“No endeavour is in vain, Its reward is in the doing; And the rapture of pursuing Is the prize the vanquished gain.” THE NOTABLE WOMEN DEALT WITH must all be British subjects: foreigners will not count. It is not necessary that they should have been born after Queen Victoria came to the throne. All may be included who have lived _any part of their lives_ in the reign of Her Majesty. THEY MUST BE DISTINGUISHED on account of some worthy quality. They may be famous for learning; noted as authors, musicians, or painters; remarkable as philanthropists and public benefactors—in fact, no one will come amiss who can be said to have in any considerable degree attracted attention by either her virtues or her abilities. THE NUMBER TREATED of may be what every competitor finds time and inclination for. The more comprehensive the paper, of course the better chance there will be of a prize or a certificate: in everything, as is well-known, “if little labour little are our gains.” The most important thing, however, is quality, not quantity. THE NOTICE OF EACH NOTABLE WOMAN is in no case to exceed one hundred and twenty words, exclusive of the name and the place and date of birth and death. THE ARRANGEMENT OF THEIR PAPERS to be followed by competitors is the order of birth, not the order of death. WHAT WE INTEND SHOULD BE SENT IN will be readily understood, perhaps, by the following examples, in which we have given two characters who, as they are purely imaginary, need not be looked for in any Biographical Dictionary. ARABELLA G. CUNNINGHAM, _Born at Edinburgh, 20th May, 1812._ _Died at Tunbridge Wells, 7th December, 1856._ Of an old Scotch family. First attracted attention in 1835 by the publication of her “Turns of Fortune,” a tale of which seventy thousand copies were sold within three days. Encouraged by this success she gave herself up to the pursuit of literature. Her most popular works, besides that just named, are “At the Sign of the Spread Eagle,” “The Court of Lions,” “Hammer and Tongs,” “Lady Bettina,” and “The Hero of the White Shield.” Inherited a large fortune from her father, and being herself the best paid authoress of her time, and of an exceedingly saving turn, she died worth an immense sum. GERTRUDE WILLIAMS. _Born at Harlech (North Wales), 12th July, 1855._ _Still living._