ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Beattie.—You do not say where you reside. You should write for all such information to the special college under whose training you will find it the most convenient to place yourself. Address the secretary.G. M. H. should read all our answers to correspondents under the above heading, as her questions have been answered over and over again in our volumes. In one of the early volumes there was an article entitled “How to Earn One’s Living.”A. Mc.—You should write to the secretary of the Holloway College for Women direct, and obtain their prospectus, stating your wishes and all the particulars of the case.E. T. G.—The Latin motto,Virtus semper viridis, is that of three families—i.e., Corry, Green, and Lowry, and means, “Virtue is always flourishing.”C. M. should write direct to the secretary of the College of Preceptors, 42, Queen-square, Bloomsbury, W.C. 2. We give you the same advice; you had better read and judge for yourself.Pollie.—Write to the secretary of the Civil Service Commissioners, Cannon-row, S.W., and obtain the printed prospectus of rules respecting the clerkships of the telegraph department. If you look through our answers under the above heading, you will see scores of replies to this question.C. Kershaw.—There is a training home for domestic servants, The Guild of Aid, at Zeals, near Bath, Somerset, and one at 19, Romney-place, Maidstone; matron, Miss Kemp. Also St. John’s Training School for Girls, Westbourne-park, W.; matron, Miss McEwen.

G. M. H. should read all our answers to correspondents under the above heading, as her questions have been answered over and over again in our volumes. In one of the early volumes there was an article entitled “How to Earn One’s Living.”

A. Mc.—You should write to the secretary of the Holloway College for Women direct, and obtain their prospectus, stating your wishes and all the particulars of the case.

E. T. G.—The Latin motto,Virtus semper viridis, is that of three families—i.e., Corry, Green, and Lowry, and means, “Virtue is always flourishing.”

C. M. should write direct to the secretary of the College of Preceptors, 42, Queen-square, Bloomsbury, W.C. 2. We give you the same advice; you had better read and judge for yourself.

Pollie.—Write to the secretary of the Civil Service Commissioners, Cannon-row, S.W., and obtain the printed prospectus of rules respecting the clerkships of the telegraph department. If you look through our answers under the above heading, you will see scores of replies to this question.

C. Kershaw.—There is a training home for domestic servants, The Guild of Aid, at Zeals, near Bath, Somerset, and one at 19, Romney-place, Maidstone; matron, Miss Kemp. Also St. John’s Training School for Girls, Westbourne-park, W.; matron, Miss McEwen.

Zillah.—If the medium known as Florentine is used when painting upon silk, it is not necessary to prepare the foundation.Mars.—In mirror painting it is necessary to use one of the many mediums advertised, or the oil paints are easily removable with turpentine or a penknife.The Lady of Aroostock.—It is extremely difficult to sell original drawings, and much more so to sell mere copies. So we fear that we could not help you. Shew’s mounting medium for photographs is the best to employ.Ivy.—The safest manner of cleaning photographs is to immerse them in pure clean tepid water, and then wipe them dry with a soft silk rag.

Zillah.—If the medium known as Florentine is used when painting upon silk, it is not necessary to prepare the foundation.

Mars.—In mirror painting it is necessary to use one of the many mediums advertised, or the oil paints are easily removable with turpentine or a penknife.

The Lady of Aroostock.—It is extremely difficult to sell original drawings, and much more so to sell mere copies. So we fear that we could not help you. Shew’s mounting medium for photographs is the best to employ.

Ivy.—The safest manner of cleaning photographs is to immerse them in pure clean tepid water, and then wipe them dry with a soft silk rag.

A Motheris thanked for the recipe she kindly gives for a description of embroidery, especially her own:—For the foundation, prepare as proposed for crazy work in our part for November, 1886. Get artificial flowers of velvet, old or new, the brighter the better, and of all varieties. Tack them on the sprays, large or small, or grouped; then use buttonhole-stitch to fasten down every flower in coarse crewel silk, of the respective colours required by the flowers, finishing round the larger flowers and leaves with gold tinsel cord, and using small yellow beads for flower seeds. The stems should be made in shaded greens with crewel-stitch, and the whole effect is very brilliant.Teetee.—With reference to your helping to support your mother and yourselves by dressmaking, no friends worth keeping would cast you off on that account. No disgrace is attached to honest work, but you would show consideration for the feelings of others by working under Christian names, a common practice amongst dressmakers and milliners; and this little act of delicacy for your relatives’ sake will be appreciated by them, supposing the family name be one of any distinction—a common one would not matter. We advise you to get some lessons in fitting from a good tailor, as women dressmakers fail signally on this point, as a general and almost universal rule.

