Report.
From the time our first competition was announced until now, it has been a real pleasure to look over the papers sent in by our readers, who seem always to have understood the spirit and object of the various competitions we have placed before them and to have entered into them enthusiastically and naturally. The consequence is that their papers have been full of interest and instruction as to matters we never could have learned by books or by travel. The barrier behind which thousands of lives are lived could never have been broken down but for the ready help of the girls themselves. Their papers have made our views of life broader, they have evoked sympathy and admiration for the toilers in our great cities; they have permitted us to stand side by side with them as they work and struggle and fight for what they know to be good and pure; they have made us free of their homes, whether in the farm kitchen, or in the streets of our great cities, so that one can sit down and picture them all, whether in a London factory, a country farm, a village rectory, or away in our far-off colonies.
But this competition is different from any of those which have preceded it, for the Editor has asked the opinion of his thousands of readers as to their favourites among the staff of writers, artists, and musicians whom he has employed for the last twenty years. It is a bold thing to have done, and yet it is but natural that a man who has devoted the best years of his life to a certain object should desire to know how his methods have answered and whether the material he has offered for the instruction and healthy amusement of girls has met with the approbation of those for whom he has catered. It is no easy task in the present age when independence is growing rampant, to influence girls and surround them with an atmosphere which, without in the least coercing them, will keep them pure and gentle and womanly.
So throwing caution to the winds, the editor has submitted himself and his staff to the microscopic criticism of his many thousands of readers, and begged them to select ten out of the number whom they like best and to give a reason for their preference.
We have received some hundreds of papers, each of which has been conscientiously read and pondered over. Each competitor has stamped her paper with her own individuality; she knows exactly what she prefers and why she prefers it. One and all regret that they are limited in their choice to ten of the staff, seeing that all are so good, but there seems to have been no hesitation as to the chief favourites.
In awarding the prizes, we have taken into consideration not so much the handwriting and decoration of the manuscripts as the thoughtfulness and intelligence with which they have been written.
Side-Lights.
Widespread as we consider our knowledge of girl nature by this time, competition papers often spring upon us surprises, showing us we have much to learn upon the subject. We confess that, although we have always taken care to provide our readers with subject-matter for deeper thought, still we were scarcely prepared to find that in the majority of cases the first things read were these graver articles and the papers dealing with instructive and interesting matters, the stories as a rule being kept till the last. In one paper only were all the favourites chosen for stories.
Quotations.
1. I can safely say all the stories and articles in the “G. O. P.” are the best to be had. In truth one puts down the “G. O. P.” with better feelings and higher aspirations than when one took it up. Years ago my father found me reading a paper that he did not think fit for a girl to read, so he promised to buy me a magazine if I would read only such books as he provided. I promised, and he set about getting me suitable reading. As a result, he was shown the “G. O. P.,” and brought it home to me, and for twenty years I have been a reader of the “G. O. P.,” and hope to be for as long as I live, for I do not think I could get a better.
2. May I suggest another competition to you? You have already had one for girls who work with head and hands—will you not also have one for those who are preparing to work with head or hands? I am sure there would be many interesting pictures of student life at our colleges among the papers sent in. I feel that the “G. O. P.” decided my life for me. In April, 1881, when I was eight years old, we bought the number for the month. There was an article in it on the North London Collegiate School; it mentioned the pupils who were graduates—some were doctors or medical students. I said I would be one too; the idea stayed with me. At last the way was opened for me, though it is harder than I thought.
3. May I hope you will read this as a friendly letter from American girls who do not wish the pleasure they have received from your paper to remain unexpressed.
4. I am very proud to be able to say I commenced taking in the “G. O. P.” on the 2nd October, 1880, being the beginning number of the second volume, and ever since I have taken the greatest interest in it. When I got married, one of the first pieces of furniture we bought was a book-case to put my favourite books in; I often take one of the old volumes down for information—I appreciate them more every day for the kind and practical help they give.