A VISIT FROM DAME HURSEY.A VISIT FROM DAME HURSEY.
"My boy is stronger than this littlefragile creature, and he must wait till I have fed it," she said to herself. "Poor little mite, I don't believe it has been undressed for days, its beautiful dress is so dirty. I shall have time to bathe it and put it on some of Charlie's clean things before John comes in to his supper."
And as John was very slow and deliberate in all his actions, and his wife very quick in all hers, by the time he came back the little stranger was washed and dressed, and fed, and sleeping quietly in the cradle, while Mrs. Shelley nursed her own boy.
"Well, John, have you found any fairy rings?"
"No, Polly; no, I can't make it out at all; it is very odd—very odd indeed. I can't think where the child came from," said John, shaking his head, slowly. "I don't believe the fairies brought it, though," he added, after a pause.
"Who do you think did, then?" asked Mrs. Shelley, quickly.
"I don't know who brought it, but I tell you what, Polly, I believe God sent it and means us to take care of it."
"Take care of it! Why, of course we must, John. You don't suppose I dreamt of sending it to the workhouse, do you? Little darling! Why, it is the very thing we have been longing for, a little girl; it shall be Charlie's foster-sister. All I hope is, whoever brought it will let us keep it. I love it already!"
"But, Polly, it isn't our child. We must take care of it, of course, for to-night, but you will have to go to Parson Leslie to-morrow and ask him what we ought to do to find out who it belongs to."
"Indeed, and I shall do no such thing," said Mrs. Shelley, hastily.
But the shepherd was master in his own home, and announced decidedly—
"Then I must go to-night, late as it is."
"And knock the parson up? It will be eleven o'clock before you get there. Sit down and get your supper, do, John, and we can talk about consulting him to-morrow."
"That won't do, Polly; either I must go to the rector to-night or you must promise to go to-morrow. Which is it to be?"
"There never was such a pig-headed man as you. If you set your mind on a thing there is no turning you. I suppose I shall have to go, or you'll be rushing off now, and I want my supper. One thing I am sure of, John, and that is, the baby belongs to rich people, and, I think, to some nobleman, for all the things have a coronet on them, and its clothes are all so fine."
"Is there no name on any of them?"
"No, nor anything to give us the least idea who the child is. It has evidently been accustomed to luxury, though, and somehow I fancy it is a foreign child. I never saw any baby's clothes made as these are," said Mrs. Shelley.
A foreign child was an idea John Shelley could not accept so suddenly. His slow phlegmatic mind could not travel beyond his own country—scarcely beyond the Sussex downs.
"More likely to be one of the quality's children. They don't make their clothes as we do, I expect; but if you show Mr. Leslie that coronet he may be able to make something of it."
And so it was arranged that Mrs. Shelley should go the next day and consult the rector about their new-found treasure; but she fully made up her mind to use all the eloquence in her power to persuade Mr. Leslie to convince John it was plainly their duty to keep the baby which had been so mysteriously brought to them until its rightful owners claimed it.
The next morning John Shelley was up betimes, as, indeed, he always was; but it was shearing time, and he was unusually busy, and it was, moreover, Saturday, and he hoped, with the help of the men who went round the country shearing in the month of June, to finish his flock that evening, so taking his breakfast and dinner with him, he told Mrs. Shelley not to expect him back till the evening. Across the dewy meadows in the fresh June morning, the loveliest part of the day, went John Shelley, startling a skylark every now and then from the ground, from whence it rose carolling forth its matin song, gently at first, but louder and louder as it sprang higher and higher, until lost to sight, its glorious song still audible, though John Shelley was too much occupied with his own thoughts, and, perhaps, too much accustomed to the singing of the lark, to pay much attention to it. Even his dogs, Rover and Snap, failed to wake him from his meditation, until he reached the meadow where he had folded his sheep for the night, and then every thought, except whether the sheep were all safe, vanished from his mind as he stood counting them. A few words to the dogs explained his wishes that the shorn sheep were to be driven out and the unshorn left in the fold for the present; and then, after a great deal of barking on the part of the dogs, and shouting from the shepherd, and rushing and scrambling on the part of the sheep, their bells jingling a not unmusical accompaniment to the thrushes and blackbirds, which were pouring out their morning song in the adjoining copse, this manœuvre was effected, and John led his shorn flock to the downs, walking in front with his crook in his hand, while the dogs brought up the rear, yelping and barking at the heels of any erring sheep that strayed outside the flock.
