Mab.—An excellent book on the subject you name is Woman’s Work and Woman’s Culture, edited by Mrs. Josephine Butler, and published by Macmillan, but it is not new. Modern books are, Pursuits of Women, by Frances Power Cobbe; The Duties of Women, by the same author; The Woman Question of Europe, edited by Theodore Stanton; Women in English Life, from Mediæval to Modern Times, by Georgina Hill, 2 vols.
Jeanne Müller (France).—1. We can only advise you to write to some registry office of good standing, saying what you wish to do. Address, Société des Professeurs de Français en Angleterre, 20, Bedford Street, Strand, London, W.C., or the Agency for Foreign Governesses and Home, 3, Colville Houses, Talbot Road, London, N., superintended by M. le pasteur du Pontet de la Harpe, French Parsonage, Bayswater. It would be very wise of you to come to England to perfect your knowledge of English.—2. Apply to any English bookseller, e.g., Messrs. Sotheran, Strand, London, for the books in question.
Hilde (Geneva).—1. We advise you also to write to a good agency; for instance, Association of German Governesses in England, 16, Wyndham Place, Bryanston Square, London, or Miss Hug’s Registry for Foreign Governesses, 21, Baker Street, London, W., or the Army and Navy Auxiliary, Francis Street, Westminster. You might also advertise in the Morning Post. Have you no friends in England? Private inquiry is by far the best way of finding a home on reciprocal terms. Can any reader suggest one?—2. We are willing to tell Sybil that you advise her to eat three oranges a day, and La Petite that you recommend her to place her pressed flowers in cotton wadding to preserve the colour.
A Lover of Music.—As you truly observe, we cannot, without hearing you play, judge as to the chances of your passing an examination. We advise you to write to the Secretary, Trinity College, Mandeville Place, Manchester Square, W., for details as to the standard of proficiency required, etc. The fee is from 10s. 6d. upwards. We commend your perseverance in practising without lessons.
Azzie.—Thanks also for your reply to “Winton.” We know of no cure for the trouble you speak of but time, patience, and attention to the general health.
Midget.—Your writing is too “scratchy,” and looks as though you wrote with the edge of your pen, or too fine a nib. Try to form your letters more accurately. We think it would do you good to practise copying some model of handwriting. Thanks for your information.
Geisha.—You had better consult Mrs. Watson’s articles on “Self-Culture for Girls.” We will certainly criticise anything you send in six months’ time. Have you ever thought of joining an essay club? We occasionally mention such in our columns.
Helen (A Constant Reader).—The inability to talk often arises from shyness and nervousness, or fatigue after a hard day’s work may cause you to relapse into silence. You can do a great deal to overcome the habit by forcing yourself to express your thoughts. You must have many things pass through your mind—recollections of the past, hopes for the future—that people who care for you would be interested to hear; then put them into language. Or take some special book or subject in which you are interested, and talk about it. Do not be discouraged; it is better to be quiet than to talk nonsense; and above all, never try to talk brilliantly. Simple and natural conversation will “come of itself” in time.
Daffodil (Cork).—1. Your version of Wordsworth’s couplet—