STUDY AND STUDIO.
M. H.—1. The thought in your poem is very good, and you describe nature well and sympathetically. You need, however, to pay more attention to your technique. Your lines are frequently halting—
“’Tis sunset on the ocean, radiant with light.”
is an instance in point.—2. Water-colours would be suitable for painting on gauze or satin. No preparation of the material is required.
“Barty.”—1. Barty Joscelin, in The Martian, is a fictitious character, though some of his early experiences in France were probably drawn from real life.—2. We are not familiar with the books you mention, but no doubt you could obtain a list from a bookseller, or the publisher if you knew the name.
Sweet Seventeen.—1. Your writing is fairly good, but you should not leave a margin at the end of your lines. Try to write as freely as possible.—2. Inquire at the chemist’s where you purchase the sulphur ointment.
Norah T.—We have never seen a really good book of such dialogues as you require, but you might apply to The United Kingdom Band of Hope Union, 60, Old Bailey, E.C., saying what you need. Twenty Minutes, by Harriet L. Childe-Pemberton, is a little book containing amusing dialogues for recitation, but they are not connected with “temperance.”
Student.—1. A charming book, though not a new one, about animals is Mrs. Alfred Gatty’s Worlds not Realised; and Parables from Nature, by the same author, contains much information mingled with beautiful allegorical teaching.—2. Apply to the National Health Society—secretary, Miss Lankester, 53, Berners Street, W., or to the St. John’s Ambulance Association, St. John’s Gate, Clerkenwell, E.C., for full list of books on nursing. We may mention Hints and Helps for Home Nursing and Hygiene, by Dr. Cosgrave, price 1s. (St. John’s Ambulance Association). We do not think you at all discourteous in your criticisms on the articles in question.
Hildegarde Winter.—1. It is rather difficult for us to advise you what music to practise without knowing your powers. There are books of “Short Voluntaries” (1s. each), by Edward Redhead, published by Orsborn & Tuckwood, 64, Berners Street, London, W., which might suit you. They are intended for organ or harmonium, but sound well on the piano. Book III. contains some charming easy music. Would Mendelssohn’s “Songs without Words” be too difficult? You should practise at least an hour a day and as much longer as you can, but we fear that without any tuition you will find it hard to make much progress.—2. The tails of your g’s and y’s spoil your writing; they are too long, and badly formed. You could easily improve your hand.