QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.A Correspondentasks: “Will the Editor ofThe Girl’s Own Paperbe so kind as to let ‘Dora’ know through his columns, what author first made use of the phrase, ‘Oil on the troubled waters’.”Although we cannot with absolute certainty pointDorato the first author who made use of the expression, she may be interested to know that it has its origin in antiquity.Pliny the Elder (23-79A.D.) says in his Natural History (Book ii., Sect. 234)—“Everything is soothed by oil, and this is the reason why divers send out small quantities of it from their mouths, because it smoothes every part which is rough.”Plutarch (46?-120?) asks in hisSymposiacs(Book viii., Question ix)—“Why does pouring oil on the sea make it clear and calm? Is it for that the winds, slipping the smooth oil, have no form, nor cause any waves?”The Venerable Bede relates in his Ecclesiastical History (completed in 735) a story bearing on this point, which he says he had from “a most creditable man in Holy Orders.”A young priest was to set out by land, but return by water, to escort a maiden destined for the bride of King Oswy. He sought a farewell blessing from St. Aidan, Bishop of Lindisfarne, who gave him a cruse of holy oil, saying, “I know that when you go abroad, you will meet with a storm and contrary wind; but do you remember to cast this oil I give you into the sea, and the wind shall cease immediately.” A storm did arise, and the young priest, pouring oil on the waves, reduced them to a calm.Apart from any suggestion of the miraculous, the effect of oil on rough waters has been observed in modern times. It is stated that Professor Horsford, by emptying a vial of oil on the sea in a stiff breeze, stilled the surface, and Commodore Wilkes, of the United States, saw the waves calmed in a storm off the Cape of Good Hope by oil leaking from a whale ship.The pictorial application of this physical fact is so obvious that it could not help passing into popular usage.“Mercia,” “The Would-be Wise One,” and “Nothing but Leaves,” all ask us in effect the same question, the full meaning of self-culture, and how it is to be attained.In ways too many to particularise, “our girls” are anxiously seeking this end. From all quarters of the globe questions come to us; not perhaps expressed in the same direct fashion as the one above, but showing an eagerness in some way to develop latent faculty, to improve the whole nature. What, then, is self-culture? It is briefly personal cultivation of self; the bringing forth, or “educing” talent and capability, the improvement of taste, the storing of the mind with what will elevate and help and inspire. There is the same difference between a “cultured” and an “uncultured” person as between a cultivated and uncultivated plot of garden-ground. The chief difficulty lies in having to perform the affair for oneself. To yield one’s nature to trained and skilful teachers is delightful, but when no such teachers are at hand, the task assumes a different complexion, and looks well-nigh impossible.But there are teachers whom everyone can command. The girl to whom Newnham and Girton are undreamed-of possibilities, whose education at school has been only just long enough to make her crave for more, can call to her aid the greatest and wisest of mankind. Self-culture by books is within the reach of all.What books? and how shall they be studied?The subject is too vast to be dealt with in even the longest answer to correspondents, and we can only say here to “Mercia,” “The Would-be Wise One,” and “Nothing but Leaves,” that we have begun in this volume a series of articles by Lily Watson on “Self-Culture for Girls,” which deal practically and in detail with the books that should be read, the method of studying them, and everything that girls anxious to make the best of their opportunities can wish to know.

A Correspondentasks: “Will the Editor ofThe Girl’s Own Paperbe so kind as to let ‘Dora’ know through his columns, what author first made use of the phrase, ‘Oil on the troubled waters’.”

Although we cannot with absolute certainty pointDorato the first author who made use of the expression, she may be interested to know that it has its origin in antiquity.

Pliny the Elder (23-79A.D.) says in his Natural History (Book ii., Sect. 234)—

“Everything is soothed by oil, and this is the reason why divers send out small quantities of it from their mouths, because it smoothes every part which is rough.”

Plutarch (46?-120?) asks in hisSymposiacs(Book viii., Question ix)—

“Why does pouring oil on the sea make it clear and calm? Is it for that the winds, slipping the smooth oil, have no form, nor cause any waves?”

The Venerable Bede relates in his Ecclesiastical History (completed in 735) a story bearing on this point, which he says he had from “a most creditable man in Holy Orders.”

A young priest was to set out by land, but return by water, to escort a maiden destined for the bride of King Oswy. He sought a farewell blessing from St. Aidan, Bishop of Lindisfarne, who gave him a cruse of holy oil, saying, “I know that when you go abroad, you will meet with a storm and contrary wind; but do you remember to cast this oil I give you into the sea, and the wind shall cease immediately.” A storm did arise, and the young priest, pouring oil on the waves, reduced them to a calm.

Apart from any suggestion of the miraculous, the effect of oil on rough waters has been observed in modern times. It is stated that Professor Horsford, by emptying a vial of oil on the sea in a stiff breeze, stilled the surface, and Commodore Wilkes, of the United States, saw the waves calmed in a storm off the Cape of Good Hope by oil leaking from a whale ship.

The pictorial application of this physical fact is so obvious that it could not help passing into popular usage.

“Mercia,” “The Would-be Wise One,” and “Nothing but Leaves,” all ask us in effect the same question, the full meaning of self-culture, and how it is to be attained.

In ways too many to particularise, “our girls” are anxiously seeking this end. From all quarters of the globe questions come to us; not perhaps expressed in the same direct fashion as the one above, but showing an eagerness in some way to develop latent faculty, to improve the whole nature. What, then, is self-culture? It is briefly personal cultivation of self; the bringing forth, or “educing” talent and capability, the improvement of taste, the storing of the mind with what will elevate and help and inspire. There is the same difference between a “cultured” and an “uncultured” person as between a cultivated and uncultivated plot of garden-ground. The chief difficulty lies in having to perform the affair for oneself. To yield one’s nature to trained and skilful teachers is delightful, but when no such teachers are at hand, the task assumes a different complexion, and looks well-nigh impossible.

But there are teachers whom everyone can command. The girl to whom Newnham and Girton are undreamed-of possibilities, whose education at school has been only just long enough to make her crave for more, can call to her aid the greatest and wisest of mankind. Self-culture by books is within the reach of all.

What books? and how shall they be studied?

The subject is too vast to be dealt with in even the longest answer to correspondents, and we can only say here to “Mercia,” “The Would-be Wise One,” and “Nothing but Leaves,” that we have begun in this volume a series of articles by Lily Watson on “Self-Culture for Girls,” which deal practically and in detail with the books that should be read, the method of studying them, and everything that girls anxious to make the best of their opportunities can wish to know.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.MEDICAL.Little Dot.—1. The condition of your face is almost for certain due toacne rosacea. The only other disease which we think it likely that you could be suffering from would belupus erythematosus—a form of lupus which is not due to tuberculosis or scrofula, but which is a highly-developed form of chilblains. Your description agrees so well with that ofacne rosaceathat there can be little doubt but that it is that complaint. This disease would be in no way dependent upon nor influenced by any disease that your parents may have had. This complaint commonly goes by the name of “grog-blossoms”; but is frequently caused by other things than “grog.” In fact it is not the alcohol itself so much as the indigestion that it causes which produces the “blossoms.” Any form of indigestion may be accompanied by rosacea; and so the first thing in the treatment of the affection is to look to the digestion. Locally use an ointment of sulphur or ichthiol, preferably the latter. You must guard carefully against constipation, as this of itself will produce rosacea.—2. We think it highly improbable that you suffer from stone in the kidney; but of course we could not be certain without personal examination. The only symptom you give us is one which you are very likely to have misinterpreted, whereas you tell us nothing which to our minds suggests kidney disease.Margaret.—Youcantest for yourself whether the water supplied to you contains lead; but it is hardly worth your while to do so. Still, if you wish to try, get a glass cylinder two feet long, and place it on a sheet of white paper. Fill it with the water to be tested, and pour into it a few drops of solution of sulphuretted hydrogen, or let a jet of the pure gas bubble through the water. If lead is present a brownish discoloration of the water will occur, varying in depth of tint according to the amount of lead present. Copper and one or two other metals give the same reaction. You must be careful of the sulphuretted hydrogen, for it is poisonous. You could get the water tested for less money than the cylinder and reagent cost to buy.O Mimosa San.—Certainly all your symptoms can be traced to your bad teeth. You complain of flatulency, headache, constipation, cold feet, and poor appetite. Are not all these common symptoms of dyspepsia? And what is commoner as a cause of dyspepsia than bad teeth? Go to the dentist again and have your teeth thoroughly overhauled. But remember, if you have many teeth extracted, youmusthave false ones inserted in their place. Have the false teeth made at once, for after a month or two the remaining teeth make an attempt to fill up the gap where bad teeth have been extracted and leave your teeth with narrow slits between them. How few people recognise the value of teeth! Normal digestion is quite impossible without them.An Irish Reader.—1. Do you wear a straw hat, and do the spots on your forehead correspond to the line where the hat presses? During the summer many girls develop spots on their foreheads from the irritation of straw hats. These spots often trouble girls, who seek in vain for their cause. The real cause scarcely ever presents itself to their notice. If you have thoroughly tried sulphur ointment without success, use ichthiol ointment 2½ per cent. instead. Also see that your hats do not press upon your forehead.—2. The fifth of September, 1877, was a Wednesday.Lorna Doone.—One would naturally suppose that such a simple subject as the care of the nails was completely understood. But this is, nevertheless, far from being the case, and it often gives more trouble to cure thin or broken nails than it does to cure some of the most deadly diseases to which we are subject. We advise your friend to soak her finger-tips every night in hot water and then to smear them with lanoline or other simple ointment. In the morning she should wipe off the ointment and dip her fingers into pure alcohol for five minutes. She should also be very careful to cut and trim her nails properly. We do not promise to cure her, but we have seen good results from this treatment.Maori.—The hair frequently falls off in larger quantities in autumn than in any other season. Indeed, it appears that the hair of man “moults” as does the fur of mammals and the feathers of birds. After autumn, the spring is the time of year at which the hair falls out in greatest quantities. This periodical moulting of the hair does good rather than harm, and there is really no call to stop it—if, indeed, it could be stopped, which we question.Agricola.—“What is the difference between a sprained and a varicose vein?” We really do not know what you mean by a “sprained vein,” so that part of the question we cannot answer. Systematic rubbing or massage is of some value for varicose veins; but it is not altogether safe, and is not worth a trial. Rest with the legs elevated, walking, and the support given by an elastic stocking are the chief items in the treatment of varicose veins. Standing is to be avoided as far as possible.GIRLS’ EMPLOYMENTS.L. M. (Employment on Board Ship).—We fear you would find this difficult to obtain, seeing that you are not strong at present. Stewardesses need to be decidedly vigorous people. Such positions are commonly accorded by the steamship companies to the relatives of their own officers. It would seem that the work in a cotton mill, though well paid, is likely to be injurious to your health, and therefore if you could find some more healthy occupation, you should certainly take it. Cannot your employer put you in the way of emigrating to South Africa? It would be well to lay the case before him. You should likewise apply for advice to the Manchester and Salford branch of the National Union of Women Workers, 13, Temple Chambers, Brazenose Street, Manchester. With this Union many of the most important societies in Manchester for women and girls are affiliated, and the secretary could tell you which would be most likely to help you. The secretary could also inform you whether there is in Manchester any active member of the British Women’s Emigration Association, the headquarters of which are at the Imperial Institute, Kensington, W. We imagine that emigration would be best for you; at the same time it is possible that work might be found for you in this country under conditions that would better accord with your health.Lace-Making.—We know of no school for lace-making in London, but very likely by inquiring of the Secretary of the Home Arts and Industries Association, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, you might find somebody to teach you. London ladies have interested themselves especially in the revival of Buckinghamshire laces. The different varieties of Honiton can best be studied in Devonshire. In your place we should be disposed to give particular study to the various kinds of guipure, as these are likely to remain fashionable for some time to come.An Anxious One(Gardening, Dairy-work, &c.).—For you we should say, Not gardening. It is too precarious a calling for a young woman without private means or any conspicuous fondness for the occupation. Dairy-work, which you could learn at the Dairy Institute, Reading, would be considerably better. If you would like a colonial life with its freedom from social conventions, and if you can do every sort of housework (including, prominently, cooking), then by all means try to emigrate to Canada or Australia through the British Women’s Emigration Association. Except if you think of emigrating, we do not recommend you to call yourself a useful help. In this country the woman who specialises is the one who succeeds, not the “Jill-of-all-Trades.” Make up your mind, we would say, to become thoroughly efficient either as cook, dressmaker, laundress or dairy-worker, then you will be sure to prosper. Of course these occupations are not for everybody; but one of them would be best for you, seeing that your ability seems to lie in the direction of practical rather than intellectual work.A Mother(Clay Modelling).—The organs of the pottery trade areThe Pottery Gazette(Scott, Greenwood & Co., 19, Ludgate Hill, E.C.) andThe British Potter(W. Brickel, Longton, Staffordshire). Both of these publications appear monthly, and the second may be obtained gratis. But what we should advise is that the modeller call with specimens of work upon Messrs. Doulton of Lambeth. It is probable, also, that Messrs. Goode of South Audley Street, who deal in some of the finest china, both English and foreign, would be kind enough to advise in such a matter. But cannot the South Kensington authorities themselves put their pupils and examinees in the way of seeking employment in the proper quarters? They ought to understand these artistic trades better than anyone. Teachers of clay-modelling are in some demand for evening continuation schools and the like. It might be desirable on this point to consult the Home Arts and Industries Association, Royal Albert Hall.Seventeen Summers(Typing and Shorthand Writing).—A typist and shorthand writer may earn from 15s. up to £2 a week. Typewriting can be learnt in about two months, shorthand takes a year of steady practice at the least. You complain that your handwriting is far from good, and that you also have great difficulty in expressing yourself. Now both these circumstances are serious obstacles in the career of a clerk; your prospects in this walk of life are not improved by the other disability you mention. We strongly urge you to turn to some other occupation. A person who finds it a “hard job” to “compose” a letter is evidently not meant to make letter-writing a conspicuous part of her business, as she must do if she is to remain a satisfactory clerk or secretary. Is there not some other kind of work that is less of a “hard job”? You might learn dress-cutting and pattern-cutting, generally, or you could enter one of the better kinds of manufactories. Pray think over your qualifications, and discover which sort of work you do best (for there must be some), and then try to find the means of doing it.MISCELLANEOUS.M. A. R.—We think that your selection of Malvern seems a wise one, especially as others should be considered as well as the invalid. The waters are of an alkaline earthy nature, specially suitable to scrofulous sores and skin diseases, besides internal complaints. There are hydropathic establishments, and apart from the mineral waters, the spring water is exceptionally pure. Great Malvern occupies a fine position in the centre of the Chase of Malvern, on the slopes of the hills, and those who can walk find the latter very attractive, as the air is bracing and the view very fine. The distance from London is 123 miles by railroad. For anæmic patients the ferruginous waters of Harrogate are specially suited. It has also sulphureous and saline springs.Curiosity.—Do you not confuse the heir presumptive and the heir apparent to the throne? The Grand Duke Michael is the heir presumptive only, and the “Czarevitch,” a term meaning only king’s son, or prince. The title “Cesarevitch,”i.e., “son of the Czar,” is only given to the eldest son, who is Crown Prince, Nashlyedrik, and heir apparent, and his consort is “Cesarevna.” The first Czar of Russia of the House of Romanoff was elected, and the succession has never proceeded in regular order. Peter the Great left the crown by will to his daughter Elizabeth; but Anne was elected instead, to Elizabeth’s prejudice, who had to wait till after the death of the Emperor John before she came to the throne. The four Empresses of Russia who have reigned alone have been Catherine, widow of Peter the Great; Anne, daughter of Ivan, his elder brother; Elizabeth his daughter; and Catherine II., widow of Peter III., a grandson of Peter the Great. The Czar is the supreme ruler, and the Government is an autocracy. The Salic law does not obtain in Russia.Pansy.—The following is the way that rust may be taken from steel, but great care is needed to do it. Immerse the article to be cleaned for a few minutes, till all dirt and rust be taken off, in a strong solution of cyanide of potassium—about ½oz. in a wineglassful of water. Take out and clean it with a toothbrush, using some paste made of cyanide of potassium, Castile soap, whiting and water, mixed into a paste of about the consistency of thick cream.Martha.—When washing linen you will find it advisable not to place either soap or soda directly into washing-tubs, coppers, or boilers of any kind. Both should be thoroughly dissolved in warm or cold water, and then only used in the coppers or boilers. A great deal depends on the soaking of linen before it is put into the boiler. It should be placed in a large tub of tepid water in which borax has been dissolved, or a little good soap has been lathered. One tablespoonful of prepared Californian borax to every gallon of hot water will be a very effective soaking fluid. Do not use soda at this stage of the process. You have probably been using too much. The soaking-water, or bath into which you put the linen must be tepid, not hot nor cold. Many people rub a little soap on the soiled place after the soaking and before boiling. The rinsing is also very important, and must be attended to or else the linen will be streaky or of a bad colour. In fact, neglect of rinsing is the general cause of a yellow hue in linen. The water used should never be cold but warm. Cold water sets, or fixes the grease and soap in the fabric. Boiling-bags are very useful, and protect the linen from the copper, but we think you will find too much soda is the cause of trouble.Waiting.—It would be impossible for us to give such a list, and, indeed, we could not without knowing the kind of work it was and its subject, as some firms publish one thing and others another. Some deal with purely educational works, others take fiction; and many limit themselves to high-class works only, such as those of reference and research. The safest way to proceed is, we think, to write to the Incorporated Society of Authors, 4, Portugal Street, Lincoln’s Inn Fields; Chairman, Sir Walter Besant; Secretary, S. Squire Sprigge, Esq. From them you will receive all requisite information and advice on the subject.Mab.—There is no reason why any building or institution should not be inspected if it were thought needful. Health and sanitary inspectors have power to go everywhere, we believe.Tiny.—Any strong wide-mouthed phial about 2½ inches high and 1½ inches in diameter, containing spirits of wine, and having a cork stopper, will answer for beetles; the cork should be secured round the neck of the bottle by a piece of string. A smaller bottle can be used with a quill through the cork for smaller insects. But a proper bottle of solid mixture is expressly sold for destroying specimens. There is a very nice little book calledThe Home Naturalist, published at 56, Paternoster Row, which would be useful to you, as it contains full directions for all the processes of catching and preserving insects, plants, woods and stones. Its price is 5s. Insects may be destroyed for collections of specimens without causing suffering.

Little Dot.—1. The condition of your face is almost for certain due toacne rosacea. The only other disease which we think it likely that you could be suffering from would belupus erythematosus—a form of lupus which is not due to tuberculosis or scrofula, but which is a highly-developed form of chilblains. Your description agrees so well with that ofacne rosaceathat there can be little doubt but that it is that complaint. This disease would be in no way dependent upon nor influenced by any disease that your parents may have had. This complaint commonly goes by the name of “grog-blossoms”; but is frequently caused by other things than “grog.” In fact it is not the alcohol itself so much as the indigestion that it causes which produces the “blossoms.” Any form of indigestion may be accompanied by rosacea; and so the first thing in the treatment of the affection is to look to the digestion. Locally use an ointment of sulphur or ichthiol, preferably the latter. You must guard carefully against constipation, as this of itself will produce rosacea.—2. We think it highly improbable that you suffer from stone in the kidney; but of course we could not be certain without personal examination. The only symptom you give us is one which you are very likely to have misinterpreted, whereas you tell us nothing which to our minds suggests kidney disease.Margaret.—Youcantest for yourself whether the water supplied to you contains lead; but it is hardly worth your while to do so. Still, if you wish to try, get a glass cylinder two feet long, and place it on a sheet of white paper. Fill it with the water to be tested, and pour into it a few drops of solution of sulphuretted hydrogen, or let a jet of the pure gas bubble through the water. If lead is present a brownish discoloration of the water will occur, varying in depth of tint according to the amount of lead present. Copper and one or two other metals give the same reaction. You must be careful of the sulphuretted hydrogen, for it is poisonous. You could get the water tested for less money than the cylinder and reagent cost to buy.O Mimosa San.—Certainly all your symptoms can be traced to your bad teeth. You complain of flatulency, headache, constipation, cold feet, and poor appetite. Are not all these common symptoms of dyspepsia? And what is commoner as a cause of dyspepsia than bad teeth? Go to the dentist again and have your teeth thoroughly overhauled. But remember, if you have many teeth extracted, youmusthave false ones inserted in their place. Have the false teeth made at once, for after a month or two the remaining teeth make an attempt to fill up the gap where bad teeth have been extracted and leave your teeth with narrow slits between them. How few people recognise the value of teeth! Normal digestion is quite impossible without them.An Irish Reader.—1. Do you wear a straw hat, and do the spots on your forehead correspond to the line where the hat presses? During the summer many girls develop spots on their foreheads from the irritation of straw hats. These spots often trouble girls, who seek in vain for their cause. The real cause scarcely ever presents itself to their notice. If you have thoroughly tried sulphur ointment without success, use ichthiol ointment 2½ per cent. instead. Also see that your hats do not press upon your forehead.—2. The fifth of September, 1877, was a Wednesday.Lorna Doone.—One would naturally suppose that such a simple subject as the care of the nails was completely understood. But this is, nevertheless, far from being the case, and it often gives more trouble to cure thin or broken nails than it does to cure some of the most deadly diseases to which we are subject. We advise your friend to soak her finger-tips every night in hot water and then to smear them with lanoline or other simple ointment. In the morning she should wipe off the ointment and dip her fingers into pure alcohol for five minutes. She should also be very careful to cut and trim her nails properly. We do not promise to cure her, but we have seen good results from this treatment.Maori.—The hair frequently falls off in larger quantities in autumn than in any other season. Indeed, it appears that the hair of man “moults” as does the fur of mammals and the feathers of birds. After autumn, the spring is the time of year at which the hair falls out in greatest quantities. This periodical moulting of the hair does good rather than harm, and there is really no call to stop it—if, indeed, it could be stopped, which we question.Agricola.—“What is the difference between a sprained and a varicose vein?” We really do not know what you mean by a “sprained vein,” so that part of the question we cannot answer. Systematic rubbing or massage is of some value for varicose veins; but it is not altogether safe, and is not worth a trial. Rest with the legs elevated, walking, and the support given by an elastic stocking are the chief items in the treatment of varicose veins. Standing is to be avoided as far as possible.

