STUDY AND STUDIO.
Beatrice M. Paragreen.—We do not know the book to which you refer. There is a book, Chapters on the Art of Thinking, by James Hinton (published at 8s. 6d.); and another, Three Introductory Lectures on the Science of Thought, by Professor Max Müller (published at 2s. 6d.), which might help you. If you specially want the volume you name, write to the publisher or author of the book where it is recommended, asking for details.
Eurydice.—Note the error in spelling your pseudonym. The story of Orpheus is as follows:—Orpheus, a mythical personage, was supposed to live before the time of Homer. Presented with the lyre by Apollo, and taught to use it by the Muses, he could attract all living creatures, and even trees and stones, by his enchanting music. When his wife, Eurydice, was stung by a serpent and died, he followed her into the abode of Hades, and by the charm of his lyre won her back from the king of the regions of the dead. One condition only was attached to this favour—that Orpheus should not look upon his recovered wife until they had arrived at the upper world; but just at the last moment he did look back, and she was caught away into the infernal regions once more. The story is often mentioned in classic literature, and is to be found in any classical or mythological dictionary. A charming poem upon the legend, by one of our readers, first sent for criticism in this column, appeared in The Girl’s Own Paper for December, 1898.
K. S. J.—We should think that your copy of The Mercurie, of July 23rd, 1588, if genuine, is certainly valuable. Write to the authorities of the British Museum, London.
A May Blossom.—We should advise you to write to the Secretary, Board of Technical Education, St. Martin’s Lane, London, W.C. He will answer all your questions. We fancy the only way to obtain a situation as technical teacher of any subject, is to watch for vacancies and apply for them as they occur.
Primrose.—1. Write to the Secretary of the Church Missionary Society, Salisbury Square, London, E.C., inquiring for the hymn in question.—2. We do not think it is customary to have a cake and a new wedding-ring at a silver wedding. At any rate we have never heard of the practice in London.
Hopeful.—The best course would be for you to allow the young girl, who has so good a voice, to attend for a course of training at the Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music, Guildhall School of Music, or Trinity College, London. For terms see Answers to Correspondents in The Girl’s Own Paper for May, etc. No correspondence with a professional singer would be of much use in the way of tuition. If you had given your address, our advice might have been more practical. Good lessons are all-important.
Mayflower.—We cannot undertake any criticism by post (vide rules in June and other numbers). There is nothing at all original in your verses, and it would, we fear, be useless for you to think of publication. At the same time they are a pleasant exercise for you in composition, and you appear to have a good ear for rhyme. You should not, however, change your metre in the middle of a poem, as you do in “Past and Present” and “Darkness and Dawn.” In “Spring” you will observe that “The birds are gaily singing” is a line of different cadence from “And the birds so bright and gay,” yet each occupies the same place (second) in the verse.
A Blunderer.—Spring again! Your letter is modest. Blank verse needs to be exceedingly poetical in order to be satisfactory, as there is no rhyme to help the ear. The fault of your composition is a negative one: there is little in the lines to prevent them from being read as prose, save the fact of their being placed below one another, and being of equal length. “Must needs be always upward sent” is a specially unmusical line. The metre you use is not appropriate to blank verse, and if you wish to try again, we should advise you to write in rhyme.
Dora.—Spring once more! We do not wish to be unkind, for it is perfectly natural that this season of the year should inspire a longing to write, and we sympathise with you in saying “Often I try to put my thoughts into words, but they fall very far short of the conception of my brain.” We prefer your poem on “The Seasons” to those we have just been criticising, but it is full of expressions that would not pass muster, e.g., “her pearly satin brow,” “the mould of marble cheeks.” The course of education to “fit you for a literary career” must be varied and extensive, comprising an acquaintance with the best literature of your own country, and of other countries also.
Gwyneth A. Mansergh.—You might like The Bird World, by W. H. D. Adams, illustrated by Giacomelli (Nelson), published at 8s., J. E. Harting’s Sketches of Bird-Life: Haunts and Habits, illustrated (W. H. Allen, 10s. 6d.), or Rev. J. G. Wood’s Branch Builders (Longman, 2s. 6d.).