ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Maud Belin.—You do not say whether you have been trained as a nurse. Write to the secretary, Nightingale Fund, H. B. Carter, Esq., 5, Hyde Park-square, W., or to the secretary of St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, giving full information.B. K. I. O.—We never heard of lady clerks being employed at the Law Courts, but in America we hear that women are in full practice as lawyers.Motherless Jean’swriting shows her to be very young, and so do her questions. 2. Where does she live? How could we give her the information she requires about the Kindergarten, not knowing that, when she says, “she cannot leave home”?Psyche.—If you be going in for “hard reading,” as you say, you had better look out for a Lemprière’s Classical Dictionary to teach you something about mythology. Your questions are too many and long.Qui posse videtur potest.—Copying is only to be obtained by the personal inquiry and exertions of those who require it. Your writing does not appear good enough.Complex.—We recommend you to apply direct to the secretary or matron of the Holloway College for the prospectus, and ask for any further information you require as to Government clerkships. Look through our answers under the heading “Educational,” and you will soon find the particulars you require.Annie B.—We have read your thoughtful and well-expressed letter with much interest, and we think as long as you are of use at home you are where God needs you, for in our service we do His will the best. But, as your education has been a little neglected, a certificate will be valuable to you, and you will be happier in the feeling that you are doing something to improve yourself for future work. We should advise you to go in for the examination of the College of Preceptors, fee 10s.; secretary, 42, Bloomsbury-square, W.C.Copy Cat.—We mention with pleasure the correspondence class conducted by Miss Pearce, Ledwell House, Steeple Aston, Oxon, for English history and literature. We regret that it is little known, or would have been named in the manual of girls’ clubs of an educational character and otherwise, just published (Messrs. Griffith and Farran, St. Paul’s-churchyard, E.C.), compiled by one of our writers for the benefit of a large number of our girls who are inquiring about them.

B. K. I. O.—We never heard of lady clerks being employed at the Law Courts, but in America we hear that women are in full practice as lawyers.

Motherless Jean’swriting shows her to be very young, and so do her questions. 2. Where does she live? How could we give her the information she requires about the Kindergarten, not knowing that, when she says, “she cannot leave home”?

Psyche.—If you be going in for “hard reading,” as you say, you had better look out for a Lemprière’s Classical Dictionary to teach you something about mythology. Your questions are too many and long.

Qui posse videtur potest.—Copying is only to be obtained by the personal inquiry and exertions of those who require it. Your writing does not appear good enough.

Complex.—We recommend you to apply direct to the secretary or matron of the Holloway College for the prospectus, and ask for any further information you require as to Government clerkships. Look through our answers under the heading “Educational,” and you will soon find the particulars you require.

Annie B.—We have read your thoughtful and well-expressed letter with much interest, and we think as long as you are of use at home you are where God needs you, for in our service we do His will the best. But, as your education has been a little neglected, a certificate will be valuable to you, and you will be happier in the feeling that you are doing something to improve yourself for future work. We should advise you to go in for the examination of the College of Preceptors, fee 10s.; secretary, 42, Bloomsbury-square, W.C.

Copy Cat.—We mention with pleasure the correspondence class conducted by Miss Pearce, Ledwell House, Steeple Aston, Oxon, for English history and literature. We regret that it is little known, or would have been named in the manual of girls’ clubs of an educational character and otherwise, just published (Messrs. Griffith and Farran, St. Paul’s-churchyard, E.C.), compiled by one of our writers for the benefit of a large number of our girls who are inquiring about them.

