did. Gilbert must stand the test of an examination; if he cannot

satisfy the examiners, no amount of blue blood will avail him.”

“According to that, Mark will have the best chance in the world.”

“And everywhere else,” said the rector. “I only wish our Gilbert had half the chances of Margaret’s fatherless boy. Michael Fenner, though dead, has done more for his son than I for mine. Gilbert is selfish, idle, almost illiterate, and I look with shame on the virtues of my nephew who has had so much less done for him.”

“Why, Rector, what has given you such a fit of the blues this afternoon?” exclaimed Lady Elgitha, regarding him with amazed alarm.

The rector attempted some jest, and calling his little daughter, set out on his usual afternoon peregrination, while Lady Elgitha, seriously disturbed, reflected whether it would be advisable to calm his troubled mind by a course of globules, or to divert his thoughts by a dinner party or a tennis tournament.

(_To be continued._)

VARIETIES.

OTHER PEOPLE’S VANITY.—What renders the vanity of others insupportable is that it wounds our own.—_La Rochefoucauld._

BUSY WITH TRIFLES.—Those who bestow too much application on trifling things become generally incapable of great ones.—_La Rochefoucauld._

HEADS AND HEARTS.—A man with a bad heart has been sometimes saved by a strong head, but a corrupt woman is lost for ever.—_Coleridge._

LOVE-LETTERS.—To write a good love-letter, you ought to begin without knowing what you mean to say and to finish without knowing what you have written.—_Rousseau._

LOVERS’ TALK.—The reason why lovers are never weary of being together is because they are always talking of themselves.

A TALE OF A YORKSHIRE WIFE.

The Yorkshire people of the West Riding, according to Mrs. Gaskell, are “sleuth hounds” after money, and in illustration of this characteristic we may take the following anecdote:—

Not far from Bradford an old couple lived on their farm. The good man had been ill for some time, when the practitioner who attended him advised that a physician should be summoned from Bradford for a consultation.

The doctor came, looked into the case, gave his opinion, and, descending from the sick-room to the kitchen, was there accosted by the old woman with “Well, doctor, what is your charge?”

“My fee is a guinea.”

“A guinea, doctor! a guinea! And if you come again will it be another guinea?”

“Yes.”

“A guinea, doctor! Hech!”

The old woman rose and went upstairs to her husband’s bedroom, and the doctor, who waited below, heard her say—

“He charges a guinea, and if he comes again it’ll be another guinea. Now, what do you say? If I were ye I’d say no, like a Britoner; and I’d die first.”

PLEASANT SURPRISES.—Human nature is pliable, and perhaps the pleasantest surprises of life are found in discovering the things we can do when forced.

AN OBSTACLE TO HAPPINESS.—There is in all of us an impediment to perfect happiness—namely, weariness of the things which we possess and a desire for the things which we have not.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

EDUCATIONAL.

MISS BEALE, ADA CROSSLEY, DELECTUS, ADMIRER OF THE G. O. P., CONSTANCE SUTHERLAND, GERTRUDE and RONVAD, MARDI, TADMAN and CROSSLEY.—We thank Miss Beale for sending us the prospectus of the Guild of the Cheltenham Ladies’ College, the object of which is to give information to its old pupils and others, of essay, reading, and other societies, so as to help in their own self-improvement and in work for others; general secretary, Mrs. Ashley Smith, Ivy House, Bilston, Staffordshire. Miss Tadman is thanked for her prospectus of the Kingston Reading Club, of which she is hon. secretary; her address is 100, Coltman-street, Hull, Yorkshire. Mardi is also thanked for that of the Glamorgan Reading Society, of which Miss C. Lewis is the hon. secretary; address, 49, Richmond-road, Cardiff, Wales. She wishes it to be understood that it is not confined to Glamorganshire. Our other correspondents above-named we may refer to the shilling “Directory of Girls’ Clubs” (Griffith and Farran, St. Paul’s-churchyard, E.C.), where they will find what they require. Machiavelli’s works are translated into French by Periés, 1823-6, in twelve volumes, and Macaulay wrote an essay upon them. March 24th, 1869, was a Wednesday. Eleven early-rising societies are named in the directory, including Miss Kempe’s.

ART.

DIE JUNGE MAUS.—Although you have attained to the patriarchal age of twenty-one, and your bones have only just become hard, we see no objection to your learning to paint. There are works on the subject you name in French as well as English. Write to the publisher, Mr. Tarn. Ours is the editorial department.

EMILY KAIGHIN.—A milking-stool is round in the seat, about ten inches in diameter, and has three wooden legs sloping outwards. People use it more as a means for the practice of their artistic ideas than as a restful appliance.

MAY.—To remove a photo from a dirty mount, cut away all the margin of the latter and put it to float in a plate of clean tepid water. Should it fail to become detached, hold it with the back near the fire, and you will then peel it off. Sometimes a solution of indiarubber is used in mounting (improperly so, we think), and this is the best plan to adopt in such a case.

PHOTO.—The medium mentioned in “Photographine” is sold with the apparatus for the art.

