there again taking the train to Macclesfield. From Macclesfield three carriages took us to Buxton, a distance of twelve miles. About five miles from Buxton we noticed a long narrow channel, the water in it dried up, leading to a small pool, which our driver told us was the source of the River Mersey. About one mile from Buxton many, including myself, got out in order to see Poole's Cavern. It has a low entrance, but there are many high points in it. In several parts it is rather wide. We could plainly see the dropping of the lime water which causes the crystallisation. The unfortunate Mary, Queen of Scotland, gave her name to a pillar here. After looking through the Museum we noticed the chief objects of interest in Buxton, particularly the Crescent, the New Church, the Palace Hotel, the Market, and the Gardens. We all had tea at the King's Head. After tea, reentering the carriages, we rode to Macclesfield. Here, having half-anhour to spare, we went through the principal streets, noticing the large Town Hall. Then taking train for Hanley, we arrived home about half-past nine, having thoroughly enjoyed the day's out.

WILLIAM HENRY SHAWCROSS, aged 15.

Entirely his composition.—W. SHAWCROSS, Principal.

WHEN I was staying at Dieppe, in France, a little time ago, we went to spend the day at Tourville, a little village about six miles distant. We started at nine o'clock, and arrived at the inn there in about half-anhour. After having left our cloaks we went on the beach (well supplied with fishing nets, spades, baskets, &c.), and began hunting for crabs. We found a great many, some of which were very large. After spending about three hours in this way we went to the inn and had our luncheon, and were surprised and pleased to see a large dish already cooked of the crabs we had caught. Then we went on the beach and watched the bathers, and, as it was a hot day, it was very pleasant. In about two hours we went to the inn and had some refreshments, and then drove home, after having spent a very pleasant day. EMILY, aged 10.

I certify the above to be the work of Emily.-BLANCHE HODGSON.

ONE bright day in summer I and a few companions set out for a day's holiday. After walking a long way we came to a place called Coochill Common, which is a favourite resort for holiday seekers. We wandered about for a long time till we came to a green spot, where we put down our provisions. After having refreshed ourselves we took our baskets and went searching for blackberries, which were then quite ripe. Then we went down further, and soon came to a very narrow path, where the blackberries grew in abundance, so that we were not long in filling our baskets. After that we went down a lane, where we saw a farmhouse,

and, being very thirsty, we all went in and had a delicious draught of milk. Feeling very much refreshed, and not wishing to return directly, we determined to go down the lane as far as possible, as we had never been there before. After walking a long way we came into a little hamlet called Colyford. The houses were very small-some of them are made of mud; but on the outskirts of the little place we saw several pretty villas, surrounded with beautiful flower gardens. As it was getting towards evening, we bent our steps towards home, where we arrived just as the village clock struck seven, having thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, though rather tired with so much walking.

MARY ANN PERRY, aged 13.

Sir W. C. Trevelyan's School, Seaton, Devon.

A VISIT TO

LLANGOLLEN.

It was on Whit Friday last that I and some friends arranged to go to Llangollen. We started about seven o'clock a.m., and, after a long railway journey by Chat Moss and Chester, we arrived there about twelve o'clock. We then went and dined; after which we went to Crow Castle, which is on a very high hill, but is now a very old ruined place. From there we had a good view of the town and the large slate works. There were also numerous donkey rides and all other kind of sports about the town, there being a number of schools in it having the r Whit-week trip. As it was now getting towards five o'clock, we went and had tea, after which we had a stroll through some nice fields. We then went to the station, and experienced some difficulty in getting into the train on account of the great crush. We arrived at home about ten o'clock in the evening, much tired, but having spent a very pleasant day. ARTHUR BAGULEY, aged 12.

Great George-street Model School, Salford.-The enclosed was written by Arthur Baguley. R. GRAHAM, Master.

Editor's Examinations.

Answers should reach the Editor by the 10th instant. They should be written on only one side of the paper, and should not contain a larger number of words than would fill one-half or three-quarters of a page of this Magazine. Each answer should be signed by the writer, and should state his age from his last birthday. Boys and girls who have completed their thirteenth year are eligible to answer the first question; boys and girls under thirteen must confine themselves to the second question. The papers written by scholars of the same age will be examined together, and the writers of the two best in each division will receive a prize. All papers should contain a certificate from the teacher of the school that they have been honestly worked. Transcription is not composition.

SUBJECTS FOR THIS MONTH.

For Seniors.-(Boys and girls of the ages of 13, 14, 15, and 16.) Write a life of William Pitt the younger (limited to 300 words).

