A LOYAL IRISH GIRL.--We are very glad that you have been improved by the late competition. We are much obliged by your kind offer. Your letter is very creditably written and composed. SWEET WILLIAM.--Directions for bookbinding were given in vol. ii., pages 342, 426, and 810. R. L. I.--Our paper can be got in all the colonies. Many thanks for the information that the free grants of land were stopped in Tasmania in January last. A NURSERY GOVERNESS, we think, is unhappy and discontented because she dwells on herself and her own feelings too much, and thinks too little of other people and their happiness. She must try to live most in others, and in giving pleasure and love to them. As yet she fails to comprehend the Christ-like character which is so lovely an acquisition, and the higher service to which we are destined by following Him in all things. Love is the keynote, and, if she try, in so doing is the happiest and truest life to be found. YOUNG LOCHINVAR should bear in mind the enormous ages attained by the antediluvian patriarchs, and that the world around them was so quickly populated that Cain might, and did, meet with plenty of people who possibly, as he thought, would regard him as a monster to be driven from amongst them. A long course of years succeeded that on which he slew his brother through envy and a hatred as to what was holy and God-fearing. In the first days of man upon earth they married their sisters, there being no physical objection to it ordained by a merciful God. M. R. (Norwood).--We pity you! To what a miserable, unwholesome state of deformity you have reduced yourself! We do not open our columns to persons who boast of having so far degraded themselves. F. M. C.--On no account take a cold bath if it do not agree with you. Have it tepid, or as warm as you feel comfortable. If the bath-sheet were warmed you would run no chance of being chilled. The 17th June, 1865, was a Saturday. The violin is not an easy instrument to learn, and requires a good ear; but we should recommend it in preference to the banjo or the concertina. The guitar is also unsuited for general music. LIZZIE MATTIE CLOVER.--Coals are called "black diamonds" because coals and diamonds are both carbon. SINGLE DAHLIA.--You do not name your age. Try St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington, W. Write to the matron. We could not say whether it would be against you. The 12th March, 1864, was a Saturday. HOPEFUL.--Perhaps you need a tonic. Ask a medical man, and take plenty of exercise and a tepid bath every morning.