Margaret.—Youcantest for yourself whether the water supplied to you contains lead; but it is hardly worth your while to do so. Still, if you wish to try, get a glass cylinder two feet long, and place it on a sheet of white paper. Fill it with the water to be tested, and pour into it a few drops of solution of sulphuretted hydrogen, or let a jet of the pure gas bubble through the water. If lead is present a brownish discoloration of the water will occur, varying in depth of tint according to the amount of lead present. Copper and one or two other metals give the same reaction. You must be careful of the sulphuretted hydrogen, for it is poisonous. You could get the water tested for less money than the cylinder and reagent cost to buy.

O Mimosa San.—Certainly all your symptoms can be traced to your bad teeth. You complain of flatulency, headache, constipation, cold feet, and poor appetite. Are not all these common symptoms of dyspepsia? And what is commoner as a cause of dyspepsia than bad teeth? Go to the dentist again and have your teeth thoroughly overhauled. But remember, if you have many teeth extracted, youmusthave false ones inserted in their place. Have the false teeth made at once, for after a month or two the remaining teeth make an attempt to fill up the gap where bad teeth have been extracted and leave your teeth with narrow slits between them. How few people recognise the value of teeth! Normal digestion is quite impossible without them.

An Irish Reader.—1. Do you wear a straw hat, and do the spots on your forehead correspond to the line where the hat presses? During the summer many girls develop spots on their foreheads from the irritation of straw hats. These spots often trouble girls, who seek in vain for their cause. The real cause scarcely ever presents itself to their notice. If you have thoroughly tried sulphur ointment without success, use ichthiol ointment 2½ per cent. instead. Also see that your hats do not press upon your forehead.—2. The fifth of September, 1877, was a Wednesday.

Lorna Doone.—One would naturally suppose that such a simple subject as the care of the nails was completely understood. But this is, nevertheless, far from being the case, and it often gives more trouble to cure thin or broken nails than it does to cure some of the most deadly diseases to which we are subject. We advise your friend to soak her finger-tips every night in hot water and then to smear them with lanoline or other simple ointment. In the morning she should wipe off the ointment and dip her fingers into pure alcohol for five minutes. She should also be very careful to cut and trim her nails properly. We do not promise to cure her, but we have seen good results from this treatment.

Maori.—The hair frequently falls off in larger quantities in autumn than in any other season. Indeed, it appears that the hair of man “moults” as does the fur of mammals and the feathers of birds. After autumn, the spring is the time of year at which the hair falls out in greatest quantities. This periodical moulting of the hair does good rather than harm, and there is really no call to stop it—if, indeed, it could be stopped, which we question.

Agricola.—“What is the difference between a sprained and a varicose vein?” We really do not know what you mean by a “sprained vein,” so that part of the question we cannot answer. Systematic rubbing or massage is of some value for varicose veins; but it is not altogether safe, and is not worth a trial. Rest with the legs elevated, walking, and the support given by an elastic stocking are the chief items in the treatment of varicose veins. Standing is to be avoided as far as possible.

