is the wicked uncle, who is troubled with dreams, after the fashion of Mathias in the "Bells." The transformation-scene, depicting the "Nereid's Home," is a lovely bit of painting by Mr. F. Lloyds. Mr. Forest is the clown, and the veteran Paulo the pantaloon. Lieut. Cole's clever performance is introduced in the course of the evening.

The remaining pantomimes we are compelled to dismiss more briefly. At the Globe, Miss Lydia Thompson and her engaging troupe, have set up their standard, and play their "Blue Beard" with a capital pantomime ending, which is totally unlike the usual character of such things. Its very originality should make it acceptable. At the Surrey there is a capital pantomime, "The Forty Thieves," with the Paynes in the opening, and Madlle. Anetta Scasi as Morgiana. Here the spectacle is very fine, and there is a most tasteful transformation-scene. In the harlequinade Mr. Harry Payne is clown. At the Grecian, "Snip, Snap, Snorum" is the vehicle for the display of Mr. George Conquest's remarkable talents.

It is not, however, at every theatre that pantomime reigns. At many, the bills are unchanged. "Hamlet," with Mr. Irving as the Danish Prince, still keeps its place on the boards of the Lyceum, and probably will continue to do so for some time. Mr. Sothern continues to depict the eccentricities of Lord Dundreary to the frequenters of the Haymarket. "The Two Orphans " flourish at the Olympic; and "Sweethearts" and "Society" at the Prince of Wales's.

At the Gaiety, however, there has been an important change. The production of "The Merry Wives of Windsor" has more than justified our anticipation. We cannot call to mind ever having seen such an exceptionably good cast all round. From Mr. Phelps, who plays Sir John Falstaff, downwards, all are good, and specially well chosen for their parts. Mr. Arthur Cecil, who has proved a most powerful acquisition to the Gaiety company, has made a wonderful hit in the part of Dr. Caius, the French physician, which he plays with the utmost humour, and at the same time with the most careful attention to the most trifling detail. Mr. Righton, as Sir Hugh Evans, the Welsh parson, is almost equally good, and the scene of the duel between those worthies must be seen, as they say, to be appreciated. When we add that "The Merry Wives" are played by Mrs. John Wood and Miss Rose Leclercq, that Miss Furtado is a very sweet Ann Page, and that Mrs. Leigh is the bustling Dame Quickly, it will be seen at once how well the ladies' parts are filled. The scenery is very good throughout, but the scene of Windsor Forest by moonlight, with the Castle in the distance, is a perfect triumph of the scene-painter's art. Mr. Arthur Sullivan's music is bright and characteristic, but hardly up to his best mark. Altogether, no more successful revival of Shakespeare has been seen since the days of Charles Kean-its completeness and evenness are beyond all praise.

The prolific and always amusing Mr. Byron has produced a comedy, "Our Boys," at the Vaudeville. The plot is improbable, but the quips and cranks of the dialogue are wonderful, and the acting so good that the audience enjoy the piece greatly, and it promises to have a long run. A close friendship between an aristocratic military officer of high rank, and a retired butterman, is certainly not one of the most likely things to occur in everyday life; but the old General, as played by Mr. Farren, combines familiarity with dignity so well, and Mr. James, as the old ex-butterman, is so diverting, that the house is kept in a high state of amusement, and forgets to be critical. When listening to a lyric performance, we feel bound to believe that music is the natural language of the Leonora or the Amina, and the Gennaro or the Giovanni of the scene, and that the violation of probability would be, if the characters did not sing. Similarly we ought, we suppose, to feel astonished if, in a modern fashionable comedy, the pretty young ladies and smart young gentlemen did not catch up one another's words, and shower puns and epigrams. The dialogue of Mr. Byron's comedy, like that of several others which have lately had long runs, reminds us of a fencing match, so rapid is the play of "the sharp, the rapier-pointed epigram." Of this art, Mr. Byron is a master; and while, of course, he does not indulge in those terrible word-dislocations which make his burlesques remarkable, he runs riot in puns and jokes of a somewhat less violent type. The performers evidently enjoy the play, and Mr. James has added another, and perhaps the greatest, to his long list of successes. His mixture of assumed dignity and real comicality is admirable, and when once he is almost pathetic, in a moment afterwards he evokes a shout of laughter. Since Robson's time, comic actors have shown an ambition for the tragic, and have delighted in what are called serio-comic parts, delighting to make strong pathetic points. Mr. James leads us up to the point, and then topples over into burlesque, appa rently unintentional, but very destructive to the serio-comic theory. He has disinherited his son, and the audience are beginning to think, "What a hard-hearted old butterman; " but when desiring to express his determination in appropriately dignified language, he adds, "That is my ulta-pomatum !" (meaning, we presume, ultimatum), we are in the comic region again. "Our Boys" promise to enjoy a long life: they are smart young fellows; and "Our Girls," played by Miss Amy Roselle and Miss Kate Bishop, are very charming companion pictures.

