diff options
Diffstat (limited to '18414.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 18414.txt | 2922 |
1 files changed, 2922 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/18414.txt b/18414.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..edce97d --- /dev/null +++ b/18414.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2922 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Girl's Own Paper, Vol. VIII, No. 355, +October 16, 1886, by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Girl's Own Paper, Vol. VIII, No. 355, October 16, 1886 + +Author: Various + +Editor: Charles Peters + Flora Klickmann + +Release Date: May 18, 2006 [EBook #18414] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GIRL'S OWN PAPER, VOL. *** + + + + +Produced by Susan Skinner and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + +THE GIRL'S OWN PAPER + +VOL. VIII.--NO. 355. + +OCTOBER 16, 1886. + +PRICE ONE PENNY. + + + + +THE BROOK AND ITS BANKS. + +BY THE REV. J. G. WOOD, M.A., Author of "The Handy Natural History." + + "Whyles owre a linn the burnie plays, + As through the glen it dimpl't; + Whyles round a rocky scaur it strays; + Whyles in a weil it dimpl't; + Whyles glittered to the nightly rays, + Wi' bickering, dancing dazzle; + Whyles cookit underneath the braes + Below the spreading hazel." + + _Burns: "Halloween."_ + +[Illustration: THE BROOK AND ITS BANKS.] + + +CHAPTER I. + +The many aspects of a brook--The eye sees only that which it is capable +of seeing--Individuality of brooks and their banks--The rippling +"burnie" of the hills--The gently-flowing brooks of low-lying +districts--Individualities even of such brooks--The fresh-water brooks +of Oxford and the tidal brooks of the Kentish marshes--The swarming life +in which they abound--An afternoon's walk--Ditches versus hedges and +walls--A brook in Cannock Chase--Its sudden changes of aspect--The +brooks of the Wiltshire Downs and of Derbyshire. + + +A brook has many points of view. + +In the first place, scarcely any two spectators see it in the same +light. + +To the rustic it is seldom more than a convenient water-tank, or, at +most, as affording some sport to boys in fishing. To its picturesque +beauties his eyes are blind, and to him the brook is, like Peter Bell's +primrose, a brook and nothing more. + +Then there are some who only view a brook as affording variety to the +pursuit of the fox, and who pride themselves on their knowledge of the +spots at which it can be most successfully leaped. + +Others, again, who are of a geographical turn of mind, can only see in a +brook a necessary portion of the water-shed of the district. + +To children it is for a time dear as a playground, possessing the +inestimable advantage of enabling them to fall into it and wet their +clothes from head to foot. + +Then there are some who are keenly alive to its changing beauties, and +are gifted with artistic spirit and power of appreciation, even if they +should not have been able to cultivate the technical skill which would +enable them to transfer to paper or canvas the scene which pleased them. +Yet they can only see the surface, and take little, if any, heed of the +wealth of animated life with which the brook and its banks are peopled, +or of the sounds with which the air is filled. + +Happy are those in whom are fortunately combined the appreciation of art +and the gift (for it is a gift as much as an eye for art or an ear for +music) of observing animal life. To them the brook is all that it is to +others, and much besides. To them the tiniest brook is a perpetual joy, +and of such a nature I hope are those who read these pages. + +Not only does a brook assume different aspects, according to the +individuality of the spectator, but every brook has its individuality, +and so have its banks. + +Often the brook "plays many parts," as in Burns' delightful stanza, +which seems to have rippled from the poet's brain as spontaneously as +its subject. + +Sometimes, however, as near Oxford, it flows silently onwards with +scarcely a dimple on its unruffled surface. Over its still waters the +gnats rise and fall in their ceaseless dance. The swift-winged +dragon-flies, blue, green, and red, swoop upon them like so many falcons +on their prey; or, in the earlier year, the mayflies flutter above the +stream, leaving their shed skins, like ghostly images of themselves, +sticking on every tree trunk near the brook. + +On the surface of the brook are seen the shadow-like water-gnats, +drifting with apparent aimlessness over the surface, but having in view +a definite and deadly purpose, as many a half drowned insect will find +to its cost. + +Under the shade of the willows that overhang its banks the whirligig +beetles will gather, sociably circling round and round in their mazy +dance, bumping against each other in their swift course, but glancing +off unhurt from the collision, protected from injury by the stout coats +of mail which they wear. + +They really look like unskilful dancers practising their "figures" for +the first time. They, however, are not engaged in mere amusement, but, +like the water-gnats, are absorbed in the business of life. The +naturalist knows, when he sees these creatures, that they do not form +the hundredth part of those which are hidden from human eyes below the +surface of the little brook, and that the whole of the stream is as +instinct with life, as if it had been haunted by the Nipens, the +Undines, and the host of fairy beings with whom the old legends peopled +every river and its tributaries. + +They are just as wonderful, though clad in material forms, as any water +spirit that ever was evolved from the poet's brain, and have the +inestimable merit of being always within reach whenever we need them. + +I will venture to assert that no fairy tales, not even excepting those +of the "Arabian Nights," can surpass in marvel the true life-history of +the mayfly, the frog, the newt, and the dragon-fly, as will be narrated +in the course of these pages. I may go even farther, and assert that +there is no inhabitant of the brook and its banks whose biography and +structure are not full of absorbing interest, and will not occupy the +longest life, if only an attempt be made to study them thoroughly. + +An almost typical example of slow-flowing brooks is to be found in the +remarkable channels which intersect the country between Minster and +Sandwich, and which, on the ordnance map, look almost like the threads +of a spider's web. In that flat district, the fields are not divided by +hedges, as in most parts of England, or by stone walls--"dykes," as they +are termed in Ireland--such as are employed in Derbyshire and several +other stony localities, but by channels, which have a strong +individuality of their own. + +Even the smallest of these brooks is influenced by the tide, so that at +the two periods of slack water there is no perceptible stream. + +Yesterday afternoon, having an hour or so to spare at Minster, I +examined slightly several of these streams and their banks. The contrast +between them and the corresponding brooklets of Oxford, also a low-lying +district, was very strongly marked. + +In the first place, the willow, which forms so characteristic an +ornament of the brooks and rivers of Oxford, is wholly absent. Most of +the streamlets are entirely destitute of even a bush by which their +course can be marked; so that when, as is often the case, a heavy white +fog overhangs the entire district, looking from a distance as if the +land had been sunk in an ocean of milk, no one who is not familiarly +acquainted with every yard of ground could make his way over the fields +without falling into the watery boundaries which surround them. + +Some of them, however, are distinguished by hawthorns, which take the +place of the willows, and thrive so luxuriantly that they may lay claim +to the title of forest trees. Blackberries, too, are exuberant in their +growth, and in many spots the hawthorn and blackberry on opposite sides +of the brook have intertwined their branches across it and have +completely hidden the water from sight. On these blackberries, the fruit +of which was in its green state, the drone-flies and hawk-flies simply +swarmed, telling the naturalist of their multitudinous successors, who +at present are in the preliminary stages of their existence. + +Among the blackberries the scarlet fruit of the woody nightshade (a +first cousin of the potato) hung in tempting clusters, and I could not +help wondering whether they would endanger the health of the young +Minsterians. + +In some places the common frog-bit had grown with such luxuriance that +it had completely hidden the water, the leaves overlapping each other as +if the overcrowded plants were trying to shoulder each other out of the +way. + +In most of these streamlets the conspicuous bur-reed (_Sparganium +ramosum_) grew thickly, its singular fruit being here and there visible +among the sword-like leaves. I cannot but think that the mediaeval weapon +called the "morning star" (or "morgen-stern") was derived from the +globular, spiked fruit-cluster of the bur-reed. + +A few of the streams were full of the fine plant which is popularly +known by the name of bull-rush, or bulrush (_Typha latifolia_), but +which ought by rights to be called the "cat's-tail" or "reed-mace." Of +this plant it is said that a little girl, on seeing it growing, +exclaimed that she never knew before that sausages grew on sticks. The +teasel (_Dipsacus_) was abundant, as were also several of the true +thistles. + +In some places one of these streams becomes too deep for the bur-reed, +and its surface is only diversified by the half-floating leaves of one +or two aquatic plants. + +On approaching one of these places, I find the water to be apparently +without inmates. They had only been alarmed by my approach, which, as I +had but little time to spare, was not as cautious as it ought to have +been. However, I remained perfectly still, and presently a little fish +appeared from below. It was soon followed by a second and a third, and +before long a whole shoal of fish were floating almost on the surface, +looking out for insects which had fallen into the water. + +The day being hot, and with scarcely a breath of wind, the fish soon +became quite bold. They did not move beyond the small spot in which they +had appeared, but they all had their tails in slight movement, and their +heads in one direction, thus showing that although the water appeared to +be perfectly motionless, there must be a current of some sort, fish +always lying with their heads up the stream, so as to allow the water to +enter their mouths and pass over their gills. + +If then these sluggish streams were unlike those of Oxford, where the +ground is low, and nearly level, how utterly distinct must they be from +those of hilly and especially of rocky localities! + +In the earlier part of the present year I was cursorily examining a +brook in Cannock Chase, in Staffordshire. Unfortunately, the day was +singularly inauspicious, as the sun was invisible, the atmosphere murky, +and a fierce north-east wind was blowing, a wind which affects animals, +etc., especially the insect races, even more severely than it does man. +Even the birds remain under shelter as long as they can, and not an +insect will show itself. Neither, in consequence, will the fish be "on +the feed." + +On a previous visit, we had been more fortunate, trout, crayfish, etc., +testifying to the prolific character of the brook, which in one place is +only four or five feet in width, and yet, within fifty yards, it has +formed itself into a wide and treacherous marsh, which can only be +crossed by jumping from one tussock of grass to another; and yet, again, +it suddenly spreads out into a broad and shallow torrent, the water +leaping and rippling over the stony bed. Scarcely a bush marks its +course, and within a few yards it is quite invisible. + +As we shall presently see, the brooks of the chalk downs of Wiltshire, +and of the regular mixture of rock and level ground, which are +characteristic of Derbyshire, have also their own separate +individualities. + +We shall, however, find many allusions to them in the course of the +work, and we will therefore suppose ourselves to be approaching the bank +of any brook that is but little disturbed by man. What will be likely to +happen to us will be told in the following chapters. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +Life-history of the water-rat--No science can stand alone--What is a +water-rat?--The voles of the land and water--Their remarkable teeth--The +rodents and their incisor teeth--The tooth and the chisel--The skate +"iron"--Chewing the cud--Teeth of the elephant--Feet of the +water-vole--A false accusation--Water-voles in gardens--Winter +stores--Cats and water-voles--Subterranean pioneering--Mental character +of the water-vole--Standing fire--Its mode of eating. + + +Plop! + +A water-rat has taken alarm, and has leaped into the brook. + +A common animal enough, but none the less worthy of notice because it is +common. Indeed, it is in many respects a very remarkable creature, and +we may think ourselves fortunate that we have the opportunity of +studying its habits and structure. + +There is much more in the animal than meets the eye, and we cannot +examine its life-history without at the same time touching upon that of +several other creatures. No science stands alone, neither does any +animal, however insignificant it may appear to be; and we shall find +that before we have done with the water-rat, we shall have had something +to say of comparative anatomy, ornithology, ichthyology, entomology and +botany, beside treating of the connection which exists between man and +the lower animals, and the reciprocal influence of civilisation and +animal life. + +In the first place, let us define our animal. + +What is a water-rat, and where is its place in zoological systems of the +present day? Its name in science is _Arvicola amphibius_. This title +tells its own story. + +Though popularly called a rat, the animal has no right to the name, +although, like the true rat, it is a rodent, and much resembles the rat +in size and in the length and colour of its fur. The likeness, however, +extends no further. + +The rats are long-nosed and sharp-snouted animals, whereas the water-rat +has a short, blunt nose. Then, the ears of the rats are large and stand +out boldly from the head, while those of the water-rat are small, short, +and rounded. Again, the tail of the rat is long and slender, while that +of the water-rat is comparatively short. Place the two animals side by +side, and you will wonder how anyone could mistake the one for the +other. + +The teeth, too, are quite different. + +Instead of being white, like those of the rat, the incisor teeth are +orange-yellow, like those of the beaver. Indeed, the water-rat possesses +so many beaver-like characteristics, that it was ranked near the beaver +in the systematic lists. + +Now, however, the Voles, as these creatures ought rightly to be called, +are thought to be of sufficient importance to be placed by themselves, +and separated from the true beavers. + +The voles constitute quite a large group of rodents, including several +animals which are popularly ranked among the mice. + +One very remarkable