A. M. B.—To acquire the art of painting on glass or china, you might be taken as an apprentice at various firms, such as that of Mr. Cameron, 69, Wigmore-street, Cavendish-square. W.; or the Messrs. Powell, of the Whitefriars Glass Company, Whitefriars-street, E.C. This company receives ladies, who work in a separate room for six hours daily, and four on Saturdays. The Messrs. Simpson and Messrs. Mortlock likewise employ ladies. The average earnings are from £60 to £70 per annum for the lower branches of art, and as much as £100 for the higher.

BULL FINCH.—We must refer you to the answer above given to “A. M. B.” You will find plenty of designs for tile and china painting in the volumes of the G. O. P. You need not look further.

WOULD-BE PROFESSIONAL.—Certainly, a livelihood could be made out of wood engraving, but then you should have more than one qualification for it. Practical skill, persevering industry, good sight, a firm, steady, yet delicate touch, and natural artistic taste. The work has the advantage of being home work, and needs little outlay—a good set of tools, and the boxwood blocks purchased as required. A skilled engraver can earn from £3 upwards a week. If you study at the South London Technical Art School, 122 and 124, Kennington Park-road, you will have £3 to pay per annum for fees, half-yearly and in advance. When you have acquired the art, illustrate some popular work or picture initial letters for articles, and little end sketches for the same, and take them to publishers as specimens. You might obtain advice at the central office of the City and Guilds of London Institute, Gresham College, London, E.C. The director and secretary is Philip Magnus, Esq.

MISCELLANEOUS.

YOUNG INQUIRER.—1. Yes, there is such a thing as a “singing flame,” and it is not like a singing kettle nor a windy gaspipe, and is as great a wonder as the fabulous “singing tree,” had that been real. A very delicate jet of flame, introduced through a small pipe into a narrow glass tube of a foot long, will respond to the singing of any one note, if set in tune to it. Professor Tyndall says, “With a little practice, one is able to command a flame to sing and to stop singing, while it strictly obeys the injunction. When the proper pitch has been ascertained the experiment is sure to succeed; and, from a distance of twenty or thirty feet, the flame when sung to is caused to sing responsively. If it do not respond, it is because it has not been spoken to in the proper tone; but a note of somewhat higher pitch causes it to stretch its tongue and sing vigorously.” 2. The 1st of April, 1869, was a Thursday.

FAITH, HOPE, AND CHARITY.—See “Practical Hints About the Growth of the Hair,” in our part for July, 1885. The name Thames is derived from the Attic word _Tamh_, signifying “quiet,” the Saxon _Temese_, the Latin _Tamesis_. Possibly the latter may contain the origin of the name Isis, as given to the river at Oxford.

EILEEN.—Yes, Ireland was anciently called Insula Sacra, so Festus Airenus affirmed; but it must be noted that this author wrote in the fourth century, and this was before St. Patrick established Christianity there. Also, the name given to Ireland was not exclusively a distinctive one, for the Isle of Samothrace was also entitled the Sacred Isle. Another name for Ireland was Muic Innis, or Isle of Muc, Muc being the name applied to the divinity as worshipped by them, and signified “sacred.” Beautiful as much of the country is, any visitor would be struck with the appropriate selection of the latter name (according to its English sound and meaning) after seeing the filthy surroundings and habits of the natives, the pigs, poultry, and human kind wallowing together within the same mud walls, and by preference!

ZEARN.—A butler has the care of the wine cellar, decants the wine, and serves it at table. He places the chief dish on the table, or carves it at the side table, and his place is behind his master’s chair, while the footman (if one) stands behind his mistress. The butler also stands behind the footman when the latter opens the hall door to visitors. The servant, improperly called a butler, who holds a single-handed place combines the duties of both butler and footman, with the exception of the care of the wine cellar, unless in exceptional cases of special trust.

A READER.—The initials R.S.V.P. are those of the French phrase _Répondez, s’il vous plaît_, “Answer, if you please.” Painting in oils is much easier than in water-colours, as mistakes can be rectified and improvements made.

HONOLULU.—The quotation you give—

“Alas! how easily things go wrong; A sigh too deep, or a kiss too long, And then comes a mist and a weeping rain, And life is never the same again,”

is taken from “Planlastes,” a fairy story, by George McDonald.

MARANDANA.—Introduce the inferior to the superior, the young to the older, and, in due courtesy, the man to the woman. Read our series of articles on good breeding, especially that entitled “The Habits of Polite Society.”

G. N. OETZMANN.—You might arrange your meals thus:—A cup of tea, coffee, or cocoa, and a slice of bread and butter before starting, and put a captain’s biscuit or two in your pocket for 11 a.m.; dine at 1 p.m.; take a cup of chocolate or tea at 4 p.m., and a substantial tea at 7 p.m. No supper is needed after that.

BATTENBERG.—Your handwriting is clear, but not pretty, and you must beware of flourishes.

A SCOTCH SUNBEAM.—We are sorry to hear that you suffer so much. Accept our thanks for so kind and grateful a letter, and sincere wishes for your speedy restoration. Your handwriting shows a good foundation for a nice running hand by-and-by.