NanandNancy.—The letters are nicely made, and a little box full of them, with plenty of duplicates, might sell at a bazaar for the purpose of guessing the words to be produced by a given number of letters. But you would not get very much for a box. We thank you for your kind letter. Your wise friends deserve to be complimented on their powers of discrimination, really above their tender years. We hope the parents of these phenomenal geniuses are prudent and do not press them in their studies.One in Trouble.—Your good or plain looks were given you by your Maker, and you are only responsible for the expression you wear. Nothing could be more unjust and unkind than to let a plain girl see that she is neglected or set aside on that account. But some plain girls are touchy, and see slights where none are intended, and show discontent and resentment, which are met with ill-feeling in return. Beware of falling into this error, and bear the cross laid upon you as you should, who owe so great a debt of gratitude to Him who made you what you are. You are not fit for heaven in your present state of mind!Sapere Audetells us that her friends have written to us on about every subject “under the globe.” Pray explain what the subjects are that are connected with that locality? Have they to do with Atlas, the giant, or the big turtle on which our globe is said, in fable, to be supported? 2. If the German parents you name were naturalised in France, their children are French. The latter, we suppose, have been registered as such at their birth, in any case.Clarice E. A.inquires, “What is the meaning of Mount Moriah and Mount Ararat?” The former was a hill to the north-east of Jerusalem, and formed a part of the cultivated ground of Araunah, the Jebusite, from whom David bought it, and on this spot Solomon built the temple (2 Chron. iii. 1). The latter is situated in Armenia, consisting of two peaks about seven miles apart, the point of the highest being 17,000 feet above the level of the sea. It has been generally believed that upon one of these mountains the ark rested after the Flood, but this fact is scarcely sufficiently proved. 2. Berlin black, or artist’s black, is preferable to brunswick black for application to grates.One of Eight.—Your verses show good religious feeling, and, as you are so young, you may write better by-and-by.Unica.—“God save the mark” is a phrase found in Shakespeare’sHenry IV.i. 3. Hotspur, speaking of the messenger, calls him a “popinjay” who talked of guns, drums, and wounds in an unmanly way, and it would be sad if “his mark,” who has been in battle, were displaced by this court butterfly. In archery, when a good arrow was sent, it was usual to cry out “God save the mark,” meaning, “prevent anyone following to displace my arrow” in the “gold.”Tootsie.—There are homes for invalids and convalescents at 7s., and from 8s. to 12s. 6d. a week. You might get into the Female Convalescent Home, Crescent House, Marine Parade, Brighton. For this home no letter or nomination is required, but the charge is 8s. a week, paid in advance, and you may remain there for a month. Address Mrs. Marshman, 4, Ladbroke-square, W. If you take 5s. previously to going there, to Mrs. Marshman, she will give you a voucher, which must be shown to the ticket clerk at the station, and he will give you a third-class free ticket to and from Brighton. Mrs. Marshman is at home every day till noon to see candidates for admission.M. Schwartzenberg.—Write to our publisher, Mr. Tarn, for the index, frontispiece, and title-page, enclosing thirteenpence for the same and for postage.Old-Fashioned.—If your mother approve of your engagement at so early an age, and to a lad yet in his teens and younger than yourself, we have nothing to say against it. Still, you should remember that it would not be to his discredit if he were to change his mind when he became a man and knew his own mind and character. But in this special case it may be otherwise. You have our best wishes, and we thank you for your kind letter.Princess Louise.—No, the lines are not poetry, but rhymed prose, and not very good as that.Agate.—The case you name is indeed a very sad one; but within our own experience we have known two or three exactly such. They were persons of undoubted piety. Yet God’s ways are often inscrutable and “past finding out,” and why He permits His people to be visited with such a terrible affliction, terminating thus their usefulness to others, we cannot explain. Possibly it may be for the trial of the faith and submission of others. “When one member suffers, all the other members suffer with it.” Those that have been deprived of reason are no longer responsible for their words or acts; those that retain their reason are fully responsible for rebellion against the calamity laid upon them, and for any consequent shipwreck of faith. Your afflicted relative is now, without doubt, at peace, and enjoying the presence of the Saviour whom she loved and served so long as He preserved her senses.Hope.—Pronounce Mendelssohn as “Mendle-soan”; Gluck, as spelt; “Bach,” guttural “ch”; Gounod, as “Goo-no”; Schubert, as “Shoo-bert”; Franz Liszt as “Frantz List”; and Maupréty as “Mo-pray-te.”Gracie.—The schoolroom-maid cleans the schoolroom and the grate, attends to the fire, lays the table, brings up the meals, and waits and attends to the bell, making herself generally useful to the governess.Sara.—You might obtain information about a home of rest near the sea during vacation, at about 10s. weekly, if you applied to the Governesses’ Benevolent Institution; secretary, Charles W. Klugh, Esq., 32, Sackville-street, London, W. Inquire about a home of rest at Ramsgate. We have heard of one there which might suit you. There is also a home of rest at Sunninghill, Staines, about which inquire also.

