A. H. Richards.—In Christina Rossetti's poem "Uphill" the "inn" may be taken as meaning "death" or "the grave." The poem is a sombre allegorical description of life's journey and its inevitable close.
"Of labour you shall find the sum,"
we understand as signifying, "You shall have labour enough and to spare," a stern reply to the inquiry, "Shall I find comfort?" This fine poem is written in Miss Rossetti's austerest strain.
Zara Keith.—Your poems are above the average of those we receive for criticism. They are so good, that it would be worth your while to try to make them better. "Soar the skies" is an incorrect expression, and "boons" is an inadmissible verb. The close of "aspiration" is too abrupt. We like the poem "Communion" best. We see no reason why you should not, with careful study and practice, write what will find acceptance some day.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Gertie.—Our sentiments are absolutely at variance with those of the sect to which you refer. At the root of the whole procedure of these people we find the design to shake confidence in the divine teachings of the Holy Scriptures. There are many who, while praising them, and the God-man, whose doctrines are therein made known, nevertheless preach a so-called "gospel, which is not the gospel," and "entering not in by the door of the sheep-fold," "climb up another way." The teachers they follow are not those which they, themselves, imagine them to be. These are our sentiments.
Modest Violet.—It is a matter of common honesty to restore to the owner what you have lost or broken. At the same time it is only fair to give due warning to a servant, and a thorough understanding should be arrived at on the question when a servant is engaged. This is not usually done, but it is a very desirable precaution. A careless servant may destroy things which, though not costly to buy, no money could replace to the owner. It seems that you have broken several things, and your mistress cannot afford to pay for so much carelessness and destruction of her property. Put yourself in her place. This breakage by rough handling has become a wide-spread trial and grievance amongst those who keep domestic servants.
Industry.—You can obtain all information respecting the Mission to the "Deep Sea Fishermen" from the Secretary, Francis H. Hood, Esq., Office of the R. National Mission to Deep-Sea Fishermen, 181, Queen Victoria Street, E.C. A monthly magazine is published by the society, called The Toilers of The Deep, which is well illustrated and very interesting, price 3d. We recommend you to order it. The No. for May is out. Her Majesty the Queen is the Patron. Messrs. Jevons and Mellor, Corporation Street, Birmingham, supply the materials used in working for the Mission, taking off a special discount on all materials in aid of the Mission. Patterns and prices would be forwarded to workers on application.
Emily.—The 20th of June, 1874, was a Saturday, and the 5th of February, 1870, a Saturday also.
Olive.—We think you could obtain the "crinkled paper" for flower-making at any fancy-work shop, or by order through the proprietors. Perhaps you might obtain some advice from Miss Younghusband, 70, Lower Belgrave Street, S.W. Apologise for so doing, and send a certificate of respectability from your clergyman, giving your real name and address. This lady occupies herself specially on the subject of "women's work in all branches."