much as possible, and fix your thoughts on better things.
A. Walters.—The passion-flower bears that name on account of its several characteristics, which, combined together, seem to symbolise the following appliances and circumstances connected with our Lord's death and passion. The leaves, the spear; the tendrils, the cords with which He was scourged and bound; the ten petals, the ten apostles who deserted Him; the central pillar, the cross; the stamens, the hammers, the styles, the nails; the inner circle round the central pillar, the crown of thorns; the radius round it, the nimbus of glory; the white in the flower, an emblem of innocence and purity; the blue, a type of heaven. The fact that it remains open three days and then dies, denotes the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord. We partly copy from the Watchword.
Lilian Vaughan.—The Editor of the G. O. P. has nothing to do with the publishing department of the Religious Tract Society. Write to Mr. Tarn.
Ebnocnub.—The term "bumpkin" is of Dutch origin, taken from the word boomken, meaning "a sprout," "a fool." It signifies a loutish person, and is applied to a country clown, not a woman.
Cherry Pie.—A good run over the downs, or a canter on a donkey, not only circulates the blood, but make the lungs work well. But you should beware of cooling quickly afterwards, and of sitting in a draughty or windy place.
Florence.—As the swelling in your hands is constitutional, your general health needs very strict attention, as there must be a good deal amiss. You should live generously, eat heat-making food, take a tonic of a preparation of iron, and wear woollen under-garments next the skin.
Mrs. Sweet tells us she has "asked most important things," which, alas! we seem to have overlooked, and certainly have forgotten. We are very sorry, dear little Mrs. Sweet-tooth, and are glad that your kind pa and ma "like your writing and think it has improved." Try to remember that you must not steal an "e" from the poor little word "please." We shall be glad to hear from our small friend again, and hope that her next letter will not be so long in turning up to the top of our great mountain of letters.
Lochaber.—Dante was unquestionably greater as a poet and man of genius than Goethe; but we could not draw such a comparison between the lady novelists you name; their styles were very different and equally meritorious.
Felix.—You had better apply to the editor of Parodies, care of Messrs. Reeves and Turner, Strand, London, W.C., as we have not leisure to make the search for you.
S. F. S. T. C.—It is quite natural and harmless to appreciate the regard and love of those around you. If kind and true and helpful to them, and you maintain your own self-respect in all your words and actions, they must value and respect you. Your writing is good. It is inexpedient to repeat the impertinent assertions of those who have not sufficient powers of discernment between the painstaking replies to our thousands of correspondents and what they are pleased to designate "a hoax."
Daisy Laylor.—Lettuce leaves can only serve as a pis aller, or "makeshift" as food for caterpillars before the mulberry leaves come out, just to save them from starvation; but the latter is their natural and proper food, and yours are probably dying from want of them.
G. D. C.—You should write to some of the great shipping firms owning passenger vessels for all such particulars. Rules and terms vary a good deal, and to give those of one firm would not enlighten you in reference to others. You ought to understand the duties of a lady's-maid, and be a good sailor.
Naughty One should ask her music teacher whether she should continue her practising during the visit or whether she would prefer her to desist for a time. Give her the option; politeness demands it.
Brigton.—Your verses show a good deal of poetic feeling, although without any special indication of originality of thought. The verses entitled "Morning" ought to have rhymes, as it is not blank verse. You ought to study the rules of metrical composition before putting your thoughts into metre. This is as essential to the construction of verse, as to be acquainted with those of harmony or counterpoint, before attempting to compose music.
Nellie P.—We do not know of any hospital specially instituted for the cure of chronic indigestion. Probably the best cure for you would be found in treatment at certain mineral baths. On this point you should obtain medical advice. Those of Vichy (France) or Carlsbad (Bohemia), Aix-la-Chapelle, or some of our own, might be suitable for you. But we could not venture to prescribe, neither knowing you nor being doctors.
Mary Kingsley.—1. The people of God in all ages, before and after the commencement of the Christian Era, form one great brotherhood, sharing the same interests, fighting the same "fight of faith," one in hope, in aim, and in spiritual sympathy, as children of the same Divine Father. Thus, they are in communion one with another, and there is really an unbroken bond of union between those who have gone before, and those still waiting here. 2. Persons who tell characters from handwriting advertise.
