STUDY AND STUDIO.
E. V. O.—1. You must not be disappointed when we tell you that it is a very usual thing for friends and relations to be favourably impressed by the poetry composed by younger members of the family, and to hope for their future literary success; but the power of stringing rhymes together is also very usual, and we cannot encourage you by any glowing prophecy. Do not however suppose that we dissuade you from writing in leisure moments for your own pleasure. “Home” and “alone” do not rhyme.—2. Would you like to take up the study of some language, e.g., Italian and its literature? or Greek? We suggest a language as you say you do not care for music, drawing, or painting. You might take lessons in wood-carving; or learn cookery as a fine art. There is always abundant opportunity for those who are willing to work among the poor. To be eighteen, and have all your time on your hands, is a great responsibility! For opportunities of technical education, write to the secretary, Technical Education Board, St. Martin’s Lane, W.C. If we knew your character and capacity, we could of course advise you more definitely.
Juliet and E. M. P.—“The Bishop and the Caterpillar” first appeared in a number of the “Boy’s Own Paper.” If you write to the Boy’s Own Paper Office, 56, Paternoster Row, enclosing 6d., and 2d. postage, you will doubtless be able to obtain it. It is also to be found in Alfred Miles’ Platform Reciter, part 1. E. M. P.’s handwriting would be improved by more care and regularity.
S. B.—Many thanks for your amusing jeu d’esprit on the varying styles of punctuation.
E. W. H.—Browning and Tennyson are most emphatically not “minor poets.” Some consider Wordsworth as greater than either. Scott, as a poet, would rank below these three. It is a difficult matter to appraise poets exactly, as you suggest, but the work of Wordsworth, Browning, and Tennyson stands in the foremost rank of English literature.
E. M. M.—1. You cannot certainly “take lessons from the Royal Academy or College without entering.” To take lessons is to “enter.” But you can be examined at a local centre by the Associated Board of both institutions. The cost of training at the Royal Academy of Music is £11 11s. per term, with an entrance fee of £5 5s. The fee at the Royal College is £40 a year.—2. Only two questions, please. Your age would be all right. Apply to the Secretary of either institution for fuller details.
Bluebird.—There are numerous collections of temperance recitations. “The Geese” is a favourite recitation, but requires two characters. A “Reciter” of Alfred H. Miles’ series (6d. each) would probably suit you. Inquire at any bookseller’s.
Alofa.—1. Your verses are perhaps a little above the average of those sent to us for criticism. It is pleasant to see the beauties—too seldom appreciated—of our suburban common-land made the subject of a poem. One line is faulty—
“Shall fill all the future with undying perfume.”
where, as you will observe, a forced emphasis on “un” must be used to make the line scan. But for this error, we should say that verse—the second—was the best. Perhaps the first now deserves most praise.—2. We can hardly encourage you to persevere in writing “realistic fiction” without seeing a specimen of your work, but from your poem, and your pleasant letter, we should judge you had some talent.
Georgina.—We presume that yours are the poems signed “M. D. A.” In the great accumulation of MSS., it is a help to us if the same name or pseudonym marks both letter and manuscript. There is much that is defective in the form of these two poems; but the idea embodied in both is striking. We should advise you to study the laws of poetic form, and then perhaps try to express these ideas in a more finished way.
Fidelia.—We are much interested by your letter, and applaud your desire for self-improvement. We think the series of articles now appearing in the Girl’s Own Paper by Mrs. Watson on “Self-Culture for Girls” may help you. You are wise in supposing that if you indulge in desultory reading alone, it will spoil your taste for solid reading, and interfere with your power of concentration. At the same time you must remember the old proverb about “all work and no play.” We should recommend you to begin by reading one of Scott’s historical novels, e.g., Ivanhoe; or The Cloister and the Hearth, by Charles Reade; or, better still, Kingsley’s Heroes, and then follow on the line of study suggested if it appeals to your taste. But we think you are under a misapprehension as to the expense involved in joining the National Home Reading Union. Apply, at any rate, for full particulars to the Secretary, Miss Mondy, Surrey House, Victoria Embankment, London.—2. Your letter is well composed, and your writing is decidedly good.