One in Trouble.—Your good or plain looks were given you by your Maker, and you are only responsible for the expression you wear. Nothing could be more unjust and unkind than to let a plain girl see that she is neglected or set aside on that account. But some plain girls are touchy, and see slights where none are intended, and show discontent and resentment, which are met with ill-feeling in return. Beware of falling into this error, and bear the cross laid upon you as you should, who owe so great a debt of gratitude to Him who made you what you are. You are not fit for heaven in your present state of mind!

Sapere Audetells us that her friends have written to us on about every subject “under the globe.” Pray explain what the subjects are that are connected with that locality? Have they to do with Atlas, the giant, or the big turtle on which our globe is said, in fable, to be supported? 2. If the German parents you name were naturalised in France, their children are French. The latter, we suppose, have been registered as such at their birth, in any case.

Clarice E. A.inquires, “What is the meaning of Mount Moriah and Mount Ararat?” The former was a hill to the north-east of Jerusalem, and formed a part of the cultivated ground of Araunah, the Jebusite, from whom David bought it, and on this spot Solomon built the temple (2 Chron. iii. 1). The latter is situated in Armenia, consisting of two peaks about seven miles apart, the point of the highest being 17,000 feet above the level of the sea. It has been generally believed that upon one of these mountains the ark rested after the Flood, but this fact is scarcely sufficiently proved. 2. Berlin black, or artist’s black, is preferable to brunswick black for application to grates.

One of Eight.—Your verses show good religious feeling, and, as you are so young, you may write better by-and-by.

Unica.—“God save the mark” is a phrase found in Shakespeare’sHenry IV.i. 3. Hotspur, speaking of the messenger, calls him a “popinjay” who talked of guns, drums, and wounds in an unmanly way, and it would be sad if “his mark,” who has been in battle, were displaced by this court butterfly. In archery, when a good arrow was sent, it was usual to cry out “God save the mark,” meaning, “prevent anyone following to displace my arrow” in the “gold.”

Tootsie.—There are homes for invalids and convalescents at 7s., and from 8s. to 12s. 6d. a week. You might get into the Female Convalescent Home, Crescent House, Marine Parade, Brighton. For this home no letter or nomination is required, but the charge is 8s. a week, paid in advance, and you may remain there for a month. Address Mrs. Marshman, 4, Ladbroke-square, W. If you take 5s. previously to going there, to Mrs. Marshman, she will give you a voucher, which must be shown to the ticket clerk at the station, and he will give you a third-class free ticket to and from Brighton. Mrs. Marshman is at home every day till noon to see candidates for admission.

M. Schwartzenberg.—Write to our publisher, Mr. Tarn, for the index, frontispiece, and title-page, enclosing thirteenpence for the same and for postage.

Old-Fashioned.—If your mother approve of your engagement at so early an age, and to a lad yet in his teens and younger than yourself, we have nothing to say against it. Still, you should remember that it would not be to his discredit if he were to change his mind when he became a man and knew his own mind and character. But in this special case it may be otherwise. You have our best wishes, and we thank you for your kind letter.

Princess Louise.—No, the lines are not poetry, but rhymed prose, and not very good as that.

Agate.—The case you name is indeed a very sad one; but within our own experience we have known two or three exactly such. They were persons of undoubted piety. Yet God’s ways are often inscrutable and “past finding out,” and why He permits His people to be visited with such a terrible affliction, terminating thus their usefulness to others, we cannot explain. Possibly it may be for the trial of the faith and submission of others. “When one member suffers, all the other members suffer with it.” Those that have been deprived of reason are no longer responsible for their words or acts; those that retain their reason are fully responsible for rebellion against the calamity laid upon them, and for any consequent shipwreck of faith. Your afflicted relative is now, without doubt, at peace, and enjoying the presence of the Saviour whom she loved and served so long as He preserved her senses.

Hope.—Pronounce Mendelssohn as “Mendle-soan”; Gluck, as spelt; “Bach,” guttural “ch”; Gounod, as “Goo-no”; Schubert, as “Shoo-bert”; Franz Liszt as “Frantz List”; and Maupréty as “Mo-pray-te.”