In the musical world there has been the usual stagnation, owing to the Christmas holidays. The series. of daily concerts at the Albert Hall, so liberally projected by Messrs. Novello, came to an end on Boxing-day, when two concerts were given. On both occasions the audience were rather tumultuous; for Mr. Reeves, who had been announced, and who, no doubt, was the chief attraction at each of the concerts, was unable to put in an appearance. As might have been expected, the audience were

disappointed, and they did not hesitate to show it. The singers who came on when Mr. Reeves should have appeared, were hardly allowed to open their mouths, and the disturbance continued more or less throughout the evening. It certainly was a great pity, and, we would venture to add, a great mistake, that Mr. Reeves' inability to fulfil his engagement was not announced earlier. At all events, the disturbance at the evening concert might have been avoided. Of course it was in thoroughly bad taste, but it was natural enough. It is now proposed to give two weekly concerts, one of which will be alternately of oratorio and classical music, and the other will be popular, in character. The change is certainly a wise one, and we cannot help regretting that some such course was not adopted at first. The Albert Hall is in winter a most inconvenient place to go to, and to get away from, except for those in its immediate vicinity, while the weather is such as it usually is in London during the winter months. The omnibus service is scanty and irregular, the railway is some way off, and to wait for a carriage or bus at the door entails endless miseries. In the summer, however, these drawbacks are modified, and we may hope that the new series of concerts will be sufficiently successful to warrant Messrs. Novello in giving an occasional extra night. One good result we may fairly expect from the change the wider interval between the concerts will give those opportunities for rehearsal that were badly wanted.

The first section of the Crystal Palace Concerts ended with a performance of Sir Frederick Ouseley's oratorio, "Hagar," which was produced at the Hereford Festival in 1873, but had not previously been heard in London. The performance, as regards chorus, band, and soloists, was remarkably good, and the oratorio was received with general marks of approbation; but unfortunately the weather was most unpropitious, and the audience was unusually scanty. We trust, however, that we shall have a chance of hearing "Hagar" again under more favourable circumstances. There is much in it that is considerably above the average, and every line of it shows

DOWN

the hand not only of a skilful scholastic musician, but also of a careful and thoughtful writer, who has the truest appreciation of his subject. The series was recommenced on Saturday, January 16, with a concert of the usual character.

Two performances of the "Creation" have been given since our last notes were written; one under the auspices of Mr. William Carter, at the Albert Hall, and another by the Sacred Harmonic Society at Exeter Hall. Mr. John Boosey has commenced a series of Ballad Concerts at the Albert Hall with his accustomed success, and the Monday Popular Concerts at St. James's Hall have been resumed. Soon the [musical season of 1875 will be in "full swing." One more item of musical news will close our present budget. This is the commencement of a fresh season by Mr. and Mrs. German Reed, at St. George's Hall, Langham Place, with a capital company, and a most attractive programme. Mr. Barnard's piece, "Two Many by One," with Mr. F. H. Cowen's music, is retained, and is well performed by Miss Leonora Braham, Mrs. German Reed, Messrs. A. Bishop, A. Reed, and Corney Grain. But the most effective piece in the programme is Mr. A'Beckett's "Three Tenants," which is brightly written and especially well suited to the company. The plot is something of the "Box and Cox" character, and the fun of the piece is in the complications which ensue from the letting of a Highland cottage in Perthshire to three parties simultaneously. Mrs. German Reed, as a nervous widow, with a daughter, capitally played by Miss Fanny Holland, has a part that suits her to perfection, and of which she makes the very most. Mr. A. Reed is particularly good as Pebbles, the old custodian of the cottage. Mr. A. Bishop's "Vellum," an old bookworm, is well made up and most cleverly acted. The music is written and adapted by Mr. German Reed. Mr. Corney Grain has a scena, The Enchanted Piano," after the style of the late John Parry, to whom he makes a very acceptable successor, but we may not expect to see John Parry's equal again.

the shadowed lane she And her arms are laden

With the woodbine and wild-rose,
Happy little maiden!

