INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Miss M. H. Coupland, 12, Crescent Parade, Ripon—a teacher, fond of literature and music—would like a German correspondent, each writing in the language of the other.

Gertrude Padfield, Birtsmorton Court, near Tewkesbury, Worcestershire, wishes to correspond with a French girl, who is requested to send her name and address.

Gänseblümchen.—A German girl would like to exchange letters with an Italian girl, a French girl, and an English girl, living in London. Her greatest wish would be to find an Italian correspondent. Would those who like to answer please give their address.

Miss Valentine Massaria, S. Moisé 2243, Venice, would like to correspond with an English girl of good family of about her own age (16) or a little older; both to write in English.

Miss K. L. A., c/o the Misses Thompson, Orgill House, 15, Goldsmith Road, King's Heath, Birmingham, would like a French lady correspondent between twenty and thirty years of age.

J. A.—Cruet-stands have long been relegated to the side-board, and from thence handed round by the footman or waitress. Pepper, salt and mustard are placed at the corners of the dinner table, together with tablespoons. Ham and chicken patties, and mince-pies, are generally placed on dish papers (with stamped borders) in plated dishes. Eggs (boiled) and hot chestnuts folded in a napkin in a deep pudding dish, or a bowl with a stand, such as is used for fruit.

Florence Benton.—1. Longfellow's Poems are far preferable to those others to which you refer; which are very rough and sometimes obscure. So you have lost nothing by inability to purchase them.—2. Old red and black English stamps have a certain value, and this depends on the letters on the corners. The water-mark also must be consulted, which may be seen by holding the stamp up to the light. This was sometimes a crown or a star, or a crown surmounting two "C's"; for India, an elephant's head; Jamaica, a pineapple, etc. It is called a "water-mark" as it was produced by very small jets of water projected in the stamp, which washed away minute fragments of paper and thinned it in the outline pattern required. These water-marks and the corner letters were employed to protect the Government from forgery. These letters varied in their selection and combination; and if you had examined a whole sheet of them you would have discovered that no two stamps had a similar arrangement of letters. A little "Handbook for a Collector of Postage Stamps," by W. T. Ogilvie, would help you. Swan, Sonnenschein & Co., Paternoster Row, E.C., would also assist you. We are glad our paper pleases you so much.

I. W. L. inquires what can be done to relieve, or save the flesh from burning through an accidental sprinkling of vitriol. It cannot be too much impressed on those who have occasion to employ so dangerous a liquid, that no application of water should be made. It is that combination of liquids that burns into the flesh. Wipe off the vitriol, or any other such burning liquid, with a perfectly dry cloth at once, and no injury will follow. The application of common chalk on the place will likewise prevent burning. Wipe thoroughly, and then rub in the chalk before venturing to wash it at the time of your next ablutions.

Margaret.—It is quite true that there are blue, green, yellow or sand-coloured, and red diamonds; for the colour is no absolute guide to the nature of the gem. There are green sapphires, white ones, and some of a yellowish, or grey hue. There are also black or grey pearls, and it is only the composition of the gem that determines its class.

Mildred Marchant.—There is a book on Orchids for Amateurs, which is greatly commended by the Gardener's Chronicle, and published at 170, Strand, W.C. It is by James Britten, F.L.S., and W. H. Gower. It would be sent carriage free. The illustrations are excellent.

Maori.—Certainly, you must not touch meat, nor a bone with your fingers when eating. You should clean your teeth both morning and night, at least; three times would be better, and requisite for those who wear false teeth on a plate. Your writing is very neat and legible.

Four Girls.—See our Extra Christmas Number for what you ask.

White Heather.—We do not believe in the so-called science of palmistry.

[THE GIRL'S OWN QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS COMPETITION.]

Full details of this Competition, with its prizes and certificates of merit open to all readers of The Girl's Own Paper, were given on [page 14].

Questions 37-48.

37. What famous musical composition came to a violinist in a dream?

* * * *

38. When did witchcraft cease to be recognised as a crime by the law of England?

* * * *

39. What famous book was mislaid when in manuscript and partly written, and was only discovered by the author nine years afterwards in the drawer of an old writing-desk?

* * * *

40. What English Cathedral was set on fire and severely damaged by a man who was afterwards found to be insane?

* * * *

41. What is the best diet for brain-workers?

* * * *

42. What saint was so able a musician that according to tradition an angel descended to earth enraptured with her melodious strains?

* * * *

43. What is the origin of the three ostrich feathers as a badge of the Princes of Wales?

* * * *

44. When did ignorant people in this country imagine they had been defrauded out of eleven days by those in authority?

* * * *

45. Who was the hermit who lived for over thirty years on the top of a pillar?

* * * *

46. What famous stone in this country is said to have been Jacob's pillow?

* * * *

47. Why is the wedding-ring worn on the fourth finger of the left hand?

* * * *

48. How did the forget-me-not get its name?

The answers to the above questions, Nos. 37-48, together with the answers to questions 25-36, which appeared on [page 78], must be sent in on or before January 27, 1899.

Address to The Editor, The Girl's Own Paper Office, 56, Paternoster Row, London, E.C., and at the left-hand top corner of the envelope or wrapper write the words "Questions Competition."

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE.

The following changes have been made to the original text: