* * * * *
"FRED," of Montclair, New Jersey, writes:
I have a handsome yellow cat named Goldy. My cousins Howard and
Charlie have a cat named Blacky, and a dog named Jack. Papa reads
us _Harper's Young People_ every Sunday, and I like it very much.
* * * * *
Here are some very pleasant words from J. E. Woodbridge, Duluth,
Minnesota:
I wish to tell you how I like your paper. I do really like it. I
wish you would put boys' pieces in the paper for speaking in
school. I live in Duluth, on the shore of a very big lake--the
biggest in the world, I think. I am seven years old. I have a
little yellow dog, and he grins when he is pleased.
* * * * *
JAMES LONG.--The examinations for admission to the school-ship _St.
Mary's_ are easily passed by any school-boy of moderate ability, but it
is indispensable that the applicant be physically sound, and of good
moral character. Neither money nor influence is needed to gain
admission, and the expense on entering is confined to the cost of outfit
and uniform. You can make fuller inquiries of David R. Wetmore, Esq.,
chairman of the Committee on Nautical School, of the New York City Board
of Education, or on board the _St. Mary's_, which is now in
winter-quarters at the foot of East Twenty-third Street, New York city.
* * * * *
C. D. F.--The measurement of glasses for "Boy's Telescope" refers to the
focus, not to the size of glass. Any reliable optician will supply you
with the lenses.
* * * * *
AGNES P.--Your answers to puzzles are correct. We do not know the
address of Lulu W., but will print it if she will send it to us.
* * * * *
"LOUISE," Dubuque.--Your account of Sir Rowland Hill is correct, and
very neatly written, but as it is almost the same as those we have
already printed, we do not give it.
* * * * *
"MAX."--Your numerical charade is very good, but contains too many
repetitions of the same letter to be perfect; therefore we do not print
it.
* * * * *
Answers sent by R. Dunlop Foster, Chicago, to mathematical puzzles are
correct, with the exception of No. 2, which is not carried back to the
original amount possessed by the poor old man when the water-spirit made
his first offer.
* * * * *
M. A. C., Rochester, writes: I have commenced taking your little paper,
and I write now to tell you that I am delighted with it. I read it to my
brothers and sisters, who are very much interested in the story of "The
Brave Swiss Boy."
* * * * *
J. E. B., another bright little girl, gives us a scolding, which we hope
she will retract before long.
* * * * *
H. A. T.--We can not give any puzzles not accompanied by full name and
address of the sender, as well as the answers.
* * * * *
The following communication from a youthful reader in Washington, D. C.,
will be of interest to young bicyclists in other cities:
Here in the City of Magnificent Distances, where many of the
streets are 100 feet wide and the avenues 160, the speed of the
bicycle surpasses even that of the horse.
Many of the streets are "concrete," and a run over them is sure to
be attended with boundless pleasure, and often a race.
There are about thirty bicyclists in the city, twenty of whom have
formed a club. To see them, with their blue caps and leather
leggings, six abreast, coming down the Avenue with their arms
folded, causes many an equestrian to spur up his horse in vain.
Through the surrounding villages it is a common occurrence to see
eight or ten bicyclists pass, especially on public holidays.
Many riders have a small bell attached to the handle, which is rung
as an alarm to pedestrians, for the approach of the bicycle is as
devoid of noise as that of the tiger. In the evening a lantern also
is hung on the axle of the driving-wheel between the spokes, and
the noiseless and rapid approach of such a red light might suggest
to a stranger thoughts of the infernal regions.
In conclusion, I will say that bicycling is the most exhilarating
and invigorating pastime for boys ever yet discovered.