CHAPTER XXXI.

THE BATTLE OF CORUÑA.

Well might Moore cast anxious glances towards the harbour of Coruña, where the vessels from Vigo should have been. They had been delayed by contrary winds; and this failure on their part to arrive in time was a most serious matter. The British Army, brought thus far in safety, would now lie without the means of escape in a narrow trap, between Scylla and Charybdis, hemmed in by the pitiless ocean on one side, by the ever-increasing hordes of the enemy on the other.

With unfaltering courage he at once set himself to examine the position, assigning the troops to their various quarters, some in the town of Coruña, some in villages hard by. One range of rocky hills, three or four miles off, would have been the right line of defence; but Moore had not men enough to occupy it. He saw at once that, should he attempt to do so, the French might be able to turn his position, and to cut him off from embarkation.

That post of vantage had to be left to the foe. Moore was obliged to content himself with a lower ridge, nearer to the walls, which was quickly put into a state of defence.

A short rest was given to the soldiers, new muskets and ammunition were supplied, and the officers strenuously exerted themselves to restore discipline. But this was no longer difficult. When once the Army stood at bay, facing the enemy, every trace of insubordination vanished. The greater number of Moore’s soldiers were young; yet in their fighting powers they could not have been outdone by veterans.

So desperate did the condition of things seem to be for the English, with the transports not yet come, and with a greatly superior force occupying a greatly superior position, that, though Moore’s heart never failed him, the hearts of some did sink at this juncture, even of brave men, high in rank.

Moore called no Council of War; he asked no man’s opinion. But certain of his Generals ventured to offer unsought advice. They put before him the extreme unlikelihood that they could long resist an enemy descending upon them from the heights; and they represented the heavy loss to life which would certainly result from an attempt to embark in the transports during such attacks. Then they suggested that, since affairs had reached so perilous a stage, it might be well to send a flag of truce to Soult, asking permission, on honourable terms, to depart unmolested.

Moore disdainfully flung the counsel from him, without an instant’s parley. Capitulate! Never! If the French came on, let them come! He would fight to the last. The Generals bowed to his fiery decision, and said no more.

Indomitable as Moore was, however, the strain of the last few weeks had been tremendous, and it had told upon him heavily. All through the 12th of January he was hard at work, preparing for the battle which might take place. Everything was thought of; every possible precaution was taken. He reviewed the troops; and by his own splendid confidence and dauntless air he breathed fresh energy into their jaded ranks.

The evening of that day saw him nearly worn out with his ceaseless exertions; yet at daybreak he was once more in the saddle, reconnoitring the enemy’s camp, and visiting every part of his own.

By eleven o’clock strength failed, and he came back to headquarters utterly spent. Rest had become a necessity before he could do more. He sent for Stuart, brother to Lord Castlereagh, who was suffering from his eyes, and, therefore, was unfit for active service. Moore desired him to start at once for England, in a vessel then about to leave, and to place before Ministers the precise position of the Army. In an ordinary way Sir John would have written details with his own hand, but his present exhaustion made this impossible.

“I cannot write—I am too tired,” he said wearily. “But there is no need. You understand everything, and you will explain all fully.”

For two hours prostration had the upper hand. Then came a rally. Moore sat up, called for paper, and finding that the vessel was not yet under weigh, he wrote to Lord Castlereagh a rapid semi-confidential statement of affairs, in his terse easy modern English, always singularly free from the little tricks of expression peculiar to his time. His despatches might for the most part have been almost as well penned in the ninth decade as in the first decade of the century. Had Moore not devoted all his energies to soldiering, he might have become great in literature.

This was the last despatch that he ever penned.

Next day, the 14th, some cannonading took place; but there was no serious fighting. The French did not move. They were still concentrating their forces, having suffered greatly, like the English, in those terrible marches.

In the evening at last the transports made their appearance; and all next day the embarkation of the sick and wounded, as well as of the cavalry, was going on. Moore had found that, in the country around Coruña, cavalry could be of little use.

By noon on the 16th everything was in train. Unless they should be attacked by Soult, the whole English Army would be on board that night. Moore placed all arrangements for the embarkation in the hands of Colonel Anderson; and then again he went off to review his troops, finding them in excellent order and in the highest spirits.

