56.

I am a word of thirteen letters and six syllables My 1, 2, 3, 7, 5, 6, 4, 13 is a preserve; my 2, 1, 5. 8, 8 contain much water; my 3, 8, 4, 13 is part of a wheel; 4, 8, 10, 3 is ineffectual; my 5, 4, 8, 7, 10 4, 13 is illusive; 6, 8, 4, 13, 3 a bird; and 7, 5, 8, 6 is dry; my 8, 1, 2, 6, 3 is a seed or fruit; my 9, 10, 3. I is a kind of metal; my 10, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 13, is reciprocal; my 11, 3, 10, 2, 12 is a plant; 12, 11. 2, 7, 5 is a knot; and my 13, 8, 7, 5 is what most of us like.

Now if their initials correctly you take

And unite, I must tell you, my whole they will make;

The meaning of which, too, if rightly defined, Will a "meeting of company" bring to the mind.

T'wo horsemen are riding through the streets of a city, followed by a brilliant retinue. One of the two is splendidly attired in a rich crimson mantle, trimmed with ermine-no doubt, very warm and comfortable, as it is a cold winter's day. They talk together in a lively manner; the frosty air seems to sharpen their wits and exhilarate their spirits. But it has a very different effect on that poor, ragged, old beggar, who stands shivering with cold. He is indeed an object of pity; and so one of the horsemen seems to think, and points him out to the wearer of the crimson cloak. They will doubtless

throw him some money, perhaps even a piece of gold. But no! the wearer of the cloak is astonished at finding his costly garments seized by his companions, who endeavour to take it from him, in order to bestow it upon the poor beggar. A struggle ensues: one trying to pull the cloak off, and the other exerting all his strength to keep it on. The horses prance, their riders are nearly unseated, and the attendants seem highly amused. At length the owner of the cloak yields, either to superior strength, superior authority, or his own charitable feelings, and the splendid garment is given to the poor beggar, who receives it with very great astonishment.-A. DE YOUNGE.

64.

A large assemblage seated in council: warlike knights and barons, bishops, and other dignitaries of the church. The subject under discussion is evidently one of extraordinary interest; bishops and barons are joined together in one common cause. The first speaker is listened to with profound a tention, and seems greatly to impress the minds of his hearers. The next, who wears the papal robes, so excites their enthusiasm, that they interrupt him with one simultaneous burst of assent. He imposes silence with his hand, and reads slowly, the whole assemblage repeating after him. All then rise. One of the bishops assumes a distinctive symbol, and places it on a conspicuous part of his dress. His example is followed by every chief of impor tance present.-A. DE YOUNGE.

ANSWERS TO ENIGMAS, &c.
(On pp. 82-84.)

1. The letters of the alphabet.-2. Frame: frame of worlds; picture-frame; human frame; Jesus took upon Him man's frame; frame of a building; ocean banks its frame; frame of brooch; frame of locket; embroidery-frame; armour, a frame; rardening-frame.-3. Cha(i)ritable.-4. Cochinchina, double-chin.-5. Nightmare 6. Bluebottle; blue, the colour; bottle, the ancient kind were of leather; the bluebottle fly's egg is called a fly-"blow which is hatched into the "gentle," and used as bait by anglers.-7. Fowl, owl.-8. Anathema.--. Tormentor.-10. Industry.-11. Workshop.-13. Ermin E, NotioN, Imirl, GoG, MammoN, AsthmA - Enigma-14 (including 12).-Herschell, Ursal Ball, Elderly, Rogue, Tunnell.-15. Bridewell.16. A safe; meat-safe; Chubb's pa'ent safe.-17. Salmon-trout. 18. Waistcoat. 19. Southport. -20, Smart, mart, art, rat, tar.-21. Partridge.-1 22. Penetration.-23. Seamanship.-24. (1) They r are not often kept long; (2) Molasses-mow, lasses, (3) It is pay meant-payment; (4) When he's a-bel; (5) It must be always Matt. in (matin) hathing; (6) Popingjay; (7) A "noted stout house"; (8) Your word; (9) Of a waterfall; (10) We make hides" of them; (11) There would be no peace (piece) without it; (12) It smokes before breakfast; (13) It is plane (plain) work; (14) They would be very sluggish without sails (sales); (15) Because he is himself the temple of fame; (16) Because they can't succeed in making a good canon; (17) Because he is a parasite; (18) Servants.-25. Eyelash.-26. Brilliant.-27. Buttercup, cowslip. -28. Snowdrop.-29. Caius Mercius before Por

suma.

