Paris, September 23, 1881.—We had a drive across the Seine River to the Hôtel des Invalides. We walked through the great court-yard, and went into the chapel, where the old soldiers have service. We met an old soldier coming out of it, and asked him if we could see Napoleon's tomb. (A great many battle-flags hung in the chapel.) He told mother where to go, and called her ma fille when he talked to her. The tomb was made of beautiful red marble, and there were statues all around it.
Then we drove to the old Cathedral of Notre Dame. I never supposed a cathedral could be so beautiful. We all went inside; it was dimly lighted, and there were little chapels all about on the two sides of the cathedral, and we saw the "rose-windows," and heard the bells ringing out the hour.
We then went to the Palais de Justice, and into the Sainte Chapelle, and up the narrow, winding stair to the second story. We had a beautiful time.
September 25, 1881.—A French lady came to see mamma. She had taught mamma years ago, and so mamma arranged for her to give us French lessons each day, and we like it very much.
We have been to the Louvre, and I saw two landscapes, painted by an artist whose name was Claude Lorraine; they looked very real, and were beautifully painted. They were in the Salon Carre; and in a room, out of it, I saw a picture of the three wise men of the East bringing the baby Jesus gold, frankincense, and myrrh; it was called the "Adoration of the Magi," and was so soft and old-looking! We staid a long time at the Louvre. The next day we saw the "Siege of Paris," a very real-looking and life-like panorama picture.
After that mamma took us to see the paintings of artists who are now living. These paintings are in the Palais de Luxembourg. I liked best Rosa Bonheur's oxen ploughing in a field; a flock of sheep, by Jacque; an old tree, by Diaz; and a little old church, by Millet. We had a delightful time.
October 3, 1881.—We left Paris by rail to Boulogne, then crossed the Channel to Folkestone, and then to London, which we reached at midnight. Our trunks had to be got through the Custom-house. We had written for rooms, and were glad to get into comfortable beds and go to sleep. From London we made our way to Liverpool for our ship.
We had a stormy voyage home, were out thirteen days, had to pay heavy duties on the few clothes we brought home, and now our summer trip is over.
Harry G.
Boston, Massachusetts.
Frank C. F.—The better way for you will be to take your gun to a gunsmith, and not risk spoiling it by trying to mend it yourself. Black walnut is preferred for the stock of a gun.
Your question about the word Titan involves a reference to the mythology of the Greeks. The Titans were the fabled sons and daughters of Uranus and Gæa. Rebelling against their father, they were hurled from their dwelling-place in heaven, and after protracted struggles, were forced into a cavity below Tartarus. The secondary meaning of the word is gigantic, the Titans having been very strong and almost unconquerable. In these old myths the forces of nature are represented under the symbolism of poetry, and you will easily see that the Titans, being the children of Uranus (heaven) and Gæa (earth), were endowed with wonderful and magical gifts.
We would call the attention of the C. Y. P. R. U. to the very interesting historical article, by Mr. George Cary Eggleston, entitled "A War for an Archbishop," describing the strange manner in which the Christian religion was introduced into the great empire of Russia; the article entitled "Spitzbergen," by Mr. Barnet Phillips, describing the visit made to that island by the officers and crew of the United States steam-ship Alliance during their search for the missing Jeannette; and the pleasant description of foot-ball by Sherwood Ryse, whose articles on games have found so much favor with our boy readers.
Contributions received for Young People's Cot in Holy Innocents' Ward, St. Mary's Free Hospital for Children, No. 407 West Thirty-fourth Street, New York:
Minnie Gretsch, Brooklyn, $1.25; collected by Anna and Levi Paxson from their friends Bausman, McHose, Ermentrout, Whitner, Boyer, Quier, Miltimore, Morgan, Beaver, Deeter, Boyer, Bansher, Good, Keiser, Schlechter, Henry, Medlar, Miller, Detweiler, Fricker, Mayer, and Raser, from Reading, Penn., $4.97: Nellie Driscol, Denver, Col., 20c.; Charlie Driscol, Denver, Col., 20c.; J. Seaton Cooke, Salem, 51c.; Wardie and Johnnie Van Riper, Passaic, $2; Satie W., North Barnstead, N. H., 25c.; Allen Gilbert, Detroit, Mich., $1; In Memoriam, Charlotte Albert, New York, $7; Rob, Joe, and Edward Lee Haines, Alvarado, Cal., $1; Carlie W. Munson, New York, $1; Edwin L. Wilson, Huntsville, Ala., 50c.; Fred, Samuel, and Willie Harnell, Fort Townsend, W. T., 72c.; Shirley Shaw, Hamden, N. Y., 25c.; May, John, and Mabel Keating, Muskegon, Mich., 50c.; May Appleton, Boonton, N. J., $1.50; Virginia N. Appleton, Boonton, N. J., $1.90. Total, $24.75. Previously acknowledged, $166.96. Total, November 14, $191.71.
E. Augusta Fanshawe, Treasurer,
43 New Street.