Teetee.—With reference to your helping to support your mother and yourselves by dressmaking, no friends worth keeping would cast you off on that account. No disgrace is attached to honest work, but you would show consideration for the feelings of others by working under Christian names, a common practice amongst dressmakers and milliners; and this little act of delicacy for your relatives’ sake will be appreciated by them, supposing the family name be one of any distinction—a common one would not matter. We advise you to get some lessons in fitting from a good tailor, as women dressmakers fail signally on this point, as a general and almost universal rule.

SPRING“MARCH WINDS,APRIL SHOWERS,BRING FORTHMAY FLOWERS.”

SPRING

“MARCH WINDS,APRIL SHOWERS,BRING FORTHMAY FLOWERS.”

“MARCH WINDS,

APRIL SHOWERS,

BRING FORTH

MAY FLOWERS.”

Lover of the G.O.P.—On no account take any notice of such a note. It was a most intrusive and impertinent act on the part of a strange man to drop it into your lap in the railway carriage. It showed that he mistook you for a girl lacking grievously in self-respect and in any knowledge of propriety.Fidelis.—We have advised our correspondents very many times against such advertisements, which are almost all catchpennies, and intended to delude and swindle the foolish and unwary. We have no knowledge of each separate advertisement, and we speak only as a general rule, of course.E. H. E. K.—The best cotton to use for knitting a quilt is No. 6, with No. 12 needles. In asking how much cotton you would require, you never mention the size of the quilt which you mean to make, but after knitting one of the diamonds you will know how much you have used, and also the number of diamonds you will require, and you can calculate from that. If you keep to one maker you can always match the cotton exactly.An Irish Doctor’s Wife.—To make a stitch, put the thread before the needle. A slipped stitch means one that is passed from one needle to the other without knitting it. We think you would find it easier to induce some experienced knitter to give you a few instructions.Kascheu.—1. The cracker nightdress case may be made in plush. This case resembles a cracker in shape, the two ends being secured with drawstrings about four inches from the edge, and this frilled part is lined with satin. The nightdress is placed in the centre, where the bonbon of a real cracker is secured. 2. For plush embroidery, coarse silks are used, and the patterns are worked in outlines. The material presents such difficulties that the embroidery is never very elaborate. The watch pockets to match the cracker nightdress case are shaped like half a cracker, and are placed upon the foundation upright. The watch pockets are hung up by a ribbon, and are gathered at the top.

Fidelis.—We have advised our correspondents very many times against such advertisements, which are almost all catchpennies, and intended to delude and swindle the foolish and unwary. We have no knowledge of each separate advertisement, and we speak only as a general rule, of course.

E. H. E. K.—The best cotton to use for knitting a quilt is No. 6, with No. 12 needles. In asking how much cotton you would require, you never mention the size of the quilt which you mean to make, but after knitting one of the diamonds you will know how much you have used, and also the number of diamonds you will require, and you can calculate from that. If you keep to one maker you can always match the cotton exactly.

An Irish Doctor’s Wife.—To make a stitch, put the thread before the needle. A slipped stitch means one that is passed from one needle to the other without knitting it. We think you would find it easier to induce some experienced knitter to give you a few instructions.

Kascheu.—1. The cracker nightdress case may be made in plush. This case resembles a cracker in shape, the two ends being secured with drawstrings about four inches from the edge, and this frilled part is lined with satin. The nightdress is placed in the centre, where the bonbon of a real cracker is secured. 2. For plush embroidery, coarse silks are used, and the patterns are worked in outlines. The material presents such difficulties that the embroidery is never very elaborate. The watch pockets to match the cracker nightdress case are shaped like half a cracker, and are placed upon the foundation upright. The watch pockets are hung up by a ribbon, and are gathered at the top.