CLASS AWARDS.

FIRST CLASS.

MARY W.-We congratulate you on winning the Definition Prize, and advance you to the First Class. The volume requested has been forwarded, but we have not yet received an acknowledgment. CHARLIE F. sends the best enigma and wins the Prize To him we forward a handsomely bound, and, we think, interesting volume, value 7s. 6d. EDWARD W. H.-Your perseverance and assidaity do you great credit. Thanks.

BELLA, ILLA, FRANCES HOPE, PAULINE S.

ADE YOUNGE.-Either you or we made a mistake; but we are pleased to find that you are gratified with your Prize Volume. "Two Days in Derbyshire shall be read immediately. We are not ashamed to say that we have been too busy to peruse it.

REBECCA. No discourtesy was intended. Pray persevere. You know not how much we value your assistance.

LUCINDA B.-We are glad to hear that you have enjoyed your holidays. Thanks for your sugges

tions.

MAGGIR SYMINGTON.-Next month we shall endeavour to make room for your tale. Half the Icefinition Prize for December is worth accepting, is it not?

ANNA GEET.-We sympathise with you sincerely; you are not right in your suggestion about the Councillor's name.

SPECTATOR, MIGNONETTE, LILY H. (certainly); JANE C. (again First Class; persevere), ESTELLA (are we not always indulgent?); DORA, DAPHNE (thanks).

F

ROSALIE-Trouble in such a cause is a pleasure. Please send. We sympathise with you.

ZANONI Writes:-"I have at times observed that acles in the F. F. have been afterwards in

serted in other periodicals, and represented as being written by other writers. An instance occurs in the Family Herald,' of date December 12th, where the lines by Caractaeus, on page 58 of the F. F. entitled, Looks of Love,' have been unscrupualy stolen by some literary pretender, and are Tablished in the Herald' of the date mentioned, with the signature of S. E.'"

We have ourselves noticed this, and have received a communication from the editor of the ** Family Herald" on the subject. Perhaps Caractacus, who begs us to excuse his absence from the Council this month, can explain the reason for the appearance of his poem in the columns of our contemporary after its insertion in the "Friend." Zanoni is requested to retain his nom-de-plume. We have not received his carte.

IAGO is rather lazy this month, we fancy, but nevertheless welcome.

EMMA BUTTERWORTH.-Never despair. The mistake-for it was one is now rectified.

IVANHOE writes:-"Being the originator of the Definition Prize, I intend during the present year, 1864, presenting to each winner of that prize a small volume of poems of my own composition. At the same time I beg the ladies and gentlemen of the Council not to think I am egotistical of my merits, for I am well aware my poems contain but cery little literary merit. It is simply a little labour of love." Having referred to this subject elsewhere, we need only say that we shall be happy to second our good friend's wish. The volume, if sent to us, shall be forwarded to Mary W., the winner of the Definition Prize for January.

DAISY H., MIGNONETTE, and KATE SYDNAS are welcome.

TERRA COTTA.-We shall be happy to receive any short articles with which you may favour us. The subject of Illumination is one that would, doubtless, be read with interest.

BLANCHE ALSINGTON.-We guess your secret, we fancy. Would it not be as well to change your nom-de-plume?

KATRINE.-Certainly. We heartily congratulate

you.

GIPSY.-We beg to be allowed to condole with you in your sorrows. "Gipsy to Caller Herrin' unknown wishes to exchange confidences with a sendeth greeting. Whereas a certain person, not certain unknown person. We beg to state that, according to the law of our tribe, no member is allowed to write his or her name in any foreign Janguage! We are, therefore, very reluctantly obliged to withhold the required information. It quite grieves us to do so, after so much kindly notice, and we tremble to think of the apparent ingratitude, but our rules are imperative, and the punishment for disobedience is too dreadful to risk for even Caller Herrin's gratification. We may, however, inform her that her guess was wrong."

GEO. MATTHEWSON.-As an old steady friend to the "Friend," we shall be glad to hear from you always. Your portrait is not yet in our album.

JUSTITIA.-Letter by post. Thank you very much for your continued interest. We agree with your remarks. Justitia has only received three cartes in exchange for his own.

GORGONIA. Thanks. We will read your contribution carefully.

EMMA S. P.-Persevere. Nil desperandum. Your wish has been complied with, as you know by this time.

