THE QUEEN’S JUBILEE PRIZE COMPETITION.

NOTABLE WOMEN OF THE REIGN OF QUEEN VICTORIA.

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN.

THE SUBJECT OF OUR NEXT COMPETITION IS TO BE
The Notable Women of the reign of Queen Victoria.

Of these, each competitor will make out a list for herself, and regarding those whom she selects, she will be required to state, briefly and clearly, who they were, when and where they were born, and when and where they died—if they be dead—and to give such particulars about what they have done as will prove their right to the title of notable women.

Eleven prizes will be given, one to the most successful competitor of every age from thirteen to twenty-three, inclusive. Thus, a girl thirteen years old has a chance of obtaining the prize awarded to girls between thirteen and fourteen; a girl of fourteen may prove the winner of the prize given to those between fourteen and fifteen: and so on, up to the age of twenty-three.

Each prize will consist of

A Gold Medal-Brooch

To be especially struck by the Editor in honour of Her Majesty’s Jubilee. These medals will be cast in the form of brooches, with a pin at the back for more convenient use. They have been specially designed for The Girl’s Own Paper, and will bear on the reverse of the medal the name of the owner. The front side of the medal will bear the design, conventionally treated, of the heading to every weekly number of this magazine.

Certificates of merit will also be given—first, second, and third class—and these will be awarded to girls of any age who gain the necessary number of marks.

A special prize of a Gold Medal-Brooch will be given—for the first time in our series of competitions—to

Foreign and Colonial Competitors of All Ages.

We have long recognised the fact that those who live abroad labour, as a rule, under considerable disadvantages in competing with the majority of girls who stay at home, and we are glad to show, by the offer of this special prize, our appreciation of the painstaking efforts of many readers in distant places.

Foreign and Colonial competitors will on this occasion have longer time allowed them for sending in their papers.

All readers, everywhere, are invited to enter for this competition, which,

in view of the approaching Jubilee of Her Majesty,

has a special interest. The testimony of many who have taken part in previous competitions is that they proved sources not only of considerable enjoyment, but of great intellectual profit. The present one has features as valuable as any competition that has ever been started. To engage in it can hardly fail to widen our sympathies and increase our interest in the world around us and in the age in which we live.

Even those who fail to obtain either a prize or a certificate will not have spent their time uselessly. Let them keep in mind that:

“No endeavour is in vain,

Its reward is in the doing;

And the rapture of pursuing

Is the prize the vanquished gain.”

The Notable Women dealt with must all be British subjects: foreigners will not count. It is not necessary that they should have been born after Queen Victoria came to the throne. All may be included who have lived any part of their lives in the reign of Her Majesty.

They must be distinguished on account of some worthy quality. They may be famous for learning; noted as authors, musicians, or painters; remarkable as philanthropists and public benefactors—in fact, no one will come amiss who can be said to have in any considerable degree attracted attention by either her virtues or her abilities.

The number treated of may be what every competitor finds time and inclination for. The more comprehensive the paper, of course the better chance there will be of a prize or a certificate: in everything, as is well-known, “if little labour little are our gains.” The most important thing, however, is quality, not quantity.

The notice of each notable woman is in no case to exceed one hundred and twenty words, exclusive of the name and the place and date of birth and death.

The arrangement of their papers to be followed by competitors is the order of birth, not the order of death.

What we intend should be sent in will be readily understood, perhaps, by the following examples, in which we have given two characters who, as they are purely imaginary, need not be looked for in any Biographical Dictionary.

Arabella G. Cunningham,

Born at Edinburgh, 20th May, 1812.

Died at Tunbridge Wells, 7th December, 1856.

Of an old Scotch family. First attracted attention in 1835 by the publication of her “Turns of Fortune,” a tale of which seventy thousand copies were sold within three days. Encouraged by this success she gave herself up to the pursuit of literature. Her most popular works, besides that just named, are “At the Sign of the Spread Eagle,” “The Court of Lions,” “Hammer and Tongs,” “Lady Bettina,” and “The Hero of the White Shield.” Inherited a large fortune from her father, and being herself the best paid authoress of her time, and of an exceedingly saving turn, she died worth an immense sum.

Gertrude Williams.

Born at Harlech (North Wales), 12th July, 1855.

Still living.

Began the study of the violin at the age of six. Appeared as a musical prodigy at Chester in 1864. Studied from 1865-1868 at the Conservatorium at Leipzig. Made her début in London in April, 1870, when the beauty of her playing at once ensured her a brilliant success. Has now for many years been recognised as the greatest of British violinists, and is much respected for her devotion to the higher forms of musical art. Exhibits a marked tendency towards a wandering life, and has visited professionally not only all the European capitals, but the chief towns of the American Continent. Is a small lively person with dark brown hair and extraordinarily bright eyes.

Competitors must write on one side of the paper only, and, before sending in their papers, they must number the leaves and stitch them together at the left-hand top corner.

On the back of the last leaf each paper must bear the full name, age, and address of the competitor, and underneath the following must be written by father, mother, minister, or teacher:—

“I hereby certify that this paper is the sole work and in the handwriting of (competitor’s full name is again to be written), and that her age and address are correctly stated.” (Signature and address of the parent, minister, or teacher.)

The last day for receiving papers connected with this competition will be Monday, April 25.

Except in the case of Colonial competitors, who will be allowed till Saturday, June 25.

Each paper must be sent by book post—and without a letter—addressed to the Editor, The Girl’s Own Paper, 56, Paternoster-row, London, E.C., and the words “Queen’s Jubilee Competition” must be clearly written in the left-hand corner.

The result of the Competition, so far as home readers are concerned, will be published in the Summer Number of The Girl’s Own Paper.