For Juniors.(Boys and girls of the ages of 9, 10, 11, and 12.) Write a letter, giving a description of Holland (limited to 200 words).

The Publisher has much pleasure in giving PRIZES to the writers of the two best answers to each question in every number. The first prize will be a book of the value of FIVE SHILLINGS; the second, a book of the value of THREE SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE. Two books of each kind will be given-four in all; but a Scholar, after taking one prize, cannot obtain another until an interval of six months has elapsed. Should his paper during that time obtain the distinction which would otherwise entitle him to a prize, it will be printed in its proper position, but the prize will be awarded to the Scholar who has written the answer next in merit.

PRIZES FOR LAST MONTH'S SUBJECTS.

A five shillings prize to ROBERT INNES, aged 15, Albion Day Schools, Ashton-under-Lyne; and DAVID INNES, aged 12, Albion Day Schools, Ashton-under-Lyne (certified by A. Park, head master).

A three shillings and sixpenny prize to JOSEPH MELLOR, Albion Day Schools, Ashton-under-Lyne (certified by A. Park, head master); and WILLIAM PLENDER, aged 12, 67, Market-street, Stalybridge (certified by James Knight, master)."

The above-named Prize Essayists are desired to send to the Publisher, Mr. JOHN HEYWOOD, 141 and 143, Deansgate, Manchester, the name of any book or books, of the value referred to, which they would like to receive, and such will be forwarded, post free, within one week afterwards. The Publisher, of course, reserves to himself the right of refusing to forward any work the character of which he may think injurious; but with that single exception Prize Essayists may select any work they please. They will, doubtless, avail themselves of the advice of their parents or teachers in their selection.

A catalogue of three thousand works will be sent by the Publisher on receipt of a penny postage stamp for postage.

THE exercises in writing that have been sent us were very creditably done. Although we received a large number of papers from schools in various parts of Great Britain, we are yet compelled to award three of the prizes to one particular school. No other course was open to us if we followed the

The

advice of the Psalmist, "to judge according to right." specimen sent us by Robert Innes, and certified by the head master of his school, is as near perfection as we can imagine any exercise in handwriting to be. The writing of Joseph Mellor shows the same careful training with considerable ability. Though of the two Robert Innes is naturally the best writer, David Innes has the same style as his brother, and in a few years will, we doubt not, make as good a writer. William Plender writes a florid, mercantile hand, but his writing is a very good specimen of its kind. None of the other papers at all approach these four in excellence. Many of the competitors show great care, but their natural ability is insufficient, with all their endeavours, to raise them to the level of the successful writers. In any future competition in handwriting we shall assign an honorary position only to those who have previously taken two prizes in the subject. To Lord Bacon is ascribed the maxim, “Knowledge is power." A boy who can write well has a greater power to work his way in the world than a boy who writes a miserable, unintelligible, scrawling hand. cases, before we read a letter, we judge of the character of the writer by his handwriting. It is very important, then, that no boy or girl should despise this subject of writing. It is in the power of every one to write in a neat, plain, orderly manner—so no one must be excused for lack of ability. Most things in this world can be done by trying; and we are certain that every one has it in his power to acquire a good style of handwriting— meaning by that, a style of handwriting that is easy to be read, neat, and orderly.

In many

THE Great Exhibition building in London of 1851 covered 20 acres, and received 6,039,000 visitors. The building of 1862 covered 28 acres, and received 6,221,000 visitors. The Paris Exhibition building of 1855 covered 30 acres, and received 5,162,000 visitors. The main building of 1867 covered 39 acres, and received 10,000,000 visitors. The building for the Exhibition at Vienna this year covers 25 acres; while that allotted to the Philadelphia Exhibition of 1876 will extend over 50 acres. From 250 to 500 acres are to be assigned in the Fairmount Park for the purposes of the Exhibition.

HE following brief directions on the best method of reading will be of service to our readers if they carefully attend to them.

1. Read one book at a time. Wait until you have finished one book before you begin another. The book may be dry and dull, but if it is honest and sensible, if you have begun to read it, finish it. It is a sign of a weak mind to begin many things, and complete

but few.

2. Don't hurry through a book. One can read a book containing two or three hundred pages in a day; but little if anything of it will remain in the memory. There are no gains without pains. The more time and labour we give to a book, the greater the profit we shall derive from it.

3. Give the mind intervals of rest in reading. When you have finished a book, don't begin another for a week or a fortnight. Employ your spare time in thinking about the book you have

No. 23.-NOVEMBER, 1873.