The shepherd was a man who concentrated all his thoughts on the business he had on hand, and as he led his sheep to the down on which he meant to leave them to the care of the dogs for the day, he was making a nice calculation of how long it would take him and his assistants to finish the shearing, when, just as he was about to leave the sheep, he was accosted by an old woman. She was tall, thin, with a slight stoop, a hooked nose, bright black eyes, and rough, crisp, grizzly hair, which gave her rather a witch-like appearance; nor did the bonnet perched on the top of her head, its crown in the air, tend to dispel this notion. She had a knotted stick in one hand, and a basket with some pieces of wool off the sheeps' backs which she had collected from the bushes in the other. It was Dame Hursey, the wool-gatherer, well known to John Shelley and every other shepherd in the neighbourhood, with all of whom she often had a gossip, and celebrated in the district as the mother of an unfortunate son, a fine, promising young sailor, who, having been convicted of robbery some years ago, and served a long sentence in Lewes gaol, had never been heard of since, unless his mother was in his confidence.
A great gossip was Dame Hursey; she always knew all that went on in the neighbourhood, for she led a wandering, restless life, never at home except at night, sticking and wool-gathering in the autumn and winter, haymaking and gleaning in the summer, gossiping, whenever she had a chance, at all seasons. If anyone were likely to know anything about this strange baby, always supposing the fairies had had nothing to do with it, it was Dame Hursey, and the shepherd, being relieved of any further anxiety about the sheep, walked with her and told her the story.
John Shelley was neither a quick-witted nor an observant man, except with regard to the weather, every sign of which he took in, or he would have noticed that Dame Hursey started perceptibly when he told her the time he found the baby, and that a glance of quick intelligence shot into her bright eyes as she heard the story; but when he had finished she gave it as her firm opinion that the "Pharisees," and no one else, must have brought the child, and she urged John on no account to part with it, as there was no telling what revenge the fairies might take if their wishes were set aside. And the old wool-gatherer proceeded to tell such wonderful stories of the terrible vengeance wrought by these mysterious little beings on people who had despised their gifts, that the shepherd was glad to put an end to such unpleasant suggestions by walking off at a rapid pace to his unshorn sheep.
"It is strange, very strange, that I should have met my George the very same night, coming from Shelley's place too. He has had something to do with this baby as sure as wool is wool. I'll go round by Mrs. Shelley's and have a look at this wonderful child; perhaps I may find out something. I doubt it will be a bad thing for George if he is found out this time, if, as I suspect, he knows a deal more about it than we do, and he was up to no good last night or he would not have made me swear not to say I had seen him as he did. Well, the child is safe enough with the Shelleys, and I'll do my best to frighten them into keeping it," muttered Dame Hursey to herself, as she bent her steps towards the shepherd's house.
(To be continued.)
"Excellent Heart."
Take a good-sized, tender heart. Extract all seeds of selfishness, and proceed to stuff as follows:—
1 lb. crumbs of comfort.
1 quart milk of human kindness.
Several drops essence of goodness and happiness.
Good dripping from the eaves of Love's dwelling.
Blend these well with a little of the oil of Time to mellow and soften.
Place the heart on a warm hearth with Love's rays full upon it and some of the light of other days. Move it now and then, but do not probe it. Keep the world's cold blasts from it if possible, but do not allow it to be absorbed in its own juices. It will take time to prepare, but when ready is fit for king or peasant and welcome at any table.
sauce for above.
Pint or more good spirits, a few honeyed words; a little cream of society may improve, but is not necessary. Carefully avoid cold water, vinegar, or pepper, or acidity in any form.
The above will keep for years.—S. L.
Contented.—If you can live free from want, care for no more, for the rest is vanity.