CALLER HERRIN'.-Your dilemma need cause you no uneasiness. The song is very pretty, and we are sure that Alequis would feel honoured by the selection of his words for music. Inquiry is being made at the Post Office.

GORGONIA, GILBERT ASHTON, ALEX. FRSKINE, CARACTACUS, TRIP (thanks), ST. CLAIR, and TERRA COTTA are again welcomed warmly.

MAX is absent without leave. We presume he has forwarded to Ruthenpharl the Prize Volume he offered.

ADELA wishes to exchange cartes with Lucinda B, Maggie, Rosalie, and others. We have not received so many portraits as we think we deserve. For nearly a hundred and fifty copies of our portrait, kindly furnished by Ewol Tenneb, we only number about thirty-five in exchange. Is this fair, ladies and gentlemen, to your devoted servant? We beg to draw attention to the advertisement of the Royal Exchange Portrait Company. STANTONVILLE is requested to have patience. We trust she will value the Prize Volume and certificate. The words and music are a little too simple. RUTHENPHARL.-Always welcome. Thanks for "Passing away "-next month. Send the cartes in stamped envelopes, and they shall be forwarded.

carte.

SAXON-Try again. ALFRED BROWN, do ditto. CONSTANCE DANA.-Certainly. Your letter was understamped.

T. C. RYE writes: "I beg to acknowledge your appropriate reward for the worst conundrum (which was what I put in for), and to return the compliment by wishing you many, many happy years, and all the members of the Council likewise. MARY ANNIE.-A mistake. Pardon us. LITTLE GIGGIE writes:-"I cannot let this month pass without congratulating you on the excellence of the January Number, the games were very good I hope the year now opening will prove a very successful ore to the F. F. I send an affectionate greeting to all my fellow Councillors, especially to Lucinda B., whose beautiful poetry, replete with graceful thoughts, has often charmed

ones.

me in the pleasant twilight hours."

FAN. We regret extremely to hear that your health will not allow you to write, and trust that what you read in the F. F. will amuse and soothe your weariness.

AMELIA, SEERIA, CLARA, CERTES PEGGY MASETTO, HELEOTROPE, STONEY, ELSIE, Lizzie, JABETTE-Welcome!

THIRD CLASS.

AGESELAUS, TAPLIN, MAJOR (see President's Address), REFLECTOR (poem too long for insertion, but very pleasant to read), LIONEL, and E. R. V. s. are cordially welcomed.

LABOR.-Welcome to the Council.

HATTIE, EL SOL, SAM S., A. F. PAGE (thanks). JULIETTA, LEONA, ALICE, and HARRIETTE, are warmly welcomed to the Council.

quack medicines are dangerous The only cure for J. L., Glasgow.-Better consult a surgeon. All eruptions of the skin is to be found in a purifi

cation of the blood.

a

51. CITRON PUDDINGS.- Flour, one spoonful; sugar, two ounces; citron peel, two ounces; little nutmeg; cream, half pint. Mix them together with the yolks of three eggs, put them in tea-cups, and bake them in a quick oven.-DEBUT.

anecdote relates that Theodoric, King of the Ostrogoths, who, being so illiterate that he could not write even the initials of his name, was provided with a plate of gold, through which the letters were cut, and this being placed on the paper, when his signature was required, he traced the letters with a quill.

52. EARLY USE OF QUILLS IN WRITING-An

55. AN ECONOMICAL AND VERY DELICIOUS WAY OF COOKING A RABBIT.-Take a nice fresh ral bit, eat it in slices and fry it brown with some slices of pickled pork, and onions shred fine. When nice and brown, take it out of the frying-pan and put it in a stew-pan with water sufficient to cover it; pepper and salt to taste; thicken with some flour and butter; add force-meat-balls, but be sure not to put the fat out of the frying-pan. Let the gravy be about the thickness of a rich cream.- SPECTATOR.

56. EAST TO TRY.-It is said that a small piece of resin, dipped in the water which is placed in a vessel on the stove, will add a peculiar property to the atmosphere of the room, which will give great relief to persons troubled with cough The heat of the water is sufficient to throw off the aroma of resin.-BELLINA.

