MISCELLANEOUS.
Cookie (Barcelona).—Perhaps the following recipe would suit you. Take one pint of wholemeal, one teacup of milk, butter of about the size of a walnut; add a few small raisins and a teaspoonful of baking powder. Mix well, and bake for about half an hour. To make good soda buns, take of flour half a pound, butter three ounces, of sugar three ounces, of candied orange-peel one ounce (or more, cut in small pieces), one small teacupful of milk, the yolks of two eggs and white of one, of carbonate of soda a small teaspoonful (not heaped), and a little grated nutmeg. Beat and blend all well together, butter an oven-tin, and drop the mixture into it, and bake for fifteen or twenty-five minutes in a moderate oven. This will make about a dozen small buns.
A. M. Gard.—If the man to whom you are attached has told you that he cannot at present marry, on account of his circumstances, and says, in addition, that the oftener you meet each other, the harder it is for you, and begs you not to fret, it is clear that he considers it expedient for both to be free, and to keep apart. Under these circumstances it would be both honourable and unselfish to keep out of his society. We should always look for Divine leading, and pray for it; and the indications in this case (quite out of your control) are very clear, and point to retirement on your part.
A Berkshire Reader.—Take eight eggs for the rice cake. Tea, loaves and biscuits are to be obtained of any baker or grocer.
September.—1. The meaning of the name Cicely is “blind.” It is derived from Cecil, a male name, from the Latin Cæcillius, a diminutive of cæcus, “blind.” The original woman’s name was Cecilia, and Cicely is a corruption of it.—2. Your question is very vague, and you do not say in what part of London you wish to reside. The Young Women’s Christian Association has many Homes for women in business. Apply for information at the head office, 26, George Street, Hanover Square, W.
Lora.—This name is a form of Laura, and is found as early as 1208 A.D. Laura is derived from laurus, a laurel or bay-tree. Laura corresponds with the Greek name Daphne.
May Morey.—The description you give sounds like the old willow pattern, which was manufactured at Stoke-upon-Trent, by the first Josiah Spode, about 1780. But we think perhaps the plate may be porcelain, in which case the name Spode would be that of the second Josiah Spode, who introduced the manufacture of porcelain in 1800. If the mark be painted in red, blue or purple, the plate is porcelain; if impressed on the clay, it is not. The first Josiah Spode introduced the blue printed china. We could not say what the value is, unless we knew its condition.
Christabel.—1. We should be afraid that the letters were not genuine. The people who offer large sums of money on condition of a million or more stamps being collected, are usually not to be found when the subject is inquired into. But why not put an end to the nuisance by writing a postcard to the sender and asking her to send no more “chain letters” to you, as you will forward no more?—2. The two books you inquire about are not of very great value. The Milton, by John Gillies, was published in 1788, and went through three editions. If yours be the one of 1793, it is number two, and is worth about 2s. The Shakespeare, or rather The History and Antiquities of Stratford-on-Avon, by R. B. Wheler, 1806, 8vo., is worth about 16s., if in good condition, as it is a standard work on Warwickshire. Many thanks for your kind wishes which we fully reciprocate.
Beattie.—The uncle has no legal authority at all, unless a guardian or trustee, save that a near relative and an older man may have. The duties of trustees are to see all the accounts of the trust, know all the investments, and never to sign any papers they do not fully understand.
Mother Kitty.—1. White felt hats can be cleaned with flour, and will look quite well after rubbing. Of course all the trimming should be taken off, and when finished, the flour must be well beaten out, so that it may not come off on everything.—2. Handwriting is clear and neat—what is called a “running hand.” Why do you put a knot at the ends of the t’s? It is incorrect.
Cookmaid.—1. The date appears to be 1744, if your letters be right. We cannot say of what value it is, because you omit the author’s name.—2. The snuff-box is of value as a curiosity, but we could not say of how much. A great deal of the wood of the Royal George was used for such things.
Mayblossom.—The name of David’s mother is unknown, as we have often said. His grandmother was Ruth.
A Lover of the “G.O.P.”—It is always better to err on the side of kindness, and if you have had a conversation on business matters, and are constantly meeting, you will find it awkward, and it would be impolitic if you did not bow when you see him in the street. This does not entail any further intimacy.
Marigold.—The best German yeast is very good for making bread. The “D.C.L.” brand is what we prefer for our own home use. We should employ this in preference to brewers’ barm.
Noel.—The name Noel is derived from the Latin Dies Natalis—Christmas. It may mean born on Christmas Day. The French is Noel, Italian Natali, Spanish and Portuguese Natal. And this last brings us to the origin of the name of one of our South African colonies, Natal, which was bestowed by Vasco da Gama, because he discovered it on Christmas Day.
Le Duc.—We think your letter a very charming piece of effrontery, and even the commendation you are kind enough to lavish on us does not blind our eyes to the fact that you are a boy. We are glad to see, however, that you say “only a boy” in your letter; so we will, in consideration of that humility, overlook the fact that your place is in the “B.O.P.” Strange to say, we have a great many boys who like our paper, and we are glad to know they take an interest in what their sisters are doing. The Diary you inquire about, Write as you like It, is issued by Charles Letts & Co., so you can order it through your stationer. About the pens, we regret we cannot help you, as we hear the same complaint from others. But an Italian lady tells us that the only good ones are to be purchased in Italy, which might form a good excuse for going there. Any ordinary blank book will do for a diary; there are many kinds described in the article of Feb. 1897.
Monah Stairs.—We do not think matters can be as bad as you say; and you have your aunt and both your brothers to consult, and no one will, we are sure, coerce you. You have also the doctor of whom you speak; so we hope, by this time, you have cheered up and are looking on the brighter side of things.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] All this from a Frenchman’s account.
[2] From Women of Christianity, by Julia Kavanagh, p. 326.