L. M. (Employment on Board Ship).—We fear you would find this difficult to obtain, seeing that you are not strong at present. Stewardesses need to be decidedly vigorous people. Such positions are commonly accorded by the steamship companies to the relatives of their own officers. It would seem that the work in a cotton mill, though well paid, is likely to be injurious to your health, and therefore if you could find some more healthy occupation, you should certainly take it. Cannot your employer put you in the way of emigrating to South Africa? It would be well to lay the case before him. You should likewise apply for advice to the Manchester and Salford branch of the National Union of Women Workers, 13, Temple Chambers, Brazenose Street, Manchester. With this Union many of the most important societies in Manchester for women and girls are affiliated, and the secretary could tell you which would be most likely to help you. The secretary could also inform you whether there is in Manchester any active member of the British Women’s Emigration Association, the headquarters of which are at the Imperial Institute, Kensington, W. We imagine that emigration would be best for you; at the same time it is possible that work might be found for you in this country under conditions that would better accord with your health.Lace-Making.—We know of no school for lace-making in London, but very likely by inquiring of the Secretary of the Home Arts and Industries Association, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, you might find somebody to teach you. London ladies have interested themselves especially in the revival of Buckinghamshire laces. The different varieties of Honiton can best be studied in Devonshire. In your place we should be disposed to give particular study to the various kinds of guipure, as these are likely to remain fashionable for some time to come.An Anxious One(Gardening, Dairy-work, &c.).—For you we should say, Not gardening. It is too precarious a calling for a young woman without private means or any conspicuous fondness for the occupation. Dairy-work, which you could learn at the Dairy Institute, Reading, would be considerably better. If you would like a colonial life with its freedom from social conventions, and if you can do every sort of housework (including, prominently, cooking), then by all means try to emigrate to Canada or Australia through the British Women’s Emigration Association. Except if you think of emigrating, we do not recommend you to call yourself a useful help. In this country the woman who specialises is the one who succeeds, not the “Jill-of-all-Trades.” Make up your mind, we would say, to become thoroughly efficient either as cook, dressmaker, laundress or dairy-worker, then you will be sure to prosper. Of course these occupations are not for everybody; but one of them would be best for you, seeing that your ability seems to lie in the direction of practical rather than intellectual work.A Mother(Clay Modelling).—The organs of the pottery trade areThe Pottery Gazette(Scott, Greenwood & Co., 19, Ludgate Hill, E.C.) andThe British Potter(W. Brickel, Longton, Staffordshire). Both of these publications appear monthly, and the second may be obtained gratis. But what we should advise is that the modeller call with specimens of work upon Messrs. Doulton of Lambeth. It is probable, also, that Messrs. Goode of South Audley Street, who deal in some of the finest china, both English and foreign, would be kind enough to advise in such a matter. But cannot the South Kensington authorities themselves put their pupils and examinees in the way of seeking employment in the proper quarters? They ought to understand these artistic trades better than anyone. Teachers of clay-modelling are in some demand for evening continuation schools and the like. It might be desirable on this point to consult the Home Arts and Industries Association, Royal Albert Hall.Seventeen Summers(Typing and Shorthand Writing).—A typist and shorthand writer may earn from 15s. up to £2 a week. Typewriting can be learnt in about two months, shorthand takes a year of steady practice at the least. You complain that your handwriting is far from good, and that you also have great difficulty in expressing yourself. Now both these circumstances are serious obstacles in the career of a clerk; your prospects in this walk of life are not improved by the other disability you mention. We strongly urge you to turn to some other occupation. A person who finds it a “hard job” to “compose” a letter is evidently not meant to make letter-writing a conspicuous part of her business, as she must do if she is to remain a satisfactory clerk or secretary. Is there not some other kind of work that is less of a “hard job”? You might learn dress-cutting and pattern-cutting, generally, or you could enter one of the better kinds of manufactories. Pray think over your qualifications, and discover which sort of work you do best (for there must be some), and then try to find the means of doing it.

Lace-Making.—We know of no school for lace-making in London, but very likely by inquiring of the Secretary of the Home Arts and Industries Association, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, you might find somebody to teach you. London ladies have interested themselves especially in the revival of Buckinghamshire laces. The different varieties of Honiton can best be studied in Devonshire. In your place we should be disposed to give particular study to the various kinds of guipure, as these are likely to remain fashionable for some time to come.

An Anxious One(Gardening, Dairy-work, &c.).—For you we should say, Not gardening. It is too precarious a calling for a young woman without private means or any conspicuous fondness for the occupation. Dairy-work, which you could learn at the Dairy Institute, Reading, would be considerably better. If you would like a colonial life with its freedom from social conventions, and if you can do every sort of housework (including, prominently, cooking), then by all means try to emigrate to Canada or Australia through the British Women’s Emigration Association. Except if you think of emigrating, we do not recommend you to call yourself a useful help. In this country the woman who specialises is the one who succeeds, not the “Jill-of-all-Trades.” Make up your mind, we would say, to become thoroughly efficient either as cook, dressmaker, laundress or dairy-worker, then you will be sure to prosper. Of course these occupations are not for everybody; but one of them would be best for you, seeing that your ability seems to lie in the direction of practical rather than intellectual work.