characteristic of the voles is the structure of +their molar teeth. + +Being rodents, they can have but two incisor teeth in each jaw, these +teeth being rootless, and so set in their sockets that they are +incessantly worn away in front, and as incessantly grow from the base, +take the curved form of their sockets, and act much like shears which +have the inestimable property of self-sharpening when blunted, and +self-renewal when chipped or actually broken off by coming against any +hard substance. Were the teeth to be without this power, the animal +would run a great risk of dying from hunger, the injured tooth not being +able either to do its own work, or to aid its companion of the opposite +jaw. Either tooth alone would be as useless as a single blade of a pair +of scissors. + +There is another notable characteristic of these incisor teeth. If you +will examine the incisors of any rodent, whether it be a rat, a mouse, a +rabbit, or a beaver, you will see that the tips are "bevelled" off just +like the edge of a chisel. This shape is absolutely necessary to keep +the tooth in working order. How is this object to be attained? + +In the solution of this problem we may see one of the many links which +connect art and nature. + +Should our readers know anything of carpentering, let them examine the +structure of their chisels. They are not made wholly of hard steel, as +in that case they would be liable to snap, just as does the blade of a +foil when undue pressure is brought to bear upon it. Moreover, the +operation of sharpening would be extremely difficult. + +So the blade of the chisel is merely faced with a thin plate of hardened +steel, the remainder being of softer material. + +Now, it is not at all likely that the unknown inventor of the modern +chisel was aware of the analogy between art and nature, and would +probably have been very much surprised if anyone had stated that he had +borrowed his idea from the incisor teeth of the water-rat. + +Yet he might have done so, for these teeth are almost wholly formed of +ordinary tooth matter, and are faced with a thin plate of hard enamel, +which exactly corresponds with the hardened steel facing of a chisel. + +Any of my readers who possess skates will find, on examination, that the +greater part of the blade is, in reality, soft iron, the steel, which +comes upon the ice, being scarcely a fifth of an inch in length. The +hardened steel allows the blade to take the necessary edge, while the +soft iron preserves the steel from snapping. + +Should the skate have been neglected and allowed to become a little +rusty, the line of demarcation between the steel and the iron can be +distinctly seen. Similarly, in the beaver and the water-rat, the +orange-yellow colour of the enamel facing causes it to be easily +distinguished from the rest of the tooth. In most of the rodents the +enamel is white, and the line of demarcation is scarcely visible. + +Now we have to treat of a question of mechanics. + +If two substances of different degrees of hardness be subjected to the +same amount of friction, it follows that the softer will be worn away +long before the harder. It is owing to this principle that the edges of +the rodent teeth preserve their chisel-like form. Being continually +employed in nibbling, the softer backing of the teeth is rapidly worn +away, while the hard plate of enamel upon the front of the tooth is but +slightly worn, the result being the bevelled shape which is so +characteristic of these teeth. + +As all know, who have kept rabbits or white mice, the animals are always +engaged in gnawing anything which will yield to their teeth, and unless +the edges of their feeding troughs be protected by metal, will nibble +them to pieces in a few days. Indeed, so strong is this instinct, that +the health of the animals is greatly improved by putting pieces of wood +into their cages, merely for the purpose of allowing them to exercise +their chisel-edged teeth. Even when they have nothing to gnaw, the +animals will move their jaws incessantly, just as if they were eating, a +movement which gave rise to the idea that they chewed the cud. + +It is worthy of remark that other animals, which, though not rodents, +need to possess chisel-edged incisor teeth, have a similar habit. Such +is the hippopotamus, and such is the hyrax, the remarkable rock-haunting +animal, which in the authorised translation of the Scriptures is called +the "coney," and which in the Revised Version is allowed in the margin +to retain its Hebrew name, "shaphan." + +The enamel also has an important part to play in the structure of the +molar teeth. Each tooth is surrounded with the enamel plate, which is so +intricately folded that the tooth looks as if it were made of a series +of enamel triangles, each enclosing the tooth matter. + +This structure is common to all the members of the group to which the +water-rat belongs. It is the more remarkable because we find a somewhat +similar structure in the molar teeth of the elephants, which, like the +rodents, have the incisor teeth largely developed and widely separated +from the molars. + +There is nothing in the appearance of the water-rat which gives any +indication of its aquatic habits. + +For example, we naturally expect to find that the feet of swimming +animals are webbed. The water-loving capybara of South America, the +largest existing rodent, has its hoof-like toes partially united by +webs, so that its aquatic habits might easily be inferred even by those +who were unacquainted with the animal. Even the otter, which propels +itself through the water mostly by means of its long and powerful tail, +has the feet furnished with webs. So has the aquatic Yapock opossum of +Australia, while the feet of the duck-bill are even more boldly webbed +than those of the bird from which it takes its popular name. The +water-shrews (whom we shall presently meet) are furnished with a fringe +of stiff hair round the toes which answers the same purpose as the web. + +But the structure of the water-rat gives no indication of its habits, so +that no one who was unacquainted with the animal would even suspect its +swimming and diving powers. Watch it as long as you like, and I do not +believe that you will see it eating anything of an animal nature. + +I mention this fact because it is often held up to blame as a +mischievous animal, especially deserving the wrath of anglers by +devouring the eggs and young of fish. + +As is often the case in the life-history of animals as well as of men, +the blame is laid on the wrong shoulders. If the destruction of fish be +a crime, there are many criminals, the worst and most persistent of +which are the fish themselves, which not only eat the eggs and young of +other fish, but, Saturn-like, have not the least scruple in devouring +their own offspring. + +Scarcely less destructive in its own insidious way is the common +house-rat, which eats everything which according to our ideas is edible, +and a good many which we might think incapable of affording sustenance +even to a rat. In the summer time it often abandons for a time the +house, the farm, the barn, and seeks for a change of diet by the brook. +These water-haunting creatures are naturally mistaken for the +vegetable-feeding water-vole, and so the latter has to bear the blame of +their misdoings. + +There are lesser inhabitants of the brook which are injurious both to +the eggs and young of fish. Among them are several of the larger +water-beetles, some of which are so large and powerful that, when placed +in an aquarium with golden carp, they have made havoc among the fish, +always attacking them from below. Although they cannot kill and devour +the fish at once, they inflict such serious injuries that the creature +is sure to die shortly. + +I do not mean to assert that the water-vole is never injurious to man. +Civilisation disturbs for a time the balance of Nature, and when man +ploughs or digs the ground which had previously been untouched by plough +or spade, and sows the seeds of herbs and cereals in land which has +previously produced nothing but wild plants, he must expect that the +animals to whom the soil had been hitherto left will fail to understand +that they can no more consider themselves as the owners, and will in +consequence do some damage to the crops. + +Moreover, even putting their food aside, their habits often render them +obnoxious to civilised man. The mole, for example, useful as it really +is in a field, does very great harm in a garden or lawn, although it +eats none of the produce. + +The water-vole, however, is doubly injurious when the field or garden +happens to be near the water-side. It is a mighty burrower, driving its +tunnels to great distances. Sometimes it manages to burrow into a +kitchen-garden, and feeds quite impartially on the different crops. It +has even been seen to venture to a considerable distance from water, +crossing a large field, making its way into a garden, and carrying off +several pods of the French bean. + +In the winter time, when other food fails, the water-vole, like the hare +and rabbit, will eat turnips, mangold-wurzel, the bark of young trees, +and similar food. Its natural food, however, is to be found among the +various aquatic plants, as I have often seen, and the harm which it does +to the crops is so infinitesimally small when compared with the area of +cultivated ground, that it is not worthy of notice. + +Still, although the harm which it does to civilised man in the aggregate +is but small, even its most friendly advocate cannot deny that there are +cases where it has been extremely troublesome to the individual +cultivator, especially if he be an amateur. + +There are many hard men of business, who are obliged to spend the +greater part of the day in their London offices, and who find their best +relaxation in amateur gardening; those who grow vegetables, regarding +their peas, beans, potatoes, and celery with as much affection as is +felt by floriculturists for their roses or tulips. + +Nothing is more annoying to such men than to find, when the toils of +business are over, and they have settled themselves comfortably into +their gardening suits, that some marauder has carried off the very +vegetables on which they had prided themselves. + +The water-vole has been detected in the act of climbing up a ladder +which had been left standing against a plum tree, and attacking the +fruit. Bunches of grapes on outdoor vines are sometimes nipped off the +branches by the teeth of the water-vole, and the animal has been seen to +climb beans and peas, split the pods, and devour the contents. + +Although not a hibernating animal, it lays up a store of food in the +autumn. Mr. Groom Napier has the following description of the contents +of a water-rat's storehouse:-- + +"Early in the spring of 1855, I dug out the burrow of a water-vole, and +was surprised to find at the further extremity a cavity of about a foot +in diameter, containing a quantity of fragments of carrots and potatoes, +sufficient to fill a peck measure. This was undoubtedly a part of its +winter store of provisions. This food had been gathered from a large +potato and carrot bed in the vicinity. + +"On pointing out my discovery to the owner of the garden, he said that +his losses had been very serious that winter owing to the ravages of +these animals, and said that he had brought both dogs and cats down to +the stream to hunt for them; but they were too wary to be often caught." + +I do not think that the owner of the garden knew very much about the +characters either of the cat or water-vole. + +Every one who is practically acquainted with cats knows that it is next +to impossible to point out an object to a cat as we can to a dog. She +looks at your finger, but can never direct her gaze to the object at +which you are pointing. In fact, I believe that pussy's eyes are not +made for detecting objects at a distance. + +If we throw a piece of biscuit to a dog, and he does not see where it +has fallen, we can direct him by means of voice and finger. But, if a +piece of meat should fall only a foot or two from a cat, all the +pointing in the world will not enable her to discover it, and it is +necessary to pick her up and put her nose close to the meat before she +can find it. + +So, even, if a water-vole should be seen by the master, the attention of +the cat could not be directed to it, her instinct teaching her to take +prey in quite a different manner. + +The dogs, supposing that they happened to be of the right breed, would +have a better chance of securing the robber, providing that they +intercepted its retreat to the water. But if the water-vole should +succeed in gaining its burrow, or in plunging into the stream, I doubt +whether any dog would be able to catch it. + +Moreover, the water-vole is so clever in tunnelling, that when it drives +its burrows into cultivated ground, it almost invariably conceals the +entrance under a heap of stones, a wood pile, or some similar object. + +How it is enabled to direct the course of its burrow we cannot even +conjecture, except by attributing the faculty to that "most excellent +gift" which we call by the convenient name of "instinct." + +Man has no such power, but when he wishes to drive a tunnel in any given +direction he is obliged to avail himself of levels, compasses, +plumb-lines, and all the paraphernalia of the engineer. Yet, with +nothing to direct it except instinct, the water-vole can, though working +in darkness, drive its burrow in any direction and emerge from the +ground exactly at the spot which it has selected. + +The mole can do the same, and by means equally mysterious. + +I may casually mention that the water-vole is one of the aquatic animals +which, when zoological knowledge was not so universal as it is at the +present day, were reckoned as fish, and might be eaten on fast days. I +believe that in some parts of France this idea still prevails. + +With all its wariness, the water-vole is a strangely nervous creature, +being for a time almost paralysed by a sudden shock. This trait of +character I discovered quite unexpectedly. + +Many, many years ago, when I was a young lad, and consequently of a +destructive nature, I possessed a pistol, of which I was rather proud. +It certainly was an excellent weapon, and I thought myself tolerably +certain of hitting a small apple at twelve yards distance. + +One day, while walking along the bank of the Cherwell River, I saw a +water-vole on the opposite bank. The animal was sitting on a small stump +close to the water's edge. Having, of course, the pistol with me, and +wanting to dissect a water-vole, I proceeded to aim at the animal. This +was not so easy as it looked. A water-vole crouching upon a stump +presents no point at which to aim, the brown fur of the animal and the +brown surface of the old weather-beaten stump seeming to form a single +object without any distinct outline; moreover, it is very difficult to +calculate distances over water. However, I fired, and missed. + +I naturally expected the animal to plunge into the river and escape. To +my astonishment, it remained in the same position. Finding that it did +not stir, I reloaded, and again fired and missed. Four times did I fire +at that water-vole, and after the last shot the animal slowly crawled +off the stump, slid