I am composed of ten letters; my 3, 9, 10, 6, is decay; my 10, 6, 2, 3, a heavenly body; my 8, 4, 3, 6, a vehicle; my 1, 3, 2, dear; my 5, 9, 6, an incision; my 6, 4, 3, a sailor; my 8, 7, 3, 4, 6, a weight; my 3, 7, 6, 10, destructive animals; my 4, 1, 6, a deed; my 10, 2, 3, 7, a female name; my 5, 2, 3, a carriage; my 1, 7, 6, 10, domestic animals; my 5, 3, 9, 10, 6, a hard case; my whole is the friendly critic of the F. F. C. JANE C.

99.

To church a loving couple went.
To be my whole was their intent;
The man vow'd that he'd faithful remain,
But, alas! he proved a faithless swain.
Her husband's love she no longer shares,
So to Cresswell's-court she now repairs!
The case is heard, the proceedings closed.
This couple now is my whole transposed.
J. J. GORTON.

100.

My 6, 1, 3, 3, 1, 7, a kind of dance; my 2,7,5,3, to jump; my 4, 5, 8, an article of dress; my 3, 7, 1, 2, a noise made by my 6. 7, 2, 2; my 6, 5, 8, a toy: my 1, 3, 3, 2, 7, a fruit; and the knowledge of my whole is quite as essential to the poor as to the rich. ELIZABETH H.

Two-thirds of a weapon, a means of defence,
An article next-indefinite-hence
'Tis useless for me to say any more,
So on to my third, and here, I implore
Each reader to ponder the thing I affirm;
My third contains nothing; and now you may learn
My fourth, which you are, if reading this o'er,
You find out my meaning at once; but no more;
My whole I will state, without further demur,
Whate'er is my whole will most surely occur.

Who violate the laws of God

My first most surely do; My second is an open space Oft easy to pass through; My third is metal unrefined; Now, ere you solve the same, Know that my whole will truthfully An Indian island name.

110.

My first will bark, and growl, and yelp,
But seldom bite, they say;
My second most folks, doubtless, do
Some time or other pay;

My whole doth run, and in the sea
Is found to make its way.

IAGO

UNCLE STEPHEN

ANNA GREY.-Your "Leaves for the Little Ones" we have taken the liberty of lengthening, and trust the additions will meet your approval. It is pleasant to hear from you, for you write in a kind, loving, womanly spirit.

GORGONIA.-The "hint" has been given, and we trust that, in future communications, all will be correct and proper.

IAGO.-Pray do not consider we are oblivious of ar undoubted merits. A certificate shall be forwarded, now that we know your address, and a small volume bearing the Editor's autograph. The misfortune is that all cannot be captains: but do not be discouraged.

Such is my fault, and such my sole defence, And all the head and front of my offending Hath this extent, no more-

"Seriously though, I am exceedingly sorry to find that my unfortunate burlesque (which, judg ing by the controversy it has caused, may be fairly called a sensation one) is decked out in borrowed feathers; and I beg to apologise to you, Mr. Editor, and all the 'F. F. C.s for my involuntary delinquency, and to thank G. Matthewson for making the discovery."-BLANCHE ALSINGTON.

TERRA COTTA writes:-"In my contribution inserted last month (Moral Courage') the third 'suffers.'word should be 'differs,' and not (Printer's pie.)

"Oh, Mignonette! where did you learn your geography? Where is the land of the Hottentot? Not in America:

"The Definitions contain one startling idea that perfectly 'floored' It was by Narcissa. Voila!

me.

"CANDOUR.

EMMA BUTTERWORTH.-Your appreciation, with that of the rest of our friends, is very gratifying. Is it not needless to say our best services are at your command?

MAGGIE SYMINGTON and ADELINE A. are warmly

thanked and welcomed.

IVANHOE." By the River" is a charming poem, and shall be inserted.

MAX.-We missed you last month. There is a Certificate, with a couple of Prize Volumes, waiting your commands. It will, perhaps, sound strange to some of our Councillors when we say we are unacquainted with your real name and address. Please write.

