Little Folks Part 25

PRIZE COMPEt.i.tIONS, &C.

ETHEL READ.--[All work of _every kind_ in the Compet.i.tions must be done by Compet.i.tors _unaided_. The articles in the Plain Needlework Compet.i.tion are not to be washed before being sent in.--ED.]

LITERATURE.

An ARMADILLO writes, in answer to RAGS AND TATTERS, that the lines beginning--

"Bear through sorrow, wrong, and ruth," &c.

are found in the fourteenth verse of Longfellow's "Maidenhood." Answers also received from _Elaine_, _Tattie_ _Coram_, and _An Amazon Queen_.

LADY OF THE LAKE asks for the name of the author of the piece of poetry called "The Three Crowns."

GAMES AND AMUs.e.m.e.nTS.

TADPOLE asks if any one can tell her the origin of "Blind-man's buff."

L. J. F. writes, in answer to MAY WILLIAMSON, that the following are the rules for "Bell and Hammer":--"Any number of persons may play, one of whom must be appointed cashier. The cashier then distributes an equal number of counters to each player, puts up for sale the five cards separately, and knocks them down with the hammer to the highest bidder.

The produce is put into the pool; each player must pay four counters into the pool. The cashier has first throw, and when all blanks are thrown each player pays one to the holder of the white horse. If with the blanks the bell, or hammer, or both are thrown, the owner of such card pays one to the holder of the white horse. When numbers and blanks are thrown the cashier pays the amount to the player from the pool. When the pool is nearly empty there arises an advantage to the inn, for if the amount of the number thrown exceeds what is in the pool the player pays the overplus to the owner of the inn. If all blanks are thrown after the inn begins to receive, the owner of the white horse pays one to the inn, and should the bell or hammer be thrown with blanks the owner pays one to the inn. But if numbers accompany the bell or hammer, the owner of such card must pay to the inn the number thrown above those remaining in the pool. The game is stopped by some one throwing exactly the same number as is in the pool. The one who has most counters wins the game." Answers also received from IRENE FEDRIGO, A BUSY BEE, HENBANE, FUZZELLYBOO, and TADPOLE.

WORK.

ASTARTE sends the following directions, in answer to W. M.'s question as to how to make a pair of baby's woollen shoes, suitable for a bazaar:--"One ounce of white Berlin wool. A chain of thirty-four st.i.tches; double-crochet into this for thirty rows, taking the back st.i.tch, so as to form a rib. Then crochet fifteen st.i.tches, turn and go back to end of row, then go back again for fourteen st.i.tches, and so on, taking one less each time until there are only seven left. This has to be done on both sides of the leg, so as to form the foot. Break off the wool, fasten it on at the top of the leg, then crochet down as far as the instep, and back again, doing one less each time till there are only two st.i.tches left. Then down as far as the instep do an edging of treble crochet, then work another edging (b.u.t.ton-hole st.i.tch) all round the edging of flourishing thread. Then join the foot loosely down the middle, and sew up the leg so that the part increased flaps over. For the sole of foot make a chain of fourteen st.i.tches, work it up and down till there are thirteen ribs; in the last two rows a st.i.tch must be left out at each corner. Sew the sole on to the foot and the boot is finished."

COOKERY.

SNOW-FLAKE would be much obliged if any one would tell her how to make almond rock.

RUBY and A STRAWBERRY wish to know how to make toffee and b.u.t.ter scotch.

GENERAL.

d.i.c.kY WYATT writes, in answer to HELVELLYN, that the word "Kettledrum"

means a large social party. Among the Tartars a "kettle" represents a family, or as many as feed from one kettle; and on Tweedside it signifies a "social party," met together to take tea from the same tea-kettle; hence any social party. Of course the play upon this meaning of the word and the instrument called a kettledrum is intentional, the word "drum" meaning a crowded "evening party," "drum," applying to the close packing, as, a drum of figs. Answer also received from A BUSY BEE.

LUNA would be glad if any one would tell her how to dry gorse, and how to dry "lords and ladies."

W. ROUTLEDGE asks how to make a graph for copying letters, &c.

NATURAL HISTORY.

EUSTACIE would be glad to know if radish would kill canaries; also if gas would hurt them?--[Gas is always injurious; we should not think radish was, unless it were given rather suddenly and freely after long denial of green food; but we never tried this particular kind of vegetable diet.]

ELECTRA wants to know what is the matter with her hen canary. The bird is losing all the feathers from her neck, though it is not yet the time for moulting. Is it good for her to have green food every day?--[Green food is good in moderation. It is impossible to tell the reason for the loss of feathers with no other symptoms; see if the bird is infested with mites, and if so use Persian powder freely. You can do no harm to anoint the bare places with vaseline. Unmated hens are very apt to get out of sorts at the breeding season.]

Picture Story Wanting Words.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

A Guinea Book and an Officer's Medal of the LITTLE FOLKS Legion of Honour will be given for the best short and _original_ Description of this Picture. A smaller Book and an Officer's Medal will be given, in addition, for the best Description _relatively to the age of the Compet.i.tor_. All Compet.i.tors must be under the age of 16 years, and their Descriptions must be certified by Ministers, Teachers, Parents, or other responsible persons, and reach the Editor by the 9th of August next (the 15th of August for Compet.i.tors residing abroad). In addition to the TWO Prizes and Officers' Medals, some of the most deserving Compet.i.tors will be included in a List of Honour, and will be awarded Members' Medals of the LITTLE FOLKS Legion of Honour. (See the notice about the Silver Medal on page 115 of the last Volume.)

ANSWERS TO OUR LITTLE FOLKS' OWN PUZZLES (_page_ 60).

RIDDLE-ME-REE.--VIOLET.

* * * * *

TRANSPOSED LETTER PUZZLE.

1. "All is not gold that glitters."

2. "Pride will have a fall."

3. "Handsome is that handsome does."

* * * * *

HIDDEN PROVERB.

"Every cloud has a silver lining."

* * * * *

ARITHMOREM.

1. Livingstone.

2. La Place.

3. Milton.

4. America.

5. Schumann.

6. London.

* * * * *

SINGLE ACROSTIC--EDWARD.

1. ~E~ dith.

2. ~D~ en.

3. ~W~ ater.

4. ~A~ rm.

5. ~R~ ace.