Gracie.—The schoolroom-maid cleans the schoolroom and the grate, attends to the fire, lays the table, brings up the meals, and waits and attends to the bell, making herself generally useful to the governess.

Sara.—You might obtain information about a home of rest near the sea during vacation, at about 10s. weekly, if you applied to the Governesses’ Benevolent Institution; secretary, Charles W. Klugh, Esq., 32, Sackville-street, London, W. Inquire about a home of rest at Ramsgate. We have heard of one there which might suit you. There is also a home of rest at Sunninghill, Staines, about which inquire also.

WE TOOK SWEET COUNSEL TOGETHER & WALKED INTO THE HOUSE OF GOD IN COMPANY. Ps. LV. 14.

Inquisitive Girl.—Your quotation is not correct. It is, “One touch of nature makes the whole world kin,” which places the spectator in sympathy with the actor, since we all have the same feelings, weaknesses, and emotions, one as the other, in greater or less degrees. If you saw a mother parting in great grief with a child, you, as a mother, would experience a kindred feeling. 1. The great composer, Karl Maria Baron von Weber, did not die in prison; he was found dead in his bed when on a visit to Sir George Smart, who had entertained him during his stay in England, June 3rd, 1826.Sydney.—The Early English style in architecture dates from 1190 to 1245; the Perpendicular from 1360 to 1550. There are three varieties under the name Romanesque, and four known as Gothic. The former comprises the Saxon, Norman, and Transition; the latter comprises the Early English, Geometrical, Decorated, and Perpendicular. All churches subsequently built are true or debased imitations of these, excepting in cases where Byzantine or Greek models have been adopted.Winnie.—An apology should be received graciously, and there should be no reference thereafter made to the quarrel; but everything must depend on the cause which produced it, so far as your future relations with each other are concerned. The character of the offender might have been exhibited in a new and unsatisfactory light, rendering confidence misplaced and dangerous. Thus, your relations one with the other might be very materially and wisely changed, notwithstanding the full forgiveness accorded and the apology rendered.Evelynwants to know how to make the whites of her eyes white. They become yellow in cases of jaundice, or bilious disturbance, and they become red from a cold or blast in them, or from crying, over-work, or intemperance in drink. She must be the best judge as to which of these causes her yellow or red eyes owe their colour, and deal with the trouble accordingly. If from a cold in the eye, hold it in an eggcup of as hot water as can be borne without scalding, and this will force back the red particles in the blood vessels, which should not be present in the eyeballs. If Evelyn be a girl of colour, of course, the balls of the eyes, that should be of a blue-white in white people, are naturally yellow, and nothing will change it.Buttercup.—You should have mentioned the book you were reading, as we think the word is a manufactured one,almabeing “soul,” andcinere“ashes,” in Italian. Perhaps it has something to do with Ash Wednesday and Lent. There seems no other clue.E. B. B. should read Sir John Lubbock’s recent account of teaching his dog to read cards, with certain words on them indicating “out,” “food,” etc. 2. Lilith is fabled by the Talmudist as having been the first wife of Adam, but, refusing to obey him, she left Paradise for the regions of the air.Isolde.—The meaning of the wordnehustan(2 Kings xviii. 4) is given by Bishop Hall as “a piece of brass,” and by Dr. Hales as “a brazen bauble,” designed to be a term of contempt. The brazen serpent was made an idol, and was worshipped, and Hezekiah spoke of it in its real character as a mere piece of metal. We acknowledge your kind letter with many thanks.Miss Malaprop, Five Toes, X. Y. Z.—At sixteen you should be attending to your lessons. If wise, you would not be in such a hurry to begin the troubles and anxieties of life.May.—Even if the brigade of artillery had been moved from Bellary, all letters and papers would be forwarded to the troops, wherever they were. We can find no mention of anything recent.M. L. W. A.—The great diamond called the Koh-i-noor, or “mountain of light,” was found in the Mines of Golconda in 1550, and is said to have belonged in turn to Shah Jehan Aurungzebe, the Afghan rulers, and afterwards to the Sikh Chief Runjeet Singh. Upon the abdication of Dhuleep Singh, the last ruler of the Punjab, and the annexation of his dominions in 1849, the Koh-i-noor was surrendered to the Queen, and was brought over and presented to her, July 3rd, 1850. Its original weight was nearly 800 carats, but it was reduced, by the unskilfulness of the artist, to 279 carats. Its shape and size was like the pointed end of a small hen’s egg. The value is hardly to be computed, but appraising it at two millions has been considered reasonable, if calculated on a trade scale. It was re-cut in 1852, and was reduced to 102½ carats. It is worn by Her Majesty as a brooch on all State occasions.Laura.—Of course, your pale semi-opaque amber will turn darker and lose its beauty if exposed to light and heat. Whenever taken off, wipe your necklace and earrings carefully with a soft handkerchief to remove any greasiness, and put them by in a cool, dark place.R. E. F.—A woman married after the 1st of January, 1883, is qualified to dispose by will of all property belonging to her at the time of her marriage, and of all property acquired thereafter, in all respects as if she were an unmarried woman. If married previously to the date above named, she must obtain her husband’s consent to any will she may desire to make, and all property accruing to her after marriage, unless by settlement, becomes his to surrender to her or to retain, as his perceptions of honour or feeling of generosity may dictate.Awkward Sixteenwould make a very awkward mistake if she burned her face with aquafortis on account of a few moles! Methylated spirits should not be packed into a trunk. Better to place it in a basket; and still wiser to buy what is required on arrival.Helen Ada.—The game of tennis, as all others with a ball, is of very remote origin. The Greeks played such. Tennis seems to have originated in or before 1300 in France, and in Charles II.’s reign it was very fashionable. The game of lawn tennis has been evolved out of the old game. A statue was erected to Aristonicus, in commemoration of his superior skill in playing with a ball.England,Scotland, andWales.—St. Mary Magdalene was not the sinner you name, but one afflicted with devil possession, seven of which were cast out of her by our Lord.Father’s Pride and Mother’s Joy.—You cannot show your dislike to anyone in a more innocent and godly manner, especially if they be proved enemies to you, than by kindness and love. If you can do any kindness towards them, you must look for and seize the occasion to do it. This is Christ’s way, and would be your way and all our ways if we were only like Him.Gertrude’squestion is too wide for our space. There are dozens of pretty watering-places in England. But where does she live, and what does she require in a watering-place—quiet or noise? It would be impossible even to suggest a residence unless we had more data to guide us.

