Noel.—The name Noel is derived from the Latin Dies Natalis—Christmas. It may mean born on Christmas Day. The French is Noel, Italian Natali, Spanish and Portuguese Natal. And this last brings us to the origin of the name of one of our South African colonies, Natal, which was bestowed by Vasco da Gama, because he discovered it on Christmas Day.
Le Duc.—We think your letter a very charming piece of effrontery, and even the commendation you are kind enough to lavish on us does not blind our eyes to the fact that you are a boy. We are glad to see, however, that you say “only a boy” in your letter; so we will, in consideration of that humility, overlook the fact that your place is in the “B.O.P.” Strange to say, we have a great many boys who like our paper, and we are glad to know they take an interest in what their sisters are doing. The Diary you inquire about, Write as you like It, is issued by Charles Letts & Co., so you can order it through your stationer. About the pens, we regret we cannot help you, as we hear the same complaint from others. But an Italian lady tells us that the only good ones are to be purchased in Italy, which might form a good excuse for going there. Any ordinary blank book will do for a diary; there are many kinds described in the article of Feb. 1897.
Monah Stairs.—We do not think matters can be as bad as you say; and you have your aunt and both your brothers to consult, and no one will, we are sure, coerce you. You have also the doctor of whom you speak; so we hope, by this time, you have cheered up and are looking on the brighter side of things.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] All this from a Frenchman’s account.
[2] From Women of Christianity, by Julia Kavanagh, p. 326.