They to a man wished for nothing better than a fight. That question, however, was left to Soult to decide. No matter how intensely Moore might long for a victory over the enemy, he would not make the first move. He knew well that, in the then condition of Spain, even a battle won could do little practical good to the cause in hand. It might cover _his_ name with glory. But from first to last a higher aim than mere glory for self had been before Moore’s eyes.

Between fourteen and fifteen thousand infantry now remained on land to oppose the twenty thousand already entrenched on the opposite heights; and further French reinforcements were constantly arriving. Moore’s cannon were far inferior to those of the French, alike in number and in weight of metal. The French guns, indeed, dominated the English position.

At two o’clock, as Moore was on his way to the outposts, a messenger came from General Hope, to inform him that the enemy “was getting under arms.” The radiant delight which glowed in his face, when he found that a battle was to be forced upon him, was recorded later by one who saw it. He expressed his gladness, regretting only that the lateness of the hour, upon a short winter’s day, would hardly leave him time to make the most of the victory which he expected to gain.

Then he spurred away, full gallop, to the field. Soon the roar of cannon told that action was begun; and in a little while, along the whole front, both Armies were hotly engaged.

Upon the main ridge of the English position Moore had placed two Divisions—Baird’s on the right, Hope’s on the left. A third Division—Fraser’s—occupied high ground, well in rear of the right, to prevent any possibility of the French making their way to Coruña by a road which ran in that direction, and so cutting off the British force from the town.

Paget’s Division was held in reserve behind the ridge; and for a while Roy chafed impatiently, fearing to have no share in the battle that day. Even had it been so, the Reserve would have had small reason to complain, since they had borne the lion’s share of fighting during the retreat. But their turn would come.

The first and heaviest brunt of the onset was to fall upon Baird’s Division,—more especially upon the 4th Regiment, the 50th, which was commanded by Charles Napier and Charles Stanhope, and the 42nd Highlanders.

With their usual vehement swiftness the French advanced, in separate columns, against the right, the left, and the centre of the British line; while another powerful column sought to pass, as Moore had foreseen, down the valley which lay between Baird’s and Fraser’s Divisions, towards Coruña; and yet a fifth column waited in reserve.

But the peril of that fourth column’s advance no sooner became apparent than it was met. The right wing of the 4th British Regiment, on the extreme right of the ridge, was promptly thrown back, so as to face the flank of the adventurous French column, which was seeking thus boldly to turn the English position; and into the column was poured a crushing fire.

Moore, alert, cool, intent, watching every movement, called out, “That was exactly what I wanted to be done.”

Nor was this all. For General Paget, with his Reserve, advanced upon the column in front, doubled it completely up, and like a whirlwind swept onward, clearing the valley of the foe.

Roy had his chance then, and he did not fail to use it. His was the honour of bearing the King’s Colour belonging to his Regiment. The Royal and the Regimental Colours are, as we know, always consecrated with religious ceremony at the time of presentation, and they are looked upon with the most intense veneration and pride by every British soldier. Not least were they so regarded by Roy Baron!

Right proudly he carried his royal burden; and though its folds were rent in more places than one by the hail of bullets, and though Roy exposed himself with all that reckless gallantry which is natural to the British officer, he had the good fortune to escape with no wound worth mentioning. He had his fair share of hard knocks, notwithstanding; for Paget’s Division, once engaged, fought on till the close of the battle.

The French attack was directed with greatest force against the three regiments, already named. Their piquets, which occupied the little village of Elvina, beyond the ridge, were driven in by the energy of the enemy’s onset, and Elvina for a time fell into the hands of the French.

That of course could not be allowed, and orders were given that the 42nd and the 50th should advance to expel the foe from the village.

Moore, always to be found at the point of greatest danger, where his presence would most be needed, was at hand. His voice could now be heard to ring out in his characteristic challenge—

“_Highlanders—remember Egypt!_”

Like greyhounds from the leash, in response to those beloved tones, they leaped to the charge, carrying everything before them. Moore, in his passionate ardour, actually charged with them, and he told the men that he was “well pleased” with their conduct. Baird, the second in command, leading his Division, had his arm shattered with grape-shot, and was carried from the field.