A Mother(Clay Modelling).—The organs of the pottery trade areThe Pottery Gazette(Scott, Greenwood & Co., 19, Ludgate Hill, E.C.) andThe British Potter(W. Brickel, Longton, Staffordshire). Both of these publications appear monthly, and the second may be obtained gratis. But what we should advise is that the modeller call with specimens of work upon Messrs. Doulton of Lambeth. It is probable, also, that Messrs. Goode of South Audley Street, who deal in some of the finest china, both English and foreign, would be kind enough to advise in such a matter. But cannot the South Kensington authorities themselves put their pupils and examinees in the way of seeking employment in the proper quarters? They ought to understand these artistic trades better than anyone. Teachers of clay-modelling are in some demand for evening continuation schools and the like. It might be desirable on this point to consult the Home Arts and Industries Association, Royal Albert Hall.

Seventeen Summers(Typing and Shorthand Writing).—A typist and shorthand writer may earn from 15s. up to £2 a week. Typewriting can be learnt in about two months, shorthand takes a year of steady practice at the least. You complain that your handwriting is far from good, and that you also have great difficulty in expressing yourself. Now both these circumstances are serious obstacles in the career of a clerk; your prospects in this walk of life are not improved by the other disability you mention. We strongly urge you to turn to some other occupation. A person who finds it a “hard job” to “compose” a letter is evidently not meant to make letter-writing a conspicuous part of her business, as she must do if she is to remain a satisfactory clerk or secretary. Is there not some other kind of work that is less of a “hard job”? You might learn dress-cutting and pattern-cutting, generally, or you could enter one of the better kinds of manufactories. Pray think over your qualifications, and discover which sort of work you do best (for there must be some), and then try to find the means of doing it.

M. A. R.—We think that your selection of Malvern seems a wise one, especially as others should be considered as well as the invalid. The waters are of an alkaline earthy nature, specially suitable to scrofulous sores and skin diseases, besides internal complaints. There are hydropathic establishments, and apart from the mineral waters, the spring water is exceptionally pure. Great Malvern occupies a fine position in the centre of the Chase of Malvern, on the slopes of the hills, and those who can walk find the latter very attractive, as the air is bracing and the view very fine. The distance from London is 123 miles by railroad. For anæmic patients the ferruginous waters of Harrogate are specially suited. It has also sulphureous and saline springs.Curiosity.—Do you not confuse the heir presumptive and the heir apparent to the throne? The Grand Duke Michael is the heir presumptive only, and the “Czarevitch,” a term meaning only king’s son, or prince. The title “Cesarevitch,”i.e., “son of the Czar,” is only given to the eldest son, who is Crown Prince, Nashlyedrik, and heir apparent, and his consort is “Cesarevna.” The first Czar of Russia of the House of Romanoff was elected, and the succession has never proceeded in regular order. Peter the Great left the crown by will to his daughter Elizabeth; but Anne was elected instead, to Elizabeth’s prejudice, who had to wait till after the death of the Emperor John before she came to the throne. The four Empresses of Russia who have reigned alone have been Catherine, widow of Peter the Great; Anne, daughter of Ivan, his elder brother; Elizabeth his daughter; and Catherine II., widow of Peter III., a grandson of Peter the Great. The Czar is the supreme ruler, and the Government is an autocracy. The Salic law does not obtain in Russia.Pansy.—The following is the way that rust may be taken from steel, but great care is needed to do it. Immerse the article to be cleaned for a few minutes, till all dirt and rust be taken off, in a strong solution of cyanide of potassium—about ½oz. in a wineglassful of water. Take out and clean it with a toothbrush, using some paste made of cyanide of potassium, Castile soap, whiting and water, mixed into a paste of about the consistency of thick cream.Martha.—When washing linen you will find it advisable not to place either soap or soda directly into washing-tubs, coppers, or boilers of any kind. Both should be thoroughly dissolved in warm or cold water, and then only used in the coppers or boilers. A great deal depends on the soaking of linen before it is put into the boiler. It should be placed in a large tub of tepid water in which borax has been dissolved, or a little good soap has been lathered. One tablespoonful of prepared Californian borax to every gallon of hot water will be a very effective soaking fluid. Do not use soda at this stage of the process. You have probably been using too much. The soaking-water, or bath into which you put the linen must be tepid, not hot nor cold. Many people rub a little soap on the soiled place after the soaking and before boiling. The rinsing is also very important, and must be attended to or else the linen will be streaky or of a bad colour. In fact, neglect of rinsing is the general cause of a yellow hue in linen. The water used should never be cold but warm. Cold water sets, or fixes the grease and soap in the fabric. Boiling-bags are very useful, and protect the linen from the copper, but we think you will find too much soda is the cause of trouble.Waiting.—It would be impossible for us to give such a list, and, indeed, we could not without knowing the kind of work it was and its subject, as some firms publish one thing and others another. Some deal with purely educational works, others take fiction; and many limit themselves to high-class works only, such as those of reference and research. The safest way to proceed is, we think, to write to the Incorporated Society of Authors, 4, Portugal Street, Lincoln’s Inn Fields; Chairman, Sir Walter Besant; Secretary, S. Squire Sprigge, Esq. From them you will receive all requisite information and advice on the subject.Mab.—There is no reason why any building or institution should not be inspected if it were thought needful. Health and sanitary inspectors have power to go everywhere, we believe.Tiny.—Any strong wide-mouthed phial about 2½ inches high and 1½ inches in diameter, containing spirits of wine, and having a cork stopper, will answer for beetles; the cork should be secured round the neck of the bottle by a piece of string. A smaller bottle can be used with a quill through the cork for smaller insects. But a proper bottle of solid mixture is expressly sold for destroying specimens. There is a very nice little book calledThe Home Naturalist, published at 56, Paternoster Row, which would be useful to you, as it contains full directions for all the processes of catching and preserving insects, plants, woods and stones. Its price is 5s. Insects may be destroyed for collections of specimens without causing suffering.