into the river, and made off. + +Now in those days revolvers and breech-loaders did not exist, so that +the process of loading a pistol with ball was rather a long and +complicated one. + +First, the powder had to be carefully measured from the flask; then a +circular patch of greased linen had to be laid on the muzzle of the +weapon, and a ball laid on it and hammered into the barrel with a leaden +or wooden mallet; then it had to be driven into its place with a ramrod +(often requiring the aid of the mallet), and, lastly, there was a new +cap to be fitted. Yet although so much time was occupied between the +shots, the animal remained as motionless as a stuffed figure. + +When I crossed the river and examined the stump I found all the four +bullets close together just below the spot on which the animal had been +sitting, and neither of them two inches from its body. Although the +balls had missed the water-vole, they must have sharply jarred the +stump. + +I was afterwards informed that this semi-paralysis from sudden fear is a +known characteristic of the animal. It seems to be shared by others of +the same genus, as will be seen when we come to treat of the field mice. + +In its mode of eating it much resembles the squirrels, sitting on its +haunches and holding the food in its forepaws, as if they were hands. I +am not aware that it even eats worms or insects, and it may be +absolutely acquitted from any imputation of doing harm to any of the +fish tribe. + +(_To be continued._) + + + + +"SHE COULDN'T BOIL A POTATO;" + +OR, + +THE IGNORANT HOUSEKEEPER, AND HOW SHE ACQUIRED KNOWLEDGE. + +BY DORA HOPE. + + +"The late Miss Ella!" + +"When are you going to turn over that new leaf you spoke of, my +daughter?" + +"There's a little coffee left, but the bacon is quite cold." + +These were the exclamations that greeted a tall bright girl, as she +entered the breakfast room one morning. + +"I am very sorry, papa. I really meant to be down in time, but I suppose +I must have gone to sleep again after I was called." And being really +vexed with herself for having so soon broken her good resolutions, +formed for the hundredth time the day before, Ella Hastings accepted the +cold bacon meekly, and even turned a deaf ear to the withering sarcasms +of her two schoolboy brothers, who were leisurely strapping together +their books, and delaying their departure till the last moment. + +"There is the postman coming up the garden; run and get the letters, +Hughie." + +A solemn-looking boy of six years old climbed down from his chair, in +obedience to his father's request, and soon came back with a handful of +letters, and settled himself patiently by his father's side to wait for +the empty envelopes, which formed his share of the morning's +correspondence. + +An exclamation of surprise from Mr. Hastings caused his wife to look up +inquiringly from the letter she had just opened, and he handed her +silently a telegram which had been forwarded, with other papers, from +his office, where it had evidently been delivered late the previous +evening. Kate, the eldest daughter, leaning over her mother's shoulder, +read aloud the short notice:-- + +"Mrs. Wilson dangerously ill; letter follows." + +Mrs. Wilson was Mr. Hastings' only remaining sister. His mother had died +when he was almost an infant, and this "sister Mary" had slipped into +her place as mother, teacher--everything, to her little brothers and +sisters; never leaving them, till the father having died also, and her +young charges being all old enough to settle in life for themselves, she +had rewarded the faithful waiting of her old lover, and they had settled +down together in a quiet village a few miles from the noisy town where +his business lay. Her happy married life lasted but a short time, +however, and for the many years since her husband's death she had +preferred to live entirely alone with her two maids and a strange medley +of pet animals--finding employment and interest for her declining years +in her books and her garden. + +From being so long alone she had grown eccentric in her ways, and very +odd and decided in her views; but she kept a warm corner in her heart +for her favourite brother and his children, who heartily returned their +aunt's affection, though they stood a good deal in awe of her keen +penetrating gaze and sarcastic criticisms. + +She had always prided herself on her good constitution, and despised +doctors and dentists as people who pandered to the fads and fancies of a +degenerate generation--a generation who, according to her creed, +weakened their backs and ruined their health by lounging on sofas and +easy chairs, while, for her part, though seventy years of age, she was +thankful to say a straight-backed chair was good enough for her. It may +be imagined that for this self-reliant, vigorous Aunt Mary to be taken +seriously ill, so ill as to have to summon help, was a great shock, and +Mr. Hastings decided at once that he must go to see his sister, and that +one of his daughters should accompany him; but the telegram was so +short, and gave so little information, that nothing further could be +arranged till the noonday post arrived, which always brought the letters +from Hapsleigh. + +The morning seemed endless, but noon came at last, and with it the +promised letter, which was eagerly opened and read. It was from Mrs. +Mobberly, a near neighbour of Mrs. Wilson's. She described the sudden +illness, and all that had been done for the sufferer. "The doctor says +that for a day or two he cannot tell what the result may be, though we +may hope for the best. He has sent in a thoroughly trustworthy trained +nurse, but he agrees with me that it would be a good thing if one of +your daughters could come to take charge of the household, for even if +all goes as well as possible it will be a long and tedious recovery, and +the invalid must be kept perfectly quiet and free from all worry." + +"Well, girls," said Mr. Hastings, as he finished reading the letter, +"you must decide between yourselves which of you will go. As there seems +no immediate danger, we need not leave till to-morrow morning, so you +will have a little time for preparation; but however great a sacrifice +it is for you to go, and for us to part with you, there is no question +about it. Aunt Mary must not be left alone till she is quite herself +again, so I will telegraph to Mrs. Mobberly that one of you will go with +me by the first train to-morrow." + +There was no room for disputing the point when Mr. Hastings spoke in +that decided tone; moreover, the girls themselves would have said just +the same--that someone must go; but the question was, "who?" + +"Kate, it must be you," said Ella, eagerly. "I do not know anything +about nursing or housekeeping, or anything of that sort, and you know I +always say and do the wrong thing." + +Mrs. Hastings looked anxious and perplexed. "I really do not know what +to do for the best," she said. "I do not see how I can spare you, Kate; +for if I have one of my bad attacks I must have you at hand; and you +see, Ella, you would have everything to learn here just as much as at +Hapsleigh, and I think you would find teaching the children very hard +work." + +Kate, the eldest daughter, was her mother's unfailing assistant, and +almost entirely relieved her of the care of the three little ones; +indeed, during Mrs. Hastings's frequent attacks of asthma, Kate was both +ready and able to take entire charge of the household, and she felt +that to leave her mother with only Ella's help would be throwing more +care upon her than her delicate health could bear. She spoke decidedly, +therefore; and, after a little more discussion, it was agreed that Ella +should accompany her father, prepared to stay as long as she might be +required. + +The rest of the day was fully occupied with packing and making +arrangements. Ella was rather apt to let her clothing take care of +itself, and, in a sudden emergency such as this, had to borrow right and +left. Indeed, Mrs. Hastings and Kate were both kept busy all the +afternoon looking over and supplying the deficiencies in her outfit. + +"That dressing-gown will not do at all, Ella. It is most important to +have a thoroughly warm one when you have to sit up at night. Yours is +very pretty, but blue cashmere and lace are not suitable for a sick room +in cold weather. You will have to borrow Kate's thick flannel gown. You +should have my quilted silk one, but in such a great thickness of +material one's arms do not feel quite free to help an invalid, or shake +up a bed." + +"Here it is, Ella," rejoined Kate; "and I have brought you my thick +bedroom slippers, too. They are not so elegant as your Turkish ones, but +they are much warmer. Be sure you keep them by the side of your bed, so +that you can slip them on directly if you are called up suddenly. You +know you take cold so easily, and it would be so awkward if you had one +of your bad throats at Hapsleigh." + +Mrs. Hastings felt very anxious about her daughter, called upon so +suddenly to take up such important and unexpected duties, and gave her a +great deal of loving counsel. + +"You will have to manage to get up earlier, dear child," she said. "You +know Aunt Mary's servants are always rather inclined to go their own +way, and they may perhaps try to take advantage of her illness to keep +irregular hours and slight their work; and you must remember that you +will be responsible for good order in the house, and that is impossible +unless all the household are regular and punctual in beginning their +day's work at the proper time. I will let you have my little clock, and +you can set the alarum at whatever time you wish to get up." + +"Yes; I really am going to turn over a new leaf about that; but you +know, mother, I shall feel more obliged to get up now when I am +responsible for things going right. Oh, dear! what a dreadful thought! I +am sure I shall never manage. Why, I can't cook, and I can't keep +accounts, and I have no idea how many pounds of meat people want for +dinner. I shall order a tin of Australian meat, and just have it at +every meal till it is finished, and then get another." + +"I am afraid the servants will soon give you notice if you do, Ella," +said Mrs. Hastings, laughing at her daughter's ideas of housekeeping. +"You will soon get accustomed to the size of joints and puddings, if you +get into the habit of noticing them, remembering how long they last. But +there are two other pieces of advice which I want you to remember and to +act upon. If your father decides that it is necessary for you to stay +and act as mistress, he will tell the servants so; but you must assert +yourself as mistress at once, and take everything into your own hands. +You will find it rather difficult at first, but it will save you a great +deal of trouble in the end. I have seen endless discomfort caused by +young and timid housekeepers not liking to take the reins into their own +hands. But, at the same time, be very careful never to interfere or +complain, unless you are quite sure that it is necessary, and that you +are in the right. If you are in any doubt you can always consult Mrs. +Mobberly; and you must make allowances for the fact that the servants +have always been allowed to do pretty much what they liked, and will +naturally expect to continue doing so; therefore do not complain unless +you have unmistakable grounds for it, and never, under any +circumstances, speak hastily or angrily. If you are put out, wait till +your vexation has cooled down a little; and then, if you are quite sure +you are in the right, speak quietly and kindly, but so decidedly that +there may be no mistake about your intention of being obeyed." + +"Oh, dear!" groaned Ella, who was almost reduced to tears at the +prospect of such serious responsibility. "I am sure I shall come home +ignominiously in a week. I know just how it will be. Just think of Aunt +Mary's scorn when she finds I don't even know how to boil a potato!" + +There was no time for lamentations, however, and her mother and Kate +both comforted her with the assurance that at any rate no one would +blame her if she did her best, and they would expect a few mistakes from +a girl only just home from school. + +The next morning, at any rate, Ella was punctual, and at eight o'clock +they all sat down to breakfast. + +"I made tea for you, Ella," said Mrs. Hastings. "I thought it would be +better for you before such a long journey. Coffee sometimes disagrees +with people who are not very good travellers. And I advise you not to +take bacon; it so often makes one thirsty. Here is potted meat; that +would be better for you." + +Ella felt in very low spirits, and her mother's and Kate's affectionate +kindness only brought the despised tears into her eyes. She could hardly +touch her breakfast, and was relieved when Kate left the table, and +began to look after the small articles of luggage. + +"Robin, did you strap up the rugs? Oh, what an untidy bundle!" and the +methodical Kate unfastened the straps and rearranged the contents. First +the large rug was folded lengthwise till it was just as wide as the +length of the bundle should be when finished. Then came Ella's shawl, an +awkward one for a neat roll, as it had long fringe; but Kate turned in +the fringe all round first, and then folded the shawl itself till it was +just a little narrower than the rug; the ulster was carefully folded +also to the same size, and both were laid on one end of the rug. +Finally, Ella's umbrella and sunshade were laid across the pile of +wraps, and all were rolled round carefully, so that none of the articles +inside protruded, and the rug, being longer than the others, hid all the +ends, and, when strapped round just tightly enough to hold all together +comfortably without unnecessary squeezing, it made such a neat-looking +roll as compelled even Robin's admiration. Ella's travelling-cap had +been inside the bundle before, but Kate took it out and advised her to +carry it in her hand-bag, as being easily accessible if she did not wish +to undo the strap. + +All was ready at last, the rugs, the hand-bag, and the tin trunk, to +which at the last moment Kate came running to tie a piece of red braid, +by which to distinguish it, making Ella and the boys laugh at what they +called her "incurable old-maidishness." + +"Never mind," she replied, nodding sagely, "you will thank me when you +have to hunt for your box amongst twenty others exactly like it." + +Kate had suggested going to the station to see them off, but her father +objected. + +"We shall get on better alone," he argued. "We settle ourselves +comfortably in our corners at once, unroll our rugs, and make everything +ready before we start, instead of having to make spasmodic efforts to +think of last remarks and messages. Of course, if Ella were going alone +I should go to see her off, but as it is I would rather not have anyone +with us." + +Mrs. Hastings thought this a rather hard-hearted way of looking at the +matter; but as Ella quite agreed with her father, feeling convinced she +could not be able to keep from crying if the farewells were too long +protracted, there was nothing for it but to yield, and as soon as the +cab came to the door the parting was hurried through, and, almost before +she had time to realise that she was really going, Ella