"I did study, Sir, for I was second and the first is thirteen years old and I am only eleven and a half. To prove it to you, here is my prize-list. Now, when I ask if I shall have my watch, my father answers that he has no money and he wants it all for bread. It is not right, Sir, to deceive me like that. But I hope that you will give me what they refuse. Do me that great pleasure. I will pray for you. "I love you very much. "M. J." Here is an artless request from a little English girl: "_Your Majesty_,-- "I hear you are taking a holiday in Paris and I think that this must be the best time to write to you, for you will not be so busy as in your own kingdom. "First of all, I want to tell you that I am an English girl, fourteen years of age, and my name is Mary. I love collecting autographs and so far I have been very lucky and have got some of celebrities, but I have none of a King, except Menelik, who is a black majesty. "Now I should ever so much like to have a few lines in your handwriting. "Do be so very kind as to write to me. "MARY ST. J." To conclude with, here are a few lively letters from ladies dark and fair: "PARIS, 27 July. "_Sir_,-- "I won the last beauty-prize at Marienbad and I am simply dying to make your acquaintance. "In this hope, I have the honour to greet you. "FERNANDE DE B." "MARSEILLES, 1 August. "_Sire_,-- "It is a pleasure to me to write to you. From my childhood's days, I have admired Persia, that beautiful country, so dear to my heart. Since I have heard you mentioned, I love you, Sire; I should like to be at your service. I do not know the Persian language, but, if you adopt me, I shall know it in a few days and you shall be my master. "Receive, Sire, my sincere greetings. "MIREILLE----. "P. S.--Please reply. I will start for Paris at once." "PARIS, 29 July. "_To Monsieur Muzaffr-ed-Din._ "_Monsieur Le Chah_,-- "Forgive me for taking the liberty of writing to you. I had the pleasure of seeing you yesterday in the Avenue du Bois de Boulogne and of receiving a wave of the hand from you and a most gracious smile. "How I should love to make your acquaintance and to have the pleasure of pressing your hand! "You may be certain of my entire discretion. You can, if you do not mind, appoint whatever time and place you please. "I should be very happy to see you; and I may venture to add that I am a very handsome woman. "Believe me, "Monsieur le Chah, "Yours most cordially, "MADAME MARGUERITE L. "P. S.--I beg you to destroy this letter." "_To His Majesty, Muzaffr-ed-Din_,--