THE FAIRY WAND. This game requires two to play it. One leaves the room, but the other, the fairy of the game, remains, and requests the company to fix on some short word for the absentee to find out; which being done she is recalled, and the fairy, kneeling down, with a wand in her hand, moves it about, in a mystic manner, on the ground, to deceive the company with the idea she is writing, drawing, &c. After doing this for a few seconds, if the word fixed upon begins with a consonant, she pronounces some sentence beginning with that letter. For instance suppose the word be rose, she will ask some question or sentence beginning with r; after waving the wand again, she will give four slow and distinct knocks upon the floor, because the second letter, o, is the fourth vowel; for the third letter, s, she will use a sentence beginning with 8; and for the last letter, e, she will give two knocks, because e is the second vowel. After a little more hieroglyphical movement upon the floor, the fairy rises and requires the word, which, to the surprise of everyone, the other is able instantly to give. VESPER. A good deal of care and delicacy of touch is required for "Jack Straws." A number of little straws, or fine splinters of wood bearing this name, are procured, and placed on end on the table, meeting at the top, something in the same way as we see the new-mown corn in the fields. Three of these little straws are marked in a peculiar manner-each one different-and called King, Queen, and Bishop. The difficulty of the game, is by means of a little pin bent in the form of a hook., and stuck into a splinter, to remove one of these straws without moving any of the others. If the experimenter succeeds, he lays the straw aside, as the card players do, counting it as one. After he has obtained that one, he gives up the hook to another, and thus it passes through all the party. He who gets most straws wins the game; if he gets the king, he counts it as four; the queen as three, and the bishop as two. THE ELEMENTS. comicality, but because of the frequent and ridiThis game creates much laughter-not from its culous mistakes committed by those who are engaged in it. Before describing the game, we ledged in this game are earth, water, and air,must premise that the only "elements" acknow fire being omitted, because there are no creatures known to exist in it, the salamanders we sometimes read of in old books being fabulous creatures. When all are prepared, the beginner of the proceedings takes a handkerchief, and looking at some one, as if he were about to throw it at him, suddenly darts it at another person, crying, "Air" (or whatever element he chooses); "one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten?" The other, if he be ready-witted, will answer, before the numbers are over, "Sparrow," or the name of some other bird; but frequently main in a state of stupid perplexity, or give the when thus taken by surprise, he will either rename of a four-footed beast as an inhabitant of the air! If he makes a mistake he pays a forfeit; but at any rate throws the handkerchief in his turn, and soon meets with plenty of companions in misfortune, whose forfeits are forming into a pile on the table. FARMERS AND MECHANICS. This is a game of trades, which have to be discovered, and everything is indicated by signs. Thus when the one who left the room re-enters, if the trade chosen is that of a farmer, the others will all be employed in the different occupations of a farmer: one will be reaping in a fine crop of nothing with papa's stick, with another perhaps gleaning after him; one taking hold of the legs of a dining-room chair, will form it into a serviceable plough; in one corner a boy will be engaged in thrashing with his sister's parasol; and in another the sister will be busily engaged in making butter in an invisible churn. If they are mechanics, they may mend their shoes in concert, or saw at the chairs with a stick, hammer nails into the pianoforte, plane the rosewood table, or do anything else, so that they all agree in acting some employment, which may form a good indication of their trade. When he who was out guesses it, another takes his place, and another trade is of course chosen. DUMB MOTIONS. This is just the same as the last, but the players are not obliged to be either farmers or mechanics. but may choose a shop in which to exercise their ingenuity. *** Pauline E. S., and Emma S. P. will oblige by forwarding solutions to Nos. 152 and 160. "Song for Christmas" and "Friendship" (page 352 in our last volume) should have borne the signature of Rolando instead of C. Marshall and R. THE EDITOR TO HIS FRIENDS. ADDRESS: 122, FLEET STREET, E.C., LONDON. IN opening a new volume, we feel our first duty to be to record our heartfelt thanks for the thousands of seasonable wishes to ourselves and our work which our subscribers have kindly and gracefully expressed in their Christmas letters. Their approbation is a sufficient reward for all the entertainment they are pleased to say our pages have afforded them; and to find that we have not laboured in vain is the highest encouragement that we can receive for renewed exertion. With