Sweetly, sweetly doth she sing
As the lark above her;

Surely every living thing

Thou hast seen must love her.

As she strayed and as she sung, Happy little maiden ! Shadowy lanes and dells among, With wild flowers laden,

goes,

Chanced a bonny youth that way,

For the lanes were shady;
She dropped one wee flower, they say,
Did this little lady.

Dropped a flower, so they say;
Dropped, and never missed it;
And the youth, alack-a-day,

Picked it up and kissed it.
Now in sweet lane wanderings,

With love-flowers laden,
With her love she strays and sings,
Happy little maiden!

OUR WORK-ROOM.

RULES AND REGULATIONS. All letters requiring answers in the following month's issue must be forwarded to SYLVIA, CARE of EDITOR, before the fifth of each month.

2. All letters asking questions should be written on one side only of the paper, and a space should be left for each answer.

3. In writing for advice as to the making up and altering of dresses, it is advisable to mention height, complexion, and colour of hair, in order that the best combinations of colour may be given.

4 Photographs sent for this purpose cannot be returned, unless accompanied by a stamped directed envelope.

No charge is made for replies to any question in the Work-room: it is open to all comers, and all are welcome.

EMMEY would be so thankful for Sylvia's advice. What would she recommend for mourning for a step-mother? father having died a very long time ago. Would be very grateful if she could be answered in the February number. [As your father is dead, you need wear very little crape. Have your bonnet of black silk, with a little areophane. Trim your dress with narrow folds of crape, headed with narrow jet, and have these folds placed so that you can afterwards substitute velvet or other trimming. Your jacket can be arranged in the same way.]

SYLVIA cannot find "Totum's " letter, dated October 1st; but if "Totum" will write again, Sylvia will be glad to give the subject her best attention.

MRS. K. presents her compliments to Sylvia, and would feel obliged with her advice about a cress pattern enclosed. As it is shabby, Mrs. K. thought of having it dyed, and stamped with some coloured pattern. Does Sylvia know if they wear and look well; and what colour would suit a dark person, not tall or stout, middle age The dress has a deep flounce, plain body, large, open sleeves. [Dyeing would make the silk too thin. Better have it re-dipped in the original dye.]

UNE FRANÇAISE will be very much obliged to Sylvia if she will answer the following question. What can she do with a good black silk dress, rather more than walking length, to make it tidy for evening wear? It has a high bodice and wide sash, but no panier. There are also three narrow flounces, but they are very shabby indeed. Une Française likes the magazine very much. [If Une Française has any black grenadine she can put a flounce of it round the skirt of the silk, making the shabby flounces into ruching wherewith to head the flounce. Make a tablier of the grenadine, edging with silk or jet fringe-the latter Une Française can make herself. Cut the body en cœur, and trim round with fluting of grenadine and lace, or muslin ruff. Trim sleeves with grenadine and fringe. An old grenadine dress would do all that is required. If not, six yards of new material will make your dress very handsome and becoming for dinner or evening wear.]

HOPE very much needs some advice from Sylvia. Her case is this: she and a younger sister had just got a handsome outfit each of winter clothes, when they have unexpectedly lost their dear mother. Some of the dresses are still in the piece, some partly made, and some worn a few times. She and her sister have also got handsome bonnets, which were never worn.

Their purses

are limited, and it would be a great object to them if they could get rid of the things. Hope has seen two advertisements very often in THE YOUNG ENGLISHWOMAN, which she encloses, offering to buy ladies' dresses. Could Sylvia tell her of a trustworthy person, from personal knowledge, or the knowledge of some friend? and Hope would also wish to know how such arrangements are made; does the buyer send a deposit? Hope fears she is very troublesome, but living in a very small town she has no other means of getting this much needed informnation. She encloses a list of the new articles, and she has a number of good dresses very little worn. Hope hopes that if Sylvia will not write by post she will answer her in the February magazine, as last week Hope could not write a line. [Sylvia does not personally know any dealer in secondhand clothing, but advises "Hope" to correspond with either of those recommended by subscribers, and to find out from them the working of the system. Their names and addresses are: Mrs. Cawsey, 16, Tavistock Street, Devonport, South Devon; and Mrs. Dymond, 55, Mill Street, Bideford, North Devon. We cannot publish your list of dresses, unless you wish to advertise them in our exchange column.]