ENGLISH CHURCHMAN.—The Orders as now existing in the Established Church are derived from St. Augustine of Canterbury. Although St. Joseph of Arimathea brought the Christian faith to Britain in the first century, the reception of it was very partial, and the mission of St. Eleutherius in the second century established a line of sixteen archbishops, the last of whom, Theanus, was driven from his see into Wales about 587. Here a Primitive church of Eastern origin was already in existence, and when the second Roman mission was sent over by Gregory, through Augustine, and established Christianity in the south-eastern part of Britain, the little mission church in North Wales was still existing, and protested against any usurpation of authority by the newly-planted Church of Canterbury. At the same time we cannot trace any Orders in the Established Church derived from them, although we have historic evidence of a primacy in the reign of King Arthur being removed from Caerleon to Llandaff, and thence to St. David’s.

DAISY.—We think if you belong to the Young Women’s Christian Association you should apply to Miss A. Gough, 17, Old Cavendish-street, W., for information. Most of the homes of rest are open on payment of 10s. a week. There is one at about that price at Cobham, Surrey; Church-stile House. Apply to Miss Blunt, 3, Portman-square, W. You might also apply to the sister in charge of St. Gabriel’s Home of Rest, Lennard-road, Folkestone, where the terms are moderate; or St. Mary’s Home, near Uckfield, Fletching. Apply to the lady superintendent. Designed for ladies requiring rest or change, 10s. a week.

MISS GOUDGE.—The phrase you give appears to be made up of certain passages of Holy Writ. See 1st Tim. vi. 4, 5, 20, and 2nd Tim. ii. 23.

E. A. L.—We think you had better look out the word “supernatural” in the dictionary.

BISHOP.—Canons are residentiary members of a cathedral chapter, of which the dean is the chief. The office was instituted in the eighth century, and their duty is to act as the advisers of the bishop. They do receive salaries, varying in amount. Archdeacons take precedence of them. They act as the representatives and delegates of the bishops, especially in the duty of parochial visitation. Their office dates from the fifth century. Their salary is very trifling, supposed only to cover the cost of their journeys. A prebendary has a right to a stall in the choir of a cathedral church and vote in the chapter, and to the receipt of certain revenues for the performance of certain duties in that or a collegiate church. The office was instituted in the eleventh century, and may be held by a layman, although such cases are rare, if actually existing. A rural dean is a beneficed clergyman charged with the inspection of a deanery, or sub-division of an archdeaconry, under the supervision of his bishop. The original duties of the office are for the most part practically transferred to the archdeacon.

W. L.—The first voyage made all round the world was by a Portuguese commander, who sailed from San Lucas on September 20th, 1519, in the ship _Vittoria_. The name of this pioneer navigator was Ferdinand Magellan, giving the straits through which he passed their name. He was killed on the Philippine Islands the following year, and Sebastian del Cano brought the ship round the Cape of Good Hope, and arrived at San Lucas six days within the three years’ expedition, September 6th, 1522. Five ships formed the fleet; three lived to go through the straits with Magellan and his crew; the _Vittoria_ was the only one that reached home.

AN ITALIAN GIRL.—The 30th April, 1866, was a Monday. The letters _i.e._ represent the Latin words _id est_, or, in English, “that is,” or, more freely translated, “that means, in other words,” when an explanation of the words employed is required. The Jesuits were banished from Portugal in 1759, suppressed in France 1764, in Spain 1767, and subsequently in Naples, Parma, and Modena, and in 1773 Pope Clement XIV. issued a bull, concluding with the words, “We do extirpate and abolish the Society of Jesus.” In 1814 Pope Pius VII. re-established it. A large number of Jesuit priests were executed at the time you name on account of real or supposed political intrigues. You write a beautiful hand, and you have our best wishes.

SEEKER OF LIGHT.—Our blessed Lord’s atonement on the Cross was of infinite efficacy, and our sins—even the most heinous—are those of mere finite creatures. Thus, “He is able to save to the uttermost.” The term “scarlet,” as applied to sin, is a figure of speech. It is not only glaring and conspicuous, but, as produced in ancient times, it was exceedingly durable. The Phœnicians were famous for it, and the Tyrian purple and scarlet were produced from two little shellfish, the _Buccinum_ and _Murex_, only found in perfection on the rocky coast of their country. The dye when exposed to a bright light became successively green, blue, red, and deep purple; and, by washing it in soap and water, of a bright and permanent crimson. Costly fabrics were twice dyed, and made so beautiful and so very durable that they brought fabulous prices. Thus, the allusion made to a scarlet dye is explained. However deeply dyed and stained with sin, the precious blood of Christ can wash the sinner as white as snow. There is no limit to its cleansing power.

S. A. GRAY.—You would do well to advertise your autographs and take what you can get for them from the trade, or else dispose of them by arrangement with private friends. The _Exchange and Mart_ would be a good advertising medium.

THREE IGNORANT SCHOOLGIRLS.—You cannot say you play by _hear_, but by ear.

* * * * *

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

Page 234: Gian-Galleazzo to Gian-Galeazzo—“those of Gian-Galeazzo”.]