Vida.—It is only in convents that women take vows of celebacy. Remember also that there is a Divine rule for guidance in reference to sacred vows, which must include every description outside the simple and imperative obligation to serve God humbly and faithfully in your ordinary daily life and conversation, and in the inner sanctuary of your own heart, for which Divine rule see Numbers xxx. 3, 4, 5.Srixo.—In no case should a hostess go in first to her own dining-room; every guest should precede her, excepting the guest that escorts herself, orvice versa. If a cake be presented to a girl on her birthday (which is by no meansde rigueur, and like the ever-provided wedding cake) it may be placed either at the top, bottom, or side of the table, as the mistress of the house may please.Constant Reader.—We are very glad that you see your past errors, and are endeavouring to act as shall be pleasing to your Heavenly Master in your daily life, and as ever in His sight. Ask for the help of the Holy Spirit so to do. The Odd Minutes Society might meet your wishes in trying to do some little extra work for Him in His poor. Write to Miss J. Powel, Luctons, Buckhurst-hill, Essex, for her prospectus. You might get some fingering wool, and crochet or knit for them in odd minutes.Lichen.—You should pay a visit to a florist’s, and ask for the species you name and examine for yourself. If anything be worth knowing it is worth taking a little trouble to obtain information. Our girls are too lazy and continually ask us to hunt through the indexes supplied for their own use. When you have made a full inspection of the flowers for yourself, you can get direct special information from the florist.Duchess.—The verse you quote is not taken from any of the canonical books. It is apocryphal.Inquirerdoes not appear to be at all acquainted with the Holy Gospel according to St. John, or she would know where to find the text quoted. She ought to feel ashamed of such ignorance, and we recommend her to read that Gospel through, and commit some of our Lord’s discourses to memory. We also advise her and all our girls to obtain a concordance of the Holy Bible at our office, as soon as they can afford to buy one.Nil Desperandumshould obtain medical advice. We can only make general statements, which may or may not be correctly applied to individual cases.Batty.—If the glaze be produced by the wearing-away of the nap of the cloth, there is no cure for it. Perhaps you could turn it with advantage.ApeandDonkey(New South Wales).—Lads of nineteen are certainly too young to choose partners for life, and no girl would be wise in binding herself to marry a young fellow who could not know his own mind. A man should be at least twenty-five before he asks any girl to risk her happiness in giving him a promise of marriage. If an escort from church on a Sunday evening be desirable, you should make due arrangement for it before venturing to go. Impromptu accidental offers of escort are very inexpedient. In such cases you should have another girl with you likewise.Sphinx.—Accept our thanks for your kind letter. We cannot decipher it all, but see no question to be answered.Business Woman.—We have given a long series of articles on the subject of Good Breeding, and also of Etiquette, of an exhaustive character. Some are entitled “Duties,” etc. Look for them in the indexes, and you will learn all you require to know under any circumstance in which you may be placed.Browny.—To become talkative would be most objectionable. Read our two articles on “The Art of Conversing Agreeably.” We thank you for your prescription against sea sickness, viz.—2 grains of bromide of sodium taken three times a day, two days before going on board, and night and morning while on board. But we have not tried it, and so must advise anyone wishing to experiment on the dose, to consult her own doctor before so doing.A Dublin Lassie.—The 18th December, 1871, was a Monday. In reply to your second question, see our answer to “Browny.”Susie M.—Our blessed Lord was tempted in all points, like as we all are. Read the other passages in connection with this distinct and positive statement.A Parlour-maidwrites, “What will remove black spots from silver?” and she goes on in the next sentence to say, “when the plate is cleaned they go away.” What more does she wish to know? Clean, the plate, and do so frequently and regularly.Popsey.—September 5th, 1856, fell on a Friday. Conversion to God may be sudden, but is more generally a gradual and growing conviction of sin and apprehension of the way of salvation, a gentle process of drawing to Christ by feelings of gratitude for mercies received, and through hearing and reading of His love. This appears to be a more reliable and satisfactory process than sudden convictions with an assurance of faith. Still, such conversions as the latter do occur. There are many godly people, also, who have never known any change since their early childhood, but who always feared God and trusted in His atonement.A. Payne.—You are doing a very rash thing in trying to thin yourself by taking carbonate of soda in daily doses. You will thus thin your blood, and thinness of blood often results in dropsy, spots, and boils, etc. Your being stout is a great advantage, if not excessive. You have some substance to waste safely in case of illness. Do you wish to look like the poor scarecrows with pipe-stopper waists? Your hand is scarcely formed, and you should use a softer pen.Heliotrope(New Zealand).—1. We read your letter with interest, although the answer to it be so late. You are very right in the views you express about marriage. Young girls are too apt to take its responsibilities upon themselves without counting the cost, or their own suitability. 2. Changing the key of a song seldom improves it. But, at all events, if the key were unsuitable for your voice, your singing would be more agreeable than it would have been in the original key. Accept our thanks and best wishes.M. Wright(New South Wales).—We thank you for so kind a letter, and assure you, as we did “Heliotrope,” that such as you have both written, have encouraged us in our work. We may also add that, if you have not had the benefit of a good education, you have profited by what you had far better than many girls who had that advantage. We wish you God-speed.The Vicar’s Daughter(Victoria).—We cannot answer your question exactly in the form you wish, but may, at least, say that you might procure what you want through the Messrs Trübner, Ludgate-hill, London, E.C. Accept our best thanks and good wishes.Minnehaha.—Dr. Samuel Johnson died on the 13th of December, 1784. The name Helena ought to be pronounced with the accent on the first syllable,i.e., Hel-e-na, although the island of that name is pronounced otherwise, the accent being placed on the second syllable, and divided thus, St. He-le-na.Perplexity.—We recommend any unbeliever to read the Rev. Joseph Cook’s “Monday Lectures,” first and second series, “God and the Conscience,” and “Life and the Soul,” sold by Messrs. Ward and Lock, Dorset Buildings, Salisbury-square, London, E.C.Well-wisher Elsie.—Your hand is rather a poor one, but it is legible, and is at any rate preferable to the coarse Stonehenge type affected by so many girls. We suppose the phrenologist meant to say that you could if you tried so to do, pass a good examination in the science and art of music.Evelyn B.—The papers written by Miss Caulfeild on etiquette, good manners, and duties have extended through most of our volumes, beginning with vol. i. and ii., and one and all are valuable authority on all such points.Ever Hopeful.—The best way to get the information would be to write to the vicar, enclosing a stamped envelope, and ask whether he can supply it from the registers of his church, and if so, what the fees will be. Then, on his answer, you can remit the fees asked.