a heart full of welcome, we invite our friends, old and new, not only to partake of the intellectual food we can prepare, but themselves to contribute to the common stock of mental nourishment; so that at the end of our next volume, we may all be enabled to exclaim-here is a feast, indeed! And while, dear friends, you think what the Editor may do for you, consider, sometimes, what you may do for him;--what advice, what hints, what practical benefits you may diffuse through his pages. We ask for a literary friendship, mutually beneficial and interesting, so that our path be cheered by pleasant intercommunication, making our occupation a pleasure, and its results profitable to yourselves and thousands. Commercially, too, you can greatly aid us by forwarding this, our New Year's Number, to your friends, and pointing out our literary aims and purposes. Will you do this? At the end of each volume, elegant and durable cloth-gilt covers are prepared for binding the numbers in. We hope our subscribers will not overlook this. Should any difficulty arise in procuring them through their booksellers, for seven stamps our publishers will be happy to send them through the post. All communications addressed to the "Editor, 122, Fleet Street," should reach us by the 14th. FIRST CLASS. agent. They are frequently employed in playfu Eliza.-E. A. Butterworth.-Jane Anne (not at or secret correspondence; and for the benefit of all; good-breeding is rather a guard upon the J. B. and others, I forward receipts for five tongue; the misfortune is, that we put it on and which I have tested or seen, and at different times. off with our fine clothes and visiting faces, and 1. Solutions of acetate of cobalt, to which a little forget to wear it where it is most wanted, namely, nitre has been added, becomes rose-coloured amongst our FAMILY FRIENDS). -Susan (we can- when heated, and disappears again when cool. not offer advice on matters purely personal).-2. Aquafortis, spirits of salts, oil of vitriol, common Funny-boy.- -Catie. Ada and Eva.-Bertha S. salt, or saltpetre, dissolved in a large quan(none whatever; send name and address and cer- tity of water, turn yellow or brown when heated. tificate shall be forwarded).- Nellie (we share 3. The diluted solutions of nitrate of silver and your hopes and thank you for your kind endea- terchloride of gold, darken when exposed to the vours). Kate Leslie (very neatly written). sunlight. 4. Solution of nitromuriate of cobalt Fanny.-D. M. R.-W. Garbutt, Jun.-T. Mat- turns green when heated, and disappears again on thewson (we are obliged for the poems).-Nar- cooling. 5. Sulphate of copper and sal ammoniac, cissa.-J. C. L.-Lucinda B.-Redhill (you can- equal parts, dissolved in water, writes colourless, not do us a greater service than by presenting this but turns yellow on becoming heated.-G. M. F. G. number-the first of a new volume-to your friend, and soliciting him to become a subscriber; this is practical help).-Lizzie E. R.-Thomas Z.-Oyster Catcher.-Estelle (five foot).-Irene.-Constancy. Alpha.-Rolando (we very much regret the error, which is chargeable to the printer).-Vesper. SECOND CLASS. Or-Starch dissolved in water will, if employed, remain without colour until it is washed over with a weak solution of iodine, when it assumes a bluish hue.-BERTHA S. Or-Dissolve green vitriol and a little nitrous acid in common water; write your characters with a new pen. Next infuse small Allepo galls, slightly bruised in water. In two or three days Roundabout (why so diffident? your letter was pour the liquor off. By drawing a pencil, dipped an admirable one).-Abelard (telegraph is derived in the second solution, over the characters written from two Greek words signifying distantly to with the first, they will appear a beautiful black. write).-Civis (many thanks for the suggestions; Or-INVISIBLE CORRESPONDENCE.-Mix up we wish you had sent them earlier).-Daisy H.Nicholas (take a hint and let well alone).-Go-a-Venetian turpentine, and rub a small portion of it some hog's lard very intimately with a little head (to make good your nom de plume you should be in the first-class).-A. G. ('tis not in mortals to command success, but certainly you deserve it). Mary Anne.-Ivanhoe.-Caleb.-Roberta. -- Boanerges (we are exceedingly sorry; but you have entered on your misfortunes in the right spirit).— Marguerite.-Mistletoe.-Gipsy King.-Cut-andcome-again.-Confessor.-Juvenile.-Robin Hood. -E. Hill (accept our deepest sympathy for your sickness, and may it soon abate).-Annie Linton. QUESTIONS ANSWERED. 1. J. B.-INVISIBLE INKS.-These are preparations used for writing on paper, the marks of which are invisible until acted upon by some re gently and in an equal manner over very thin be distinct. 2. ESTELLE.-TRUFFLES.-Truffles are 'a species of fungus without root, which grows at the depth of four or five inches in the earth, from the size of a pea to that of a potatoe. They are discovered by means of dogs which are taught to hunt for them by scent. They are brought to table either roasted or dried, and used to flavour soups.BERTHA S. **3. JUNIUS.-CLASSIFICATION OF CRUSTACEAN FAMILY.