Gertrude Padfield, Birtsmorton Court, near Tewkesbury, Worcestershire, wishes to correspond with a French girl, who is requested to send her name and address.
Gänseblümchen.—A German girl would like to exchange letters with an Italian girl, a French girl, and an English girl, living in London. Her greatest wish would be to find an Italian correspondent. Would those who like to answer please give their address.
Miss Valentine Massaria, S. Moisé 2243, Venice, would like to correspond with an English girl of good family of about her own age (16) or a little older; both to write in English.
Miss K. L. A., c/o the Misses Thompson, Orgill House, 15, Goldsmith Road, King's Heath, Birmingham, would like a French lady correspondent between twenty and thirty years of age.
J. A.—Cruet-stands have long been relegated to the side-board, and from thence handed round by the footman or waitress. Pepper, salt and mustard are placed at the corners of the dinner table, together with tablespoons. Ham and chicken patties, and mince-pies, are generally placed on dish papers (with stamped borders) in plated dishes. Eggs (boiled) and hot chestnuts folded in a napkin in a deep pudding dish, or a bowl with a stand, such as is used for fruit.
Florence Benton.—1. Longfellow's Poems are far preferable to those others to which you refer; which are very rough and sometimes obscure. So you have lost nothing by inability to purchase them.—2. Old red and black English stamps have a certain value, and this depends on the letters on the corners. The water-mark also must be consulted, which may be seen by holding the stamp up to the light. This was sometimes a crown or a star, or a crown surmounting two "C's"; for India, an elephant's head; Jamaica, a pineapple, etc. It is called a "water-mark" as it was produced by very small jets of water projected in the stamp, which washed away minute fragments of paper and thinned it in the outline pattern required. These water-marks and the corner letters were employed to protect the Government from forgery. These letters varied in their selection and combination; and if you had examined a whole sheet of them you would have discovered that no two stamps had a similar arrangement of letters. A little "Handbook for a Collector of Postage Stamps," by W. T. Ogilvie, would help you. Swan, Sonnenschein & Co., Paternoster Row, E.C., would also assist you. We are glad our paper pleases you so much.
I. W. L. inquires what can be done to relieve, or save the flesh from burning through an accidental sprinkling of vitriol. It cannot be too much impressed on those who have occasion to employ so dangerous a liquid, that no application of water should be made. It is that combination of liquids that burns into the flesh. Wipe off the vitriol, or any other such burning liquid, with a perfectly dry cloth at once, and no injury will follow. The application of common chalk on the place will likewise prevent burning. Wipe thoroughly, and then rub in the chalk before venturing to wash it at the time of your next ablutions.
Margaret.—It is quite true that there are blue, green, yellow or sand-coloured, and red diamonds; for the colour is no absolute guide to the nature of the gem. There are green sapphires, white ones, and some of a yellowish, or grey hue. There are also black or grey pearls, and it is only the composition of the gem that determines its class.
Mildred Marchant.—There is a book on Orchids for Amateurs, which is greatly commended by the Gardener's Chronicle, and published at 170, Strand, W.C. It is by James Britten, F.L.S., and W. H. Gower. It would be sent carriage free. The illustrations are excellent.
Maori.—Certainly, you must not touch meat, nor a bone with your fingers when eating. You should clean your teeth both morning and night, at least; three times would be better, and requisite for those who wear false teeth on a plate. Your writing is very neat and legible.