Inquisitive One.—1. Soap spoils sponges. Even clean water should be well squeezed out of them, and then they can be cleaned with sponge powder, obtained from a chemist. Dry toothbrushes thoroughly, and place them in the tray made for them. A little soda or bran in the water will soften it. 2. Your writing is good, but you should learn to write in straight lines.
Sissie B.—It is your duty to speak to your father about your brother of twelve, who runs away for whole days up till past midnight, smokes, and gets into bad company. He ought to be sent to a boarding school, or else apprenticed at once, or he will go to ruin. His example is ruining his brothers. Tell your father that if you could manage them you would neither complain of chance acts of insubordination nor of the trouble you willingly take with them; but, as you find you have no control over them, you must tell him so before they are ruined.
Inquisitive.—The average duration of human life is increasing to the extent of five per cent., or more than two years, since the computation made in Dr. Farr's life tables. The duration of life amongst women has increased to a greater degree than that of men, and this may be attributed to the greater attention paid to hygienic principles and the new discoveries made in this direction.
Lily of the Valley.—Surround the plants with a circle of lime, and water them with tobacco-juice. The latter must, of course, be well washed before use. Handwriting not formed.
Sunday-school Teacher.—No, Robert Raikes was the originator of the present organised system which obtains in England, and the idea originated in his work amongst the criminals in prison, their early religious instruction appearing to him the best preventive measure towards ensuring their never becoming so fallen. But the Sunday instruction of children dates back to about the year 1580, Cardinal St. Charles Borromeo having introduced it at Milan, and in the following century (1693) his example was followed by the Rev. Joseph Alleine; by the Rev. David Blair, at Brechin, in about the year 1760. Then followed the Rev. Theodore Lindsey, at Catterick, Yorkshire, about three years later; and, lastly, and with a more perfect organisation, Robert Raikes, the printer of Gloucester, with the co-operation of the Rev. Thomas Stock, some seventeen years later. The Sunday School Union was founded nine years before his death, in 1802.
Sunshade.—To work a flower upon a sunshade, you must unpick the material from the frame sufficiently to iron the embroidery on the wrong side when finished, otherwise the work will look pulled. We should recommend white flowers, such as large daisies and Japanese anemones. The sun fades coloured silks when worked in exposed places, and white will always combine well with any other part of the dress.
Marguerita.—As you have left home to support yourself, you are no longer chaperoned by your mother, and your position is quite changed. You must now have a card to yourself, and if the persons on whom you call be out, you may leave one or more as needed; but if your friends be at home, do not on any account leave cards, but, if at home to you, go in and see them.
ENGROSSED.
Macrame.—1. The rose-leaves designed for drying must be gathered on a dry hot day and laid in the sun until they have shrivelled. They should be placed in jars with dried lavender, cloves, woodruff leaves, orris-root, musk, pimento, and gums; a little salt must be added, and the ingredients stirred. 2. To prevent gnats from biting, bathe the face, neck, and hands with vinegar and water before going into the garden or under trees, or near water, and before going to bed. Shut the windows early, and destroy all that settle upon them. Put your candle outside the door, which should be left partially open, while undressing, and shut the door quickly when you take in the candle. Ammonia cures the irritation of gnat and mosquito bites.
Altour.—A man has the power of leaving all his property, that is not settled on his children nor entailed, to his wife, and may likewise give her the power of appointment, which means that she may give or leave it to the children in unequal proportion—a shilling to one and all the rest of the property to another—just as they may deserve to be treated. When any of the children are undutiful and likely to give the widow trouble, this placing her in his own position gives her the needed power over the unruly. Should a man die intestate, the widow is entitled to a third of his property, and the remainder goes to the children in equal shares.
Louise.—Moths usually come from damp. Keep woollen materials and furs in a dry place (in a cedar trunk, if you have one), and lay camphor between the folds of the former. Take the woollen cloths out occasionally and shake them well.
Forget-me-not should remain at school till eighteen, if her parents can afford it. In any case, she has much to learn at home before her education will be completed—household economy, nursing, cookery, and every branch comprised in perfecting herself as a mother's help at home, the sweetest occupation in life!