AMY would feel deeply indebted to Sylvia if she would tell her how to make up a dress for a ball. She has a light blue batiste, train skirt, very long, which has been worn over, and thinks that it would make up, if cut short, with some blue tarlatan, or something of the kind. Amy is five feet three, stout, fair skin, and light hair. Will Sylvia kindly answer in the next number? [Thin materials never look well over thin materials of a different texture. If you could get some blue silk, which need not be very gooddyed would do-you could make up the batiste very prettily as trimming, covering the three front breadths to the knees with tiny flounces, and trimming the rounded tunic and ends, besides body and sleeves, with pretty blonde, or soft white lace. This would also be eventually the more economical style.]

JANEY Would feel obliged to Sylvia if she would tell her what way would be best to make a cloak. She has three yards of wide width cloth like the pattern enclosed. She is five feet five, rather thin, light-complexioned. She had thought of a circular cloak, but would you advise it gored or not? Sylvia would greatly oblige by answering this in the next number. [Sylvia received no pattern of the cloth. Circular cloaks are no longer fashionable. A jacket, either loose or fitting, would be more advisable.]

MABEL W. Would like to know what Sylvia would advise her to do with a silk dress (pattern enclosed). She has a full, plain skirt and jacket bodice, it is perfectly clean and fresh, but oldfashioned. Mabel W. having been almost constantly in mourning for many years, she does not care to bring it out again as it is. She wishes to have it dyed, though she dislikes dyed silk. What colour would Sylvia advise? Could it be dyed black, with a printed stripe, or spot of some colour, and what would be the probable cost? Mabel will feel grateful for any suggestion from Sylvia, as regards the dyeing and making up the dress. [It is a pity to have it dyed, as it is perfectly clean, and would be very thin after dyeing. Why not make the full, plain skirt into a pretty tablier, or tunic, trimmed with brown silk, or

velvet to match the stripe, and wear over a brown or black skirt?]

JESSIE would be extremely grateful if Sylvia would help her a little. Jessie has ten yards of black cashmere, fifty-two inches wide, which she wants to make up into a nice walking dress; will Sylvia kindly tell her how, and what to trim it with? Jessie is in mourning. Height, five feet. [Gore the three front breadths, and trim nearly to waist with narrow flounces, with French hem of self, and headed with bias folds stitched at each side. Make long and ample tunic at back, caught up with sash of cashmere lined with silk. Up the seams where front trimming ends, put revers of cashmere, scalloped out and fastened back with pretty silk or jet buttons. Trim skirt at back with a flounce or flounces of cashmere wider than those in front. Rasque body and tight sleeves, with cuffs of scalloped cashmere, with buttons to match those on skirt.] Also how to make up a dress of dark grey linsey, for a little girl ten years old, for every day wear. [Have the back plain and trim the front with bias folds, which would be pretty in a lighter grey. Let the skirt make a little pouff at the back, which fastens up with a pretty sash, black or grey. Body with bias folds from front to back over shoulder, and half-fitting jacket, trimmed with smoked buttons. If you have a lighter grey, put in the pockets, on the sleeves and in the bias folds.] Jessie likes the Work-room very much, and thinks it is very useful to a great many. Has been a subscriber some years, and likes it very much.

Will Sylvia tell MAY a pretty simple way of making a light print dress for a very small, young-looking girl, past twenty-five? [If you like it short, trim across tablier with flounces about eight inches wide, and a deeper flounce all the way round the skirt. If long, have the back quite plain, but with a pouff at the top. The plainness of the skirt will add to your apparent height. Trim the body and sleeves with frillings of the material, soon hemmed in a sewing machine, and wear with a bow at the neck of some pretty contrasting colour of a rather dark shade, to tone down the lightness of the print. If a good print, have a round tablier and ends at the back, trimmed with English embroidery.]