Before Moore appeared, the officers and men of the 50th Regiment—ordered to advance with the 42nd—had been eagerly looking out for him, realising that this would be the _crux_ of the English position, and feeling one and all that “under him they _could not_ be beaten!” that, if only Moore were present, victory was absolutely secure. “Where is he? Where is the General?” was heard in eager murmurs along the line.

As they asked the question, he came, bearing down upon them at headlong speed on his cream-coloured charger, a fiery animal, with flying black mane and tail tossed in the breeze. The force with which Moore reined in flung him forward almost upon the horse’s neck, while his head was thrown back, and he examined the enemy with a gaze of such extraordinary and searching intensity, that Charles Napier, in after years, seeking to describe the scene, could find no language with which he might fitly describe that look.

Without a word Moore then galloped off; but he soon returned; and hereabouts it was that, as he was speaking to Major Napier, a round shot from the heavy French guns on the height struck the ground between them. Both horses swerved sharply, but Moore instantly urged his back to the same spot, asking calmly if Napier were hurt, and receiving a quiet, “No, sir.”

Then, as he watched the spirited charge of the 50th regiment, led by Napier and Stanhope, he exclaimed—

“Well done, Fiftieth! Well done, my Majors!”

The French were rapidly driven out of Elvina, with heavy loss, both regiments pursuing them beyond the village, into ground much broken by stone walls. By this time the English were without supports, and the French, having received strong reinforcements, rallied and turned upon them with fresh fury. Napier got too far in advance of his men, received five wounds, and was taken prisoner; and Stanhope was killed.

Moore, grappling anew with the danger, hurried up a battalion of the Guards to reinforce the 50th, which was being slowly forced back, and the 42nd, which had come to an end of its powder and shot. He galloped to the latter regiment, and again his voice rang out with inspiring energy—

“My brave 42nd, join your comrades! The ammunition is coming! _And you have your bayonets still!_”

That was enough. The 42nd had believed itself about to be relieved by the coming Guards; but armed or unarmed the men would have gone anywhere for Moore. Once again, without ammunition, yet undaunted with fierce impetuosity, they dashed against the foe.

Both here and elsewhere throughout the line fighting raged furiously. Sir John rode back to the ridge, where he could overlook the whole battle. In all directions the British were holding their own, and signs of approaching victory were clear.

Those signs came true. A little later, and the French were finally driven out of Elvina. On the left of the British line, they not only were repulsed with very severe loss, but were attacked in their own position by the conquering English, and were followed even into the villages beyond their ridge. The column which had essayed to turn the British right had been utterly wrecked, crushed out of existence, by Paget’s Division, which would in turn have stormed the great French battery of eleven guns, had daylight lasted long enough.

But before matters had advanced thus far, and while the 50th and the 42nd were still hard beset and strenuously resisting, something else happened, of terrible import to England.

Hardinge[2] came up to report to Sir John that the Guards were advancing. And as the words passed his lips, as he pointed out the position of the Guards, a round shot from the battery opposite struck Moore, hurling him to the ground.

(_To be continued._)

FOOTNOTES:

[2] Afterwards Lord Hardinge, Governor-General of India, and Commander-in-Chief of the British Army.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

MEDICAL.

MINERVA.—How often we hear a girl say, “Oh! I have such a bad memory.” You do not often meet with a person who complains, “Oh! I am so very stupid,” or “My intelligence is strictly limited,” at least, not in earnest. Yet of all the powers of the mind, the memory is the one which is most easily trained. We are not going to say that if a person has a bad memory it is her own fault; but in the majority of cases it is due to neglect either by herself or by her tutors. You say you are twenty years old, and ask us if you are not past the age at which it is possible to educate the memory? No! most certainly you are not too old to learn. One method of learning is as follows:—Take an interesting, well-written and instructive book; carefully read through one chapter on Monday morning. On Monday afternoon write a short epitome of what you have read; and in the evening re-read the chapter, and read your own account afterwards. Next day write another account, and compare that with the original text and with your first manuscript. Then wait till Saturday and write a third treatise, and compare this with the original one and see how you have improved. The next week read two chapters, and increase your amount gradually every week till you can read a book in the first week of the month, and write a brief account of its chief features a month or two hence. This is the kind of memory to aim at; the mere parrot memory is worth very little. You should also read and write as much as you can, learn a little poetry by heart, and attempt to master the elements of some simple science.