Sydney.—The Early English style in architecture dates from 1190 to 1245; the Perpendicular from 1360 to 1550. There are three varieties under the name Romanesque, and four known as Gothic. The former comprises the Saxon, Norman, and Transition; the latter comprises the Early English, Geometrical, Decorated, and Perpendicular. All churches subsequently built are true or debased imitations of these, excepting in cases where Byzantine or Greek models have been adopted.

Winnie.—An apology should be received graciously, and there should be no reference thereafter made to the quarrel; but everything must depend on the cause which produced it, so far as your future relations with each other are concerned. The character of the offender might have been exhibited in a new and unsatisfactory light, rendering confidence misplaced and dangerous. Thus, your relations one with the other might be very materially and wisely changed, notwithstanding the full forgiveness accorded and the apology rendered.

Evelynwants to know how to make the whites of her eyes white. They become yellow in cases of jaundice, or bilious disturbance, and they become red from a cold or blast in them, or from crying, over-work, or intemperance in drink. She must be the best judge as to which of these causes her yellow or red eyes owe their colour, and deal with the trouble accordingly. If from a cold in the eye, hold it in an eggcup of as hot water as can be borne without scalding, and this will force back the red particles in the blood vessels, which should not be present in the eyeballs. If Evelyn be a girl of colour, of course, the balls of the eyes, that should be of a blue-white in white people, are naturally yellow, and nothing will change it.

Buttercup.—You should have mentioned the book you were reading, as we think the word is a manufactured one,almabeing “soul,” andcinere“ashes,” in Italian. Perhaps it has something to do with Ash Wednesday and Lent. There seems no other clue.

E. B. B. should read Sir John Lubbock’s recent account of teaching his dog to read cards, with certain words on them indicating “out,” “food,” etc. 2. Lilith is fabled by the Talmudist as having been the first wife of Adam, but, refusing to obey him, she left Paradise for the regions of the air.