found herself +halfway to the station. + +The railway journey was a long and troublesome one, involving several +changes. Before midday Ella had recovered her spirits and her appetite, +and acted on Kate's advice. "Do not wait for father to suggest lunch," +she had said; "you may be sure he will not begin to feel hungry till you +are quite ravenous." Remembering this, Ella laughed to herself at Mr. +Hastings's surprise when she suggested that she was ready for her lunch, +and proceeded to unpack her stores. + +"This is the first course, I suppose," she said, as she produced two +neat white-paper packages, each with the name of the contents written on +it. "This one contains potted meat sandwiches, and these are chicken. +They look very nice, too. These sprigs of watercress between the +sandwiches are a great improvement." + +"Yes, I must confess they are very good ones," assented Mr. Hastings, +after trying one of each kind. "I think someone must have been giving +the cook a lecture on the art of cutting them. Home-made sandwiches have +generally too much butter, so that they are too rich to eat, and the +paper they are wrapped in is greasy and disagreeable; but these have +just the right quantity, and they are made with suitable bread--not, as +I have often had them, of spongy bread, full of holes, through which the +butter and meat oozes on to one's fingers." + +In addition to these there were, for Ella's benefit, a few sandwiches +made with damson jam, from which the stones had been extracted. The next +course consisted of some small cakes and a few ripe pears. By way of +beverage, Mrs. Hastings had supplied Ella with a flask of cold tea, made +weak, and with a squeeze of lemon in it, which she had always found the +best possible drink for quenching thirst; when travelling herself she +always took either this or lime-juice and water. Finally, knowing that +Ella had a good appetite, and would probably get very hungry before +reaching her journey's end, her mother had told the cook to fill a small +jam pot with lemon jelly, and to provide a teaspoon to eat it with. Ella +found this most refreshing, and her lunch altogether was very +satisfactory; certainly the supply was rather too bountiful, but that +fact did not trouble her much, for she soon noticed a poor, +hungry-looking boy on one of the stations, who thankfully accepted all +that was left. + +In spite of the length of the journey, Ella quite enjoyed the day; her +father was so kind and took such good care of her. He insisted on her +getting out of the carriage and walking up and down the platform +whenever the train stopped long enough, that she might not be tired of +sitting still; and when it began to get dark he made her put her feet up +on the seat and tucked her up with the rug, and made her so comfortable +that, to her own great surprise, she went fast asleep, and only awoke as +her father was collecting their books and wraps on nearing their +destination. + +(_To be continued._) + + + + +MERLE'S CRUSADE. + +BY ROSA NOUCHETTE CAREY, Author of "Aunt Diana," "For Lilias," etc. + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE NEW NURSE. + +In looking back on those days, I simply wonder at my own audacity. Am I +really and truly the same Merle Fenton who rang at the bell at Prince's +Gate and informed the astonished footman that I was the person applying +for the nurse's situation? I recall that scene now with a laugh, but I +frankly own that that moment was not the pleasantest in my life. True, +it had its ludicrous side; but how is one to enjoy the humour of an +amusing situation alone? and, to tell the truth, the six foot of plush +and powder before me was somewhat alarming to my female timidity. I hear +now the man's startled "I beg your pardon, ma'am." + +"I have come by appointment," I returned, with as much dignity as I +could summon under the trying circumstances; "will you inform your +mistress, Mrs. Morton, that I have come about the nurse's situation?" + +Of course, he was looking at me from head to foot. In spite of the +disguising plainness of my dress, I suppose the word gentlewoman was +clearly stamped upon me. Heaven forbid that under any circumstances +that brand, sole heritage of my dead parents, should ever be effaced. +Then he opened the door of a charming little waiting-room, and civilly +enough bade me seat myself, and for some minutes I was left alone. I +think nearly a quarter of an hour elapsed before he reappeared with the +message that his mistress was now disengaged and would see me. I +followed the man as closely as I could through the long hall and up the +wide staircase; not for worlds would I have owned that a certain +shortness of breath, unusual in youth, seemed to impede me. At the top, +I found myself in a handsome corridor, communicating with two +drawing-rooms of noble dimensions, as they call them in advertisements, +and certainly it was a princely apartment that I entered. A lady was +writing busily at a small table at the further end of the room. As the +man spoke to her, she did not at once raise her head or turn round; she +was evidently finishing a note. A minute later she laid aside her pen +and came towards me. + +"I am sorry that I could not attend to you at once, and yet you were +very punctual," she began, in a pleasant, well-modulated voice, and then +she stopped and regarded me with unfeigned surprise. + +She was a very lovely young woman, with an indescribable matronly air +about her that spoke of the mother. She would have been really quite +beautiful but for a certain worn look, often seen in women of fashion; +and when she spoke there was a sweetness and simplicity of manner that +was most winning. + +"Pardon me," with a shade of perplexity in her eyes, "but I suppose my +servant was right in stating that you had come by appointment in answer +to my advertisement?" + +"Yes, madam," I returned, readily; for her slight nervousness put me at +my ease. "I have your letter here." + +"And you are really applying for the nurse's situation--the upper nurse, +I mean; for, of course, there is an under nurse kept. I hope" (colouring +a little) "that you will not think me rude if I say that I was not +prepared for the sort of person I was to see." + +I could have groaned as I thought of my note. Was it possible that I had +spelt "advertisement" wrongly, and yet I had the paper before me; my +handwriting was neat and legible, but evidently Mrs. Morton was drawing +some comparison between my letter and appearance, and I did not doubt +that the former had not prepossessed her in my favour. + +I became confused in my turn. + +"I hope to prove to you," I began, in a very small voice, "that I am a +fit person to apply for your situation. I am very fond of children; I +never lose my patience with them as other people do, or think anything a +trouble; I wish to take up this work from love as well as necessity--I +mean," correcting myself, for she looked still more astonished, "that +though I am obliged to work for my living, I would rather be a nurse +than anything else." + +"Will you answer a few questions?" and, as though by an afterthought, +"will you sit down?" for she had been standing to keep me company out of +deference to my superior appearance. + +"I will answer any question you like to put to me, madam." + +"You have never been in service you tell me in your letter. Have you +ever filled any kind of situation?" + +I shook my head. + +"You are quite young I should say?" + +"Two and twenty last Christmas." + +"I should hardly have thought you so old. Will you oblige me with your +name?" + +"Merle Fenton." + +A half smile crossed her beautiful mouth. It was evident that she found +the name somewhat incongruous, and then she continued a little hastily, +"If you have never filled any sort of situation, it will be somewhat +difficult to judge of your capacity. Of course you have good references; +can you tell me a little about yourself and your circumstances?" + +I was fast losing my nervousness by this time. In a few minutes I had +given her a concise account of myself and my belongings. Once or twice +she interrupted me by a question, such as, for example, when I spoke of +Aunt Agatha, she asked the names of the families where she had lived as +a governess; and once she looked a little surprised at my answer. + +"I knew the Curzons before I was married," she observed, quietly; "they +have often talked to me of their old governess, Miss Fenton; her name is +Keith now, you say; she was a great favourite with her pupils. Well, is +it not a pity that you should not follow your aunt's example? If you are +not clever, would not the situation of a nursery governess be more +fitting for you? Forgive me; I am only speaking for your good; one feels +a little uncomfortable at seeing a gentlewoman desert the ranks to which +she belongs." + +My face was burning by this time; of course it must all come out--that +miserable defect of mine, and everything else; but raising my eyes at +that moment I saw such a kind look on Mrs. Morton's face, such quietly +expressed sympathy for my very evident confusion, that in a moment my +reserve broke down. I do not know what I said, but I believe I must have +been very eloquent. I could hear her say to herself, "How very +strange--what a misfortune!" when I frankly mentioned my inability to +spell, but I did not linger long on this point. + +Warmed by her strong interest, I detailed boldly what I called my +theory. I told her of my love for little children, my longing to work +amongst them, how deeply I felt that this would indeed be a +gentlewoman's work, that I did not fear my want of experience. I told +her that once I had stayed for some weeks at the house of one of my +schoolfellows, and that every night and morning I had gone up to the +nursery to help the nurse wash and dress the babies, and that at the end +of a week I had learned to do it as well as the woman herself, and that +she had told my schoolfellow that she had never seen any young lady so +handy and patient with children, and that they were happier with me than +with their own sister. + +"The second child had the croup one night," I continued; "the mother was +away, and nurse was too frightened to be of any use. When the doctor +came he praised her very much for her prompt remedies; he said they had +probably saved the boy's life, as the attack was a severe one. Nurse +cried when he said that, and owned it was not she who had thought of +everything, but Miss Fenton. I tell you this," I continued, "that you +may understand that I am reliable. I was only nineteen then, and now I +am two and twenty." + +She looked at me again in a gentle, scrutinising way; I could feel that +I was making way in her good opinion. Her curiosity was piqued; her +interest strongly excited. She made no attempt to check me as I launched +out into further defence of my theory, but she only smiled and said, +"Very true, I agree with you there," as I spoke of the advantage of +having an educated person to superintend the nursery. Indeed, I found +myself retailing all my pet arguments in a perfectly fearless way, until +I looked up and saw there were tears in her beautiful brown eyes. + +"How well you talk," she said, with a sort of sigh. "You have thought it +all out, I can see. I wonder what my husband would say. He is a member +of Parliament, you know, and we are very busy people, and society has +such claims on us that I cannot be much with my children. I have only +two; Joyce is three years old, and my boy is nearly eighteen months. Oh, +he is so lovely, and to think I can only see him for a few minutes at a +time, that I lose all his pretty ways; it is such a trouble to me. His +nurse is leaving to be married, and I am so anxious to find someone who +will watch over my darlings and make them happy." + +She paused, as the sound of approaching footsteps were audible in the +corridor, and rose hastily as an impatient, "Violet, where are you, my +dear?" was distinctly audible. + +"That is Mr. Morton; will you excuse me a moment?" And the next moment I +could hear her say, "I was in the blue drawing-room, Alick. I have sent +off the letters, and now I want to speak to you a moment," and her voice +died away as they moved farther down the corridor. + +I felt a keen anxiety as to the result of that conversation. I was very +impulsive by nature, and I had fallen in love with Mrs. Morton. The worn +look on the beautiful young face had touched me somehow. One of my queer +visionary ideas came over me as I recalled her expression. I thought +that if I were an artist, and that my subject was the "Massacre of the +Innocents," that the mother's face in the foreground should be Mrs. +Morton's. "Rachel Weeping for her Children;" something of the pathetic +maternal agony, as for a lost babe, had seemed to cross her face as she +spoke of her little ones. I found out afterwards that, though she wore +no mourning, Mrs. Morton had lost a beautiful infant about four months +ago. It had not been more than six weeks old, but the mother's heart was +still bleeding. Many months afterwards she told me that she often +dreamed of her little Muriel--she had only been baptised the day before +her death--and woke trying to stifle her sobs that she might not disturb +her husband. I sat cogitating this imaginary picture of mine, and +shuddering over the sanguinary details, until Mrs. Morton returned, and, +to my embarrassment, her husband was with her. + +I gave him a frightened glance as he crossed the room with rapid +footsteps. He was a quiet-looking man, with a dark moustache, some years +older than his wife. His being slightly bald added somewhat to his +appearance of age. In reality he was not more than five and thirty. I +thought him a little cool and critical in manner, but his voice was +pleasant. He looked at me keenly as he spoke; it was my opinion at that +moment that not an article of my dress escaped his observation. I had +selected purposely a pair of mended gloves, and I am convinced the +finger ends were at once under his inspection. He was a man who thought +no details beneath him, but would bring his masculine intellect even to +the point of discovering the fitness of his children's nurse. + +"Mrs. Morton tells me that you have applied for the situation of upper +nurse," he began, not abruptly, but in the quick tones of a busy man who +has scant leisure. "I have heard all you have told her; she seems +desirous of testing your abilities, but I must warn you that I distrust +theories myself. My dear," turning to his wife, "I must say that this +young person looks hardly old enough for the position, and you own she +has no real experience. Would not a more elderly person be more +suitable, considering that you are so seldom in your nursery? Of course, +this is your department, but since you ask my advice----" with a little +shrug that seemed to dismiss me and the whole subject. + +A wistful, disappointed look came over his wife's face. I was too great +a stranger to understand the real position of affairs, only my intuition +guided me at that moment. It was not until much later that I found out +that Mrs. Morton never disputed her husband's will, even in trifles; +that he ordered the plan of her life as well as his own; that her +passionate love for her children was restrained in order that her wifely +and social duties