COURAGE.—Your complaint is too serious for us to deal with. There are so many possible causes for your trouble, and most of them are so important, that it would be extremely wrong to treat you without a personal examination. The best advice we can give you is to go to your doctor _at once_.

ESTHER.—1. We published an article on blushing some short time ago. Read the answer to “Minerva” for the treatment of a feeble memory.—2. The food you mention should not be given to children.

CHARLOTTE M.—1. We thank you very much for your letter. Let your sister bathe her legs in warm water every day. Gentle massage may do her good. See that her boots fit properly and do not bend at the waist. Flat foot is a very common cause of cramps in the legs.—2. April 2nd, 1884, was a Wednesday.

BUTTERCUP.—The condition of your head is known as “alopecia areata.” We do not think that it was caused by your wearing a comb; but as the disease is exceedingly obscure, we have no alternative cause to suggest. The best thing to do for it is to paint the place with tincture of iodine every day till it becomes slightly sore. Another way of treating it is to use white precipitate ointment. How much good is done by treatment we cannot say; we have never yet seen a case in which the hair did not grow again, whether the condition had been treated or not. Sometimes the patches remain bald for a considerable time; at other times hair begins to grow again in a week or so.

LIZZIE.—The best way to treat warts is the following. Wash your hand well with soap and water, and then let the hand soak in hot water for two or three minutes so as to soften the wart; wipe your hand quite dry, and apply a little vaseline round the wart. You must not let the vaseline get on the wart. It is painted on the skin to prevent the caustics applied to the wart from injuring the adjacent skin. Now drop one drop of glacial acetic acid on to the wart; leave it one minute, and then rub the wart thoroughly with a stick of lunar caustic. This treatment may need to be repeated, but it rarely fails if properly done. Solvine is also of value in removing warts. Warts are frequently due to irritation of the skin, and are undoubtedly locally infective.

MORELLA.—It is easy enough to account for boils recurring. It is by no means uncommon to hear this sort of account, “Six months ago I had a boil; it went away after a time, but another one developed shortly afterwards. This in its turn went away, and another came, and in this manner I have had twenty boils in succession.” In days when nobody knew anything about the diseases of the skin, this was explained thus—“The blood is in a bad state, and the matter in the boil is the impurity of the blood finding its way out.” This, we now know, is incorrect. The proper explanation is this—the first boil resulted from the inoculation of microbes into a hair follicle or sweat gland. These germs increased, poisoned the part, and produced the pus by their irritation. The boil was untreated, it burst and set free these organisms, which at once started to find a new home in a fresh follicle or gland. Had the boil been properly treated at first by destroying the microbes, the trouble would then and there have ceased. Boils are not dependent upon bad blood, nor are they influenced by internal treatment or dieting. They can be completely cured by applying hot fomentation wrung out in solution of carbolic acid (1 in 40). Poultices should never be applied to boils.

TEARFUL.—You have a serious disease of your eye. In all probability the tube which conveys the tears from the eye into the nose is blocked. Go to a surgeon _at once_ and have the eye seen to. At present a trivial operation will cure you, but if you wait many months you will probably lose the use of your eye.

MERCIA.—Anæmia or indigestion or both are causing your symptom. Of course it may be due to chest disease, but it is exceedingly unlikely. We cannot here repeat the treatment for these conditions. We have done so times without number during the last two years. The answers to correspondents in back numbers of this paper will tell you all you require.

RULES.

I. No charge is made for answering questions.

II. All correspondents to give initials or pseudonym.

III. The Editor reserves the right of declining to reply to any of the questions.

IV. No direct answers can be sent by the Editor through the post.

V. No more than two questions may be asked in one letter, which must be addressed to the Editor of “The Girl’s Own Paper,” 56, Paternoster Row, London, E C.

VI. No addresses of firms, tradesmen, or any other matter of the nature of an advertisement will be inserted.

STUDY AND STUDIO.

