Copy Cat.—We mention with pleasure the correspondence class conducted by Miss Pearce, Ledwell House, Steeple Aston, Oxon, for English history and literature. We regret that it is little known, or would have been named in the manual of girls’ clubs of an educational character and otherwise, just published (Messrs. Griffith and Farran, St. Paul’s-churchyard, E.C.), compiled by one of our writers for the benefit of a large number of our girls who are inquiring about them.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Nan and Nancy.—The letters are nicely made, and a little box full of them, with plenty of duplicates, might sell at a bazaar for the purpose of guessing the words to be produced by a given number of letters. But you would not get very much for a box. We thank you for your kind letter. Your wise friends deserve to be complimented on their powers of discrimination, really above their tender years. We hope the parents of these phenomenal geniuses are prudent and do not press them in their studies.
One in Trouble.—Your good or plain looks were given you by your Maker, and you are only responsible for the expression you wear. Nothing could be more unjust and unkind than to let a plain girl see that she is neglected or set aside on that account. But some plain girls are touchy, and see slights where none are intended, and show discontent and resentment, which are met with ill-feeling in return. Beware of falling into this error, and bear the cross laid upon you as you should, who owe so great a debt of gratitude to Him who made you what you are. You are not fit for heaven in your present state of mind!
Sapere Aude tells us that her friends have written to us on about every subject “under the globe.” Pray explain what the subjects are that are connected with that locality? Have they to do with Atlas, the giant, or the big turtle on which our globe is said, in fable, to be supported? 2. If the German parents you name were naturalised in France, their children are French. The latter, we suppose, have been registered as such at their birth, in any case.
Clarice E. A. inquires, “What is the meaning of Mount Moriah and Mount Ararat?” The former was a hill to the north-east of Jerusalem, and formed a part of the cultivated ground of Araunah, the Jebusite, from whom David bought it, and on this spot Solomon built the temple (2 Chron. iii. 1). The latter is situated in Armenia, consisting of two peaks about seven miles apart, the point of the highest being 17,000 feet above the level of the sea. It has been generally believed that upon one of these mountains the ark rested after the Flood, but this fact is scarcely sufficiently proved. 2. Berlin black, or artist’s black, is preferable to brunswick black for application to grates.
One of Eight.—Your verses show good religious feeling, and, as you are so young, you may write better by-and-by.
Unica.—“God save the mark” is a phrase found in Shakespeare’s Henry IV. i. 3. Hotspur, speaking of the messenger, calls him a “popinjay” who talked of guns, drums, and wounds in an unmanly way, and it would be sad if “his mark,” who has been in battle, were displaced by this court butterfly. In archery, when a good arrow was sent, it was usual to cry out “God save the mark,” meaning, “prevent anyone following to displace my arrow” in the “gold.”
Tootsie.—There are homes for invalids and convalescents at 7s., and from 8s. to 12s. 6d. a week. You might get into the Female Convalescent Home, Crescent House, Marine Parade, Brighton. For this home no letter or nomination is required, but the charge is 8s. a week, paid in advance, and you may remain there for a month. Address Mrs. Marshman, 4, Ladbroke-square, W. If you take 5s. previously to going there, to Mrs. Marshman, she will give you a voucher, which must be shown to the ticket clerk at the station, and he will give you a third-class free ticket to and from Brighton. Mrs. Marshman is at home every day till noon to see candidates for admission.
M. Schwartzenberg.—Write to our publisher, Mr. Tarn, for the index, frontispiece, and title-page, enclosing thirteenpence for the same and for postage.