should be carried out; that she was so perfectly +obedient to him, not from fear, but from an excess of womanly devotion, +that she seldom even contested an opinion. My fate was very nearly +sealed at that moment, but a hasty impulse prompted me to speak. Looking +Mr. Morton full in the face, I said, a little piteously, "Do not dismiss +me because of my youth, for that is a fault that time will mend. Want of +experience is a greater obstacle, but it will only make me more careful +to observe every direction and carry out every wish. If you consent to +try me, I am sure neither you nor Mrs. Morton will repent it." + +He looked at me very keenly again as I spoke; indeed, his eyes seemed to +search me through and through, and then his whole manner changed. + +I have been told that Nature had been kind to me in one respect by +endowing me with a pleasant voice. I believe that I was freer from +vanity than most girls of my age, but I was glad in my inmost heart to +know that no tone of mine would ever jar upon a human ear, but I was +more than glad now when I saw Mr. Morton's grave face relax. + +"You speak confidently," he returned. "You seem to have a strange faith +in your own theory, and plenty of self-reliance, but I am afraid that, +like most young people, you have only regarded it from one point of +view. Are you aware of the unpleasantness of such a situation? If you +came to us you might have nothing of which to complain from Mrs. Morton +or myself, but we could not answer for the rest of my household; the +servants would regard you as a sort of hybrid, belonging to no special +sphere; they might show you scant respect, and manifest a great deal of +jealousy." + +"I have faced all that," I returned, with a smile, "but I think the +difficulties would be like Bunyan's lions--they were chained, you know. +I do not believe these sort of things would hurt me. I should never be +away from the children in the nursery; I should be unmolested and at +home." + +"Alick!" I could hear a whole petition breathed into that softly uttered +word. Mr. Morton heard it too, for he turned at once and then looked at +his wife. + +"Do you really wish to try this young person, Violet, my dear? It is for +you to decide; this is your province, as I said before." + +"If she will love our children and watch over them in our absence," she +whispered, but I caught the words. Then aloud, "Yes, thank you, Alick, I +should like to try her. I think she would make Joyce happy. I can go and +see Mrs. Keith this afternoon when I am out driving, and perhaps I could +arrange for her to come soon." + +"Very well," he returned, briefly, but he spoke in the old dry manner, +as though he were not quite pleased. "When you are disengaged will you +join me in the library? I have some more letters I want copied." + +"I will be ready soon," she said, with a sweet grateful glance at him, +as though she had received some unexpected bounty at his hands, and as +he wished me good morning, and left the room, she continued, eagerly, +"Will you come with me now and make acquaintance with the children. I +have seen them already this morning, so they will not expect me, and it +will be such a surprise. My little girl is always with me while I dress. +I have so little time to devote to them; but I snatch every moment." + +She sighed as she spoke, and I began to understand, in a dim, groping +sort of way, that fate is not so unequal after all, that even this +beautiful creature had unsatisfied wants in her life, that it was +possible that wealth and position were to her only tiresome barriers +dividing her from her little ones. Her sweetest pleasures only came to +her by snatches. Most likely she envied humble mothers, and did not pity +them because their arms ached with carrying a heavy infant, aching limbs +being more bearable than an aching heart. + +A flight of broad, handsomely-carpeted stairs brought us to a long +shut-in corridor, fitted up prettily with plants and statuettes. A +rocking-horse stood in one corner; the nursery door was open. It was a +long, cheerful room, with three windows, looking over the public garden, +and fitted up with a degree of comfort that bordered on luxury. Some +canaries were singing in a green cage, a grey Persian kitten was curled +up in the doll's bassinette, a little girl was kneeling on the cushioned +window-seat, peeping between the bars at some children who were playing +below. As Mrs. Morton said, softly, "Joyce, darling," she turned round +with quite a startled air, and then clambered down hastily and ran to +her mother. + +"Why, it is my mother," in quite an incredulous voice, and then she +caught hold of her mother's gown, and peeped at me from between the +folds. + +She was a pretty, demure-looking child, only somewhat thin and fragile +in appearance, not in the least like her mother, but I could trace +instantly the strongest resemblance to her father. She had the straight, +uncurling hair like his, and her dark eyes were a little sunken under +the finely-arched brows. It was rather a bewitching little face, only +too thin and sallow for health, and with an intelligent expression, +almost amounting to precocity. + +"And where is your brother, my darling?" asked her mother, stooping to +kiss her, and at this moment a pleasant-looking young woman came from +the inner room with a small, curly-haired boy in her arms. + +As she set him down on the floor, and he came toddling over the carpet, +I forgot Mrs. Morton's presence, and knelt down and held out my arms to +him. "Oh, you beauty!" I exclaimed, in a coaxing voice, "will you come +to me?" for I quite forgot myself at the sight of the perfect baby +features. + +Baby pointed a small finger at me, "O' ook, gurgle-da," he said, in the +friendliest way; and I sealed our compact with many kisses. + +"Dear me, ma'am," observed nurse, eyeing me in a dubious manner, for +probably the news of my advent had preceded me to the upper regions, +"this is very singular; I never saw Master Baby take such a fancy to +anyone before; he always beats them off with his dear little hand." + +"Gurgle-da, ook ook," was baby's unexpected response to this, as he +burst into a shout of laughter, and he made signs for me to carry him to +the canaries. + +I do not know what Mrs. Morton said to nurse, but she came up after a +minute or two and watched us, smiling. + +"He does seem very friendly; more so than my shy pet here," for Joyce +was still holding her mother's gown. + +"She will be friends with me too," I returned, confidently; "children +are so easily won." And then, as Mrs. Morton held out her arms for her +boy, I parted with him reluctantly. + +There was no need for me to stay any longer then. Mrs. Morton reiterated +her intention of calling on Aunt Agatha that afternoon, after which she +promised to speak to me again, and feeling that things were in a fair +way of being settled according to my wishes, I left the house with a +lighter heart than I had entered it. + +(_To be continued._) + +[Illustration] + + + + +AMONG THE HOLLYHOCKS. + +BY CLARA THWAITES. + + + Sing among the hollyhocks, + "Summer, fare thee well!" + Ring the drooping blossoms + For a passing bell. + + Droop the sunflowers, heavy discs + Totter to their fall. + Up the valley creep the mists + For a funeral pall. + + Lingering roses woefully + In the cold expire. + Heap the dead and dying + For a funeral pyre. + + While the gale is sighing, + While the wind makes moan, + Sigh among the hollyhocks + Of the summer flown. + +[Illustration: + "SIGH AMONG THE HOLLYHOCKS + OF THE SUMMER FLOWN."] + + + + +NOTICES OF NEW MUSIC. + +[Illustration] + + +STANLEY LUCAS AND CO. + +_O, hur vidgas ej ditt broest. Liebe, liebe._ Two Lieder. By Maude V. +White.--The first, from the Swedish, has also an English set of words; +the setting of the second is in German only, being a translation into +that language from the Hungarian.--There is a dreamy charm pervading +both of these little ballads, which will be best appreciated by truly +musical and well-educated singers. + +_Two Locks of Hair._ Song to Longfellow's poetry. By Sabine E. +Barwell.--Very simple. The music is dedicated to Charles Santley, our +great baritone singer. + +_Alone with thee._ Song by Gilbert R. Betjemann. Compass E to F +sharp.--An ambitious song, full of striking modulations and really +dramatic effects. The accompaniments are charming. + +_Ivy Green._ A good song for basses or baritones. The words by Charles +Dickens, the music by Arthur C. Stericker.--Plenty of go about it, and +quite the song for strong, manly voices. + +_Wandering Wishes._ Poetry by Lady Charlotte Elliot (from "Medusa" and +other poems). Music by Robert B. Addison.--A very poetical setting of a +very fanciful poem. + +_Our Darling._ Ballad by Robert Reece, with music by Berthold +Tours.--This justly favourite composer has written the simplest, most +touching, and melodious music to a very touching and sad story. It is a +compliment to this ballad to recommend it to all who wish for a good +cry. It has this advantage over the maudlin griefs of the discontented +folk to whom we have called attention in previous notices, that the poor +bereaved parents who miss their little darling from the chair in which +he used to listen to their fairy stories and tales of distant lands over +the sea, are content to regard him as at rest in the heavenly country, +and in the angels' care. After all, if you do get the song, your tears +will be happy ones. + + +EDWIN ASHDOWN. + +_Inez._ _Zamora._ Two Spanish dances for the pianoforte by Michael +Watson.--The first is a Habanera, and is redolent of _Carmen_ and +Spanish want of energy. It is more characteristic than the second, +although that is a very good reproduction of the typical peasant dance +of all districts of the Peninsula. + +_Daphne._ Valse brillante. _Celadon._ Gavotte. Two drawing-room pieces +of more than ordinary merit by J. H. Wallis.--Fairly easy to learn, and +effective when learnt. + +_May-Dew._ By Sir Sterndale Bennett; transcribed for the pianoforte by +Jules Brissac.--We complained a few months back of someone having +converted this lovely song into a part-song; we can only say of the +present transformation, that when the voice part is at work all goes +fairly well, and from a piano point of view represents the original; but +the two bars of symphony before the first and second verses of the song +are stripped of all their original life, and a very mangled substitute +is offered. + + +LONDON MUSIC PUBLISHING CO. + +_The Broken Strings of a Mandoline._ Words and music by Edith Frances +Prideaux.--The story of a little Italian street-player. The compass is +for sopranos; the melody is simple and not very original. + +_Sketches in Dance Rhythms._ 1. Waltz; 2. Minuet; 3. Tarantella. By +Erskine Allon.--We have before alluded to these sketches, of which Mr. +Allon has composed such excellent examples. We prefer No. 1 of the +present series, but do not consider these to be equal to former numbers. + + +WEEKES AND CO. + +_Abendlied._ _Im Rosenbusch._ Two songs by J. H. le Breton Girdlestone; +the words, by Hoffman von Fallersleben, being translated into English by +Dr. Baskerville.--Most interesting little songs, and sure to give +pleasure by their sweet simplicity. + +_Andante._ Varied for the pianoforte, and composed by Henry A. Toase. A +very quiet, harmless production. Only three variations, and those not so +much of the andante as of its accompaniment. + + +J. AND J. HOPKINSON. + +_Intermezzo and Minuet for Pianoforte._ By George A. Lovell.--Two very +nicely-written little pieces. The minuet is especially attractive. + +_Barcarole for Pianoforte._ By Carl Hause.--A good drawing-room piece. +The middle movement in F minor makes an effective contrast to the first +part. + + +HUTCHINGS AND ROMER. + +_The Little Sweep._ Song. Written and composed by James C. Beazley, +R.A.M.--There is no such title as R.A.M. A.R.A.M. and M.R.A.M. we know, +but we must protest against this unlawful use of the name of our oldest +academy of music. The song is a stirring and dramatic account of how a +lost child was recovered by his mother. It is to be declaimed by a +contralto. + + +HUTCHINGS AND CO. + +_The Christian's Armour._ Oratorio. By Joseph L. Roeckel; the text +compiled by Mrs. Alexander Roberts from Ephesians vi.; interspersed with +hymns from several sources.--A useful work for services of song or +chapel festivities. There is a sameness about the work, and it suggests +a weary feeling towards the close. The choruses are mostly rather weak +chorale. Occasionally an evidently fugal subject is announced, which is +never destined to form the subject for a fugue. However, the story is +well put together, the music is quite easy, and many choirs, unable to +conquer greater difficulties, will feel at home in this so-called +"oratorio." + +_Six Morceaux de Salon._ Pour violin, avec accompagnement de piano. Par +Guido Papini. Op. 66.--The author of "La Mecanisme du jeune Violiniste" +has given us in these little pieces a charming addition to the +_repertoire_ of the amateur violinist. Specially tender and expressive +is No. 4. The piano shares with the violin both the difficulties and the +interests of each of the _morceaux_. + +_Victoria Gavotte._ For piano. By Tito Mattei.--A capital piano piece. +We presume from the title that this is Signor Mattei's contribution to +the Jubilee Commemoration. + + +ROBERT COCKS AND CO. + +_Gladys._ Rustic Dance. Composed for the pianoforte by Howard Talbot.--A +bright, telling piece. It would be very useful as an _entr'acte_ in your +Christmas charades. + +_For Old Sake's Sake._ Song for contraltos. By Behrend. + + +W. MORLEY AND CO. + +_Watching the Embers._ Song. Composed by Ciro Pinsuti to Weatherly's +words.--With a pretty refrain, but for the most part made up of a series +of common phrases. It is to be obtained in B flat, C, and D minors. + +_Childie._ Song. By Behrend. Published in keys to suit all voices.--The +song is very similar to all his others. An old lady advising a child to +die young. + +_The Biter Bit._ Song. Words and music by Henry Pontet.--A warning to +any who would marry for money, and not for love. In learning the above +three songs I am sure that singers will be as much distracted as I have +been by little squares like lottery coupons announcing that somebody +else's song cost L250. If this statement could appear elsewhere--say on +separate slips--the songs would be more pleasant to read. + + +HENRY KLEIN. + +_The Land of Song._ Song for tenors and sopranos by that clever +composer, Franz Leideritz. Not so original as "Flowers from Home," the +memory of which still delights us. + + +ORSBORN AND TUCKWOOD. + +_Sailing Across the Sea._ Song. By Vernon Rey.--Prettily told and easy +to learn. + +_Merry Melodies._ A series of duets for two violins for schools and +classes, arranged by Arthur Graham. We see from the title-page that +there are to be arrangements of the works of eminent composers, but the +names are not given. + + +W. J. WILLCOCKS AND CO. + +_Offertoire and Fugue in B flat._ _Grand Offertoire, founded upon +subjects in Schumann's Quintet, op. 44._--These are two finely-written +organ solos by George F. Vincent. Valuable additions to our stock of +English organ music. + + +MARRIOTT AND WILLIAMS. + +_Twenty Miles to London Town._ Song. Written and composed by Gerald M. +Lane.