CHICKWEED.—1. For the London B.A. you must pass the Matriculation, Intermediate B.A., and Final B.A. in separate years. Apply for all information as to fees and subjects, Registrar, University of London, Burlington Gardens, W. There is no limit of age. We presume the London B.A. would serve your purpose better than that of the University of Ireland or University of Durham, but you can obtain particulars from all three.—2. Your handwriting is good and clear; if you always take pains and never scribble, it will be an excellent hand.

A DAUGHTER OF TERRA NOVA.—Many thanks for your bright letter. We are glad to find our magazine has warm friends so far away.—1. Your writing is not “very bad.” It is clear, and if the letters were more regularly formed, it would soon become good. Your ink seems to vary in thickness as you write, some letters being faint, others black. Always use the best ink you can get.—2. This question does not belong to our province, but as we cannot divide a letter for reply, we may assure you that neuralgia in the face in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred is due to decayed teeth, and a visit to the dentist is the best cure. Remedies for neuralgia proper are quinine and “Tonga.” If the pain is acute and persistent, you should consult a doctor. Your request for a correspondent is inserted in the proper place.

GRIBBITE.—The metre of your blank verse is quite correct. The writing of blank verse that shall be really musical is very difficult, for the author has no rhymes to depend upon, and the arrangement of ideas and words has to be of peculiar charm and melody. But we can honestly praise your effort. “Good-bye, old year” is not quite so satisfactory. Never make an elision obviously for metre’s sake, especially where you only do it in one instance, as

“Whenever, where’er ’tis said.”

Here both “evers,” or neither, should be written in the abbreviated form.

EMMA PORTLOCK.—Unfortunately your hymn could not find acceptance for publication. The metre is very faulty, and the thought expressed is familiar. “Farewell, Canadian friends!” is better, but we cannot encourage you to do more than to write for your own gratification.

COUNTRY LASS.—We are sorry we omitted to criticise your writing in our answer some weeks ago. To begin with, you should use better ink that will not turn brown. Keep a regular space between your lines, and refrain from leaving a margin at the end of some of them. The writing itself would be improved by more decision and firmness, the letters being larger. You can easily make it into a good hand.

MABEL BROWN.—1. We have inserted your address for “FLORENCE” to see.—2. No doubt character to some extent can be described from handwriting; for instance, a neat precise person seldom writes a bold, sketchy, untidy hand; a very excitable, nervous person seldom writes a neat, close hand, and so on; but we do not believe that every moral and intellectual quality can be deciphered by this means. Of course we cannot tell how far the estimate you enclose is correct, but we thank you for your pleasant letter.

DOLLY.—We do not think any permission is needed for reciting the poem you name. Many thanks for your answer to “NINETTE.”

OUR OPEN LETTER BOX.

KYLE, Victoria, Australia, writes to inform “GOLD DUST” that “Tit for Tat” is published as a song, in two keys, E♭ and C. The words are by “Nemo,” and the music by Henry Pontet. The song can be procured at Enoch and Sons, 14 and 14A, Great Marlborough Street, London. “KYLE” would copy out and forward the song to “GOLD DUST,” if she knew her address.

“NINETTE” (Budapesth) again has answers—from “DOLLY,” who says “Somebody’s Darling” is to be found in Walker’s _Golden Reciter_ (William Walker and Sons, Otley, Yorkshire, price 1s. 6d.); from “VICTORIA,” who refers it and the “Song of the Shirt” to _Recitations for Recreation_, in verse, collected by Mary Trebeck (Wells, Gardner, Darton & Co., 44, Victoria Street, London, S.W., price about 1s.), and from “A. A. L. S.,” who mentions the _Royal Reader_, No. VI. MISS MARGUERITE FITZROY DIXON, 1919, Florence Street, Ottawa, offers to copy out and send “Ninette” the poem, “Somebody’s Darling,” on receipt of her address.

MOLLY DARLING wishes to know the author of a “poem,” which we can inform her is a well-known nursery rhyme, beginning—

“When good King Arthur ruled this land He was a worthy King.”

“IVY” is anxious for a copy of a poem containing the words—

“She will stand at the altar, Modest, and white, and still.”

E. M. CRABB inquires for a recitation in which the expression “A little chap curly and brown” occurs several times. We cordially respond to E. M. CRABB’S kind wishes.

