sit or whether she would prefer her to desist
for a time. Give her the option; politeness demands it.

BRIGTON.--Your verses show a good deal of poetic feeling, although
without any special indication of originality of thought. The verses
entitled "Morning" ought to have rhymes, as it is not blank verse. You
ought to study the rules of metrical composition before putting your
thoughts into metre. This is as essential to the construction of verse,
as to be acquainted with those of harmony or counterpoint, before
attempting to compose music.

NELLIE P.--We do not know of any hospital specially instituted for the
cure of chronic indigestion. Probably the best cure for you would be
found in treatment at certain mineral baths. On this point you should
obtain medical advice. Those of Vichy (France) or Carlsbad (Bohemia),
Aix-la-Chapelle, or some of our own, might be suitable for you. But we
could not venture to prescribe, neither knowing you nor being doctors.

MARY KINGSLEY.--1. The people of God in all ages, before and after the
commencement of the Christian Era, form one great brotherhood, sharing
the same interests, fighting the same "fight of faith," one in hope, in
aim, and in spiritual sympathy, as children of the same Divine Father.
Thus, they are in communion one with another, and there is really an
unbroken bond of union between those who have gone before, and those
still waiting here. 2. Persons who tell characters from handwriting
advertise.

INQUISITIVE ONE.--1. Soap spoils sponges. Even clean water should be
well squeezed out of them, and then they can be cleaned with sponge
powder, obtained from a chemist. Dry toothbrushes thoroughly, and place
them in the tray made for them. A little soda or bran in the water will
soften it. 2. Your writing is good, but you should learn to write in
straight lines.

SISSIE B.--It is your duty to speak to your father about your brother of
twelve, who runs away for whole days up till past midnight, smokes, and
gets into bad company. He ought to be sent to a boarding school, or else
apprenticed at once, or he will go to ruin. His example is ruining his
brothers. Tell your father that if you could manage them you would
neither complain of chance acts of insubordination nor of the trouble
you willingly take with them; but, as you find you have no control over
them, you must tell him so before they are ruined.

INQUISITIVE.--The average duration of human life is increasing to t