Kathleen.—It is exceedingly ill-bred to have private jokes before a third party. It is a rule that there should be no whispering, nor any side-glances and “nudgings” unexplained to others present. Do not look cross, but inquire what the joke is. It is for you to judge whether it be expedient or agreeable to make a confidant or intimate friend of girls so ill-bred and untrustworthy.
St. Elmo.—We are not surprised that your father considers your writing illegible, as well as inartistic. Why do you drop some letters below the line of the others, the letter “o” especially? There is no such letter as that you substitute for a “y” and a “g,” and your “S” is a capital “E,” etc. You ought to write copies daily, and take pains to form your writing like the copper-plate examples. The song “Casta Diva” is in Bellini’s opera of “Norma.”
Cape Colony.—The person who is to be presented is not the person of the highest rank, nor most advanced age, but the person of the least rank, or the most juvenile. A man (out of courtesy and chivalric feeling) is presented to a woman, and so the friend or lady of the house brings him up to the lady, and says, “Allow me to present (or introduce) Mr. So-and-so,” just as at Court the subject is presented to the sovereign, not the superior to the inferior, in any case. How could you say, “Allow me to present Lord So-and-so,” to a young Lieutenant, for example, or lead up an elderly lady to a young girl, and say, “Let me introduce Lady Mary ——”? We are glad you continue to value our paper.
Pauline.—Perhaps one of your sisters might find hair-dressing suited her. Of course, in one department you would have a good deal of standing; but in the dressing of dummy heads for the windows, and the making-up of false hair you could sit. The work is remunerative when thoroughly acquired. Salaries range from 15s. to 30s. a week. Wig and front-making may be done for shops at home.
Amie.—We do not at a moment’s notice speak with authority on the question you ask; but it is our impression that a woman need only substitute the words “of full age” for the exact statement of her age. In some cases a copy of your baptismal register might be required, and in any case you had better consult the clergyman who is to perform the marriage service.
Heliotrope.—We do not understand why you cannot have the friendship of two schoolfellows as well as of one, or half a dozen. If you like them, and they are attached to you, there is no occasion for you to “throw off” the first you liked. As to “going with” either of them, it is not a case of an engagement nor betrothal. Be kind to each in turns, and say nothing of your preference to the friend you like the least, for your newer favourite. Exercise a little tact, and avoid wounding her.
Marcia.—You should procure a book on architecture. Of the Gothic there are five varieties—the Norman, dating from William I.’s time, 1066-1189; the Transition, from temp. Richard I., 1189; the Early English, from temp. Henry III., 1216; the Decorated, temp. Edward II., 1307; the Perpendicular, temp. Richard II., 1377, until the temp. Henry VIII., 1546. Since then, these several styles have been reproduced; besides which there have been two combinations—the Anglo-Norman and Semi-Norman. Of the Anglo-Saxon period in architecture you have not inquired, nor have we space to add much more. Perhaps the most curious specimens of this style are the tower of Sumpting Church, in Sussex, and that of Barnack, Northants. The Anglo-Norman, which succeeded it, deserves your attention, of which we may cite an example at Castle Rising, Norfolk, the crypt at Westminster Abbey, and many in Warwickshire. There is also the Semi-Norman style, which is beautifully represented in the ruins of Croyland Abbey, Lincolnshire.
Lover of Animals.—The grey parrot or jaco is indigenous to the west coast of Africa, and, as a rule, is a specially good talker. The cockatoo inhabits the Indies, isles of Oceania, and is docile and caressing, but, according to Louis Figuier, it is not a good talker. The very best that we ever saw in this respect, and the most affectionate, was a very large and handsome cockatoo. When purchased at Jamrack’s, it was exceedingly wild and fierce, but it became greatly attached to the lady who bought it, and tame enough to walk at liberty on the table, and quite harmless in company. Of course there are beautiful parrots, which are natives of Australia, that can be trained to talk, and if not teased when young, they do not scream.
L. W.—Chopin was not a Frenchman, though he resided for many years in France, and died in Paris. Many of his mazurkas, nocturnes, and polonaises were founded on Polish National airs, though adapted to the French style. He was a Pole, and born near Warsaw in 1809. But France may claim Gounod, who was a native of Paris, born in 1818, and the French may be proud to own him. His style is considered to resemble that of Meyerbeer.
Enquirer.—The knife is never used excepting to carve a joint, or fowl, or game of any kind, and to eat meat, or bread, or cheese. Fish is helped with a silver “slice” and fork, and by others a small silver knife and fork are used, never a steel one. For pastry, puddings of all descriptions, and vegetables, only a fork, or, if necessary, a spoon may be used in the higher ranks of society.