Curiosity.—Do you not confuse the heir presumptive and the heir apparent to the throne? The Grand Duke Michael is the heir presumptive only, and the “Czarevitch,” a term meaning only king’s son, or prince. The title “Cesarevitch,”i.e., “son of the Czar,” is only given to the eldest son, who is Crown Prince, Nashlyedrik, and heir apparent, and his consort is “Cesarevna.” The first Czar of Russia of the House of Romanoff was elected, and the succession has never proceeded in regular order. Peter the Great left the crown by will to his daughter Elizabeth; but Anne was elected instead, to Elizabeth’s prejudice, who had to wait till after the death of the Emperor John before she came to the throne. The four Empresses of Russia who have reigned alone have been Catherine, widow of Peter the Great; Anne, daughter of Ivan, his elder brother; Elizabeth his daughter; and Catherine II., widow of Peter III., a grandson of Peter the Great. The Czar is the supreme ruler, and the Government is an autocracy. The Salic law does not obtain in Russia.

Pansy.—The following is the way that rust may be taken from steel, but great care is needed to do it. Immerse the article to be cleaned for a few minutes, till all dirt and rust be taken off, in a strong solution of cyanide of potassium—about ½oz. in a wineglassful of water. Take out and clean it with a toothbrush, using some paste made of cyanide of potassium, Castile soap, whiting and water, mixed into a paste of about the consistency of thick cream.

Martha.—When washing linen you will find it advisable not to place either soap or soda directly into washing-tubs, coppers, or boilers of any kind. Both should be thoroughly dissolved in warm or cold water, and then only used in the coppers or boilers. A great deal depends on the soaking of linen before it is put into the boiler. It should be placed in a large tub of tepid water in which borax has been dissolved, or a little good soap has been lathered. One tablespoonful of prepared Californian borax to every gallon of hot water will be a very effective soaking fluid. Do not use soda at this stage of the process. You have probably been using too much. The soaking-water, or bath into which you put the linen must be tepid, not hot nor cold. Many people rub a little soap on the soiled place after the soaking and before boiling. The rinsing is also very important, and must be attended to or else the linen will be streaky or of a bad colour. In fact, neglect of rinsing is the general cause of a yellow hue in linen. The water used should never be cold but warm. Cold water sets, or fixes the grease and soap in the fabric. Boiling-bags are very useful, and protect the linen from the copper, but we think you will find too much soda is the cause of trouble.

Waiting.—It would be impossible for us to give such a list, and, indeed, we could not without knowing the kind of work it was and its subject, as some firms publish one thing and others another. Some deal with purely educational works, others take fiction; and many limit themselves to high-class works only, such as those of reference and research. The safest way to proceed is, we think, to write to the Incorporated Society of Authors, 4, Portugal Street, Lincoln’s Inn Fields; Chairman, Sir Walter Besant; Secretary, S. Squire Sprigge, Esq. From them you will receive all requisite information and advice on the subject.

Mab.—There is no reason why any building or institution should not be inspected if it were thought needful. Health and sanitary inspectors have power to go everywhere, we believe.

Tiny.—Any strong wide-mouthed phial about 2½ inches high and 1½ inches in diameter, containing spirits of wine, and having a cork stopper, will answer for beetles; the cork should be secured round the neck of the bottle by a piece of string. A smaller bottle can be used with a quill through the cork for smaller insects. But a proper bottle of solid mixture is expressly sold for destroying specimens. There is a very nice little book calledThe Home Naturalist, published at 56, Paternoster Row, which would be useful to you, as it contains full directions for all the processes of catching and preserving insects, plants, woods and stones. Its price is 5s. Insects may be destroyed for collections of specimens without causing suffering.

“THE GIRL I LEFT BEHIND ME.”[From the painting by M. Ellen Edwards (Mrs. Staples), exhibited in the Royal Academy.]

FOOTNOTES[1]Actual fact: A young fellow at Verdun, prisoner on parole, was closely imprisoned for knocking down a bust of the Emperor in his lodgings.[2]Letters of Princess Elizabeth of England, daughter of George III., and Landgravine of Hesse-Homburg. Written for the most part to Miss Louisa Swinburne. Edited by Philip Ch. Yorke, M.A., with portraits. London: T. Fisher Unwin, 1898.

FOOTNOTES

[1]Actual fact: A young fellow at Verdun, prisoner on parole, was closely imprisoned for knocking down a bust of the Emperor in his lodgings.

[2]Letters of Princess Elizabeth of England, daughter of George III., and Landgravine of Hesse-Homburg. Written for the most part to Miss Louisa Swinburne. Edited by Philip Ch. Yorke, M.A., with portraits. London: T. Fisher Unwin, 1898.

[Transcriber's Note—The following changes have been made to this text:Page 303: cyclinder to cylinder—“get a glass cylinder”.]

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