sensible friend. Another book may be recommended to the elder members of schoolrooms, Pernette,' a tale in verse, by that charming writer, Victor de Laprade. This is the story of a ' réfractaire,' i.e. a conscript who, rather than serve in Napoleon's unjust wars of aggression, takes to the woods. It is a pity that so high-minded and pure a poet as M. de Laprade is so little known in England. The Bibliothèque Rose' has brought out several new works, such as En Quarantaine,' by Mdme. de Witt, a story turning on the games and stories invented to amuse some half-dozen children in quarantine for six weeks on account of scarlet fever. Grandfather, grandmother, mother and eldest sister are all occupied in helping them to get through this imprisonment contentedly. Another volume, by Mdme. Martignot, 'Les Vacances d'Elisabeth,' relates the adventures of a remarkably naughty girl, whose brother is as insubordinate as herself. She expects to find that he is spending his holidays as usual with his grandfather. But his misconduct has A AUNT JUDY'S CORRESPONDENCE. to obtain votes for the admission of an idiot into Earlswood Asylum at the next election, and will be grateful to any Subscribers who will give their help. The case is a very sad one, the child being one of a family of ten. Further particulars can be had on application to "Zoé," care of the Editor, Ecclesfield, Sheffield. "Nellie " thanks an anonymous friend for the splendid packet of wool sent in November towards making soft balls for sick children. "Agate," who offered babies' jackets crocheted in wool last month at 6d. each, has been obliged to raise the price to 9d., finding that the first sum did not cover the cost of the material. 27 Green Park, Bath. "One of Mother Carey's Chickens" thanks "M. L." and "M. C." for the epitaphs that they have sent. She will be glad to receive more, and to copy some in exchange for those already in her collection. Address Miss Attwell, Nassau House, Barnes, S. W. AUNT JUDY apologizes for her suspicion, and sends as a peace-offering the following epitaph, which is the quaintest she has ever met with. It is on the tombstone of a musician named Hattersley, in Holmesfield Churchyard, Derbyshire. "To the down Bow of death His Forte gave way; All the Graces in sorrow were drown'd; Shall be his glad lay When Da Capo the Trumpet shall sound." "Hem and Gem" want to hear of a good and inexpensive book on sea-weeds, illustrated, and more systematic than 'Common Objects of the Sea-shore.' AUNT JUDY fears that they have asked for what is not to be had; the cost and labour of producing a scientific book with illustrations is too great to allow of its being sold at a small price. The best book for beginners that AUNT JUDY knows is British Sea-weeds,' by Mrs. Alfred Gatty, in two volumes, with a coloured illustration to each sea-weed, price £2 108. (Bell & Sons, York Street, Covent Garden). If "The Sandy Cat" (1) refers to the current number of the 'Monthly Packet,' she will find that 'Cameos from English History' are being continued. (2) The simplest method of procuring The Darley Girl's Own Annual is to apply to the publisher, Mr. Wells Gardner, 2 Paternoster Buildings, London. (3) Can our readers recommend some good water-colour copies of animals? Horses and dogs preferred. "M. E. G." wishes to remind our readers of her appeal on behalf of the "Royal Charitable Repository" at Leamington, which appeared in the November 'Correspondence.' The institution is for the sale of work done by ladies who are in reduced circumstances and wish to help themselves. Full particulars were given in November : and in the same number "M. E. G." offered copies of The Exiles of St. Germains' and 'The Ladye Shakerley,' post-free for 28. 6d., the proceeds to be divided between the Charitable Repository, and the Children's Hospital in Great Ormond Street, London. Address, The Oaks, Leamington. "Emma C. Y." Morgan le Fay, or the Fairy Morgana, is one of the mystic beings spoken of as dwelling in the Vale of Avalon, or Apples. Morgana figures in the French version of the legend. She is said to have bewitched a knight, Ogier le Danois, who had been carried into the valley by his steed Papillon. The fairy gave him a golden crown, which, when placed upon his head, caused him to become oblivious of the lapse of time and of all his past life. His battles and love of glory were alike forgotten, until one day the