OUR OPEN LETTER BOX.
"Génie" writes to inform Lilian that the author of "The Mill will never grind with the water that has passed" is Sarah Doudney. The fourth verse is—
"Work while yet the daylight shines,
Man of strength and will!
Never does the streamlet glide
Useless by the mill.
Wait not till to-morrow's sun
Beams upon thy way,
All that thou canst call thine own
Lies in thy 'to-day';
Power, and intellect, and health
May not always last,
'The mill cannot grind
With the water that is past.'"
"Génie" wishes to know if anyone can tell her the author of the hymn beginning, "The righteous dead—they dwell with God."
Guinfrid refers Mademoiselle Nemo to page 315, No. 164, February, 17th, 1883, of The Girl's Own Paper.
Catherine M. Robertson writes kindly sending "Adelaide" the poem she inquires for. It is by Mrs. Norton. We transcribe the first verse:—
The King of Denmark's Ride.
Word was brought to the Danish King (Hurry!)
That the love of his heart lay suffering,
And pined for the comfort his voice would bring;
(Oh! ride as though you were flying!)
Better he loves each golden curl
On the brow of that Scandinavian girl,
Than his rich crown jewels of ruby and pearl;
And his Rose of the Isles is dying!
Doubtless the poem will be found in any collection of Mrs. Norton's works.
"A Faithful Friend of The Girl's Own Paper" writes in reply to C. Pegler that "The Faithful Negro Boy" was a favourite poem of her own as a child, and appeared in My Little Friend for August, 1876. If C. Pegler will forward her address to Miss L. S. Coleby, 6, Brunswick Terrace, Mount Sion, Tunbridge Wells, she will receive a copy.
"Yum-Yum" is very anxious to know who is the author of the following lines:—
"If you are tempted to reveal
A tale someone to you has told
About another, make it pass,
Before you speak, three gates of gold.
Three narrow gates, first, "Is it true?"
Then, "Is it needful" in your mind,
Give truthful answer, and the next
Is last and narrowest, "Is it kind"?
And if to reach your lips at last
It passes through these gateways three,
Then you may tell the tale, nor fear
What the result of speech may be."