“Him who sings
To one clear harp in divers tones.”
Our information, that the poet referred to was Goethe, comes from one who had asked Tennyson himself.
Colleen Bawn.—1. Your story is graphically written and shows you to have a certain power of description. The criticism—not, as you suggest, a severe one—which we should be disposed to offer is this:—That you are inclined towards an excess of sentimentality. Why should the curate have felt “everything was changed for him” after the scene in the church? “Miss Amy” had given him no cause whatever, so far as the reader can observe, for any such despair. And his dying in the snow is unnecessarily tragic. A sensible man, accustomed to traverse the parish in all weathers, would have guarded against losing his way on such a night as you describe, probably by remaining under shelter at the cottage till daylight, if no guide could be found. One feels that the man’s life is quite needlessly sacrificed for the sake of forcing the pathos. We should not have said all this, had not your story shown some signs of talent, and if you are neglecting no duty by writing, we should advise you to persevere.—2. Your handwriting is good, and you appear to understand the art of punctuation, which is by no means a matter of course.
Frog.—1. We should advise you to write to George Philip & Son, publishers, London, for a full catalogue of geographical works of every sort at a low price. Doubtless any bookseller would procure this catalogue for you.—2. We should consider that no soap can be of any possible use in reducing weight. Plenty of exercise and proper diet are the best remedies.
White Aster.—1. We do not consider your handwriting good. The backward slope is not to be admired, and in addition to this defect, it is very irregular and untidy.—2. We have heard that a coating of varnish is sufficient for the purpose you name, but have never tried it.
Miss E. K. Sibbald (Canada).—Many thanks for sending the extract stating that “Puss” is a modern form of the Egyptian “Pasht”—a name given by the ancient Egyptians to the moon, and also to the cat, of which they made an idol. The cat’s face was supposed to resemble the moon “because she was more bright at night, and because her eyes change just as the moon changes, which is sometimes full and sometimes a bright crescent or half moon.”
Clissold.—All we can suggest is that you should apply to the director or organizing secretary for technical education in your district, asking him where you can obtain instruction in “black and white.” We believe that the address for Halifax would be W. Vibart Dixon, Esq., West Riding Offices, Wakefield. He would perhaps help you. Did you read Mrs. Watson’s articles on “What are the County Councils doing for Girls”? (The Girl’s Own Paper, 1897.) We advise you to refer to them.
E. G. M.—Your poem on the “Dying Child” is incorrect in metre. From verse to verse the lines vary; for instance, your ear can tell you that these lines are not alike—
“Oh, weary watcher! thy care is all in vain.”