BLANCHE ALSINGTON.-Excuse the omission last month. Your name was sent in with the rest, but by some unaccountable accident it was omitted. After so handsome an apology as you send, what can a critic say?

"Most learned and acute G. Matthewson,

My very worthy and approved good critic,
That I have stolen away R. B. Brough's verses,
It is most true; true, I have taken them;
'Tis true, 'tis pity, and pity 'tis 'tis true.
But to extenuate this grave offence,-
I have a brother (well, perhaps you'll say
There's nothing very wonderful in that);
Bat he, when I was writing my burlesque,
Would criticise it, and suggestions make;
Some good, some bad, and some indifferent.
Amongst the rest he offered me those lines,
And, liking them much better than my own,
I, unsuspecting, took them, knowing not
That they were pirated from Lalla Rookh;'
But when the last month's Number told his crime,
I gave him a tremendous blowing up.-

think it would be a capital idea, and I myself should very much like an album fuli of F. F. C.'s." [We shall feel pleasure in giving every facility to the plan suggested.-ED.]

DAISY H.-The Certificate alone is a Prize. In All cannot your case a volume accompanied it. stand in the first rank even at court, Daisy. Right and Wrong. There are two tales under the title of "Evil Influence." Will you kindly re-write "Spring?" We cannot read it."

CARACTACUS.-On reference to your MS. we find the errors are all, except one, your own. Now do, like a good fellow, be more careful in future. "Scholarship for Street Stragglers" is amusing and clever, but not altogether up to your mark, great general. Therefore we do not print it. "O that mine enemy would write a poem! As you are not the enemy but the friend of the Council, why, we refrain from criticism, though, as you essay the critic's pen, the temptation is very strong. Caractacus writes-"I accepted with becoming pride the guardianship of our pretty 'Gazelle.' But there can be no fear of the Lions. They will be cowed by those magnificent eyes! A hearty welcome to Chloe,' 'Bella,' and Uncle Stephen.' In the matter of Ewol Tenneb's charge of plagiar ism, you recollect that, with my very first batch of conundrums, I expressly stated that I could not warrant them all original. The doing so would be great presumption. Considering the myriads that have appeared since the first riddler (who, by the way, was he?) 'opened fire' upon society, it has ever seemed to me impossible to avoid the occasional reproduction of an old one. The writing of a non-original conundrum will not rank with ordinary plagiarism. I have written altogether more than a thousand; and it must be odd indeed if, in some instances. I have not aroused some dormant idea derived from another. Yet I am by no means sure that I have done so in those

indicated, so great is the probability that the simple idea involved in a conundrum may enter more than one mind. Let me then assure my worthy colleague (while thanking him for the exercise of a vigilance which I admire) that I am innocent of any intentional dishonesty. I have no ambition whatever to shine in borrowed plumes.' In justice to my position as a fault-finder,' I must beg you, dear sir, to allot a place to these remarks." Your candour does you much credit, general.

GILBERT ASHTON. BUSK.-G. MATHEWSON.ILLA. NELLA.-ZANONI.- RUTHENPHARL.- LILY H.-KATRINE.-ROSIE.-EMMA S. P.-Will perhaps excuse us if we, this month, answer them en masse. We had begun the awards on our usual plan of giving to each Councillor a word or two of welcome, when we were obliged to suddenly pull up for want of space.

IVANHOE must excuse our omitting a few sentences from his too flattering letter. But we print a portion. He says:-" Fellow Councillors,-I am very pleased-and I have no doubt but most of your feelings are in unison with mine-that our esteemed President has accepted the very kind offer of our worthy colleague, Ewol Tenneb. I am, indeed, obliged to Terra Cotta for pointing out the errors in my lines to our esteemed colleague Lucinda B. They were written in sincerity if not not nicely written. I am also obliged to Caractacus for his good opinion of my definition of * Friendship; and now to 'Bella,' Uncle Stephen,' 'Gazelle,' and all old members, I shake you all, in imagination, heartily by the hand."

GIPSY.-We presume the volumes have arrived, as we have not heard again from you. Of course you may say it. An editor, like an actor, is open to any amount of praise.