--Mr. Lane is more fortunate in his music than in his words. The +ballad--for genuine English ballad it is--is of the "Bailiff's Daughter +of Islington" type, and is published in F, G, and A. + +_Captor and Captive._ A song of Araby. By Edwin J. Quance.--A good +stirring song for baritones. + + +BOWERMAN AND CO. + +_Deuxieme Nocturne pour Piano._ Par G. J. Rubini.--An unpretending piano +piece of the Gustave Lange type. + + + + +EXPLANATION OF FRENCH AND OTHER TERMS USED IN MODERN COOKERY. + +PART I. + + +_Allemande._--Concentrated white veloute (see veloute) sauce, seasoned +with nutmeg and lemon juice, and thickened with yolks of eggs and cream. + +_Angelica._--A plant, the stalks of which are preserved with sugar; as +it retains its green colour it is pretty for ornamenting sweet dishes, +cakes, etc. + +_Appareil._--This word is applicable to a preparation composed of +various ingredients, as appareil de gateau (mixture for a cake). + +_Aspic._--Name given to clear savoury jelly, to distinguish it from +sweet jelly. Cold entrees, which are moulded and have the ingredients +set in jelly, are also called aspics. + +_Assiette volante._--A small dish (holding no more than a plate) which +is handed round the table without ever being placed on it. Things that +must be eaten very hot are often served in this way. Little savouries, +foie-gras, or cheese fondus in paper cases are thus handed. + +_Au bleu._--An expensive way of boiling fish. A broth is made by boiling +three onions, two carrots, two turnips, some parsley, pepper, salt, +sufficient water, a tumbler of white wine, and a tumbler of vinegar +together; the scum is removed as it rises, the fish is simmered in the +broth. This broth is called Court bouillon. Fish cooked thus is eaten +hot or cold, with suitable sauce. + +_Baba._--A Polish cake of a very light description. + +_Bain marie._--A sort of bath-saucepan, which stands on a stove with hot +water in it, and has small bright saucepans stood in the water for the +contents to cook slowly without reducing or spoiling them. A bain marie +has no cover. + +_Bande._--The strip of paste that is put round tart; sometimes the word +is also applied to a strip of paper or bacon. + +_Barde de lard._--A slice of bacon. To barder a bird is to fasten a +slice of bacon over it. + +_Bechamel sauce._--Equal quantities of veloute sauce and cream boiled +together. The sauce was named after a celebrated cook. + +_Beignets._--Fritters. + +_Beurre noir._--Butter stirred in a frying-pan over a brisk fire until +it is brown, then lemon-juice or vinegar, and pepper and salt are added +to it. + +_Beurre fondus._--Melted, that is to say oiled, butter. + +_Bigarade sauce._--Melted butter, with the thin rind and the juice of a +Seville orange boiled in it. + +_Blanch._--To parboil or scald. To whiten meat or poultry, or remove the +skins of fruit or vegetables by plunging them into boiling water, and +then sometimes putting them into cold water afterwards, as almonds are +blanched. + +_Blanquette._--A kind of fricassee. + +_Boudin._--A very delicate entree prepared with quenelle forcemeat or +with fine mince. + +_Bouquet garni._--A handful of parsley, a sprig of thyme, a small bay +leaf, and six green onions, tied securely together with strong thread. + +_Bouilli._--Boiled meat; but fresh beef, well boiled, is generally +understood by this term. + +_Bouillie._--A sort of hasty pudding. Bouillie-au-lait is flour and milk +boiled together. + +_Bouillon._--Thin broth or soup. + +_Braise._--To stew meat that has been previously blanched, very slowly +with bacon or other fat, until it is tender. + +_Braisiere._--A saucepan with a lid with a rim to it, on which lighted +charcoal can be put. + +_Brider._--To put thin string or thread through poultry, game, etc., to +keep it in shape. + +_Brioche._--A sort of light cake, rather like Bath bun, but not sweet, +having as much salt as sugar in it. + +_Brandy butter._--Fresh butter, sugar, and brandy beaten together to a +cream. + +_Caramel._--Made by melting a little loaf sugar in a saucepan, and as +soon as it is brown, before it burns, adding some water to it. Sometimes +used as a colouring for stews. Made into a syrup by adding more sugar +after the water, it is a very good pudding sauce. + +_Casserole._--A stew-pan. The name given to a crust of rice moulded in +the shape of a pie, then baked with mince or a puree of game in it. + +_Cerner._--Is to cut paste half way through with a knife or cutter, so +that part can be removed when cooked to make room for something else. + +_Charlotte._--Consists of very thin slices of bread, steeped in oiled +butter, and placed in order in a mould, which is then filled with fruit +or preserve. + +_Chartreuse of vegetables._--Consists of vegetables tastefully arranged +in a plain mould, which is then filled with either game, pigeons, larks, +tendons, scollops, or anything suitably prepared. + +_Chartreuse a la Parisienne._--An ornamental dish made principally with +quenelle forcemeat, and filled with some kind of ragout, scollops, etc. + +_Chausse._--A jelly bag. + +_Compote._--Fruits preserved in syrup. Apple and any other kind of fruit +jelly. This term is also used to designate some savoury dishes, prepared +with larks, quails, or pigeons, with truffles, mushrooms, or peas. + +_Consomme._--Strong and clear broth used as a basis for many soups and +gravies. + +_Conti_ (_potage_). Lentil soup. + +_Contise._--Small scollops of truffles; red tongue, or other things that +are with a knife inlaid in fillets of any kind to ornament them, are +said to be contises. + +_Court bouillon._--See _au bleu_. + +_Croquettes._--A preparation of minced or pounded meat, or of potatoes +or rice, with a coating of bread-crumbs. Croquettes means something +crisp. + +_Croquantes._--Fruit with sugar boiled to crispness. + +_Croustades._--An ornamental pie-case, sometimes made of shaped bread, +and filled with mince, etc. + +_Croutons._--Sippets of bread fried in butter; used to garnish. They are +various sizes and shapes; sometimes served with soups. + +_Cuilleree._--A spoonful. In most French recipes I have found ten +spoonfuls equal to a quarter of a pint of fluid. + +_Cuisson._--The name given to the liquid in which anything has been +cooked. + +_Dariole._--A sort of cake served hot. The name of small round moulds in +which various little cakes are baked or puddings steamed. + +_Daubiere._--An oval stew-pan in which daubes are cooked. Daubes are +meat or fowl stewed in sauce. + +_Degorger._--To soak in water for a longer or shorter time. + +_Des._--Very small square dice. + +_Desosser._--To bone; to remove the bones from fish, meat, game, or +poultry. + +_Dorer._--To paint the surface of tarts or cakes with a brush, with egg +or sugar, so that they may be glazed when cooked. + +_Dorure._--The glaze one uses for pastry; sometimes beaten white of egg, +sometimes yolk of egg and cold water, sometimes sugar only. + +_Entrees._--A name for side dishes, such as cutlets, fricassees, +fricandeaux, sweetbreads, etc. + +_Entrees_ (cold).--Consist of cutlets, fillets of game, poultry, &c.; +salads of various kinds, aspics, ham, and many other things. + +_Entremets._--Second course side dishes. They are of four kinds--namely, +cold entrees, dressed vegetables, scalloped shellfish, or dressed eggs, +and lastly, sweets of any kind, puddings, jellies, creams, fritters, +pastry, etc. + +_Escalopes._--Collops; small round pieces of meat or fish, beaten with a +steak beater before they are cooked, to make them tender. + +_Espagnole._--Rich, strong stock made with beef, veal and ham, flavoured +with vegetables, and thickened with brown roux. This and veloute are the +two main sauces from which nearly all others are made. The espagnole for +brown, the veloute for white. + +_Etamine._--See Tammy. + +_Etuver._--To stew meat with little moisture, and over a very slow fire, +or with hot cinders over and under the saucepan. + +_Faggot._--A bouquet garni. + +_Fanchonettes and florentines._--Varieties of small pastry, covered with +white of egg and sugar. + +_Faire tomber a glace._--Means to boil down stock or gravy until it is +as thick as glaze, and is coloured brown. + +_Farce._--Is ordinary forcemeat, such as is used for raised pies. + +_Feuil etage._--Very light puff paste. + +_Flamber._--To singe fowls and game after they have been plucked. + +_Flans._--A flan is made by rolling a piece of paste out rather larger +than the tin in which it is to be baked, then turning up the edge of the +paste to form a sort of wall round. Flans are filled with fruit or +preserve, and baked. + +_Foncer._--To put slices of ham or bacon in the bottom of a saucepan, to +line a mould with raw paste, or to put the first layer of anything in a +mould--it may be a layer of white paper. + +_Fontaine._--A heap of flour with a hollow in the middle, into which to +pour the water. + +_Fondu._--Or fondue. A cheese souffle. + +_Fricandeau._--Fillets of poultry or the best pieces of veal, neatly +trimmed, larded, and well glazed, with their liquor reduced to glaze. +They are served as entrees. + +_Fricassee._--A white stew, generally made with chicken and white sauce, +to which mushrooms or other things may be added. + +_Fraiser._--A way of handling certain pastry to make it more compact and +easier to work. + +_Fremir_, _frissonner._--To keep a liquid just on the boil--what is +called simmering. + +_Galette._--A broad flat cake. + +_Gateau._--Cake. This word is also used for some kinds of tarts, and for +different puddings. A gateau is also made of pig's liver; it is +therefore rather difficult to define what a "gateau" is. + +_Gaufres._--Or wafers. Light spongy biscuits cooked in irons over a +stove. + +_Glacer._--To glaze; to brush hot meat or poultry over with concentrated +meat gravy or sauce, so that it shall have a brown and shiny appearance. +Glaze can be bought in skins. Glacer, in confectionery, means to ice +pastry or fruit with sugar. + +_Gniocchi._--Small balls of paste made with flour, eggs, and cheese to +put into soup. + +_Gramme._--A French weight. An ounce avoirdupois is nearly equal to +thirty grammes. + +_Gras._--Made with meat and fat. + +_Gratins_ (_au_).--Term applied to certain dishes of fish, game, +poultry, vegetables, and macaroni dressed with rich sauces, and +generally finished with bread-crumbs or bread-raspings over the top. + +_Gratiner._--Is to brown by heat, almost burn. + +_Grenadins._--Similar to a fricandeau, but smaller; grenadins are served +with vegetable purees. + +(_To be continued._) + + + + +THE SHEPHERD'S FAIRY. + +A PASTORALE. + +BY DARLEY DALE, Author of "Fair Katherine," etc. + + +CHAPTER III. + +DAME HURSEY THE WOOLGATHERER. + +[Illustration: "HE STRUCK ACROSS UNBEATEN PATHS."] + + +When John Smith, as for reasons of his own he called himself, left +Pierre, he pulled his hat well over his eyes and started off across the +downs in the direction of Lewes. He knew the country well, and partly on +this account, partly because he did not wish to be recognised, he struck +across unbeaten paths, where he was not likely to meet anyone, avoiding +the high roads as much as he could, and travelling as near as possible +as the crow flies, over downs and meadows to the village he was seeking. +It was a good six miles, and he had neither time nor inclination to +pause and look at the scenery around him, so full of charm to those who +live among it, so repellent at first to the stranger's eye, which has +not been educated to notice the various tints and colours which sweep +over the soft rounded outlines of those purple downs, but is at once +caught by the grey hollows of the hills and the patches of white chalk +which peep out every here and there on the steeps, and at a distance +look like the perpetual snow of Alpine regions. The scenery of the +Sussex Downs is like the Sussex people in this respect--it requires to +be well known to be thoroughly appreciated; cold and reserved at first, +it is only on better acquaintance you learn the sterling worth, the +truth, the real kindness of heart, and the hospitality which +characterise the Sussex people. And the downs themselves will not yield +all their beauty at once; you must live among them to thoroughly know +and love them; cold and grey and monotonous as they look at first, in +the autumn especially, you will see what a variety of colours they can +show when the fields are golden with corn, and the downs themselves +richly dotted with wild flowers, and the clouds cast fleeting shadows +over the slopes, and the purple and green of the nearer hills melt away +into delicate blues and rosy greys in the distance. And then in winter +the clouds play such tricks with the soft rounded hills and their white +chalk sides, which chalk will reveal itself in all its nakedness every +here and there, that it is often easy to imagine yourself in +Switzerland, and difficult exceedingly to tell where the downs end and +the clouds begin, so softly have they blended together, those grey +clouds, those white and purple downs. No, the downs are not monotonous +to those who look with careful eyes, at least, though the casual +observer may see nothing in them but multitudes of sheep. Unique they +may be, unlike the rest of England they certainly are, but not +monotonous. And then the dales, with the villages nestling in the +bottom, are so picturesque, and the green pastures, separated by dykes, +have a homelike appearance, with the small black Sussex cattle with +their long white horns, at least to a Sussex eye. + +Over some of these meadows the carpenter, with the little French baby in +his arms, now made his way. Hitherto he had been lucky and had met no +one, but now he was approaching a village a few miles from Lewes, which, +for the purposes of this story, we will call Bournemer, and though the +sun had set, it was still too light for him to risk being recognised, so +he still kept to the fields, which he could the more easily do, as the +house he sought was nearly a mile from the village. At last he saw it +standing in the next field with a clump of trees on one side of it; it +was little more than a cottage, though from the sheds adjoining it might +have been taken for a small farmhouse; it was sheltered from the north +by the down at the foot of which it lay, its red roof telling well +against the soft grey background in the evening light. It faced the +field, the road at the foot of the down running at the back of it, and +already there was a light in one of the lower rooms; the front door was +closed, but the gate of the field was open, details which the carpenter +took in at a glance, and interpreted to mean that the shepherd was gone +to fold his sheep for the night, and his wife was at home awaiting his +return to supper. + +"He will be back soon. I must be quick; now is my time," said the +carpenter to himself, making his way towards the house by the clump of +trees, which afforded him a little shelter. Here he paused for a few +minutes, and, after listening intently, put the baby on the ground while +he took off his shoes. Then, picking it up, he crept quickly and +noiselessly across the path towards the front door, on the step of which +he laid his burden, and then crept back to the trees, where he put on +his shoes, and with the purse which Leon had given him for the baby's +maintenance in his pocket, he