A READER ABROAD (New Zealand).—We are glad to tell you something of what we know about Berry Pomeroy Castle. It is said to have been founded by Ralph de la Pomeroie, one of William the Conqueror’s knights, who received from his sovereign fifty-eight manors in all, among them that of Berry, in Devonshire. The castle remained in the possession of the Pomeroy family until the middle of the sixteenth century, when Sir Thomas Pomeroy, who had been a ringleader in the Rising in the West, and had as a punishment for rebellion been deprived of many of his estates, sold it to Lord Seymour. The Seymour family built an imposing structure within the older part of the castle, but never brought it to perfection. A fire, caused by lightning, so injured the building in the early part of the eighteenth century that it was abandoned to decay. Prince, the author of _The Worthies of Devon_, describes the castle as very magnificent, and so vast “that it was a good day’s work for a servant but to open and shut the casements.” It is now, owing to the luxuriant setting of thick foliage and ivy and its beautiful situation, one of the most picturesque of English ruins; and it is interesting to observe the difference in architecture of its composite parts. We advise you to apply for a photograph to Crauford’s Library, Dartmouth; or Westley’s Library, Torquay. ELLEN.—The sentence, “There is sorrow on the sea,” occurs in a verse of the Bible—Jeremiah xlix. 23. G. R. and MARY PRISCILLA CUNNINGHAM.—G. R. inquires for a “Practising Society,” and Miss Cunningham writes at the same time to mention one, so we commend our correspondents to each other. The “Honour Bright” Practising Society encourages regular practice, awards prizes, and levies fines. Address, for a copy of rules, the Secretary, Miss Cunningham, 1, Bloemfontein Villas, Dalling Road, Hammersmith, W. We may add for G. R.’s benefit that she will see other Practising Societies mentioned if she scans this column for the past few months, _e.g._, Mrs. Walker’s, Litlington Rectory, Berwick, Sussex, and Miss Isabella Kent’s, Lay Rectory, Abington, Cambridge. OPAL.—1. Your quotation is not correctly given. The verse— “It is the little rift within the lute That by and by will make the music mute, And ever widening, slowly silence all,” will be found in Tennyson’s “Merlin and Vivien,” _Idylls of the King_.—2. Eugene Field’s poems are published by Scribner’s Sons, New York, and John Lane, London.