"I hold it true, whate'er befall,
I feel it when I sorrow most,
'Tis better to have loved and lost,
Than never to have loved at all."
2. Look through the poetry of Thomas Moore for your second extract, and if you cannot find it there, send it again and we will place it in "Our Open Letter Box."
Catalina.—1. Apply to the Church Sunday School Institute, Serjeant's Inn, Fleet Street, E.C., or to the Sunday School Union (undenominational), 57, Ludgate Hill, and you will receive the fullest information. The lessons for each Sunday are set forth in certain inexpensive books in detail, with comments and information upon every verse. In addition to these "lesson helps" you should read and study books upon the Old Testament and upon the life of our Lord, such as Farrar's Life of Christ. The Religious Tract Society has published one (The Life of Jesus Christ the Saviour, by Mrs. S. Watson), which is not too ambitious, and might help you. The net price is 3s. 9d.—2. Your writing is good for your age, but might be improved if the tails to your "g's," "y's," etc., were less straggling.
Erin-go-bragh.—1. We have inserted your request, but (as you give a pseudonym) not your address.—2. Your handwriting is too upright and irregular, but there is the foundation of a good hand in it.
Exile of Erin.—The "Fragment" you enclose is above the average of poems submitted to us, but your metre does not flow quite smoothly enough. You should avoid too many monosyllables in these long lines.
L. A. T.—We should advise you to read Homer's "Odyssey," translated by Butcher and Lang, and if you find difficulty in understanding it, a "Primer" on the subject as well. But we think you will enjoy it. As for Plato, read "The Trial and Death of Socrates," translated by Dean Church, and consult a small history of Greece on the period (399 B.C.) Do not attempt too much at once, nor read Plato's deeper "Dialogues" to begin with. Your letter, which you ask us to criticise, is clearly written, with only one mistake in spelling.
Miss Bealey.—We undertake no communication by post (see "Rules" in our November part and elsewhere). You will find the "Home Reading Union" an excellent society; apply to the Secretary, Surrey House, Victoria Embankment. Consult this column for amateur societies occasionally mentioned.
Miss Florence E. Smith calls attention to the "Bedford Practising Society," of which she is secretary. She will be delighted to send particulars to any fellow reader of the Girl's Own Paper. Address to her at Winfrith, The Crescent, Bedford.
Hoffnung.—Many thanks for your letter. By all means try again.