Briar Rose informs “Last Hymn” that the recitation of that name is in one of Buchanan's “Penny Pathetic Readings,” and is also published under another title—“The Haven”—in the Victorian Reciter, edited by Bernard Batigan, of Hull, price 1s.
Bessie Matthews, 3, High Street, Cheltenham, offers to send “Last Hymn” a copy of the poem on application, and informs Saxifraga that “The False Light of Rosilly” is in the Prize Reciter for May, 1897, to be obtained from the office of Great Thoughts. It is also contained in Childe Pemberton's Poems, published by Messrs. Ward, Lock & Co. We commend this information to Briar Rose.
GIRLS' EMPLOYMENTS.
Margaret Marshfield (Civil Service).—Please read our reply to “Wood Violet” last week. The examination fee is only a shilling, so there is no obstacle in that part of the matter. But there are other difficulties. You could only now offer yourself for appointment as a female sorting clerk, or telegraph learner in the provinces; and to do this you must obtain a nomination from a local postmaster to be sent to the Postmaster-General. You have then to pass the examination. You ask what we think of your writing and composition. The writing is very neat and clear, but composition is a trifle shaky. To say “mother's helps (our only other resource) seems to be so overstocked” is not first-rate English, though we understand what is meant. But why should your only other resource be to become a mother's help? Can it be because you think it would be derogatory to you to fill one of the more recognised positions in household service? If so, we would persuade you to reflect on the superior advantages enjoyed by a children's nurse, a cook and a parlourmaid. All these persons, as soon as they have obtained a fair amount of experience, can command good wages and an ample choice of situations. No doubt there is some little trouble in obtaining a first place; nevertheless, many ladies are willing to teach an active, hardworking woman, if the latter, on her side, will accept a small amount of payment during the period of apprenticeship. It really seems to us best that you should turn your thoughts towards domestic service; though, if you could afford to spend a little time and money, we should also have recommended you to learn laundry-work.
Azalea (Teaching in France or Germany).—It is almost impossible for an English teacher to obtain employment in France; but in Germany there is less difficulty, provided that the teacher has high qualifications. We recommend you to apply to the Foreign Registry of the Girls' Friendly Society, 10, Holbein Place, Sloane Square, S.W.; Miss Nash, Superintendent of the Home for British and American Governesses, 22, Kleinheerenstrasse, Berlin, might also be able to advise you, but you ought to furnish the fullest account of your general education and professional training.
Sincerity (Rural Nursing).—If you could go to a large London hospital training-school and remain there a year, so as to qualify you to become a Jubilee District Nurse, you would, from a professional point of view, be doing the best for yourself; but we think the work of cottage nurse on the Holt-Ockley system would probably be quite as congenial to you, and the likelihood of your obtaining an engagement would be greater. You should apply for further particulars to the Hon. Secretary, Mrs. Lee Steere, The Cottage, Ockley.
Freda (Evening Employment).—Such work, especially if it is only addressing envelopes, is peculiarly hard to obtain. You might consult the Secretary for Promoting the Employment of Women, 22, Berners Street, W., but we fear she will only be able to say the same.
Anxious to know (Missionary Work).—You had better make known your wish to become a missionary to the Women's Mission Association, 19, Delahay Street, Westminster, S.W., or to the Society for Promoting Female Education in the East, 267, Vauxhall Bridge Road. You would probably be required to undergo a course of preparation. Missionaries are supported by the societies which employ them, but only of course in a simple manner.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Inquisitive.—You should read Charles Kingsley's Heroes. That would give you all information about the heathen mythology, or system of myths, and ancient hallucinations respecting their false gods. Apollo was the reputed son of Jupiter and Latona, also called Phœbus, supposed to be the god of the fine arts and originator of poetry, music, and elocution. Besides the names already given, he was called Delius, Cynthius, Pæan, and Delphicus. He is represented as a handsome young man, with an almost feminine face, and beardless, holding a bow from which an arrow has been discharged. This refers to the fable that the Serpent Python had been destroyed by his arrows. Evil foreboded is represented by the “Sword of Damocles,” who was set down to a splendid banquet by the tyrant Dionysius (the elder), a sword being suspended over his head by a hair or thread. Thus the miserable courtier dared not to stir lest the slightest draught or vibration should bring it down upon his head.