Pomps and Vanities.—The maidenhair fern was probably chilled in some way; it needs warmth and dampness. Your education should be quite completed before you think of society and its distractions. When you are twenty (about) will be time enough. Do not write to us again on blue paper with blue ink, please.
Asphodel.—We sympathise much with you, but we cannot advise you to have anything done to your face. The result is generally a bad scar. Use a little harmless powder (magnesia), and try to forget it as much as possible, and fix your thoughts on better things.
A. Walters.—The passion-flower bears that name on account of its several characteristics, which, combined together, seem to symbolise the following appliances and circumstances connected with our Lord's death and passion. The leaves, the spear; the tendrils, the cords with which He was scourged and bound; the ten petals, the ten apostles who deserted Him; the central pillar, the cross; the stamens, the hammers, the styles, the nails; the inner circle round the central pillar, the crown of thorns; the radius round it, the nimbus of glory; the white in the flower, an emblem of innocence and purity; the blue, a type of heaven. The fact that it remains open three days and then dies, denotes the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord. We partly copy from the Watchword.
Lilian Vaughan.—The Editor of the G. O. P. has nothing to do with the publishing department of the Religious Tract Society. Write to Mr. Tarn.
Ebnocnub.—The term "bumpkin" is of Dutch origin, taken from the word boomken, meaning "a sprout," "a fool." It signifies a loutish person, and is applied to a country clown, not a woman.
Cherry Pie.—A good run over the downs, or a canter on a donkey, not only circulates the blood, but make the lungs work well. But you should beware of cooling quickly afterwards, and of sitting in a draughty or windy place.
Florence.—As the swelling in your hands is constitutional, your general health needs very strict attention, as there must be a good deal amiss. You should live generously, eat heat-making food, take a tonic of a preparation of iron, and wear woollen under-garments next the skin.
Mrs. Sweet tells us she has "asked most important things," which, alas! we seem to have overlooked, and certainly have forgotten. We are very sorry, dear little Mrs. Sweet-tooth, and are glad that your kind pa and ma "like your writing and think it has improved." Try to remember that you must not steal an "e" from the poor little word "please." We shall be glad to hear from our small friend again, and hope that her next letter will not be so long in turning up to the top of our great mountain of letters.
Lochaber.—Dante was unquestionably greater as a poet and man of genius than Goethe; but we could not draw such a comparison between the lady novelists you name; their styles were very different and equally meritorious.
Felix.—You had better apply to the editor of Parodies, care of Messrs. Reeves and Turner, Strand, London, W.C., as we have not leisure to make the search for you.