A few of this week's Answers to Correspondents, and then the Editor lays down the new rules for said Corresponding lest we descend further into a Yahoo!Answers-sounding kind of hell.
DEWDROP - 1. We advise you to keep a little book and make notes of all you wish to do, in reference to your home duties. At the same time, endeavour to strengthen your memory. Do not submit yourself to what is familiarly called "wool-gathering," thinking of other things than the matter you have in hand. Give your whole attention to your duties while engaged in them. Try to collect your thoughts at those times in the day, when certain little duties devolve upon you. 2. If your young brothers need a hand at cricket, it would be ill-natured to refuse your assistance, but it is, otherwise, scarcely, a game for girls. We are much obliged to you for your appreciation of our paper.
MOSS ROSEBUD - 1. It is injurious to the eyes to read in bed. 2. It is not usual for such a little girl to wear rings.
DEADLY NIGHTSHADE goes to bed much too late for her age, and too late for the health of any one, old or young. Go to bed at nine o'clock, or a little past that hour, you will then have sufficient time for your devotions and ablutions, and attention to your hair; and yet be in bed by ten o'clock. You can then get up as the clock strikes seven, and be ready for breakfast at eight. The two hours preceding midnight afford what is called "beauty sleep."
ESTELLE - Always pay your own expenses, when you happen to be with any gentleman, merely a friend, or acquaintance.
NIGER - 1. We do not advise your cutting your eyelashes, you wear your spectacles too close to your eyes, which is likely to heat them. 2. When you wash with buttermilk, you should dry your face just as after washing with water. 3. We do not know what you mean by "a sewed work stool."
SNOWDROP - Such a grave question as that of marriage should be referred to your parents, or guardians, or minister. A difference off creed can always constitute an ample excuse for accepting a proposal without giving personal offence to any reasonable man. But if you have been imprudent, and have thoughtlessly given any encouragement to the hopes entertained, we can suggest no way by which you can escape the well-merited pain of "wounding the feelings" of one attached to you.
LUCY - We cannot prescribe for the prevention of growing of hair on the forehead, beyond advising you to brush it back.
TO OUR CORRESPONDENTS.
Our readers will, doubtless, have observed that more space than usual has lately been given to that departments of our paper called "Answers to Correspondents." This has, of course arisen from an increase in the number of letters received from the girls since the commencement of the magazine.
It must not be supposed, however, that these extra answers represent replies to all questions sent to us, as some of our correspondents seem to suppose. Indeed we regret to say that it is far otherwise, for every morning we receive letters answers to which would occupy more than half a weekly number.
It is, therefore, certain that many letters must remain unanswered.
Now with a view to fewer disappointments in the future, the editor wishes to say that no girl should ask more than two questions in one letter, and these should be sensible questions, clearly and briefly stated.
From this date, therefore, any letters containing more than two questions will be destroyed unanswered.
The correspondents should select initials or short and uncommon pseudonyms, avoiding "A Constant Reader," "A Lover of the G.O.P.," and other such hackneyed phrase. They should also refrain from calling themselves by such flattering names as "Fair Maid of Perth," etc., and from giving themselves the names of men.
Many letters are sent to us from various parts asking one and the same question. In this case we give one answer only, leaving the others to receive the information from that.
Of course, many questions are put to us, which, from an insufficient knowledge of various facts, we are totally unable to answer. Other letters, again, are frivolous, and prove the writers to possess an undue anxiety as to their personal appearance, as, for instance, questions on the complexion, figure, colour of the hair, etc. Such questions will, for the future, remain unanswered, as being contrary to the aims and objects of the paper.
It is therefore needless for girls to send us locks of hair and photographs for criticism.
When our girls need information that would be of real service, relating to education, domestic economy, work, recreation, and other subjects, we shall consider it a privilege to supply it, if it be in our power; and we shall also be heartily thankful to continue to give our counsel and advice to any anxious and troubled soul needing it; for, did we not say at the outset that we should "aim at being a counsellor, playmate, guardian, instructor, companion, and friend, and that we should help to prepare our readers for the responsibilities of womanhood and for a heavenly home"?
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