-The chief division is suggested by the fact that some have jaws for masticating food, while others have merely a kind of beak, or tubular apparatus, through which they draw their food by suction; and there is yet a third class, whose mouth is surrounded by legs, the bases of which are used as jaws. All Crustacea are therefore divided into the Maxillosa, or masticating; the Edentata, or Haustellata, the suctorial; and the Xiphosura, or the sword-tailed. The masticating and the suctorial, again, are each divided into various great sections, with further subdivisions into orders and specics. The most interesting feature of the masticating Crustacea is the jaw-foot, represented in the following cut: JAW-FEET OF THELPHUSA FLUVIATILIS. 1. Right external jaw-foot; A, its internal blade; a, b, c, d, e, f, its various articulations; B. its external blade, or palp. 2. Jaw of the third pair, with its palpi. 3. Mandible, with its palpi. 4. Upper lip. 5. Lower lip, sometimes called the tongue. 5. ROMEO.-ORIGIN OF BANKS.-Banks, now so useful, were of Venetian invention, and the first was contrived about 1150, to assist in the transac tions of a loan, and called "The Chamber of Loans." It soon became the celebrated Bank of Venice, and conducted all money transactions. The plan was carried into foreign countries: and the projectors being called Lombards, the great banking street in London is to this day called Lombard-street. Its celebrity led to the establishment of similar public banks at Barcelona in 1401; at Genoa, 1407; at Amsterdam, in 1609; in London, 1694 (the Bank of London being projected by Wm. Paterson, a Scotchman, and its chief objects to supply the deficiencies of money and the necessities of Government); at Edinburgh, 1695; and at Paris, 1716.-T. EDMONDS 6. DULWICH.-Many interesting experiments have been made to ascertain what temperature best suits the silkworm. It is found that they die at a temperature of 108, but that their eggs can bear a much higher degree, even up to 140, without incurring destruction. They are also uninfluenced by extreme cold. Almost all insects die at eighteen degrees below freezing. 7. LADY JANNETTE.-The term "Toad-stone Ring" may be explained in the following manner: -It was formerly a common belief that the toad had a stone contained in its head, which was a sovereign remedy against every disorder. Hence rings were made professing to contain this stone in their setting. In Quintin Matsys' celebrated picture of the Misers, now in her Majesty's col lection at Windsor, a ring of this kind is repre sented on the finger of one of the misers. The old dramatists made allusion to this superstition, and one of the most familiar may be cited from Shakespeare: "Sweet are the uses of adversity: Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, 8. R. A. S.-WORK.-No; to be able to work and to have it to do are the highest sources of man's happiness. Carlyle speaking of this very subject says:-"There is a perennial nobleness and even sacredness in work. Were he never so benighted, forgetful of his high calling, there is always hope in a man that actually and earnestly works; in idleness alone is there perpetual despair. Work, never so Mammonish, mean, is in com munication with Nature. The real desire to get work done will itself lead one more and more to truth, to nature's appointments and regulations, which are truth.' 9. WINIFRED.-HOW TO PRONOUNCE ORI ENTAL OR INDIAN NAMES.-The vowels alone need 4. ERNEST. THE HEBRIDES.-There is much be attended to, and they are pronounced as those difference of opinion respecting this subject. Some of the Italian language. Thus, the English vowels authorities support the hypothesis that the glaciers take for their corresponding Eastern sounds-a. as will continue to enlarge as long as the presenta in the English word far; e, as e in set; i, as i in natural arrangements remain unchanged. It is pit; j (for j is a vowel in Italian and in all Oriental supposed by those who entertain this opinion that tongues), as double e in fee; o, as o in robe; u, as the coldness of the accumulating masses of ice double o in poor. Thus, Kaubul is properly must every year increase, and that this influence, sounded as Kobool; Shujah, as Shooyah, the double added to each winter's snow, will continue to aug- e of the j having she sound of y when preceding a ment their size. It is stated that they have de- vowel; the Punjaub as Poonyob; Hindustan, cidedly extended within the memory of the present Hindoostan; Maharajah, as Marharrayaàb, and generation of the neighbouring inhabitants. so on. 