MOTHER'S GIRL.--Your story is very well composed and neatly written. The incident you describe is naturally told, with a good deal of right feeling. We can honestly praise your work. It is very wise of young writers only to undertake simple subjects with which they are familiar, and a good schoolgirl story is worth any amount of sentimental nonsense. A SEEKER.--1. Your friend's verses fail in metre: _e.g._, "Death makes clearer the soul's view," is a halting line. The thought expressed throughout is a solemn one, but the mode of expression is open to criticism.--2. The difficulty you place before us is one in which we have very great sympathy. If you have been sent to an Art School it is certainly your duty to work hard there. But a change of occupation is by no means always prejudicial to success; in fact, it is often helpful even to the occupation which is laid aside for a time. For example, a girl is likely to become no better a musician because she practises every hour of the day, and neglects all besides. There comes a point beyond which work is useless, and four or five hours well spent are better than twelve. So with your drawing or painting; you will do it no harm by laying it aside for awhile and lending a hand to household tasks. There is often a tendency in eager students to overwork, and see things out of their due proportion. You must try to keep the balance true and not sacrifice character to ambition. You will do the ambition itself no good by it. We may suggest that artistic talent is very useful in millinery, and that, if need be, you should not despise turning your gifts to account in designing some article of dress. There is a wide field open to really artistic dressmakers; but, of course, on this, we cannot advise you without further knowledge. AN ARDENT READER, ROSY NELL.--We are glad to hear all you tell us, and hope you may succeed in the needlework competition. We do not know the comic ballad you mention on "A Snarling Wife," beginning, "O do be still!" Are you sure it is worth hunting for? Would it not do you more good to learn some poem of real beauty or interest? GIRLS' EMPLOYMENTS.