S. W. H. wishes to find a hymn containing the lines—

“Oh, make my spirit worthy To join that ransomed throng.”

“DOUBTFUL” is informed by ELAINE STEDDALL, CLARA M. SMITH, and ELLEN WARD that the words she quotes are the two first lines of a poem called “Somebody’s Mother.” It can be found in Blackie’s _Comprehensive Fourth Reader_ (School Series), or in one of the parts (I. or II.) of Alfred Miles’ _A 1 Reciter_, price 6d. We thank ELLEN WARD for kindly copying out the words, which “DOUBTFUL” may receive on sending her address.

“TREGELLES,” 5, Rothsay Road, Bedford, is anxious to obtain the two volumes of _Denis O’Neil_, by Mary Bradford Whiting, now out of print. If any reader of the “G. O. P.” has disused copies—old, but _complete_—“Tregelles” would gladly give 3s. for the pair.

E. H. K. asks for the names of four newspapers in which an account of the Fancy Dress Ball at Northampton House was issued, about two years ago. The papers she kept have been accidentally destroyed.

BESSIE inquires for the words and music of a song, the refrain of which runs as follows—

“You’ll never miss the water till the well runs dry.”

H. M. C. kindly writes: “The refrain, ‘Belle Marquise,’ asked for by ‘LA PETITE VIOLETTE,’ occurs in a poem entitled, ‘Une Marquise’ in _Old World Idylls_, by Austin Dobson. The poem occurs also in his ‘Collected Poems,’ published about the end of 1897.”

INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE.

A NEWFOUNDLAND GIRL, who writes a bright letter, asks us to insert the following—“Miss M. P. (18), 37, Monkstoun Road, St. John’s, Newfoundland, would like to correspond with an English or Irish girl of the same age, with some fun in her.” Girls with a sense of humour, please make a note of this request!

VALENTINA, Bozzotti, St. Giuseppe 11, Milan, Italy, would like to correspond with an English girl, from 13 to 16 years of age, and wishes her to know that she loves English people!

A young Irish lady, “PRIMROSE,” would like to hear from a young lady in Tasmania, as to the country, houses, climate, mode of life, etc., and, if possible, particulars as to the voyage from England to Tasmania.

GIGLIO, Florence, Via della Dogana 2, Italy, would like to exchange Italian post-cards, “artistic, and with views,” with English ones; also to exchange post-cards with “O MIMOSA SAN.” (See “G. O. P.” November number).

ROSE BECKETT, 30, Victoria Grove, Folkestone, Kent, wishes for a French and German correspondent, about 20 years of age; also a correspondent, “living in India, who is interested in the mission work out there,” and would write to her about it.

MARGARET H. SETTLE, The Elms, South Shore, Blackpool, would very much like to correspond with a French young lady, 20 to 22 years of age.

MAUDE and FRANCES F. CARRALL, care of Commissioner of Customs, Chefoo, China, would like to correspond with “MISS INQUISITIVE,” or with any French or German girl who would like to exchange stamps. They have a variety of Chinese stamps for disposal.

OLIVIA GARDE, Biana, Eccleshall, Staffordshire, would like to correspond with a young lady about her own age (17), who collects foreign stamps.

MAY, Broadstairs, would like to correspond in English with a young lady, aged about 27, of good family, in India or “somewhere abroad,” married or single. She writes a pathetic letter, saying that she is an invalid, and letters afford her so much pleasure that she hopes some of our girl readers in distant lands will not think it too much trouble to write to her. We wish she had put her full address, as it would save time.

“FLORENCE” has two would-be correspondents—MABEL BROWN, 24, Brigden Street, Brighton, and AMY DAY, 70, Broomfield Street, Crisp Street, Poplar. Will “FLORENCE” kindly write at once?

MISS MADGE HATTEN, Middleton Cheney, Banbury, Oxon, wishes to correspond with a French girl of the same age (12), who is requested to write to this address.

MISCELLANEOUS.

IVY.—“Yours sincerely” is the ordinary phrase, and would be quite suitable. You should begin your note, of course, with “Dear Dr. So-and-so,” and tell him then, in a few words, what you wished.

