I beautify the landscape wide In early morning hours; (26) And I adorn the maiden fair, Mayhap in bridal bowers. (27) I wear the color of the sky, (28) And I'm of Afric hue; (29) I'm an unwelcome visitor, Though very useful too. (30) I oft have crowned the victor's brow; (31) We always block the way; (32-33) I always keep you in suspense, (34) And I make winter gay. (35) Called for a migratory bird, I'm very sour, you see; (36) While I am just the opposite, And sweet as I can be. (37) We bring good cheer at Christmas-time; (38-39) We keep the household neat; (40-41) And I, who try your temper some, Am really very sweet. (42) Of all our numerous family We've mentioned just a few, But call attention to one more, The last--'tis simply _you_. (43) MISS A. C. BANNING. NEWPORT, R. I. [Illustration: THE PUDDING STICK] This Department is conducted in the interest of Girls and Young Women, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject so far as possible. Correspondents should address Editor. How to strengthen the memory is an interesting question. I think the best way is to use it constantly, making it serve you by giving it definite facts and events to carry, as a pack-horse might on a journey. There are many phases of the problem, some people finding that they cannot fix dates in their minds, others forgetting the faces and names of friends, and others still having great trouble in committing anything by rote. Devices of rhymes and associations help some persons, and others simply depend on memoranda, and do not tax their memories at all. As a rule, the more we give the memory to do, however, the more quickly and faithfully it will respond to our wishes. In little children memory is very retentive, because their minds are at the stage when impressions are easily made; you know the line which says that in childhood our minds are "Wax to receive, and marble to retain." So that we should be very careful indeed about what we say, what we do, and what we teach, where the dear little ones are concerned. Gladys R. S---- has a great deal of trouble in remembering the rules of syntax, the Latin conjugations, and the pages of history which her teacher requires to be recited exactly as they are in the book. Try the method of studying aloud, Gladys. Go away by yourself to commit your lessons to memory, and then, over and over, slowly, carefully, with your mind and attention fixed on what you are doing, read phrases, sentences and formulas, over and over, and over and over, and by-and-by you will have them by heart. I have often done this when I have wished to learn a hymn or a poem, and I know that _hearing_ what one is studying assists the mere seeing. Then having other people in the room, talking and laughing, is very distracting to the attention. Try my method, and report results.