'THE ROCKY SHORES OF THE MOUNTAINOUS NORTH FADED FROM EVA'S LINGERING GAZE." THE FIRESIDE FAIRY. CHAPTER III. THE "SWEET SORROW" OF PARTING. EVA had been the "Fireside Fairy" of Mr. Cameron's romantic home, Glenmorris Court. She had won this playful designation from him, by her fairy-like grace of form and motion, by her happy temper and enthusiastic fondness for fairy and all other legendary lore. Eva knew intimately every haunted and traditional spot in and about the grand scenery of her adopted home, and its neighbouring mountains. The rude and old house was in a glen, near the coast. All its doors and windows opened on a close square court. It was but two storeys high, and in front of each storey ran a decayed wooden gallery, which formed a covered walk in wet weather. This was the happy play ground of the little merry Fairy of the glen, until the funeral procession of her loving benefactors passed along there. And now she stood leaning against the worm-eaten balusters, taking a weeping farewell of the place, and looking down into the court; while an old, resolute woman, who was to attend her to England, was busy below in the court putting boxes and packages into a cart. Beside Eva stood Sidney Ellerton-a student at the manse-who had wandered with her and Mr. Cameron over the mountains and glens; who had read to her by the waterfalls, and recited to her under the cliffs; who had taught her much of history, and poetry, and romance; who had watched her unweariedly when she sat knitting in Mrs. Cameron's parlour on many happy evenings,-and had even (when Mrs. Cameron was not by) danced with her in the long low-roofed hall that was the common gathering-place of the household. The luggage was put in the cart. "Now, Miss Eva," said the old Scotchwoman, in her most resolute tones, looking up to the gallery, "come, and let's be ganging awa', there'll be na time to spare; it'll be twal o' the clock afore we get aboord." F "Go on with the cart," said Sidney Ellerton; " Eva and I will follow after." "Deed shall I no," said Tab, sharply. Eva descended to the court. "Will this be our last walk together ?" said Sidney, in a low voice, when, with veil drawn close, and hand resting fondly on his arm, Eva followed the laden cart through the glen, over well-remembered paths, her cross-but faithful and devoted -duenna bringing up the rear. Eva was weeping sadly. "It shall not be our last, dearest Eva, if you will promise to remember me with the sincere affection that I bear for you. When you are a little older, and when I have finished my studies, entered upon a profession, and thrown off my present irksome condition of dependencethen, Eva, I trust we shall meet again, and part no more. I little thought, when I first came to live at the manse to strengthen my health by the mountain air, and read for college under the good minister-I little thought that I should find here a dear little Fireside Fairy who would cast her glamour over all the rest of my lifetime." "Ah! no, you will soon forget me, when you go back to your proud home, and to all that brilliant and magnificent London life that you have so often described to me." "I shall never forget you," said Sidney; "never. I shall write to you regularly, and I shall expect you to reply." "Indeed I will." "Tell your guardian-as I shall tell him -that Mr. Cameron was as a father to me; that he always seemed pleased to see us happy together; and that, on my last interview with him, he spoke to me about you, but forbade me to divulge his confidence until after two years." The young student then spoke confidently of himself and of the future. He was only eighteen; warm-hearted and impulsive; candid, and of a noble spirit. The boy and girl, so fondly attached, parted on the sea-shore; for Eva was going to England in the vessel of a Scottish fisherman whom she had known well in the glen. Sidney waved his hand to her as long as she was in sight; and the rocky shores of the mountains of the north faded from Eva's gaze. CHAPTER IV. THE CLOUDS THICKEN. AFTER Mrs. Stuckley's plain expression of her wish that her husband's ward should not reside at the Retreat, Stuckley was moved by a sudden impulse to visit Widow Robinson. Under the shelter of his capacious um. brella, he took a hurried and rainy walk to her house. He opened the side kitchen door as familiarly as if nothing had happened to separate him from his valued friend of many years. He said, "Good day; it is rainy wea ther;" cleaned his feet slowly and carefully on the mat (the widow being careful to a fault about the cleanli ness of her floor), walked steadily to the bright, polished fire-place, and sat down in his old, familiar seat, close to the ironing. board, at which Mrs. Robinson was now busy clear-starching. At first, neither of them spoke. There are moments in which worlds of memory and thought rush through the excited soul. A boundless indignation flashed up in the widow's eyes. But Stuckley noted it not. His feelings may be imperfectly expressed in this way: "Dear Martha Robinson! Good, com. fortable woman! What an atmosphere of cheerful, healthy, homely life pervades this place. Sooner would I have such a heart-warm kitchen as this than all the fine drawing-rooms in England. What is the gay world to me? I love it not, and it loves not me." The widow's face wore a crimson poppy bloom that very well became the full summer meridian of her cheerful life. It was full summer yet, and not autumn, with Mrs. Robinson. Her cheeks were round as a child's; her face was pleasant very pleasant-and rather more than good-looking, but it would not have been complete without the cap. Cupid himself might have found a meaner resting-place than Mrs. Robinson's cap. The secret of its success lay in her own skilful handiwork,-such delicately got-up lace; such |