MISCELLANEOUS.
A Lover of Flowers.—The Bishop’s address was Oxford House, Mape Street, Bethnal Green, E. “The Lord Bishop of Stepney” is his style.
Chevalier.—By the law of Scotland, marriage is a contract completed by the consent of the parties, if there be no legal obstacle; but no irregular marriage in Scotland is now legal unless at the date of it one of the parties had been resident in Scotland for the previous twenty-one days. Clandestine marriages, such as those at Gretna Green, are valid; but the parties, the celebrator, and the witnesses, are liable to fine and imprisonment.
M. B. (West Indies).—The gold coins of George II. were guineas, not sovereigns. The latter were not coined till 1817, we believe. Some of these are extremely valuable; but we cannot say, from your description, of what issue your coin is. With the young head of the king, it is valued at from £5 to £8, and the old head at rather more. Of course these are fine specimens. Those of a later date are less valuable—from £1 10s. to £4. There were two issues during the reign.
Robby.—As to the question of who the “maroons” are—the name is derived from the Spanish cimarron, or “wild,” and was given in Jamaica, in the first instance, to the slaves left behind by their Spanish masters on the conquest of the island by the English, A.D. 1655. These so-called maroons kept up a guerilla warfare with us until the year 1795, when they were subjugated and sent away, some to Africa, and others to Nova Scotia. There are also Dutch maroons, who have been recognised as independent by treaty.
A. L.—Property settled on a wife before marriage is, under all circumstances, protected from the creditors of a husband; but if only settled by subsequent contract, then all debts due by him up to the date of execution may be paid out of it. The M. W. P. Act of 1882 secures all her property to her, both real and personal, absolutely, just as if she were a single woman. She may dispose of, bind, trade with, and leave it by will, but for her debts it will be liable.
Art Student.—The great modern painter who executed the fine work entitled, “Christ before Pilate,” is a Hungarian. His real name is not Munkacsy, but Lieb. He calls himself after his native town, Munkacs on the Latorcza.
Mauritius, Cornflower, Nil Desperandum, and Charlotte are all collectors of old stamps, and all want to sell quantities varying from 5,000 to 12,000. There are dealers in stamps in every large city, and certainly there would be in those from whence our correspondents write. So, if wanting to sell, they had better visit two or three dealers, and inquire of them; but there is a place in Switzerland to which they can be sent—a charity for orphans, and perhaps that would answer. The address is, Asile des Billodes, Le Lôcle, Switzerland; there we believe they are sorted and sold to dealers in all parts of the world.
S. D. H.—We do not know what is the matter with the kitten’s eye, but it appears, from your account, that it wants bathing with warm water. This will relieve the inflammation.
A Collector.—You would get a book on heraldry (perhaps) at the cheapest second-hand; but an old Burke’s Peerage and County Families would give you the fullest information about many of the origins of crests and coats of arms.
Partner.—We should advise your being sent to a good school, as you are very young, and have got a lot of nonsense in your head, which ought to be full of something better; and judging by your writing, your education requires attention. A flirt is not a nice creature; she is a girl who, to feed her own vanity, desires to make others miserable.
Frances H. Chold.—1. The question of becoming a missionary to the poor must be decided by your parents, as you could do nothing without their consent. You would be quite unfit otherwise.—2. We do not see that you need become such a sufferer as you fear to be. Try to dismiss it from your mind. Remember that the source of our health is God; pay attention to your dietary, and adopt that which will prevent acidity. Do not worry, nor fret, nor be anxious. All these things would be bad for you both physically and mentally. We can really see no reason for your remaining single, unless you like that form of life. There is too much worry prevalent amongst us, too many to prophesy ill and look for evils that may never come. We must try to “Consider the lilies,” and live more as Christ told us to live.
Mary V.—1. We do not recommend the use of jewellers’ rouge for cleaning silver plate. It consists of a fine oxide of iron, and is better suited to goldsmiths’ work. It may be used without harm; but finely levigated or precipitated chalk is the best for your purpose. The mercurial plate powder is decidedly objectionable, as it corrodes the surface of the silver.—2. The “prairie dog” is in no sense a dog; it is misnamed; it is a species of marmot. They are about sixteen inches long, and sit up like a hare or rabbit, are very lively and playful, and live in burrows, and like to sit on a little earth mound in front of them, which they form in excavating their burrows. They are very timid.
Cowries.—There is no way but boiling them to get the shells clean and freed from their contents.