Catriona.—The verses you enclose are not at all bad for a child of eleven. At the same time, it is not unusual for intelligent children thus to string their fancies into rhyme, and it is no proof at all of latent poetic genius. Your little friend may become a poetess—or she may not.
Veronica.—Your story shows lack of experience. In order to make us really interested in the love affairs of “Agatha,” there should have been opportunity for the reader to study her character and circumstances. There is no special point in the mere fact of her receiving an offer of marriage from someone who is little more than a name. A short story should as far as possible have its action in the present, and not expect the reader to draw overmuch on his imagination.
An Interested Reader.—1. You are certainly not too old to be coached for the London Matriculation Examination. We hold in our hand a prospectus of the “Queen Margaret Correspondence Classes,” which prepare for that amongst other examinations. If you write to Miss Birrell, 31, Lansdowne Crescent, Glasgow, she will send you full particulars of subjects and fees. Tell her that you are a governess, and wish to prepare for the London Matriculation.—2. “The Legend of Bregenz” is by Adelaide Anne Proctor, and may be found in any collection of her poems.
A New Reader.—The metre of your lines is defective, and they would not be accepted for publication. You give a vigorous description of the well-known picture; but every poem should have some metre or “form” in which it is written, and your “third lines” are wrong in every respect. Study the laws of versification.
An Ardent Admirer of The “G. O. P.”—We like the spirit of your verses, and the substance of them, but are obliged to tell you that the form is very imperfect. The metre halts continually. Your ear can perhaps discern that these first lines are not of the same cadence.
“O knowledge, replied the thinker.”
“All these and more the secrets are.”
The number of syllables may be the same, but the accent varies. You should read good poetry, and if you wish to write verse, study the laws of versification.
Black and White.—Your sketches are full of promise, but are not up to the standard for publication. As you are so young, and have had no Art-education, it seems to us that your father should strive to send you to Art schools, as it undoubtedly would pay in the long run. You have decided though unformed talent for black and white figure work.