A CONSTANT READER (_Teaching_).--You are thinking of entering the Oxford Senior Local Examination. This undoubtedly would be a wise step. To pass this examination, however, even with the highest honours would not qualify you to take a very good position in the teaching profession, though it would help you towards such a position. A very good plan, if finances must be carefully considered, would be on passing the Oxford examination to proceed to some training college for elementary teachers. At Whitelands College, Chelsea, there is now a course of training that has been arranged specially for girls possessed of a superior general education. If you pass the Oxford examination, you would be eligible to avail yourself of this, and the expense is not very great. The Secretary of Whitelands College would doubtless send you a prospectus on application. Elementary teaching offers, on the whole, better opportunities than does the career of private governess. To become a fully-qualified High School teacher would probably entail too much expense, as you ought to obtain a University degree, if later you wish to secure a good salary and promotion. Your handwriting is neat, clear, and good for your age. ERICA.--Your position is indeed a hard one, and it is difficult to advise you satisfactorily. But the future must be considered as well as the present, and it seems to us that this future is decidedly cloudy unless you can be trained for some employment now. If friends could come forward with an offer to train you for any of the occupations mentioned here from time to time, we think your mother would see the propriety of your availing yourself of the chance, sad though it would be to part, and much though there is to say in favour of the immediate economy of living together. We would suggest that you should learn either dressmaking or drawing--the latter with a view to newspaper and magazine illustration or fashion drawing. It is evident you have some talent for art, or your pictures would not have been exhibited; but as money is so much needed, we advise you not to go in for painting. You write a good hand, and a letter which leads us to think you have more than average ability. At the same time your health is possibly not robust. Cannot a little council of relations and friends be held so as to decide what plan should be taken to enable you to earn a living?