Srixo.—In no case should a hostess go in first to her own dining-room; every guest should precede her, excepting the guest that escorts herself, orvice versa. If a cake be presented to a girl on her birthday (which is by no meansde rigueur, and like the ever-provided wedding cake) it may be placed either at the top, bottom, or side of the table, as the mistress of the house may please.

Constant Reader.—We are very glad that you see your past errors, and are endeavouring to act as shall be pleasing to your Heavenly Master in your daily life, and as ever in His sight. Ask for the help of the Holy Spirit so to do. The Odd Minutes Society might meet your wishes in trying to do some little extra work for Him in His poor. Write to Miss J. Powel, Luctons, Buckhurst-hill, Essex, for her prospectus. You might get some fingering wool, and crochet or knit for them in odd minutes.

Lichen.—You should pay a visit to a florist’s, and ask for the species you name and examine for yourself. If anything be worth knowing it is worth taking a little trouble to obtain information. Our girls are too lazy and continually ask us to hunt through the indexes supplied for their own use. When you have made a full inspection of the flowers for yourself, you can get direct special information from the florist.

Duchess.—The verse you quote is not taken from any of the canonical books. It is apocryphal.

Inquirerdoes not appear to be at all acquainted with the Holy Gospel according to St. John, or she would know where to find the text quoted. She ought to feel ashamed of such ignorance, and we recommend her to read that Gospel through, and commit some of our Lord’s discourses to memory. We also advise her and all our girls to obtain a concordance of the Holy Bible at our office, as soon as they can afford to buy one.

Nil Desperandumshould obtain medical advice. We can only make general statements, which may or may not be correctly applied to individual cases.

Batty.—If the glaze be produced by the wearing-away of the nap of the cloth, there is no cure for it. Perhaps you could turn it with advantage.

ApeandDonkey(New South Wales).—Lads of nineteen are certainly too young to choose partners for life, and no girl would be wise in binding herself to marry a young fellow who could not know his own mind. A man should be at least twenty-five before he asks any girl to risk her happiness in giving him a promise of marriage. If an escort from church on a Sunday evening be desirable, you should make due arrangement for it before venturing to go. Impromptu accidental offers of escort are very inexpedient. In such cases you should have another girl with you likewise.