The Storms of Adversity.—A smooth sea never made a skilful mariner, neither do uninterrupted prosperity and success qualify anyone for usefulness and happiness. The storms of adversity, like the storms of the ocean, arouse the faculties and excite the intention, prudence, skill and fortitude of the voyager.
A Wise Mother.—The celebrated Orientalist, Sir William Jones, when a mere child was very inquisitive. His mother was a woman of great intelligence, and he would apply to her for the information which he desired; but her constant reply was: "Read, and you will know." This gave him a passion for books, which was one of the principal means of making him what he was.
Twenty-four Notes in One Bow.—TheDaily Postof February 22nd, 1732, contains a curious announcement with regard to Castrucci, the violinist, namely, that he would play a solo "in which he engages himself to execute twenty-four notes in one bow." This piece of charlatanism, so misplaced in a truly able musician, was excellently capped on the following day by a nameless fiddler advertising his intention to play twenty-five notes in one bow.
A Cat Story.—There was a favourite Tom cat owned by a family in Callander, in Scotland, and it had on several occasions shown more than ordinary sagacity. One day Tom made off with a piece of beef, and the servant followed him cautiously, with the intention of catching him and administering a little wholesome correction. To her amazement, she saw the cat go into a corner of the yard, in which she knew a rat-hole existed, and lay the beef down by the side of it. Leaving the beef there, puss hid himself a short distance off and watched until a rat made its appearance. Tom's tail then began to wag, and just as the rat was moving away with the bait he sprang upon it and killed it.
Hearing with Difficulty.—"Dr. Willis tells us," says Burney, in his "History of Music," "of a lady who couldhear only while a drum was beating; insomuch that her husband actually hired a drummer as a servant in order to enjoy the pleasure of her conversation."
Courage.—Courage which grows from constitution often forsakes people when they have occasion for it; courage that arises from a sense of duty acts in a uniform manner.
The Influence of Fortune.—Fortune, good or ill, does not change men or women; it but developes their character.
Weak Minds.—Two things indicate a weak mind—to be silent when it is proper to speak, and to speak when it is proper to be silent.—Persian Proverb.
A Successful Wedding.—A New York girl has just enjoyed the triumph of having the biggest wedding given in that city for years. She whispered around that the man she was to marry had a red-haired wife somewhere, who would be at hand to interrupt the ceremony. The church was crowded.
Two Sides to Pleasure.—Pleasure is to woman what the sun is to the flower; if modestly enjoyed it beautifies, it refreshes and improves; if immoderately, it withers and destroys.—Colton.
The Ills of Life.—There are three modes of bearing the ills of life: by indifference, which is the most common; by philosophy, which is the most ostentatious; and by religion, which is the most effectual.
An Observation on Rogues.—After long experience of the world, I affirm, before God, I never knew a rogue who was not unhappy.—Junius.
Answer To Double Acrostic(p. 30).
1. L i P2. A ristotl E (a)3. M a r t y R4. B l o c K5. E l I6. R e s i N (b)7. T h ur lo W8. S cœvol A (c)9. I ndicato R (d)10. M e r a B (e)11. N a z E12. E clipti C13. L o K (f)
Lambert Simnel. Perkin Warbeck.
(a). His adage was "Amicus Plato, amicus Socrates, magis tamen amica veritas." From his custom of delivering instruction whilst walking, his disciples were styled "Peripatetics."
(b). Familiarly pronounced "rosin."
(c). Left-handed.
(d). Indicator Major, the great honeybird of South Africa.
(e). See 1 Samuel, xviii.
(f). Lo(c)k.
A CROWN of FLOWERS being Poems and Pictvres Collected from the pages of THE GIRLS OWN PAPER
Edited byCHARLES PETERS.
The Poems are written by the Author of "John Halifax Gentleman," Sarah Doudney, Helen Marion Burnside, F. E. Weatherly, Annie Matheson, Anne Beale, Mrs. G. Linnæus Banks, the Rev. W. Cowan, Sydney Grey, Edward Oxenford, Isabella Fyvie Mayo, Clara Thwaites, Harriet L. Childe-Pemberton, the Dowager Lady Barrow, and others.