made his way back to the boat on the +beach, congratulating himself on the success of his scheme. No one, he +argued, was any the worse for it, while he was one thousand francs the +better. He had wronged no one, as the baby was sure to be well taken +care of. John Shelley was certain to take it in, and would probably +think the Lord had sent it to him, and, with a chuckle over the +shepherd's simplicity, he went his way. + +The baby was asleep when he deposited it on the doorstep, but it woke +shortly after, and began to cry lustily for food, but the doors and +windows being all closed, its wailing did not penetrate to the inside of +the house. But before the carpenter had been gone half an hour footsteps +approached the house, and the shepherd and his dog entered the gate of +the field in which it stood. A fine, big, handsome man looked this +shepherd as he paused to fasten the gate; about thirty years old, fair, +with a florid complexion, blue eyes, and a long, yellowish beard, a face +more remarkable for its kindly good humour than for its intelligence. He +was dressed in a long smock, and he carried a crook, so that there was +no mistaking his occupation, of which, by the way, he was very proud; +his father and his grandfather and their fathers and grandfathers had +been shepherds before him for many generations, and that he should ever +be anything else than a shepherd was the last idea likely to enter John +Shelley's mind. A shepherd by birth and education, he followed his +calling with an ardour which would have amounted to passion in a warmer +temperament. His sheep were his first thought on waking, his last as he +closed his eyes at night, and he understood them and their ways +thoroughly. The life suited him exactly; it might be a lonely life, +wandering for hours on the downs without meeting a living creature day +after day, except, perhaps, occasionally a neighbouring shepherd, but he +was used to it. It might be an anxious life, especially in lambing time, +but he was lucky, and rarely lost any lambs. It might be a dangerous +life sometimes in the winter fogs, rambling about on the hills with the +risk of falling into a chalk pit and breaking his neck, but he was +always too anxious about his sheep when overtaken by a fog to think of +his own danger. Then the wages were good, and the same all the year +round, with the chance of making some extra money in the shearing +season, and so much a head on each lamb that he reared; and to all +intents and purposes he was his own master, for the farmer to whom the +sheep belonged entrusted the management of the flock entirely to him. + +But while the shepherd was fastening the gate the dog ran to the baby, +whose cry had reached his quick ears before it did his master's, and +having sniffed all round it, he set up some short, quick barks, and ran +back to the shepherd, calling his attention to the baby as plainly as +his inability to speak would allow him. + +"What is it, Rover? what is it? Down, sir, it is only the baby crying; +the window must be open," said the shepherd, as he approached the house, +but Rover, as if to contradict his master, ran up to the bundle on the +doorstep, and barked louder than ever. + +John Shelley took longer to take in the fact that an infant was lying +crying on his doorstep than his dog had done. He stooped and looked, and +took off his hat to rub his head thoughtfully and stimulate his brain +that he might grasp the idea, and then he stooped again, and this time +picked up the baby, and throwing open the door of the large kitchen, +with its sanded floor of red bricks, stood on the threshold, holding out +the wailing child, and saying-- + +"Look here, Polly, see what I have found on the doorstep." + +Mrs. Shelley, who was sitting working, with her foot on a cradle which +she was rocking gently to and fro, more from habit, since the baby was +asleep, than for any real reason, looked up and saw in her husband's +arms a bundle wrapped in a red shawl embroidered with gold. + +"What is it, John?" she asked; but a cry from the bundle answered the +question, and she sprang to her husband's side in astonishment. + +She was a tall, good-looking woman, five or six years younger than the +shepherd, with brown hair and eyes, and a rich colour in her cheeks, +which came and went when she was excited; a bright intelligent face, +not beautiful, scarcely handsome in repose, but which at times was so +animated that she often passed for a very pretty woman. + +"Give it to me. Oh, John! John! where can it have come from? The dear +little creature! And see what lovely things it has? Only look at this +satin quilt in which it is wrapped, and, see, John, a toy of coral with +gold bells! My pretty one, hush! hush! hush!" And Mrs. Shelley rocked +the child in her arms; but her astonishment and admiration got the +better of her motherly instinct for a moment, and she proceeded with her +examination of its clothes. "Its nightdress is the finest cambric and +trimmed with real lace, and see this exquisite handkerchief tucked in +for a feeder; look! there is a coronet on it, John. I verily believe the +'Pharisees,' as the children say, brought it. Do go and see if there is +a fairy ring in the meadow, then I shall be sure they did!" + +Now, Sussex peasants--shepherds, especially--were very superstitious in +the days in which this baby was found, and both John Shelley and his +wife half believed that the fungus rings, so often found on the downs, +were made by the fairies, or "Pharisees," as they called them. So, +partly to see if he could find any further clue to the child, partly to +look for the fungus ring, John Shelley took a lantern and went out to +explore the premises. + +As soon as he was gone, Mrs. Shelley, who was an impulsive woman, gave +the little stranger the supper that by right belonged to her own infant. + +[Illustration: A VISIT FROM DAME HURSEY.] + +"My boy is stronger than this little fragile creature, and he must wait +till I have fed it," she said to herself. "Poor little mite, I don't +believe it has been undressed for days, its beautiful dress is so dirty. +I shall have time to bathe it and put it on some of Charlie's clean +things before John comes in to his supper." + +And as John was very slow and deliberate in all his actions, and his +wife very quick in all hers, by the time he came back the little +stranger was washed and dressed, and fed, and sleeping quietly in the +cradle, while Mrs. Shelley nursed her own boy. + +"Well, John, have you found any fairy rings?" + +"No, Polly; no, I can't make it out at all; it is very odd--very odd +indeed. I can't think where the child came from," said John, shaking his +head, slowly. "I don't believe the fairies brought it, though," he +added, after a pause. + +"Who do you think did, then?" asked Mrs. Shelley, quickly. + +"I don't know who brought it, but I tell you what, Polly, I believe God +sent it and means us to take care of it." + +"Take care of it! Why, of course we must, John. You don't suppose I +dreamt of sending it to the workhouse, do you? Little darling! Why, it +is the very thing we have been longing for, a little girl; it shall be +Charlie's foster-sister. All I hope is, whoever brought it will let us +keep it. I love it already!" + +"But, Polly, it isn't our child. We must take care of it, of course, for +to-night, but you will have to go to Parson Leslie to-morrow and ask him +what we ought to do to find out who it belongs to." + +"Indeed, and I shall do no such thing," said Mrs. Shelley, hastily. + +But the shepherd was master in his own home, and announced decidedly-- + +"Then I must go to-night, late as it is." + +"And knock the parson up? It will be eleven o'clock before you get +there. Sit down and get your supper, do, John, and we can talk about +consulting him to-morrow." + +"That won't do, Polly; either I must go to the rector to-night or you +must promise to go to-morrow. Which is it to be?" + +"There never was such a pig-headed man as you. If you set your mind on a +thing there is no turning you. I suppose I shall have to go, or you'll +be rushing off now, and I want my supper. One thing I am sure of, John, +and that is, the baby belongs to rich people, and, I think, to some +nobleman, for all the things have a coronet on them, and its clothes are +all so fine." + +"Is there no name on any of them?" + +"No, nor anything to give us the least idea who the child is. It has +evidently been accustomed to luxury, though, and somehow I fancy it is a +foreign child. I never saw any baby's clothes made as these are," said +Mrs. Shelley. + +A foreign child was an idea John Shelley could not accept so suddenly. +His slow phlegmatic mind could not travel beyond his own +country--scarcely beyond the Sussex downs. + +"More likely to be one of the quality's children. They don't make their +clothes as we do, I expect; but if you show Mr. Leslie that coronet he +may be able to make something of it." + +And so it was arranged that Mrs. Shelley should go the next day and +consult the rector about their new-found treasure; but she fully made up +her mind to use all the eloquence in her power to persuade Mr. Leslie to +convince John it was plainly their duty to keep the baby which had been +so mysteriously brought to them until its rightful owners claimed it. + +The next morning John Shelley was up betimes, as, indeed, he always was; +but it was shearing time, and he was unusually busy, and it was, +moreover, Saturday, and he hoped, with the help of the men who went +round the country shearing in the month of June, to finish his flock +that evening, so taking his breakfast and dinner with him, he told Mrs. +Shelley not to expect him back till the evening. Across the dewy meadows +in the fresh June morning, the loveliest part of the day, went John +Shelley, startling a skylark every now and then from the ground, from +whence it rose carolling forth its matin song, gently at first, but +louder and louder as it sprang higher and higher, until lost to sight, +its glorious song still audible, though John Shelley was too much +occupied with his own thoughts, and, perhaps, too much accustomed to the +singing of the lark, to pay much attention to it. Even his dogs, Rover +and Snap, failed to wake him from his meditation, until he reached the +meadow where he had folded his sheep for the night, and then every +thought, except whether the sheep were all safe, vanished from his mind +as he stood counting them. A few words to the dogs explained his wishes +that the shorn sheep were to be driven out and the unshorn left in the +fold for the present; and then, after a great deal of barking on the +part of the dogs, and shouting from the shepherd, and rushing and +scrambling on the part of the sheep, their bells jingling a not +unmusical accompaniment to the thrushes and blackbirds, which were +pouring out their morning song in the adjoining copse, this manoeuvre +was effected, and John led his shorn flock to the downs, walking in +front with his crook in his hand, while the dogs brought up the rear, +yelping and barking at the heels of any erring sheep that strayed +outside the flock. + +The shepherd was a man who concentrated all his thoughts on the business +he had on hand, and as he led his sheep to the down on which he meant to +leave them to the care of the dogs for the day, he was making a nice +calculation of how long it would take him and his assistants to finish +the shearing, when, just as he was about to leave the sheep, he was +accosted by an old woman. She was tall, thin, with a slight stoop, a +hooked nose, bright black eyes, and rough, crisp, grizzly hair, which +gave her rather a witch-like appearance; nor did the bonnet perched on +the top of her head, its crown in the air, tend to dispel this notion. +She had a knotted stick in one hand, and a basket with some pieces of +wool off the sheeps' backs which she had collected from the bushes in +the other. It was Dame Hursey, the wool-gatherer, well known to John +Shelley and every other shepherd in the neighbourhood, with all of whom +she often had a gossip, and celebrated in the district as the mother of +an unfortunate son, a fine, promising young sailor, who, having been +convicted of robbery some years ago, and served a long sentence in Lewes +gaol, had never been heard of since, unless his mother was in his +confidence. + +A great gossip was Dame Hursey; she always knew all that went on in the +neighbourhood, for she led a wandering, restless life, never at home +except at night, sticking and wool-gathering in the autumn and winter, +haymaking and gleaning in the summer, gossiping, whenever she had a +chance, at all seasons. If anyone were likely to know anything about +this strange baby, always supposing the fairies had had nothing to do +with it, it was Dame Hursey, and the shepherd, being relieved of any +further anxiety about the sheep, walked with her and told her the story. + +John Shelley was neither a quick-witted nor an observant man, except +with regard to the weather, every sign of which he took in, or he would +have noticed that Dame Hursey started perceptibly when he told her the +time he found the baby, and that a glance of quick intelligence shot +into her bright eyes as she heard the story; but when he had finished +she gave it as her firm opinion that the "Pharisees," and no one else, +must have brought the child, and she urged John on no account to part +with it, as there was no telling what revenge the fairies might take if +their wishes were set aside. And the old wool-gatherer proceeded to tell +such wonderful stories of the terrible vengeance wrought by these +mysterious little beings on people who had despised their gifts, that +the shepherd was glad to put an end to such unpleasant suggestions by +walking off at a rapid pace to his unshorn sheep. + +"It is strange, very strange, that I should have met my George the very +same night, coming from Shelley's place too. He has had something to do +with this baby as sure as wool is wool. I'll go round by Mrs. Shelley's +and have a look at this wonderful child; perhaps I may find out +something. I doubt it will be a bad thing for George if he is found out +this time, if, as I suspect, he knows a deal more about it than we do, +and he was up to no good last night or he would not have made me swear +not to say I had seen him as he did. Well, the child is safe enough with +the Shelleys, and I'll do my best to frighten them into keeping it," +muttered Dame Hursey to herself, as she bent her steps towards the +shepherd's house. + +(_To be continued._) + + + + +VARIETIES. + + +"EXCELLENT HEART." + +Take a good-sized, tender heart. Extract all seeds of selfishness, and +proceed to stuff as follows:-- + +1 lb. crumbs of comfort. + +1 quart milk of human kindness. + +Several drops essence of goodness and happiness. + +Good dripping from the eaves of Love's dwelling. + +Blend these well with a little of the oil of Time to mellow and soften. + +Place the heart on a warm hearth with Love's rays full upon it and some +of the light of other days. Move it now and then, but do not probe it. +Keep the world's cold blasts from it if possible, but do not allow it to +be absorbed in its own juices. It will take time to prepare, but when +ready is fit for king or peasant and welcome at any table. + +SAUCE FOR ABOVE. + +Pint or more good spirits, a few honeyed words; a little cream of +society may improve, but is not necessary. Carefully avoid cold water, +vinegar, or pepper, or acidity in any form. + +The above will keep for years.