crown fell from his head, when his recollection returned, and he went back to France to discover that two hundred years had expired since he left it. The whole race of Charlemagne and their greatness had passed away; and unable to find rest in his native land, the knight returned again to Avalon, and remained for ever with the fairy Morgana. Mr. Baring Gould gives an interesting account of this and other versions of the legend in his chapter on 'The Fortunate Isles,' in 'Curious Myths of the Middle Ages.' "Addie" offers sheets of foreign postage-stamps, containing 48] varieties, at 4d. a sheet. A. M. E., 14, Westbourne Terrace Road, London, W. "C." offers the following dolls' clothes for sale crocheted jackets 6d. & 8d. each; baby shoes 9d.; stockings 10d. and 18. Address care of the Editor, Ecclesfield, Sheffield. Additional members are wanted for a small drawing club, of medium attainments. A list of rules and any desired information can be had on application to The Secretary, Old House, Swanbourne, Winslow. "W. S." offers 38 crests and monograms, in exchange for foreign stamps. W. Stewart, The Rowans, Parsonage Road, Withington, Manchester. "Fanchette" wishes to sell or exchange (the latter preferred) a canary for any old numbers of AUNT JUDY'S MAGAZINE' that contain tales of the 'Scaramouches,' or of the 'Khoja and his Friends.' 143, Harley Street, London, W. "M. A. B. offers a volume of sixteen sacred songs by Handel, for 18. Address care of the Editor. "F. E. C." (1) is very anxious to obtain a copy of Two Lectures on the Influence of Poetry upon the Workingclasses,' by the Rev. F. W. Robertson. The book is now out of print. "F. E. D." will gladly give 3s. for it, or exchange some book of the same value for it, paying cost of postage. (2) She offers to exchange riddles for others. Chad Hill, Edgbaston, Birmingham. "F. G. H. D." (1) is making a large scrap-book for children, and will be glad to receive contributions of pictures, coloured or otherwise. (2) She offers a fine healthy death's head moth pupa for 28., and a large elephant hawk pupa for 18. Miss F. G. H. D'Aeth, Knowlton Court, Wingham, Kent. "Tilly Slowboy" is making a scrapbook for the patients in the Children's Hospital, and will be grateful for pictures, coloured or otherwise, to put in it. Care of the Editor. "E. M. R." offers to sell the following books, or to exchange them for 'AUNT JUDY'S MAGAZINE,' 1874, 1875 and 1876, or for any volumes of Good Words for the Young,' save 1871: The Quiver,' Vol. VIII., 58.; Barchester Towers,' 18.; "The Round Robin' for 1872, 48.; 'Jack Brag,' 18.; Penny Readings,' 6d. ; Vicar of Wakefield,' 6d.; Exiles of Siberia,' 6d.; Ruth Hall,' 6d. ; 'Stories from Jewish History,' 9d.; Old Merry's Annuals,' 1867 to 1870 inclusive, 28. 6d. each. 76, Wickham Road, Brockley, London, S.E. Quotation wanted: "So clad he was, that both on breast and limb "The Three Swallows" (1) will not have to wait much longer as the writer is better, and AUNT JUDY hopes that the tale will recommence in April and be continued through the rest of the year. (2) The donation kindly sent for the Hospital has arrived safely. (3) The little boy Herbert, who is spoken of in Part III. of Hospital Pets,' was the first occupant of AUNT JUDY'S Boy's Cot. He is mentioned in all the Reports of the Cot Patients from August 1872 until March 1873, when his death occurred. His memory is still fresh in the minds of all those who had to do with him. "E. M." of Brussels. The cost of permanently endowing a special Cot in the Children's Hospital is £1000; that of annually maintaining one, £40 per annum. The authorities are glad to allow the donors to give whatever name they may choose to the Cot they support. There are 28 special Cots in the Hospital now, of which AUNT JUDY'S Girl's one was the first. Five are permanently endowed. Twelve are supported by life donations, and eleven by annual contributions. The solution of the Double Acrostic in December sent by "Chesham" correct, but that from "C. E. M." and "E. M." was wrong in the last light. "C. M. S." The berries of the red arbutus are certainly not poisonous, but edible, and probably would make into very nice jam. They are offered for sale in the market at Killarney and other places. "G. W." and "Crab" both ask for the rules of an Easy Essay Society in which members are admitted of 13 years of age. about the AUNT JUDY Children, we will at once proceed