HELIOTROPE.—We do not understand why you cannot have the friendship of two schoolfellows as well as of one, or half a dozen. If you like them, and they are attached to you, there is no occasion for you to “throw off” the first you liked. As to “going with” either of them, it is not a case of an engagement nor betrothal. Be kind to each in turns, and say nothing of your preference to the friend you like the least, for your newer favourite. Exercise a little tact, and avoid wounding her. MARCIA.—You should procure a book on architecture. Of the Gothic there are five varieties—the Norman, dating from William I.’s time, 1066-1189; the Transition, from _temp._ Richard I., 1189; the Early English, from _temp._ Henry III., 1216; the Decorated, _temp._ Edward II., 1307; the Perpendicular, _temp._ Richard II., 1377, until the _temp._ Henry VIII., 1546. Since then, these several styles have been reproduced; besides which there have been two combinations—the Anglo-Norman and Semi-Norman. Of the Anglo-Saxon period in architecture you have not inquired, nor have we space to add much more. Perhaps the most curious specimens of this style are the tower of Sumpting Church, in Sussex, and that of Barnack, Northants. The Anglo-Norman, which succeeded it, deserves your attention, of which we may cite an example at Castle Rising, Norfolk, the crypt at Westminster Abbey, and many in Warwickshire. There is also the Semi-Norman style, which is beautifully represented in the ruins of Croyland Abbey, Lincolnshire. LOVER OF ANIMALS.—The grey parrot or jaco is indigenous to the west coast of Africa, and, as a rule, is a specially good talker. The cockatoo inhabits the Indies, isles of Oceania, and is docile and caressing, but, according to Louis Figuier, it is not a good talker. The very best that we ever saw in this respect, and the most affectionate, was a very large and handsome cockatoo. When purchased at Jamrack’s, it was exceedingly wild and fierce, but it became greatly attached to the lady who bought it, and tame enough to walk at liberty on the table, and quite harmless in company. Of course there are beautiful parrots, which are natives of Australia, that can be trained to talk, and if not teased when young, they do not scream. L. W.—Chopin was not a Frenchman, though he resided for many years in France, and died in Paris. Many of his mazurkas, nocturnes, and polonaises were founded on Polish National airs, though adapted to the French style. He was a Pole, and born near Warsaw in 1809. But France may claim Gounod, who was a native of Paris, born in 1818, and the French may be proud to own him. His style is considered to resemble that of Meyerbeer.