I. G. L. (South Africa), ELEPHANTA and RHINOCERINA.—We gave a series of articles in vol. x., “G. O. P.,” beginning October, 1888, to which you might refer, if you have the volume. Cochins, Brahmas, Plymouth Rocks, and Langshaus all do well in confinement. They are placed in order of hardiness. L. U. Gill, 170, Strand, publishes several excellent manuals—_Popular Poultry Keeping_, _Poultry for Prizes and Profit_, and _How to Keep Laying Hens_; also there are constant discussions going on in the pages of _The Exchange and Mart_, published at the same address, three times weekly. There is a small manual on _Incubators and their Management_, by J. H. Sutcliffe, illustrated, and published at 170, Strand, which you would find useful. Of course you could make an incubator at a cheap rate.

“ONE WHO WANTS TO KNOW.”—Messrs. Cassell have published a good _Dictionary of Cookery_. The term “receipt” means an acquitment in writing, duly signed, and in some cases stamped, for money or other valuables received; an acknowledgment of having taken into possession or charge. The word is pronounced as if written “re-ceet.” The term “recipe” should be pronounced as a three-syllable word, _i.e._, as “res-cip-pee,” meaning a medical, cookery, or other prescription, or statement of ingredients, and the method of making up the same to produce desired results of any description. It is generally, though incorrectly, pronounced as “re-ceet.”

TOMEL.—We have made inquiries, and can hear of nowhere in London where the Norwegian ornaments can be obtained. We can only suggest that you should write to the Norwegian Club, 11, Charing Cross—the Rev. T. B. Willson, Hon. Sec.—and ask for the address of a reliable jeweller in Norway, to whom you could write. Mr. Willson knows Norway well, and is the author of a guide-book which is well known and approved.

SUBSCRIBER.—Suites are not in fashion just now, as everyone seems to prefer to select their own shapes for chairs, and every chair, large or small, is different one from another. Small tables and a Chesterfield sofa seem to complete the furniture of a modern drawing-room, to which you must add pictures, growing palms and other plants, and pretty ornaments.

A LONELY LOVER.—You might try to learn a concertina or an accordion. The latter would be the easiest to play. The name Mildred is from the Anglo-Saxon, _mild_ and _red_, or mild in counsel.

INQUIRER.—We should think you had better get one of the new Encyclopædias, which will answer all the questions on the very varied subjects in which you are interested. There are several published at moderate prices.

E. WAHALL.—Swinton is in the West Riding of Yorkshire, 10½ miles from Sheffield. Here the Rockingham porcelain manufactory was established, so called after the Marquis of Rockingham, on whose estate it was established—not in the village of that name, which is in Northamptonshire, on the river Welland.

IGNORAMUS.—The Mormons owe their origin to one Joseph Smith, who, in 1830, established himself at Utah. He pretended that in his boyhood he had visions, in which he was told that all existing religions were false; and later on, that at a place indicated he would find gold tablets, and inscribed with the inspired instructions of the ancient prophets, buried in the ground. Also a pair of spectacles, a sword, and a breastplate. The inscriptions were in the reformed Egyptian language. Eleven persons were said to have seen these things besides Smith, which were all, he said, returned to the Angel, and were seen no more. Afterwards, he and his coadjutor, Cowdery (a schoolmaster), had a vision of St. John the Baptist, who consecrated them priests of the Order of Aaron, and commanded them to baptise each other, after which the “Holy Ghost fell on them, together with the spirit of prophecy.” Smith was succeeded by Brigham Young, Smith having been murdered by Indians who broke into the prison where he was confined.

LUCY WAYGOOD.—We do not quite see on what point you need advice. From your own account you seem to have behaved badly enough, as you (being engaged to one man) appear to have encouraged another lover to pay you attention, and to visit you. No wonder the first became angry and jealous. Now you seem not to know your own mind, and “don’t want to pass your life with either of them.” You are very young, which is your best excuse, and our only advice is that you should wait for a year or two before accepting any lover, as you evidently do not know your own mind.

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

Page 499: missing word “was” added—“she was bid”.

Page 506: favourities to favourites—“old favourites which”.

Page 507: cotten to cotton—“cotton stockings”.

Page 512: Doubteul to Doubtful—‘“DOUBTFUL” may receive’.]