EWOL TENNEB must not be too highly praised, or the Councillors may imagine the Editor is partial -especially after the handsome offer accepted in favour of all friends of the F. F. C. Ewol Tenneb writes: Be assured that, if courtesy and perseverance from me at any time will insure success to the "Family Friend," such shall not be wanting, according to my capabilities. I am quite satisfied with the explanation of my fellow-councillor Busk, and at the time I wrote, my feelings were very far from being akin to acerbity."

SECOND CLASS.

CAROLUS.-Just a little more care would entitle you to a place in the First Class again.

PAULINE S.-The book and certificate have been returned through the post; but they shall be resent to the address forwarded.

LEILA S. has our best wishes.

ISABEL.-The "Contrast" is very nicely written; but in future be a little more particular in punctuation.

MARY BLANE.-Very good.

LITTLE JANE's letter is a bouquet, in both a literal and figurative sense.

CANNONIA.-Answers received; but the numbered charade is inexact. Try again.

CINDERELLA.-See answer to Nellie.

MASETTO.-Thanks; we will try and oblige you. REBECCA is hardly right. Let her forward her name and address, and she shall have the certificate.

ADELA -There has been no mistake. You deserved your certificate, and obtained it. Persevere.

A. MACFARLANE'S certificate has been returned through the post, marked "Not known." Will he kindly write again?

C. T. RYE and SARAH C. would be in the First Class with a little more care. What is worth doing at all is worth doing well. A word to the wise.

NELLIE.-Too flattering, Nellie; we wish-ab, well, what can an Editor say to a young lady who declares she is pleased with his autograph? The portrait shall be forwarded to you and our other friends in the course of next month: that is, if we Ewol Tenneb. But the Editor has a photographic can get to Brighton, and pay our promised visit to album, too, and would be delighted to place in i the cartes de visites of all the Councillors!

ROBERT JOHNSON.-EDWARD L.-MISS B. ESSEL -LOUISA P. PLYM.-HORATIO -AMELIA.-(Don't be disappointed, but continue to persevere). To all thanks

STANTONVILLE's compositions only just miss the First Class. We wish we could place her there, for she is a cordial, good friend. It is always pleasant to hear from her. The same word of encouragement may also be given to NARCISSA, JAMES II., SPECTATOR, DORA, L'ESPERANCE, ECPHROSYNE, A. BROWN, ELIZABETH H., FAN, KUTH, FORGET ME-NOT, OLIVE, KATRINE, IT, ST. CLAIR, CINDERELLA, LITTLE GIGGIE, GAZELLE, and CHARLIE,-all of whom have forwarded cor rect answers to the pastime in the March number.

MARGUERITA. Certainly-why not?

CHLOE, GAZELLE, PATSY, FAIRWEATHEL OCEAN, DELTA, ST. GEORGE, and HARRY SMART, have each and all our thanks and good wishes. Let them steadily persevere in the

path of improvement.

CROCHET.-No mistake, for we are sure you will prize our good opinion. The pastime is capital. admirable-thanks; very clear, and sent to printers for insertion.

CRAISTER-Try again-Nil desperandum.

Rosy.-A little more care in punctuation desir

able.

MIGNONETTE.-The certificate and prize shall be re-sent. They have been returned through the post office. Possibly this has arisen from Migno nette sending her address without her real name.

ROSE VERNON shall have a certificate if only for the pretty letter she sends. She is always wel

come.

ESTELLA, called to London by a wedding on the Prince's wedding-day, says-"Please extend my cordial thanks to Terra Cotta for a greeting which I fully appreciate, and which was as welcome as it was unexpected."

ONCE A WELL-WISHER writes as follows. Can any of the Councillors explain its meaning? We cannot:-"The repetition dodge has occurred too often to put it down to accident. Don't it on any more," ELIZA JANE, TERRA ALBA. -VENDETTA.-LABUAN.-CRusoe.

try

LIZZIE E. R. shall have a Certificate if she will forward her name and address. Why write in so careless a hand? Fatal to success.

DOTTA. Well done: nothing like perseverance. We have received an abusive letter from Mr. Isaac B. Smith, at which we can afford to smile. Such letters make capital fires.