to give a short account of the Hospital Christmas Treat, which took place on the 9th of this month. was The old programme was followed. First came the good tea for the Hospital inmates, and for about twelve old patients who had been fortunate enough to receive invitations. At five o'clock an immense Christmas-tree was lighted up, laden with pretty little toys of every kind imaginable, many of which we suspect our AUNT JUDY friends know something about. We only wish the 66 Dumplings," "Cheshire Cats," "Cronies," "White Roses," and other kindly odd-named creatures who interest themselves in the Hospital, could have seen the assemblage of delighted children, all, excepting quite the elder ones, clad in new red flannel jackets, thanks again to AUNT JUDY helpers. When the fun of the tree was over, a magic lantern was exhibited, which produced the loud and shrill bursts of applause common on these occasions; and the sudden appearance on the sheet of a likeness of the Queen, called forth the hearty singing of the National Anthem. "Kicky Donkey" was to be seen, perched at the foot of another child's cot, and he opened his eyes so wide that one might have thought he never could close them again. Johnny, the boy who swallowed the bit of ivory, was also present, looking very happy, and much better than he did some weeks ago, we are glad to say. And the James who can walk more easily on his hands than on his feet, was another of the spectators. "F. P." offers (1) 'The Gipsy Rondo' by Haydn for No. 74 of Sacred Songs,' in Boosey's Musical Cabinet,' or any shilling book of sacred songs; (2) a fretwork saw-frame in exchange for A Flat Iron for a Farthing,' or 38. in cash; (3) to send the rules of a Daily Practising Society on receipt of a stamp for postage. Miss F. Peake, Oak Grove, Chepstow. "A. Z." offers knitted woollen socks, men's size, 18. 7d. a pair; in finer wool, 28. 3d.; socks for children at lower prices according to size. Also gentlemen's 'Tam O'Shanter' caps in coloured, or heather yarn, 28. 7d.; in grey or brown wool, 28. The proceeds for a charity. Address care of the Editor. The author of Mademoiselle Mori' wishes to recommend a German Correspondence Class (not advanced). Address for particulars, with stamped envelope, Miss Thongar, 2 Ingatestone Place, Torquay. Among the old patients was Willie W- so long the occupant of the AUNT JUDY Boy's Cot. He was of course perfectly at home in the Victoria Ward (where the festivities were held), and greeted everyone in his old strange hoarse whisper, for the poor fellow's throat is still quite unlike that of any ordinary child. The largest and best toys were temptingly arranged on a table, and were all marked with the children's names. The distribution of these treasures took place after the magic lantern had been shown, and the treat was then brought to a close. In a wonderfully short time, the aspect of the ward was completely changed. All the merry guests had disappeared, the children who belonged to other wards had been carried back to their own cots, the blaze of light was gone, and order and silence reigned as on other evenings. 66 'Are you not very sleepy ?" said a visitor, on leaving, to one of the patients. "O no," said the little girl, with an air of offended dignity; "I sit up till eleven o'clock at home minding the baby, while my mamma finishes her work." We must say that it would be well if this mamma understood that "early to bed" is the right thing for young children. Two days later, the Highgate Treat took place, and all went off as pleasantly as possible. The very tree that had given such delight at Great Ormond Street, appeared again at Cromwell House, and was as richly covered with glittering presents the second time as the first. By the bye, it is now arranged that a third part of the gifts of clothing, toys, &c., which arrived at the Ormond Street Hospital, is to be forwarded to Highgate. This is, as our readers will doubtless see, a very fair plan, as the work of the two Institutions is one and the same in all important respects, and the Cromwell House patients have been invariably passed on from the sister Hospital. Among the children at the Highgate Treat we observed our old friend "Dusters," who was in boisterously good spirits. Quite as happy, but in a gentler way, was pretty little Annie, another old acquaintance of ours-the child who fell out of the window when walking in her sleep. |