J. B.—It is easy to make a tennis net if you have any one to show you how, but it is almost impossible to describe the manner of making it so as to be understood. If you live near the sea-shore, you can get some fisherman to teach you. If not, perhaps your mother or her seamstress can show you how to make it. If you can not learn before next summer, and yet want the net very badly, you may buy one for three dollars.
Rita.—You will probably obtain the information you desire about the care of silk-worms by addressing the Ladies' Silk-culture Association, 1028 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (over Keystone National Bank). This association, which is doing much to stimulate this branch of industry, has recently given an exhibition at St. George's Hall in Philadelphia. It was formally opened by Governor Hoyt, ex-Governor Pollock, and other distinguished gentlemen. It was designed to illustrate the various branches of the silk industry from the forming of cocoons to the perfected fabric.
It would seem as if the variety of the articles to which we would call the attention of the C. Y. P. R. U. this week was extensive enough to please readers of all tastes and ages. Mr. George Cary Eggleston carries us back to those terrible days of religious persecution when differences in creed bathed the soil of France with blood; Mr. Ralph Watson tells us of the curious "Collocalia," whose nests supply the Chinese with the principal ingredient of one of their most highly esteemed soups; Mr. Charles Barnard gives us full information how to while away our leisure hours with the interesting and inexpensive and at the same time instructive pastime of taking photographs; and Mr. B. Hardwicke tells the boys and girls how to supersede the pleasures of coasting by the more exciting sport to be had with the toboggan.
YOUNG PEOPLE'S COT.
We publish this week the January report of Miss E. Augusta Fanshawe, and repeat that the contributions for Young People's Cot should be sent to the treasurer of the Cot Fund, and not to Messrs. Harper & Brothers. Please read Aunt Edna's letter, children.
New York City.
In my last letter I told you I would soon let you know something from our hospital. Well, the other day I went there, and such a chatter of little voices as met my ear when the door opened! I could hardly believe I was going to a place where there was sickness and pain. I went up stairs to Holy Innocent's Ward—our ward, you know—and how bright and sunny it looked! Sister Miriam, the kind Sister who has charge of it, and who I wish you all knew, as she is sunshine itself, was putting the finishing touches to the morning dressing of the little ones. Every bed had its occupant, though many of the children were not then in bed, but were running about the room; and I was quickly surrounded by several little "tots," who wanted to rub my muff, and see some cards I had that a kind lady had sent them. But just now I am only going to speak of two children and one cot, though I could easily tell you interesting things of many more if I did not feel afraid the Postmistress would shake her head.
Sister Miriam is much pleased with your efforts, and thinks you will certainly raise the whole amount if you will only keep on trying, and to encourage you all she has selected a cot that will be ours just as soon as we raise the money, but not before, remember. It is the first cot in the south end of the room, right in the sunshine, near a big window, where our child can look down on Thirty-fourth Street. When I was there the occupant of that cot was a funny little colored boy named Willie Stanward. He had been very sick with something called by a very long name—pneumonia—but was a great deal better, and when I saw him he was sitting in a little chair near the window playing with something—looking very much like a doll. He was only a wee boy, you know. He was going home very soon, well, and Sister Miriam thought she would put in his place a little white boy named Robert McGee, who, she said, made very queer speeches, and was ever so funny. The doctor had been making his legs straight, which before were crooked, and though it was pretty hard to bear, he was getting on very nicely. He also was a very little boy. I took up a "mite chest" and put it over that cot, and think when we open it we will find something to help on our work.
Now good-by, but don't forget that we have not got the cot yet, but must all try hard and raise the money, and then think how glad we will all feel when we can say that is the Young People's Cot.