This we fail to understand from any point of view, because if the minus sign be taken for a _line_ the text runs blineed, which, when you come to think of it, is rather a clumsy way of spelling blind. It is clear, at any rate to us, that the stroke cannot do duty for both the minus sign and _line_. If it could all would be well, thus:— b _line_ - ed = blind. But enough! for our brain reels. * * * * * A SHORT STORY IN VERSE.—In this competition a perfect solution was sent by Alice M. Seaman of St. Peter’s Park. By a clerical error it was misplaced, and did not reach us until some time after our adjudication. A prize has since been sent to this competitor, from whom, by the way, we received no complaint. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. MISCELLANEOUS. IRENE.—Grease may be removed from paper by laying over the stain a clean sheet of blotting-paper, and then holding a very hot iron upon it, but not hot enough to burn of course. Some people take out grease-marks by merely holding a red-hot poker over the mark, which will take a slight grease-mark out at once. But do not scorch the paper. NEMO.—Some of the characters in the book are historical, such as the Emperor Nero and his wife Poppea. The others are not so, but are depicted as they might very well have been. SARAH.—1. The meaning of the term borough is a town which can send members to parliament. The Scotch equivalent for it is burgh, of which there are four kinds, viz.:—parliamentary burghs; municipal, or police burghs; the royal, which are governed by crown charters; and burghs of barony, which are governed by magistrates, though subject to the superior of the barony.—2. Do not postpone using glasses, carefully selected for your sight by an optician, if you feel any aching at the back of the eyes and round the balls, on using them. You will injure the sight if you do not at once provide the assistance they require. Nature has given due warning and called for it. FANNY WRITING II.—Ink stains may be removed by the use of salts of sorrel. Dip all articles first into boiling water for a few minutes, then tighten the part to be treated over a basin and rub in some salts of sorrel. They are poisonous, but will not damage textile fabrics. Then rinse thoroughly in hot water. Repeat if the stains be not extracted. RENÉE.—We have received your dear little note, and are very sorry that we cannot give you the information you need about a dog. Would it not be better to consult your father or brother about it, and let them procure you one nearer home? Many thanks for the kind things you say about the “G. O. P.” OUR PUZZLE POEMS. A NEW DEPARTURE. We are publishing Three Puzzle Poems in succession dealing with accidents and the way to meet them, and the following is the third and last of the series. The lines should be carefully committed to memory for the sake of the valuable instruction they contain.