POPSEY.—Perhaps Blackwood’s “holdfast” would prove satisfactory in securing the scraps on your screen. We imagine that you are not very careful in brushing the gum or paste quite over the corners that you complain curl up. Very little of the above-named “holdfast” will be required to make the scraps adhere firmly. TENNYSON.—The precise origin of the office of “Poet Laureate” does not appear to be known. There was a _Versificator Regis_ in the reign of Henry III. Chaucer was Poet Laureate by his own appointment, and he subsequently received an annuity from Richard II. Some twenty-one poets succeeded him in the office. The immediate predecessor of Tennyson was William Wordsworth, and he was succeeded by Dr. Robert Southey. Tennyson, who was born in 1809, received the appointment in 1850. ALICE GREY.—See page 519, vol. vi., for description and illustration for a supper table. Add some chickens and a ham, and you could make it do for your plain wedding breakfast. The bride and bridegroom sit together and lead the way to the dining-room, and place themselves in the centre of the long table opposite the wedding cake. The father of the bride takes the bridegroom’s mother, and seats himself next his daughter, and the bridegroom’s father takes the bride’s mother, who sits next the bridegroom. The bridesmaids generally sit opposite the bride and bridegroom. MARCELLE’S question was answered on page 704, vol. vii. The poem, “Pleasures of Memory,” is by Samuel Rogers. A DELICATE COUNTRY LASSIE.—1. We have read your nice little letter with much interest and sympathy. It is pleasant to hear that our advice has been helpful to you, and we only wish your health would improve. But we think you might lay the matter before God in faith, and ask Him to cure you and raise you up, according to the promise, “the prayer of faith shall save the sick.” See St. James v. 15, and Matt. viii. 17. 2. The 26th June, 1874, was a Friday. Write to the secretary, Lifeboat Institution, 14, John-street, Adelphi, W.C. EARNEST INQUIRER.—It is impossible for us to tell you when the Government will legislate in behalf of shorter hours work for shop assistants. To work from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on ordinary days, and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays, is slave-driving indeed. We can only wonder that ostensibly respectable tradesmen could be guilty of treating their assistants in so cruel a manner, and that in a Christian country. They ought not to need legal coercion in a matter of mere humanity.