57. GETEL.-There are two ways of preparing gruel; one from the whole grain, whether oat, barley, or rice; the other from meal. The former is generally preferred as most delicate and secure from adulteration; the latter is more convenient when wanted quickly. There is no nicer gruel than that made of whole oats, with merely the husks removed, or once flattened by passing through a mill. The former are called whole groats; the latter cracked, or Embden groats; the fresher they are used the better. If kept at all after being cracked it should be in a closely shut vessel, whether glass, earthen, or tin, and in a very dry place. The Embden groats done up in paper soon become sour. The coarse Scotch oatmeal, and fine oatmeal, purchased by measure of an honest mealman, are greatly preferable to those called "prepared," and sold in paper packets. Whether it is owing to the "preparation" or the mode of keep ing, it is hard to obtain from the latter article good well-flavoured guel. For groat gruel, the whole or cracked groats should be set on with cold water, and a sufficient quantity of it to allow for at least one-third boiling away. It must be frequently stirred, and should not be suffered to boil over. It is not merely the quantity actually spilt that is wasted, but in the early stage of the process the most nourishing part of the grain rises in the form of scum, which afterwards sinks, and enriches the whole. A quarter of a pint of groats will make one quart of thick gruel, being set on with three pints, and boiled three-quarters of an hour; then strain. The groats may be boiled again with rather more than a pint of water put to them boiling, and will produce nearly another pint of gruel. For meal gruel, one large spoonful of oatmeal (either Scotch or fine); mix it very smoothly with two tablespoonfuls of cold water. Stir into a piut of water boiling on the fire. Let it boil briskly ten or fifteen minutes; strain off. For either sort of gruel, a bit of fresh butter and a little salt may be stirred in, or a little sugar and nutmeg Rice gruel may be made of ground rice just in the same mauner. As

it is generally ordered when the bowels are in a disordered state, it is of special importance that the rice be perfectly pure, and in good keeping. Persons who often use ground rice will do well to have a mill, and grind it at home as wanted. A stick of cinnamon and a few chips of dried Seville orangepeel may be boiled in the gruel for flavour. If rinsed and dried, they will serve two or three times in succession. When strained, sweeten with loafsugar, and add a grate of nutmeg. Rice gruel is sometimes ordered to be made with port wine or brandy, and it is possible for a sick person to be in such a state as to render these additions suitable, but they should never be used but in cases of emergency, and under medical direction. In ninetynine cases out of a hundred they would do no good, but would probably do great harm. The same remark applies to the use of wine or spirits in arrowroot or gruel. In ordinary cases, it is best to let them alone. Thick gruel, whether of oat, barley, or rice, may be thinned with new milk, and is a very nourishing and agreeable food, when the particular disorder does not render it unsuitable.

58. TO YOUNG MOTHERS.-In respect to a baby's food there can be no possible doubt. The mother's milk is the best of food. What the mother has to look to is that her milk is of the best. She must preserve her own health by wholesome diet, air, and exercise; and by keeping a gentle and cheerful temper. Many a babe has had convulsions after being suckled by a nurse who had had a great fright, or had been in a great passion; and a mother who has an irritable or anxious temper, who flushes or trembles with anger, or has her heart in her throat from fear of this or that, will not find her child thrive upon her milk, but will have much to suffer from its illness or its fretfulness. She must try, however busy she may be, to give it its food pretty regularly, that its stomach may not be overloaded, nor long empty or craving. An infant does not refuse food when it has had enough, as grown people can do. It will stop crying and suck, when its crying is from some other cause than hunger; and it will afterwards cry all the more if an overloaded stomach is added to the other evil, whatever it may be. Of the contrary mischiefleaving a babe too long hungry-there is no need to say anything. And when the weaning time comes, it is plain that the food should be at first as like as possible to that which is given up; thin, smooth, moderately warm, fresh and sweet, and given as leisurely as the mother's milk is drawn. It is well known that milk contains, more curiously than any other article of food, whatever is necessary for nourishing all the parts of the human body. It contains that which goes to form and strengthen the bones, and that which goes to make and enrich the blood-thereby causing the soft bones of the babe to grow stiff and strong, and its heart to beat healthily, and its lungs to play vigorously, and its muscles to thicken and become firm. While all this is going on well, and the child shows no need of other food, there is nothing but mischief to be looked for from giving it a variety for which it is not prepared. Milk, flour, and water, are its natural food while it has no teeth to eat meat with, and vegetables turn sour on its stomach. As for giving it a bit or sip of what grown persons are eating and drinking-that is a practice too ignorant to be mentioned here.-MISS MARTINEAU.