“Wait a minute, child; I am not going to keep you long. I want you to read a letter for me I had from my son this morning; maybe there is something in it I should not care for just everyone to know; I have been on the look out for John Shelley or gentleman Jack all day, but I have missed them somehow, and I can’t read writing myself. Ah! here it is at last,” producing a letter from the bottom of a very capacious pocket filled with some very incongruous articles—a few coppers, a piece of cheese, a thimble, a sock she was knitting, some corks, and various other odds and ends too numerous to mention. Fairy took the letter, and by Dame Hursey’s instructions read it aloud. It ran as follows:— “Dear Mother, “I am just home from Australia, but I am going back there again at once. First, I want to see you, as I think you can tell me something I want to know, so will you meet me on the top of Mount Harry at three o’clock next Saturday afternoon? I shall be there, and, if you are living, I shall expect you. Till then I am your affectionate son, “GEORGE.” “Is that all? Every word of it?” asked Dame Hursey, fixing her black eyes on the child. “Yes. Shall I read it again?” said Fairy. “No. Next Saturday afternoon at three o’clock, on the top of Mount Harry. I shall be there safe enough. Thank you, my pretty one; I shan’t forget that one good turn deserves another. Good-night,” and the old wool-gatherer dived into a lane, and was out of sight before Fairy had recovered her astonishment, when she took to her heels and fled breathless to Mrs. Shelley, who was anxiously watching at the gate for her. (_To be continued._) NOTICES OF NEW MUSIC. NOVELLO, EWER, AND CO. _Beethoven’s Songs._ Vol. I. With both the German words and an English version. By the Rev. Dr. Troutbeck, to whom we are indebted for so many excellent translations of words to music.—This truly valuable collection, including such specimens as “Adelaide,” “The Glory of God in Nature,” popularly known as “Creation’s Hymn,” will be eagerly sought for by all singers; particularly when we mention that the twenty-six songs may be purchased for eighteenpence. [Illustration] _Liederkreis._ The opus 39. By Schumann.—A circle of twelve songs, many well known to you. Amongst them we find the “Frühlingsnacht,” “Mondnacht,” “In der Fremde,” and other lovely poems. _Six Duets._ For soprano and contralto. By F. H. Cowen.—Form a most charming volume, and are published at the same moderate price and in the same excellent form, with clear type and careful editing. _Six Vocal Duets_, for the same voices. By Oliver King, a rising composer, may also be warmly recommended. _Ten Songs._ By George J. Bennett, a youthful Academy student. Settings of words by Robert Burns. Are all most fresh and delightful, and add to a reputation which this hard-working young composer has already firmly established.