Illustrated by Frank Dicksee, A.R.A., M. Ellen Edwards, W. J. Hennessy, Davidson Knowles, John C. Staples, Robert Barnes, Charles Green, Arthur Hopkins, William Small, Frank Dadd, the late Cecil Lawson, and others.
"AsA Crown of Flowersis carefully printed upon fine paper, full value is given to the engravings, which is one of the features of the magazine from which they are selected, and shows what a marked advance has been made of recent years in the character of such illustrations, which will, in the present instance, vie with anything of the kind produced on this or the other side of the Atlantic."—The Pictorial World.
E. A. T.—There is a School of Telegraphy in Moorgate-buildings, at the back of Telegraph-street, E.C. All candidates for free admission must have passed an examination in handwriting and the first four rules of arithmetic under the Civil Service Commissioners, in Cannon-row, W.C., aged not under fourteen nor over eighteen years. They must be gifted with quickness of eye and ear and a delicate touch. In three or four months they have acquired the art, working four hours a day. They must be proficient in the use of four instruments. The pupils in this school are only intended for service in London.
Cedrica.—In reference to Gall's or Mercator's projection, you may perceive that by doing away with perspective you obtain the relative distances, as well as the height of the mountains compared with the general surface, without deducting through foreshortening. You write fairly well, but too large to be pretty.
Sine.—The auroræ are closely connected with the earth's magnetism, although their exact relationship is unknown. The appearance takes place equally round both magnetic poles. The most general opinion seems to be that they are illuminations of the lines of force which undoubtedly circulate round our earth. At all events, the corona forms itself round the magnetic poles, and its lines correspond to the earth's magnetic field. Displays of auroræ are almost always accompanied by magnetic storms, which so much affect our telegraph instruments, although the latter may occur when there is no visible aurora. An artificial aurora was produced by electrical means by Professor Lindstroem, in 67° north latitude, which was found to exhibit the spectrum of the true aurora. You will find all information respecting the "Zodiacal light" in "Guillemin on the Heavens."
C. H. C.—No examinations are required for teachers in high schools; but of course preference is always given to those who have passed examinations, and they obtain better salaries. The senior or the higher Cambridge examinations for women would be the best, and would ensure a good position.
Marie.—Your having given your parrot meat has given her a taste for raw meat. Perhaps a chemist could suggest a wash or powder to shake in under the feathers, that would taste bitter and disagreeable and yet prove harmless. Possibly your bird is troubled with small vermin, which irritate the skin and induce it to pick at the roots of the feathers. Examine the skin and plumage. We have given a long recipe for destroying the vermin in canaries.
Tum Yum.—You had better buy a little bottle of oil-gold and paint your picture-frame with it. See our article, "Lissom Hands and Pretty Feet."
Erica Raeburn.—Your verses are not correctly written, but the sentiments expressed are good. When you make an adverb of the word "true" you should drop the final "e."
M. H. M.—Write or see a map-setter, such as Wyld, or any other of those in or near Trafalgar-square and Charing Cross. The ways and means of colouring and disposing of your maps will be explained to you by these people.
Peckham Rye.—The poet Wordsworth had an only daughter, Dora, married to Mr. Quillinan. She was burnt to death in 1847, and left two daughters. The bishops are nephews of the poet.
Pharmaceutical.—The word "Pharmacon" can be found in all Greek lexicons. It is probably of Oriental extraction. It originally meant any medicine taken internally or externally, and apparently its original signification was good—or, at all events, not bad. Then, secondly, it came, like the word "accident," to get a bad sense attached to it, and it was used for a "poisonous drug," from which is derived its third and last sense, an "enchanted potion," or "enchantment." In the New Testament the word is translated "sorcery," not "drugs." See Rev. xxii. 15.
Daffodil.—Pampas grass may be cleaned by putting it into a large vessel of clean cold water, when after some time all the dust and dirt will come out, and it may be lightly shaken till dry. It may also be bleached with chloride of lime.
Sunbeam.—Do not on any account do so dangerous a thing as to put paraffin oil on your hair. Besides, the very bad smell of the oil would be most offensive to others if not to yourself.
Delia T.(Lausanne).—From your writing we conclude that you are very young. If so, your verses give some promise of better ones when older.