Sphinx.—Accept our thanks for your kind letter. We cannot decipher it all, but see no question to be answered.

Business Woman.—We have given a long series of articles on the subject of Good Breeding, and also of Etiquette, of an exhaustive character. Some are entitled “Duties,” etc. Look for them in the indexes, and you will learn all you require to know under any circumstance in which you may be placed.

Browny.—To become talkative would be most objectionable. Read our two articles on “The Art of Conversing Agreeably.” We thank you for your prescription against sea sickness, viz.—2 grains of bromide of sodium taken three times a day, two days before going on board, and night and morning while on board. But we have not tried it, and so must advise anyone wishing to experiment on the dose, to consult her own doctor before so doing.

A Dublin Lassie.—The 18th December, 1871, was a Monday. In reply to your second question, see our answer to “Browny.”

Susie M.—Our blessed Lord was tempted in all points, like as we all are. Read the other passages in connection with this distinct and positive statement.

A Parlour-maidwrites, “What will remove black spots from silver?” and she goes on in the next sentence to say, “when the plate is cleaned they go away.” What more does she wish to know? Clean, the plate, and do so frequently and regularly.

Popsey.—September 5th, 1856, fell on a Friday. Conversion to God may be sudden, but is more generally a gradual and growing conviction of sin and apprehension of the way of salvation, a gentle process of drawing to Christ by feelings of gratitude for mercies received, and through hearing and reading of His love. This appears to be a more reliable and satisfactory process than sudden convictions with an assurance of faith. Still, such conversions as the latter do occur. There are many godly people, also, who have never known any change since their early childhood, but who always feared God and trusted in His atonement.

A. Payne.—You are doing a very rash thing in trying to thin yourself by taking carbonate of soda in daily doses. You will thus thin your blood, and thinness of blood often results in dropsy, spots, and boils, etc. Your being stout is a great advantage, if not excessive. You have some substance to waste safely in case of illness. Do you wish to look like the poor scarecrows with pipe-stopper waists? Your hand is scarcely formed, and you should use a softer pen.

Heliotrope(New Zealand).—1. We read your letter with interest, although the answer to it be so late. You are very right in the views you express about marriage. Young girls are too apt to take its responsibilities upon themselves without counting the cost, or their own suitability. 2. Changing the key of a song seldom improves it. But, at all events, if the key were unsuitable for your voice, your singing would be more agreeable than it would have been in the original key. Accept our thanks and best wishes.

M. Wright(New South Wales).—We thank you for so kind a letter, and assure you, as we did “Heliotrope,” that such as you have both written, have encouraged us in our work. We may also add that, if you have not had the benefit of a good education, you have profited by what you had far better than many girls who had that advantage. We wish you God-speed.

The Vicar’s Daughter(Victoria).—We cannot answer your question exactly in the form you wish, but may, at least, say that you might procure what you want through the Messrs Trübner, Ludgate-hill, London, E.C. Accept our best thanks and good wishes.

Minnehaha.—Dr. Samuel Johnson died on the 13th of December, 1784. The name Helena ought to be pronounced with the accent on the first syllable,i.e., Hel-e-na, although the island of that name is pronounced otherwise, the accent being placed on the second syllable, and divided thus, St. He-le-na.

Perplexity.—We recommend any unbeliever to read the Rev. Joseph Cook’s “Monday Lectures,” first and second series, “God and the Conscience,” and “Life and the Soul,” sold by Messrs. Ward and Lock, Dorset Buildings, Salisbury-square, London, E.C.

Well-wisher Elsie.—Your hand is rather a poor one, but it is legible, and is at any rate preferable to the coarse Stonehenge type affected by so many girls. We suppose the phrenologist meant to say that you could if you tried so to do, pass a good examination in the science and art of music.

Evelyn B.—The papers written by Miss Caulfeild on etiquette, good manners, and duties have extended through most of our volumes, beginning with vol. i. and ii., and one and all are valuable authority on all such points.

Ever Hopeful.—The best way to get the information would be to write to the vicar, enclosing a stamped envelope, and ask whether he can supply it from the registers of his church, and if so, what the fees will be. Then, on his answer, you can remit the fees asked.

FOOTNOTES:[1]Discant—Counter-melody.

FOOTNOTES:

[1]Discant—Counter-melody.

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