MARY KINGSLEY.--1. The people of God in all ages, before and after the commencement of the Christian Era, form one great brotherhood, sharing the same interests, fighting the same "fight of faith," one in hope, in aim, and in spiritual sympathy, as children of the same Divine Father. Thus, they are in communion one with another, and there is really an unbroken bond of union between those who have gone before, and those still waiting here. 2. Persons who tell characters from handwriting advertise. INQUISITIVE ONE.--1. Soap spoils sponges. Even clean water should be well squeezed out of them, and then they can be cleaned with sponge powder, obtained from a chemist. Dry toothbrushes thoroughly, and place them in the tray made for them. A little soda or bran in the water will soften it. 2. Your writing is good, but you should learn to write in straight lines. SISSIE B.--It is your duty to speak to your father about your brother of twelve, who runs away for whole days up till past midnight, smokes, and gets into bad company. He ought to be sent to a boarding school, or else apprenticed at once, or he will go to ruin. His example is ruining his brothers. Tell your father that if you could manage them you would neither complain of chance acts of insubordination nor of the trouble you willingly take with them; but, as you find you have no control over them, you must tell him so before they are ruined. INQUISITIVE.--The average duration of human life is increasing to the extent of five per cent., or more than two years, since the computation made in Dr. Farr's life tables. The duration of life amongst women has increased to a greater degree than that of men, and this may be attributed to the greater attention paid to hygienic principles and the new discoveries made in this direction. LILY OF THE VALLEY.--Surround the plants with a circle of lime, and water them with tobacco-juice. The latter must, of course, be well washed before use. Handwriting not formed. SUNDAY-SCHOOL TEACHER.--No, Robert Raikes was the originator of the present organised system which obtains in England, and the idea originated in his work amongst the criminals in prison, their early religious instruction appearing to him the best preventive measure towards ensuring their never becoming so fallen. But the Sunday instruction of children dates back to about the year 1580, Cardinal St. Charles Borromeo having introduced it at Milan, and in the following century (1693) his example was followed by the Rev. Joseph Alleine; by the Rev. David Blair, at Brechin, in about the year 1760. Then followed the Rev. Theodore Lindsey, at Catterick, Yorkshire, about three years later; and, lastly, and with a more perfect organisation, Robert Raikes, the printer of Gloucester, with the co-operation of the Rev. Thomas Stock, some seventeen years later. The Sunday School Union was founded nine years before his death, in 1802.