STUDY AND STUDIO.
Lizzie van Hardenbroek (Algiers).—We thank you heartily for your very pleasant letter. The English and handwriting are admirable, considering that you are a foreigner.—1. Your quotation is from Milton’s poem “On His Blindness.” You may perhaps know that our great poet, who had from childhood injured his eyesight by excessive study and strain, became totally blind in about the forty-seventh year of his age. As you may have difficulty in procuring it, we transcribe the whole sonnet, which is one of the most beautiful in the English language:—
“When I consider how my light is spent
Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent, which is death to hide,
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest he returning chide;
‘Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?’
I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies, ‘God doth not need
Either man’s work or his own gifts. Who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed,
And post o’er land and ocean without rest;
They also serve who only stand and wait.’”
Fiddler.—We can only confirm your own modest opinion, that your composition is very incorrect. There appears to be no melody, and it is without meaning or coherence. We can, however, give you one word of praise, for the music is most beautifully copied. You should study the laws of musical composition. Davenport’s Elements of Music, and Harmony, are the best books for you to procure.
Olive.—The literal Latin words for “Love conquers” are “Amor vincit,” but as a motto it reads better “Omnia vincit amor”—“Love conquers all things.”
Victoria.—1. Your writing has a small and cramped appearance, and you do not form your letters well. The tails of your g’s, y’s, &c., are too long. You write very clearly, and might easily improve with care.—2. We do not give the private address of the authoress in question, but letters sent to the office of The Girl’s Own Paper would be forwarded to her. Ethel Rimmer’s question has been already answered, though we thank you for your kindness.
Snowdrop.—1. Yes; we are afraid we must confirm the opinion of your relations, that your writing is very bad; but do not despair! Purchase some good copybooks and practise every day.—2. “The Anchor’s Weighed” is a very well known nautical song, and you could purchase it in a cheap form by inquiring at any music shop, so that it is hardly necessary for us to print all the words here.
Joyce.—The play to which you refer, “The Witches’ Curse,” is by Miss Alcott, the author of Little Women, and you can procure it separately; “The Witches’ Curse and Other Plays, by Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy.” Inquire at your bookseller’s. We have seen it prettily acted by children.
Hilda Quelch.—1. Write to the Registrar, University of London, Burlington Gardens, W., for a syllabus of the Matriculation exam.—2. Your writing does not strike us as “babyish,” but it is a little small and cramped. We do not admire the backward slope; but if you wish to retain that, you may still acquire greater freedom by practice and care. Two questions are our limit. We thank you for your kind little letter and assure you of our good wishes.