--S. L. + + +CONTENTED.--If you can live free from want, care for no more, for the +rest is vanity. + + +THE STORMS OF ADVERSITY.--A smooth sea never made a skilful mariner, +neither do uninterrupted prosperity and success qualify anyone for +usefulness and happiness. The storms of adversity, like the storms of +the ocean, arouse the faculties and excite the intention, prudence, +skill and fortitude of the voyager. + + +A WISE MOTHER.--The celebrated Orientalist, Sir William Jones, when a +mere child was very inquisitive. His mother was a woman of great +intelligence, and he would apply to her for the information which he +desired; but her constant reply was: "Read, and you will know." This +gave him a passion for books, which was one of the principal means of +making him what he was. + + +TWENTY-FOUR NOTES IN ONE BOW.--The _Daily Post_ of February 22nd, 1732, +contains a curious announcement with regard to Castrucci, the violinist, +namely, that he would play a solo "in which he engages himself to +execute twenty-four notes in one bow." This piece of charlatanism, so +misplaced in a truly able musician, was excellently capped on the +following day by a nameless fiddler advertising his intention to play +twenty-five notes in one bow. + + +A CAT STORY.--There was a favourite Tom cat owned by a family in +Callander, in Scotland, and it had on several occasions shown more than +ordinary sagacity. One day Tom made off with a piece of beef, and the +servant followed him cautiously, with the intention of catching him and +administering a little wholesome correction. To her amazement, she saw +the cat go into a corner of the yard, in which she knew a rat-hole +existed, and lay the beef down by the side of it. Leaving the beef +there, puss hid himself a short distance off and watched until a rat +made its appearance. Tom's tail then began to wag, and just as the rat +was moving away with the bait he sprang upon it and killed it. + + +HEARING WITH DIFFICULTY.--"Dr. Willis tells us," says Burney, in his +"History of Music," "of a lady who could _hear only while a drum was +beating_; insomuch that her husband actually hired a drummer as a +servant in order to enjoy the pleasure of her conversation." + + +COURAGE.--Courage which grows from constitution often forsakes people +when they have occasion for it; courage that arises from a sense of duty +acts in a uniform manner. + + +THE INFLUENCE OF FORTUNE.--Fortune, good or ill, does not change men or +women; it but developes their character. + + +WEAK MINDS.--Two things indicate a weak mind--to be silent when it is +proper to speak, and to speak when it is proper to be silent.--_Persian +Proverb._ + + +A SUCCESSFUL WEDDING.--A New York girl has just enjoyed the triumph of +having the biggest wedding given in that city for years. She whispered +around that the man she was to marry had a red-haired wife somewhere, +who would be at hand to interrupt the ceremony. The church was crowded. + + +TWO SIDES TO PLEASURE.--Pleasure is to woman what the sun is to the +flower; if modestly enjoyed it beautifies, it refreshes and improves; if +immoderately, it withers and destroys.--_Colton._ + + +THE ILLS OF LIFE.--There are three modes of bearing the ills of life: by +indifference, which is the most common; by philosophy, which is the most +ostentatious; and by religion, which is the most effectual. + + +AN OBSERVATION ON ROGUES.--After long experience of the world, I affirm, +before God, I never knew a rogue who was not unhappy.--_Junius._ + + +ANSWER TO DOUBLE ACROSTIC (p. 30). + + 1. L i P + 2. A ristotl E (a) + 3. M a r t y R + 4. B l o c K + 5. E l I + 6. R e s i N (b) + 7. T h ur lo W + 8. S coevo l A (c) + 9. I ndicato R (d) +10. M e r a B (e) +11. N a z E +12. E clipti C +13. L o K (f) + +Lambert Simnel. Perkin Warbeck. + +(a). His adage was "Amicus Plato, amicus Socrates, magis tamen amica +veritas." From his custom of delivering instruction whilst walking, his +disciples were styled "Peripatetics." + +(b). Familiarly pronounced "rosin." + +(c). Left-handed. + +(d). Indicator Major, the great honeybird of South Africa. + +(e). See 1 Samuel, xviii. + +(f). Lo(c)k. + + + + +[Illustration: A CROWN OF FLOWERS + +being + +POEMS and PICTURES + +Collected from the pages of + +THE GIRLS OWN PAPER] + +EDITED BY CHARLES PETERS. + + +The Poems are written by the Author of "John Halifax Gentleman," Sarah +Doudney, Helen Marion Burnside, F. E. Weatherly, Annie Matheson, Anne +Beale, Mrs. G. Linnaeus Banks, the Rev. W. Cowan, Sydney Grey, Edward +Oxenford, Isabella Fyvie Mayo, Clara Thwaites, Harriet L. +Childe-Pemberton, the Dowager Lady Barrow, and others. + +Illustrated by Frank Dicksee, A.R.A., M. Ellen Edwards, W. J. Hennessy, +Davidson Knowles, John C. Staples, Robert Barnes, Charles Green, Arthur +Hopkins, William Small, Frank Dadd, the late Cecil Lawson, and others. + + * * * * * + +"As _A Crown of Flowers_ is carefully printed upon fine paper, full +value is given to the engravings, which is one of the features of the +magazine from which they are selected, and shows what a marked advance +has been made of recent years in the character of such illustrations, +which will, in the present instance, vie with anything of the kind +produced on this or the other side of the Atlantic."--_The Pictorial +World._ + + + + +ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. + + +EDUCATIONAL. + +E. A. T.--There is a School of Telegraphy in Moorgate-buildings, at the +back of Telegraph-street, E.C. All candidates for free admission must +have passed an examination in handwriting and the first four rules of +arithmetic under the Civil Service Commissioners, in Cannon-row, W.C., +aged not under fourteen nor over eighteen years. They must be gifted +with quickness of eye and ear and a delicate touch. In three or four +months they have acquired the art, working four hours a day. They must +be proficient in the use of four instruments. The pupils in this school +are only intended for service in London. + +CEDRICA.--In reference to Gall's or Mercator's projection, you may +perceive that by doing away with perspective you obtain the relative +distances, as well as the height of the mountains compared with the +general surface, without deducting through foreshortening. You write +fairly well, but too large to be pretty. + +SINE.--The aurorae are closely connected with the earth's magnetism, +although their exact relationship is unknown. The appearance takes place +equally round both magnetic poles. The most general opinion seems to be +that they are illuminations of the lines of force which undoubtedly +circulate round our earth. At all events, the corona forms itself round +the magnetic poles, and its lines correspond to the earth's magnetic +field. Displays of aurorae are almost always accompanied by magnetic +storms, which so much affect our telegraph instruments, although the +latter may occur when there is no visible aurora. An artificial aurora +was produced by electrical means by Professor Lindstroem, in 67 deg. north +latitude, which was found to exhibit the spectrum of the true aurora. +You will find all information respecting the "Zodiacal light" in +"Guillemin on the Heavens." + +C. H. C.--No examinations are required for teachers in high schools; but +of course preference is always given to those who have passed +examinations, and they obtain better salaries. The senior or the higher +Cambridge examinations for women would be the best, and would ensure a +good position. + + +MISCELLANEOUS. + +MARIE.--Your having given your parrot meat has given her a taste for raw +meat. Perhaps a chemist could suggest a wash or powder to shake in under +the feathers, that would taste bitter and disagreeable and yet prove +harmless. Possibly your bird is troubled with small vermin, which +irritate the skin and induce it to pick at the roots of the feathers. +Examine the skin and plumage. We have given a long recipe for destroying +the vermin in canaries. + +TUM YUM.--You had better buy a little bottle of oil-gold and paint your +picture-frame with it. See our article, "Lissom Hands and Pretty Feet." + +ERICA RAEBURN.--Your verses are not correctly written, but the +sentiments expressed are good. When you make an adverb of the word +"true" you should drop the final "e." + +M. H. M.--Write or see a map-setter, such as Wyld, or any other of +those in or near Trafalgar-square and Charing Cross. The ways and means +of colouring and disposing of your maps will be explained to you by +these people. + +PECKHAM RYE.--The poet Wordsworth had an only daughter, Dora, married to +Mr. Quillinan. She was burnt to death in 1847, and left two daughters. +The bishops are nephews of the poet. + +PHARMACEUTICAL.--The word "Pharmacon" can be found in all Greek +lexicons. It is probably of Oriental extraction. It originally meant any +medicine taken internally or externally, and apparently its original +signification was good--or, at all events, not bad. Then, secondly, it +came, like the word "accident," to get a bad sense attached to it, and +it was used for a "poisonous drug," from which is derived its third and +last sense, an "enchanted potion," or "enchantment." In the New +Testament the word is translated "sorcery," not "drugs." See Rev. xxii. +15. + +DAFFODIL.--Pampas grass may be cleaned by putting it into a large vessel +of clean cold water, when after some time all the dust and dirt will +come out, and it may be lightly shaken till dry. It may also be bleached +with chloride of lime. + +SUNBEAM.--Do not on any account do so dangerous a thing as to put +paraffin oil on your hair. Besides, the very bad smell of the oil would +be most offensive to others if not to yourself. + +DELIA T. (Lausanne).--From your writing we conclude that you are very +young. If so, your verses give some promise of better ones when older. + +JACKDAY.--It is suitable for every day. You write very well. There is no +"e" in truly. + +LITTLE EMILY.--See "Girls' Christian Names," pages 39, 134, 235, 381, +vol. iv. + +OCKLAWAKA.--Certainly, it is quite improper to walk about alone with a +man to whom you are not engaged. We know of no cure suitable for all +alike for sea-sickness. Lie down on deck, drink water before being sick, +and beware of starving. At the same time, do not select pork nor a suet +dumpling just at first. In cases of very severe sickness, swallowing +small scraps of ice before and after a spoonful of _consomme_ or jelly +is desirable, and an icebag should be applied to the spine. + +A TRING GIRL should consult a doctor about the moles if very +unornamental. + +LADY JANE GREY.--The "seven whistlers" are curlew, or herringspear +birds, thought to be storm-bringers when heard overhead at sea. You will +find a story in Buckland's "Curiosities of Natural History" about them. + +ANNIE SPIKE should write to the Religious Tract Society, 56, +Paternoster-row, E.C., for the tracts she needs. The lines are not +poetry--nothing but badly-rhymed prose. + +HARTY.--Wills can be inspected at Somerset House, in the Strand, W.C. + +UNE PETITE FLEUR.--No one could interfere with you in keeping a private +school, so far as we know. + +JAMIE'S DARLING.--We thank you warmly for your kind letter, and wish you +much happiness in your new life and position. + +NO STONE UNTURNED must send her tale to a publisher; but we do not think +she will get much--probably nothing; but, on the contrary, will have to +pay, for a first attempt. + +ASPHODEL.--The 29th of April, 1870, was a Friday. When a man says he is +"very much in love" with the girl to whom he is speaking, he means her +to give him some encouragement to say more, and in a business-like, +practical way. + +A FEARFUL ONE.--A polypus in the nose has to be cut out, but the patient +must be under the influence of chloroform. It is more usually a man's +than a woman's disease. Your letters should be rounder. + +UNE DEMOISELLE.--It is our ordinary form of greeting to say "How do you +do?" It is an idiomatic phrase, and does not exact an answer as to the +state of your health any more than the salutation "Good day." If anxious +for information as to how you are, more direct inquiries will follow the +salutation. Only ignorant persons reply to "How do you do?" "Very well, +thank you; how are you?" + +A. B.--The first and second volumes of the G. O. P. are entirely out of +print, as also are all the indexes, excepting that for vol. vi. None of +these will be reprinted. We request our readers to take note of what we +say, as it will save them waste of time in writing for them. + +RUBY KINGSLEY.--We cannot continue giving space for repeating the story +of the willow pattern. + + * * * * * + +MISS KING, the Secretary of the Society for Promoting the Employment of +Women, 22, Berners-street, Oxford-street, W., writes:--In the G.O.P. for +September there is an article (one of a series) on wood engraving by Mr. +R. Taylor. I have read the articles with great interest, and I entirely +agree with the greater part of what Mr. Taylor says. But he writes as if +there were no opening for girls in the trade. I fully admit that only a +small number are at present employed in it, but he writes that he does +not believe that engraving can be effectually taught in schools or +classes, and that he has not met with a single individual who has +attained by this means skill enough to earn a livelihood. Now it is a +fact that there are 12 or 14 girls employed at an engraver's in the +City, who have learnt engraving at the City and Guilds of London Art +School, which was established about six years ago, and some of these +girls are doing excellent work and earning very good wages. Engraving is +an art which requires persevering study for four or five years at the +least, so that the school has not yet been established for a +sufficiently long time to have trained a large number of girls, but the +instruction given there is thoroughly good, and if the girls will +persevere as long with it as they would be obliged to do if they were +regularly apprenticed, I do not think there is any fear but that they +will succeed in getting employment; but their work must be good. If you +will kindly look at page 9 of our Report, published in May last, you +will see an account of the school. There are vacancies now in the +school, particulars of which I shall be happy to give to anyone who will +call here between 11 and 5. I shall be greatly obliged if you will +mention this school and its successful work in the next number of the +G.O.P., for I fear that Mr. Taylor's statement is calculated to injure +it materially. + +I am, dear sir, + Yours obediently, + GERTRUDE J. KING, Sec. + +A full account of the Kennington class was given in the G.O.P., January, +1884, page 180, in the article on Art in the series of "Work for All." + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Girl's Own Paper, Vol. VIII, No. +355, October 16, 1886, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GIRL'S OWN PAPER, VOL. *** + +***** This file should be named 18414.txt or 18414.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/8/4/1/18414/ + +Produced by Susan Skinner and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** + |