To the Competitors.
My dear Girls,—Let me thank you all very much for the many pleasant pages I have read.
In reading your essays, I have fancied that there are some future story-tellers among you, who will be ready to take up our pens when we lay them aside.
In every phase of life we see that all cannot be successful at the same time; but such competitions as these bring eventual success to the strong ones, who have faith and courage to try again. I feel sure that "miniature" handwriting was not a feature of the competition! and hope that in other efforts no young eyes will be so cruelly taxed as some have been in this.
My warmest wishes for the future success of those not successful to-day; and congratulations to the winners.
Your cordial friend,
Minnie Douglas.
THE BACK OF BEYOND.
First Prize (£2 2s.).