E. A. A. B.—Almeida is the name of one of the strongest fortresses of Portugal, in the Province of Beira, and on the north-east frontier of Spain. It was taken by the Spaniards in 1762, and afterwards surrendered. Massena captured it from the British in 1810, and Wellington re-took it the following year, and restored it to Portugal. As the Spaniards had once captured the fortress, they naturally commemorated their victory and great acquisition by naming an avenue after it in Madrid. You spelt the name incorrectly.
D. M.—The origin of the designation of those days beginning on July 3rd and ending on August 11th, as dog days, has nothing to do with dogs becoming mad from the heat and lack of water. In the time of the ancient astronomers, the heliacal rising of Sirius, the dog-star, occurred in July, and superstition attached to his rising the rabies in dogs. But this was quite untrue, for this disease is not produced even under tropical suns in mid-summer, where the animals are not inoculated with the virus of one already itself bitten. If no biting were permitted there would be no more mad dogs. Besides, it is not during the excessive heat of July that dogs do go mad, the colder months of winter and early spring being far more usual seasons for it.
Christina S.—Perhaps you set yourself too much to do. In the Christian life it is often so, and then you are discouraged because you fail. The first rule seems to be, To love your brother as yourself; for if you cannot act unselfishly, kindly, and affectionately towards those you see, you cannot love the God you have not seen. Begin with thinking of everybody around you first, and in that love and service, combined with faith, you will, in time, see God, for God is love.
An Anxious One, Primrose.—There is a valuable book published by the R. T. S., 56, Paternoster-row, E.C., “A New Introduction to the Study of the Bible,” by Barrows, which you would find it an advantage to study. But do not make it the habit of your mind to fret about dogma; turn to the practical side of religion, and serve the Lord Christ by your daily life and conversation.
Primrose League.—Having given your sister the best advice, you are not bound to do more, but try to win her by love with patience. It would be better for her to have a governess at home than to go to school.
M. A. B. Z. E.—Look at any of our completed volumes and you will find the index is a list of the subjects written upon in the G.O.P., with the page on which they are to be found added. The first of April, 1872, was a Monday.
An Englishwoman in Russia.—You will need to write many stories and to gain much experience in writing before you produce one fit for publication. We could not give advice about publication; but you will find the addresses of all London publishers in a London directory; and you must follow the example of Charlotte Brontë, and all our best writers almost, i.e., to try and try again until you gain a hearing. There is no royal road to success. You would probably find Vincent’s “Dictionary of Biography” in Haydn’s series a useful book.
Shining Light (?).—“R. S. V. P.” are the initials of the French sentence “Répondez s’il vous plait,” i.e., reply if you please. They are put in the corners of invitations to various entertainments.
Happy Minnie.—The inner skin of the broad bean pod is said to be a cure for warts, if rubbed on gently several times a day.
Irene Aynsley.—1. In England drive to the left, but on the Continent and in America one keeps to the right. We do not know the custom in New Zealand, but doubtless it is the English. 2. Can you not get a small book on fancy knitting?