Europe even before that. On a pane of the ancient painted glass in the
old church at Stoke Pogis, England, may be seen the representation of a
young fellow astride of one of these machines. He is working his way
along with the air of a rider who has introduced a novelty, and is the
object of the unbounded admiration of a multitude of witnesses.

[Illustration: THE PUDDING STICK]

This Department is conducted in the interest of Girls and Young
Women, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on
the subject so far as possible. Correspondents should address
Editor.

Vacation is almost over. Indeed, for some of you school has already
begun again, and I like to fancy you as taking up your studies with
renewed zest and ardor.

"The rich air is sweet with the breath of September,
The sumach is staining the hedges with red;
Soft rests on the hill-slopes the light we remember,
The glory of days which so long ago fled,
When, brown-cheeked and ruddy,
Blithe-hearted and free.
The summons to study
We answered with glee.
Listen! oh, listen! once more to the swell
Of the masterful, merry Academy bell."

This stanza describes the feelings of grown people, mothers and aunties,
and grandmothers, who used to go to school, and have now arrived at the
stage on the road where the mile-stones are inscribed "Remember." You
have not yet come in sight of these mile-stones. Yours are still marked
with "Hope," "Onward," "Courage," and similar cheery words.

If I were a girl again, and could go to school, I would be careful, at
least I think I would be careful, not to lose any time. Yours is
foundation-work, and it is very important that this should be, because
the habits of care and diligence you are forming in your class-rooms
will help you through your whole lives. It is really less what you study
than the way you study it which is the main thing to be considered now.

A girl at school cannot, of course, always be provided with every
appliance for her work, but, as a rule, she ought to have her own books,
her own pads, pencils, ink-eraser, crayons, drawing-paper, penknife, and
whatever else she needs in order to do her work, so that she is under no
necessity to borrow from her friends. What would you think of a
carpenter who came to your house without tools, and had to ask the loan
of some? or a doctor who forgot his prescription-book or his medicines,
and had to lo