A. MELON writes: I beg to present my compliments to the Editor, and to solicit advice upon the following subjects:-1. How shall I make up a thick Russell cord, how many yards will it require, and how much crape? [Trim the front breadths with bias folds and crape, with one or two flounces round the back. Twelve to fourteen yards; three to four yards of crape.] 2. What crape do you consider best, and how much is it per yard, and where procurable? [Albert crape, price varies according to quality. Order it through your linendraper.] 3. My husband has been dead just a twelvemonth. Can you tell me how to trim a rich, black, glacé silk dress; it has eight widths, and is not gored. I don't want to take it to pieces, because it is just as my dear husband gave it to me, but I want to trim it with crape to make it look deep enough; it is quite plain now, with the exception of blue velvet and black fringe across the shoulders. [Crape is not suitable on glacé silk, only on grosgrain. You had better keep it till you leave oft crape, especially as this trimming spoils the silk for any other.]

OUR DRAWING-ROOM.

OUR EXCHANGE.-Ladies wishing to effect exchanges through our columns can do so GRATIS, on the following condition :-1. That they give an address, which may be printed. 2. It is not possible for us to undertake to forward letters and enter addresses; but ladies who wish to exchange, and who object to their addresses being published, can advertise an exchange, without address given, on payment of one shilling for thirty-six words, when their names will be entered, and letters forwarded, without further expense.

ALPHA writes, I have a quantity of modern music, and some bound very nicely; also some songs; all very little used, which I shall be glad to exchange for something useful, or for other music. Will send a list on application.--Address, Alpha, Post Office, Redland, Bristol.

FRANCES would be greatly obliged if the Editor, or any of his readers, would kindly tell her where she would be able to procure a painted glass transparency of the Crucifixion. It should be about 16 inches in length by 10 in width, and simply framed fit for hanging in a window. She would like to know the probable expense. She would also like to get two companion transparencies of a smaller size.

ALICE GRACE VIOLET will feel much obliged to the Editor if he will tell her who is the composer of the piece called Spring Flowers. What is the third song connected with the Gipsy's Warning? Having the former, and the reply, Do not heed her Warning, is anxious to get the third part. Who is the writer and composer of the song called Madoline? Why is rice thrown at a wedding? [This is an Indian custom, and signifies wishes for prosperity and abundance.]

MARY T. O. ROWE writes, Your correspondent who wishes for information about the examinations for women, ought to apply to Miss J. Kennedy, The Elms, Cambridge; if about the girls' examination, senior or junior, to Mrs. Siveing, Newnham, Cambridge. I know nothing about Oxford, this year; but I know that last year one of the secretaries for the Oxford Local Examination was Mrs. Spender, The Circus, Bath. If your correspondent wishes to work for any of these, I would advise her to lose no time in applying to any of these ladies, who will tell her all she needs to know, most kindly.

HELEN ZED Would be obliged if the Editor, or any other kind friend, could give her information respecting a picture entitled, The Foster Mother. H. Zed thought it was issued with the "Graphic" for Oct. 3rd; but not obtaining it with that paper, supposes she was mistaken. The subject is a young girl, feeding some little birds in a nest, which she holds in her hand. [This picture was issued with the " "Graphic," and you ought to have received it.]

IRIS wishes to exchange the YOUNG ENGLISHWOMAN for 1873, with fashion sheets, quite complete and in good condition, for anyShe also has some point-lace thing useful. collars and tie-ends for sale or exchange. Answers requested as early as possible (no postcards).-Address, L. S. E., Post Office, Welsh

pool.

MIMOSA presents her compliments to the Editor, and would he kindly answer her the following questions: When a bride gives cake and wine to her friends, should she have two kinds of wine? [Yes.] And should the cake have the flowers round it, or should they be taken off? [Flowers round it.] And when it is sent to friends, how should it be packed? [In boxes, by the pastry-cook.] And what sized piece should be sent ? [A slip about four

inches long and two wide.] And should it be sent with the bride and bridegroom's compliments, or the bride's only? [With Mr. and Mrs. Blank's compliments.] And when one is friendly with a whole family, should a separate piece be sent to each? [No.] And how soon after the wedding should it be sent ? [Posted on the day.

M. E. D. sends Charlotte von Kalb the verses she asks for, and also the meaning of the term " 'Beanfeast," which is used when any firm employing a number of men, gives them a day's holiday annually, and provides them with dinner and other refreshments.

A SUMMER DREAM. One day we sailed, my love and I, Dreaming upon a summer sea; A summer sky was overhead,

A summer wind upon our lee, And Love's sweet summer in our hearts, As we drifted, dreamily.

We sailed together, he and I,

A soft, sweet, wind upon our lee,
Till the summer sun was going down,
In a crimson glory on the sea;
We watched the gold cloud-islands rise
As we drifted silently.
We watched a fairy palace rise,
In summer glory on the sea;

A palace, in which he and I
Should live and love unchangingly,
With summer ever in our hearts,
Life drifting joyously.