Jackday.—It is suitable for every day. You write very well. There is no "e" in truly.
Little Emily.—See "Girls' Christian Names," pages 39, 134, 235, 381, vol. iv.
Ocklawaka.—Certainly, it is quite improper to walk about alone with a man to whom you are not engaged. We know of no cure suitable for all alike for sea-sickness. Lie down on deck, drink water before being sick, and beware of starving. At the same time, do not select pork nor a suet dumpling just at first. In cases of very severe sickness, swallowing small scraps of ice before and after a spoonful ofconsomméor jelly is desirable, and an icebag should be applied to the spine.
A Tring Girlshould consult a doctor about the moles if very unornamental.
Lady Jane Grey.—The "seven whistlers" are curlew, or herringspear birds, thought to be storm-bringers when heard overhead at sea. You will find a story in Buckland's "Curiosities of Natural History" about them.
Annie Spikeshould write to the Religious Tract Society, 56, Paternoster-row, E.C., for the tracts she needs. The lines are not poetry—nothing but badly-rhymed prose.
Harty.—Wills can be inspected at Somerset House, in the Strand, W.C.
Une Petite Fleur.—No one could interfere with you in keeping a private school, so far as we know.
Jamie's Darling.—We thank you warmly for your kind letter, and wish you much happiness in your new life and position.
No Stone Unturnedmust send her tale to a publisher; but we do not think she will get much—probably nothing; but, on the contrary, will have to pay, for a first attempt.
Asphodel.—The 29th of April, 1870, was a Friday. When a man says he is "very much in love" with the girl to whom he is speaking, he means her to give him some encouragement to say more, and in a business-like, practical way.
A Fearful One.—A polypus in the nose has to be cut out, but the patient must be under the influence of chloroform. It is more usually a man's than a woman's disease. Your letters should be rounder.
Une Demoiselle.—It is our ordinary form of greeting to say "How do you do?" It is an idiomatic phrase, and does not exact an answer as to the state of your health any more than the salutation "Good day." If anxious for information as to how you are, more direct inquiries will follow the salutation. Only ignorant persons reply to "How do you do?" "Very well, thank you; how are you?"
A. B.—The first and second volumes of the G. O. P. are entirely out of print, as also are all the indexes, excepting that for vol. vi. None of these will be reprinted. We request our readers to take note of what we say, as it will save them waste of time in writing for them.
Ruby Kingsley.—We cannot continue giving space for repeating the story of the willow pattern.
Miss King, the Secretary of the Society for Promoting the Employment of Women, 22, Berners-street, Oxford-street, W., writes:—In the G.O.P. for September there is an article (one of a series) on wood engraving by Mr. R. Taylor. I have read the articles with great interest, and I entirely agree with the greater part of what Mr. Taylor says. But he writes as if there were no opening for girls in the trade. I fully admit that only a small number are at present employed in it, but he writes that he does not believe that engraving can be effectually taught in schools or classes, and that he has not met with a single individual who has attained by this means skill enough to earn a livelihood. Now it is a fact that there are 12 or 14 girls employed at an engraver's in the City, who have learnt engraving at the City and Guilds of London Art School, which was established about six years ago, and some of these girls are doing excellent work and earning very good wages. Engraving is an art which requires persevering study for four or five years at the least, so that the school has not yet been established for a sufficiently long time to have trained a large number of girls, but the instruction given there is thoroughly good, and if the girls will persevere as long with it as they would be obliged to do if they were regularly apprenticed, I do not think there is any fear but that they will succeed in getting employment; but their work must be good. If you will kindly look at page 9 of our Report, published in May last, you will see an account of the school. There are vacancies now in the school, particulars of which I shall be happy to give to anyone who will call here between 11 and 5. I shall be greatly obliged if you will mention this school and its successful work in the next number of the G.O.P., for I fear that Mr. Taylor's statement is calculated to injure it materially.
I am, dear sir,Yours obediently,Gertrude J. King, Sec.
A full account of the Kennington class was given in the G.O.P., January, 1884, page 180, in the article on Art in the series of "Work for All."