A SERIES OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS, the questions being proposed by the Editor of THE GIRL'S OWN PAPER and the answers being furnished by our Readers themselves. THE COMPETITION WILL EXTEND over three months, during which time twelve questions will appear in THE GIRL'S OWN PAPER every other week. This will give one question to be answered for every working day, which should not, we think, prove much of an exertion for anybody. * * * * * PRIZES AND CERTIFICATES OF MERIT will be awarded to successful competitors. THE PRIZES will be worth struggling for. There will be fifteen of them in all. Every girl will have a fair chance, and we have tried to plan so that no one will have to compete against others who in age--and for that reason possibly in information--are greatly superior to herself. THE VALUE AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE PRIZES are here shown-- _For Girls of the _1st Prize_ _2nd Prize_ _3rd Prize_ Age of_ £ s. d. s. d. s. 13-14 inclusive 1 1 0 10 6 5 15-16 " 1 1 0 10 6 5 17-18 " 1 1 0 10 6 5 19-20 " 1 1 0 10 6 5 21-23 " 1 1 0 10 6 5 THE CERTIFICATES OF MERIT will be given to girls of any age who gain the necessary number of marks. They will be first, second and third class. The total number of marks being reckoned at fifty, all who gain over forty will be first class; between thirty and forty, second class; and between twenty-five and thirty, third class. THESE CERTIFICATES are an important feature. A girl who gains one of them--even though she may fail to win a prize--will have many reasons for feeling pleased. It will be something she can take a pride both in showing and preserving. And when she goes out into the world, it may be useful as a proof that she is painstaking and persevering--essential qualities for all who would succeed in life. * * * * * AIM THEN, GIRLS, first at taking a prize, and, failing that, a Certificate of Merit. BUT EVEN IF YOU OBTAIN neither, your work will not be lost. Prizes and Certificates are of secondary importance compared with the mental benefit which will fall to the share of every competitor, no matter who she may be or what abilities she may possess. YOU WILL IN ANY CASE add to your stock of information; your life will be richer because of the something you have stored away in your "knowledge-box;" you will be brighter because your mind has been active; and you will get some laughing into the bargain, because we must go cheerfully and happily about everything. ARE NOT THESE REASONS ENOUGH why girls should enter upon this competition with energy and enthusiasm? * * * * * ALL OUR READERS ARE CORDIALLY INVITED to take part. It makes no matter whether they are regular subscribers or only occasional readers--all are welcome.