Oh! summer dream! my love and I,
Have drifted from that summer sea;
The summer sky is overcast,

Cold is the wind upon our lee-
The summer dreaming from our hearts
Has drifted drearily.

No more we sail, my love and I,
Together on a summer sea;
The cold, grey mist of parting spreads
Its shadow between him and me.
Aye, since the golden summer-time,
We've drifted wearily.
Drifted apart, my love and I,

Our fairy palace in the sea,
Sunk by the grief of parting, lies,
All that is left to him and me,
Is love, like summer in our hearts,
That lives unchangingly.

EMMA WAUGH.

H. B. has for sale the following pieces and songs. Pieces: Moonlight on the Gondola, IS. 6d.; Harpe Eolienne (S. Smith), 2s.; Spanish Chant (Shroeder), 6d.; Marseillaise (Rimbault), Is.; La Préciosa (B. Richards), Is.; Mabel Waltzes (D. Godfrey), 6d.; Melody in F. (Rubenstein), 6d. Songs: Come where my Love lies Dreaming, 6d.; Driven from Home, 6d. The Dream, Is.; Skipper and his Boy (Gabriel), Is.; Grandma's Dream, 6d.; I've just had a Letter, 1s.; My Roses blossom (duet by V. Gabriel), Is.; Sing, Birdie, Sing (Ganz), Is. 6d.; Who can tell? (duet), IS.; What are the Wild Waves saying? (duet), 1s. 6d.; Ben Bolt, 6d.; Fading Away, 9d.; I'm Afloat! 6d.; I was Wandering and Weary, 6d.; Angels ever Bright and Fair, 6d.; Widow of Nain (duet), gd.; Juanita, 9d.; Happy be thy Dreams, 1s.; Maggie's Secret, IS.; Where shall we Rest (duet), 6d.; Oh, ye Tears! IS. H. B. has also for sale, a handsome tortoiseshell comb, for which she will take 4s., or exchange for steel chatelaine. H. B. has lately become a subscriber to the magazine, and likes it immensely; she thinks all the contributions very good.-Address, H. B., Post Office, Mortimer, Berks.

ALICE will feel much obliged if Sylvia will tell her the usual time to stay in mourning for a grandmamma, and the quantity of crape worn, also when to slighten it. [Nine months to a year. Three months in crape, which need not be very heavy.]

MILLIE W. writes, I should be much obliged if you would tell me where I can procure Cash's Coventry Cambric Frilling, the price of it, and the smallest quantity to be had. [At Peter Robinson's, Oxford Street. Prices vary according to width.] If a stamped envelope was sent would Madame Goubaud send patterns of the Beau Ideal Embroidery, [Patterns of this embroidery cannot be sent.]

should like to see in some future number some easy patterns of point-lace, braid, and crochet, also hair-pin work and crochet. [Crochet patterns will be given in every number. Hair-pin work is out of date.]

ASTREA Wrote to the Editor last November asking him to tell her of a good history of Greek and Latin literature for private study. Not seeing her letter nor the answer in the Drawing-room since, she writes again, thinking the late Editor might have overlooked her little request; she therefore begs the new one to be so kind as to answer this and the following queries in the February number of his most admirable magazine, THE YOUNG ENGLISHWOMAN. What is meant, in modern language, by being a Bohemian? For instance, when Jules Janin, the French writer, says of his wife that He will make a Bohemian of her, even as he is one." This surely cannot mean simply native of Bohemia? I do not know of any history of Greek and Latin literature. You give me three lines in your letter to reply to a question whose answer might occupy pages.

Bohemia" is the name given to that portion of society, or perhaps I had better say the outskirts of society, whose inhabitants are artists, poets, writers, with their own immediate world. Clever people are very seldom provident, and are apt to let to-morrow take care for the things of itself without the slightest help from to-day. Consequently, Bohemians are often in a strait. They are sometimes poor, sometimes rich, generally careless and happy even when the world treats them badly. The great esprit de corps of the community helps them to A novel called "Kitty" would give you a glimpse into this terra incognita, which is so difficult to describe to those who have

be so.