Comme Toujours.—1. The books of Esdras are apocryphal; the books of Ezra and Nehemiah are inspired, and are included in the canonical Scriptures. 2. Under Edward VI., a confession of faith was drawn up by Cranmer and Ridley, 1551, approved by the king and a commission of divines, which was published in forty-two articles, but was not approved by convocation, and a new confession was drawn up by Archbishop Parker, under Elizabeth, when some articles were rejected, and the whole was composed of thirty-nine.
Colleen.—Your verses show some promise; but we do not see why the supposed kiss of the "Christ Child" should have proved death to the baby. If one publisher declines taking your book, try another. Literature is a trying profession, full of disappointments; yet first books are not always failures. Write what is useful, and on ground little occupied by others.
Jacky and Charley.—Have you no feeling of self-respect and maidenly reserve? or is your letter a feeble attempt at a dull joke? The first question you ask is very silly indeed. What makes anyone's hair curl? Either nature in flattened formation of each tube, or the use of curling-paper or hot irons.
M. F. F.—Use tweezers, and accept our good wishes for your success.
Grateful Alice.—Anyone on a visit only, or in the employment of the proprietor of a house in which he or she resides, should have their letters addressed first to themselves, and underneath their own name should be that of the owner of the house—their host or hostess, master or mistress. Under a guest's name you should write "care of So-and-so," and under a servant's name "At John Robinson's Esq.," or "At Mrs. John Robinson's." You write a pretty hand, and your letter does you credit.
F. H. Edwards.—1. Our Blessed Lord was about thirty years of age when His ministry began. See St. Luke iii. 23. The general opinion as to the duration of that ministry has undergone some change. It was supposed to have been about three years, but we believe that the learned are now inclined to think that it was somewhat longer. It would be more reverent to say "the Lord Jesus." 2. We advise you to place your steel engraving in the hands of a skilful picture-restorer.
Florence.—Your first business should be to complete your English education. Learn geography, and study maps thoroughly; study English grammar, and learn the first three rules in arithmetic; also read some good English history; over and above, any study of harmony or mere accomplishments. Our girls do not seem to reflect on the labour entailed on the Editor, and the time he has to give up in judging between, as well as reading, some four or five thousand competition papers.
Cecmac should consult a dentist, and avoid wet feet, as the least dampness of the feet affects the teeth.
Mary Kendal should read Bishop Mant's "Happiness of the Blest," and should also consult some clergyman for advice. Her questions are not suitable to our columns, which are not intended for controversy.
Apple Blossom.—If you be a steady quiet girl, we should advise you to choose the Civil Service.
Heraldry.—The crest is a dragon's or wyvern's head, erased. The dragon is very common in heraldry. It is supposed to have been brought into England by the Teutonic knights, who have migrated here. It did not originate in England.
Bessie.—St. Hilda founded her double house for nuns and monks at Streoneshalk in 657 A.D. In 867 the Danes burnt her abbey, and changed the name to Whitby, or Priest-by (white, or priest's house). The abbey was refounded, for monks only, under the Benedictine rule, in 1073, by William de Percy. The nuns in Scott's "Marmion" are mythical ones. The Ammonites of the Scar are said to be headless snakes turned into a coat of stone by St. Hilda's prayers.
Ivy.—The Lord Chancellor's office is at the House of Lords. There is a private secretary, a permanent secretary, and a secretary of commissions and of presentations. Letters should be addressed as above.
Marguerite.—1. The name "Epipsychidion," given by Shelley to a poem, is a diminutive for "Epipsyche," "on the soul." If so, it means "a little thing" (whether poem or essay) "on the soul." Your second question has been many times answered. 2. Read "Dinners in Society," page 314, vol. ii., and "The Habits of Polite Society," page 162, vol. iii. Never, under any pretext, put a knife to your mouth. Cut a small piece of bread and place the cheese on it, and convey it thus.
Rose Walnut.—In addressing an archdeacon, you should say Mr. Archdeacon ——; that is his proper title and style. You say, "which is the most fashionable hand-writing," etc., but do not name those to which you refer. It should be small, roundish (without angles), without spidery tails and flourishes; and it should slope from right to left.
Reader of the G.O.P.—We regret we cannot help you. We suppose you must apprentice your daughter in the usual way.
Portia.—The use of curling-irons is likely to dry and wither the hair. Many burn the hair in using them. The "oe" in Goethe should be pronounced as the French word, mœurs. Our English letters would not produce the sound.