STUDY AND STUDIO.
D. E. N. S.—1. We cannot tell you of any French lady who would exchange correspondence lessons with you. But why not insert your name in our “International Correspondence” column?—2. Mudie’s Library, or Smith’s, extend their operations to country districts. For light reading, you might try one of these.
Laurel.—We have read your letter with great sympathy. We cannot give a direct “yes” or “no” to your question, as so much depends on the individual habit of mind. Would you not like to read a good translation (e.g., Longfellow’s) of Dante’s “Divine Comedy” on Sunday? We certainly think you should employ your scanty leisure to the best advantage; but there are many great poets who are so spiritual in tone, that there could be no doubt as to the fitness of studying them on this day.
Semper Idem.—1. You do not give us your address, but there are plenty of classes in London for type-writing; address The Secretary, Board of Technical Instruction, St. Martin’s Lane, W.C. The art appears to be very quickly learned as a rule.—2. Your quotation,
“Boys, flying kites, haul in their white-winged birds,
You can’t do that way when you’re flying words,”
is from “The First Settler’s Story” in Will Carleton’s Farm Ballads.
Edwin C. R. Langley.—Many thanks for your kind suggestion. We remembered Longfellow’s mention of St. Augustine; but Tennyson, though his thought is similar, does not mean St. Augustine, or even Longfellow by
“Him who sings
To one clear harp in divers tones.”
Our information, that the poet referred to was Goethe, comes from one who had asked Tennyson himself.
Colleen Bawn.—1. Your story is graphically written and shows you to have a certain power of description. The criticism—not, as you suggest, a severe one—which we should be disposed to offer is this:—That you are inclined towards an excess of sentimentality. Why should the curate have felt “everything was changed for him” after the scene in the church? “Miss Amy” had given him no cause whatever, so far as the reader can observe, for any such despair. And his dying in the snow is unnecessarily tragic. A sensible man, accustomed to traverse the parish in all weathers, would have guarded against losing his way on such a night as you describe, probably by remaining under shelter at the cottage till daylight, if no guide could be found. One feels that the man’s life is quite needlessly sacrificed for the sake of forcing the pathos. We should not have said all this, had not your story shown some signs of talent, and if you are neglecting no duty by writing, we should advise you to persevere.—2. Your handwriting is good, and you appear to understand the art of punctuation, which is by no means a matter of course.
Frog.—1. We should advise you to write to George Philip & Son, publishers, London, for a full catalogue of geographical works of every sort at a low price. Doubtless any bookseller would procure this catalogue for you.—2. We should consider that no soap can be of any possible use in reducing weight. Plenty of exercise and proper diet are the best remedies.
White Aster.—1. We do not consider your handwriting good. The backward slope is not to be admired, and in addition to this defect, it is very irregular and untidy.—2. We have heard that a coating of varnish is sufficient for the purpose you name, but have never tried it.
Miss E. K. Sibbald (Canada).—Many thanks for sending the extract stating that “Puss” is a modern form of the Egyptian “Pasht”—a name given by the ancient Egyptians to the moon, and also to the cat, of which they made an idol. The cat’s face was supposed to resemble the moon “because she was more bright at night, and because her eyes change just as the moon changes, which is sometimes full and sometimes a bright crescent or half moon.”
Clissold.—All we can suggest is that you should apply to the director or organizing secretary for technical education in your district, asking him where you can obtain instruction in “black and white.” We believe that the address for Halifax would be W. Vibart Dixon, Esq., West Riding Offices, Wakefield. He would perhaps help you. Did you read Mrs. Watson’s articles on “What are the County Councils doing for Girls”? (The Girl’s Own Paper, 1897.) We advise you to refer to them.
E. G. M.—Your poem on the “Dying Child” is incorrect in metre. From verse to verse the lines vary; for instance, your ear can tell you that these lines are not alike—
“Oh, weary watcher! thy care is all in vain.”
“Relentless watcher, thy name is Death.”
Yet both lines occupy the same place in the verse. “The Phantom Bell” is much better, so far as form goes; but not quite accurate, and we fear you would scarcely be able to find a publisher for it. You should study the laws of versification.
Miss Nicholls.—1. We cannot insert your requirements in full; but are willing to say that any reader, not under twenty-four, acquainted with German, French, and either painting or music (the latter preferred), who feels she would like to work with another lady in teaching and share her house, may write to you for further details.—2. Your poems are very fairly good, especially the translations. The first two verses of the Italian specimen do you credit. We also proceed to notice, at your request, A Romance Languages Club, Secretary, Miss Nicholls, Laburnum Villa, Leamington. “The club is designed to promote the intelligent study of the Romance Languages—French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese. Every member must study French and one other language—Italian, Spanish or Portuguese; but if a member wishes to work at three or all four languages, she will be at liberty to do so. On receipt of a stamped addressed envelope a trial lesson will be sent free to anyone.” Further particulars may be obtained on application.
Selecta and First Class of Fräulein Green’s School, Hamburg.—We are very glad, dear girls, to hear that our paper finds its way to you and gives you pleasure. You must have made excellent progress in English when you can read it as a recreation, not merely as a lesson. We should like to encourage you to persevere. Germans have understood and commented upon our greatest author, Shakespeare, better even than we English have done, and we owe your country a great literary debt. We hope that in days to come you may each be able to appreciate, not only the great books of your own country, but the great books of ours—and then you will never regret any toil or trouble spent in learning the English language.