never seen it. Mürger's definition runs : "Bohemia is a stage on the high road of art. It leads to the Morgue, the Workhouse, or, the Academy."] And what is the exact definition of "Being called to the Bar?" [A man is called to the Bar when he has completed the necessary number of terms, and passed the requisite examination. He is then entitled to practise as barrister, if any one will give him a brief.] Also, would it be considered outré for a young lady to have her visiting-cards printed without the usual title of "Miss," and only the christian and surname thus: Mary Jennings? [It would be considered eccentric, and it is a pity to do anything eccentric without a very strong motive.] Is the eldest daughter of any one of the sons in a family called "Miss," or only the eldest daughter of the eldest son of the family? [The eldest daughter of any of the sons is called Miss, unless she resides with, or in the close neighbourhood of, the daughters of elder sons.] Is it proper for young ladies to ride out unattended and alone? [It is unconventional, to say the least.] Astrea concludes her epistle, wishing the new Editor a very happy new year, and every success in regard to his editorial work, for if she may judge of his merit by his writings, she ventures to say that she considers him quite worthy of the esteem and regard of all the Young Englishwomen.

HELEN has much pleasure in sending the words of "Kate O'Shane" for Annie. It is an old song, Helen sung it twenty years ago, when she was young, and has written the words from memory, but thinks they are correct. Can any one advise her what to do with her lily of the valley; she has a large bed of it which was neglected for a few years, and has got so full of weeds there seems no hope of cleaning it without taking it all and up parting the roots, which is very bad, as she has been told it injures lily of the valley very much to move it; if it must be done what is the best season? Margaret can easily make potted head, such as one sees at Scotch breakfasttables, by following these directions: take half a pig's head and two of the feet well cleaned, boil them very well, with as much water as will cover them, then cut off the meat of the head into pieces about an inch square, it should be nicely mixed, fat and lean; let the feet boil in some of the liquor until it will jelly when cold; it must be very highly seasoned with salt, pepper, allspice, mace, and a few cloves; warm the meat in it and pour all into moulds. If the jelly is very stiff it will keep for a month or longer; if a little melted lard is poured on the top when cold, this must be scraped off before turning out the potted head. This dish is sometimes called brawn, and can be made of cow's head, but it is not so good as of pig's head.

KATE O'SHANE.

The cold winds of Autumn
Wail mournfully here;
The leaves round me falling
Are faded and sere;
But chill though the breeze be,
And threatening the storm,
My heart full of fondness

Beats kindly and warm.

Oh, Dennis dear, come back to me,
I count the hours away from thee;
Return, never to part again

From thine own darling, Kate O'Shane.

"Twas here we last parted,
'Twas here we first met,
And ne'er has he caused me
One tear of regret.

Though seasons may alter
Their change I defy,

My heart's one glad summer
While Dennis is by.

Oh, Dennis dear! come back to me, etc.

JESSAMINE having seen a way of removing black dots from the face by means of Sapoline, would feel much obliged to Sylvia, if she would kindly tell her if Sapline is the same as Sapoline? If not, where can Jessamine procure the Sapoline, as she has inquired at the chemist's and he does not know it. [Never heard of Sapline. Gard's Sapoline may be procured retail of Messrs. Chaplin and Co., 132, High Holborn, and in 12lb. boxes of C. T. Tyler, Send, Woking Station.

LEONORA wishes to thank the Editor for so kindly answering former inquiries and again ventures with more. She finds that the pages from 16 to 30 in the January number of THE YOUNG ENGLISWOMAN are omitted, thereby leaving out a good deal of valuable information. Could she obtain the missing pages, and if so, from whom? Leonora thinks the magazine this year still more improved; she forwards, with the kind Editor's permission, the words of the song, "Do not Heed her Warning," for Wilhelmina. [You have by mistake received an imperfect copy. Refer the matter to your bookseller, who will make the necessary inquiries.]

DO NOT HEED HER WARNING. Lady, do not heed her warning, trust me, thou shalt find me true,

Constant as the light of morning I will ever be to you.

Lady, I will not deceive thee, fill thy guileless heart with woe;

Trust me, Lady, and believe me, sorrow thou shalt never know.

Lady, every joy would perish, pleasures all would wither fast,

If no heart could love or cherish in this world of storm and blast;

E'en the stars that gleam above thee, shine the brightest in the night;

So would he, who fondly loves thee, in the darkness be thy light.

Down beside the flowing river where the darkgreen willow weeps,

Where the leafy branches quiver, there a gentle maiden sleeps ;

In the morn a lonely stranger comes and lingers many hours,

Lady, he's no heartless ranger, for he strews her grave with flowers.