Isolde.—The meaning of the wordnehustan(2 Kings xviii. 4) is given by Bishop Hall as “a piece of brass,” and by Dr. Hales as “a brazen bauble,” designed to be a term of contempt. The brazen serpent was made an idol, and was worshipped, and Hezekiah spoke of it in its real character as a mere piece of metal. We acknowledge your kind letter with many thanks.

Miss Malaprop, Five Toes, X. Y. Z.—At sixteen you should be attending to your lessons. If wise, you would not be in such a hurry to begin the troubles and anxieties of life.

May.—Even if the brigade of artillery had been moved from Bellary, all letters and papers would be forwarded to the troops, wherever they were. We can find no mention of anything recent.

M. L. W. A.—The great diamond called the Koh-i-noor, or “mountain of light,” was found in the Mines of Golconda in 1550, and is said to have belonged in turn to Shah Jehan Aurungzebe, the Afghan rulers, and afterwards to the Sikh Chief Runjeet Singh. Upon the abdication of Dhuleep Singh, the last ruler of the Punjab, and the annexation of his dominions in 1849, the Koh-i-noor was surrendered to the Queen, and was brought over and presented to her, July 3rd, 1850. Its original weight was nearly 800 carats, but it was reduced, by the unskilfulness of the artist, to 279 carats. Its shape and size was like the pointed end of a small hen’s egg. The value is hardly to be computed, but appraising it at two millions has been considered reasonable, if calculated on a trade scale. It was re-cut in 1852, and was reduced to 102½ carats. It is worn by Her Majesty as a brooch on all State occasions.

Laura.—Of course, your pale semi-opaque amber will turn darker and lose its beauty if exposed to light and heat. Whenever taken off, wipe your necklace and earrings carefully with a soft handkerchief to remove any greasiness, and put them by in a cool, dark place.

R. E. F.—A woman married after the 1st of January, 1883, is qualified to dispose by will of all property belonging to her at the time of her marriage, and of all property acquired thereafter, in all respects as if she were an unmarried woman. If married previously to the date above named, she must obtain her husband’s consent to any will she may desire to make, and all property accruing to her after marriage, unless by settlement, becomes his to surrender to her or to retain, as his perceptions of honour or feeling of generosity may dictate.

Awkward Sixteenwould make a very awkward mistake if she burned her face with aquafortis on account of a few moles! Methylated spirits should not be packed into a trunk. Better to place it in a basket; and still wiser to buy what is required on arrival.

Helen Ada.—The game of tennis, as all others with a ball, is of very remote origin. The Greeks played such. Tennis seems to have originated in or before 1300 in France, and in Charles II.’s reign it was very fashionable. The game of lawn tennis has been evolved out of the old game. A statue was erected to Aristonicus, in commemoration of his superior skill in playing with a ball.

England,Scotland, andWales.—St. Mary Magdalene was not the sinner you name, but one afflicted with devil possession, seven of which were cast out of her by our Lord.

Father’s Pride and Mother’s Joy.—You cannot show your dislike to anyone in a more innocent and godly manner, especially if they be proved enemies to you, than by kindness and love. If you can do any kindness towards them, you must look for and seize the occasion to do it. This is Christ’s way, and would be your way and all our ways if we were only like Him.

Gertrude’squestion is too wide for our space. There are dozens of pretty watering-places in England. But where does she live, and what does she require in a watering-place—quiet or noise? It would be impossible even to suggest a residence unless we had more data to guide us.

FOOTNOTES:[1]Taken from the Sussex Archæological Collections (out of print).[2]He kept his money-chests in old Temple Bar.[3]The revenue was often anticipated by tallies.[4]Madox: “History of the Exchequer.”

FOOTNOTES:

[1]Taken from the Sussex Archæological Collections (out of print).

[2]He kept his money-chests in old Temple Bar.

[3]The revenue was often anticipated by tallies.

[4]Madox: “History of the Exchequer.”

[Transcriber’s Note—the following changes have been made to this text:

Page 195: ununwonted to unwonted—“unwonted sight”.

suceeeds to succeeds—“succeeds in being”.

Page 206: be to he—“he began”.]

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