Josephine.—Your symptoms point to tight-lacing—red nose, spots, bad digestion, bad breath, etc. A fine woman with a handsome figure (say five feet five inches in height) should measure twenty-six inches round the waist, and in later life twenty-eight. Of course, a very small or very thin girl would naturally measure less. You know which description applies to yourself. The modern girl, with a waist like a tobacco-pipe, and bulging out above and below like a bloated-looking spider, may solace herself with the assurance that her liver is cut in half, and that she would make an admirable specimen for a lecturer to descant upon. We advise her to bequeath her remains to some hospital for the benefit of science and the warning of others.
Seagull.—Beechy Head is not the highest cliff on our coast-line; that at Holyhead is higher, and measures 719 feet, while the former is only 564 above the sealine. The Great Orme’s Head, in Wales, is 678 feet, and Braich-y-Pwll 584 in height; but St. Catherine’s Cliff, on the south coast of the Isle of Wight, is higher than all those before-named, and rises to 830 feet.
Prudence Prim.—Do you know a small illustrated book called “The Flowers of the Field”? Perhaps that would suit you; published by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. After a certain time, letters waiting till called for at a foreign post-office are opened and directed back to the respective writers. Your writing is too careless; some letters well formed, others very nondescript.
Pat Ogal.—Send the nun’s veiling dress and white kid gloves to a cleaner’s, and if you can make a bargain about the dress, do. For gloves you pay 2d. a pair.
S. L. W. W.—1. There is a little book called “Line upon Line,” and another called “The Peep of Day,” which are very suitable for children of such tender years. 2. You should try to spell better. The word “instruction” is not spelt “inscurction.”
Bertha.—Have you never heard of a little appliance called a needle-threader? You would find it most useful, and could procure one at a fancy-work shop.
Joan R.—Try to forget yourself, and to help and be polite to everyone else—busy for them even in the smallest attentions. You will have no time for brooding over your nervousness when you are married, so there is probably “a good time coming” for you. Try to prepare for it by studying nursing, cookery, patching and darning, etc.
An Anxious One will find her question many times answered if she takes the trouble to look through our correspondence columns under “Miscellaneous.”
E. K.—If you cut off the worn finger ends and sew them neatly at the seams, they would be of use in a hospital for female patients in winter. We may suggest the New Hospital for Women, 222, Marylebone-road, N.W., of which we have given an illustrated account. Any contributions in half-worn clothing (or new articles) of use for wear would be gratefully received there, books included.
Lover of the Sea.—1. The hair darkens as years roll on, and the change begins to take place at three years old, if not before. In middle life it is very many shades darker than in youth. 2. The Bible does not say that “it is never too late to repent.” We are always told “to-day is the accepted time; to-day is the day of salvation ... now, while it is called to-day,” etc. No promise is made for to-morrow. If you put off making your peace with God, He may not bestow on you the grace of repentance and the desire to turn to Him.