Lady, heed thee not her warning, lay thy soft white hand in mine;

For I seek no safer haven, than the constant love of thine.

When the silver moonlight brightens, thou shalt slumber on my breast,

Tender words thy soul shall lighten, lull thy spirit into rest.

In answer to F. M., we cannot insert advertisements for exchanging paper patterns.

In reply to AIGUILLE, who asks in the January number for the meaning of the term, Poet Laureate, it is derived from the ancient custom of crowning successful poets with a wreath of laurel leaves. The title is given to the poet chosen to write the odes on royal marriages, births, and deaths. The Poet Laureate is, in fact, the Queen's poet, and is obliged to produce poetry to order, just like a manufacturer of " meaner stuff," the only difference being, that whereas the latter is paid by the piece, the Poet Laureate receives a yearly stipend.

J. BRIDGE writes:-In your November publication, I find in your Drawing-room correspondence that you have a correspondent under the title of "Heather Bell," who gives me to understand that on the receipt of 12 stamps, "he" or "she" will send 20 fern roots and a small bouquet of heather in blossom, also giving the address as follows: Heather Bell, Post Office, Eddeston, Ross-shire. Now as I was desirous of possessing the ferns and bou

quet, I wrote as instructed, enclosing 12 stamps, and the result was that in about ten days I received my letter and stamps back again through the Dead Letter Office. I write this as I think it nothing but right that you should know about it, when the advertisement appeared in your publication. Perhaps you could let me know something further about it through your correspondence column or otherwise, so that others may not be misled. I enclose you both the letter and also envelope, so that you may see for yourself that the letter was correctly addressed. [Mr. Bridge's envelope has returned to him freckled all over with postmarks inflicted on it during its wanderings. The Editor refers Mr. Bridge and other correspondents to Heather Bell's explanation in the last column of the next page.

In reply to ALICE'S query in the January number, Sylvia recommends a cashmere cloak of a colour becoming to Alice's complexion, for parties and the theatre. As Alice wishes it to be inexpensive, she need not have it lined, and it can be simply trimmed with lace or fringe. If Alice be ingenious, she might braid it with silk braid the same colour as the cashmere.

In reply to ANNIE, who asks in the January number for the names of two songs, Sylvia thinks the one beginning

"The long and weary day

I sit, and watch, and pray,"

sounds like a translation of the beautiful GerVolkslied,"

man

"Den lieben langen Tag

Hab' ich nur Schmerz und Plag,"

The other will be found answered in first column of this page by Helen.

PEARL will be much obliged to Sylvia if she can inform her of any book of patterns for folding dinner napkins in different styles. [I do not know of any existing book on the subject. Messrs. Ward, Lock, and Tyler are about to publish the information you ask for in a cheap form.]

Can any of our correspondents give STUDENT the address of a "Society for Study at Home?"

MABEL W. will feel grateful to the Editor if he will tell her whether the art of illuminating can be perfectly acquired from an instruction book? M. W. understands painting a little. What book would he recommend? It must not be an expensive one. [Depends much on your own taste and cleverness. Vere Foster's book is the best. Can any of our correspondents kindly tell M. W. where Pine Wool for knitting can be bought, or the Pine Flannel, said to be good for people suffering from rheumatism.]

TWOPENNY writes: I hope, dear Mr. Editor, you will not object to my troubling you again, but you say in answer to my query last month, "Do not let the hands get cold if you can avoid it." Now that is a thing I cannot avoid; I have a pony and chaise, and drive about a good deal, and of course, in spite of warm driving gloves, get them nearly frozen. Can you not recommend me something in the way of a lotion, or that sort of thing, which will have the desired effect in spite of adverse circumstances? I have been told to use lemon-juice, but do not know whether that is a preparation from the chemist, or simply the juice squeezed from a lemon. [Lemon-juice is very good for this purpose. You can get it prepared by a chemist, or you can simply cut a lemon and squeeze some of the juice into the water in which you wash your hands. Have you tried glycerine and glycerine soap?] Will you kindly tell me up to what date you receive letters for publication in the next month's issue? [Must be in before the 5th.]

E. W. presents her compliments to Sylvia, and would feel obliged if she can tell her if any of Sir Walter Scott's poems have been dramatised, and if so, which, and by whom? E. W.