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GRIEF OF PETER THE GREAT AT THE DEATH OF HIS SON. 301

he was attended by the assembled senate to lay before his majesty matters of the utmost importance. The czar now rose, and approached the door, but still made no answer; on which Dolgorucki cried out, "The business, sire, admits of no delay, and your majesty must open the door immediately, or we shall be obliged to break it open, and force your majesty to exertion to save the throne and the empire."

When the czar heard this, he opened the door, came out, and, looking the senators in the face, muttered, "What is it that causes this disturbance of my rest?" "It is, sire," replied Dolgorucki, "that through your wonderful absence from us, and your long and useless lamentations over a child whose life is fled and cannot be recalled, that the whole kingdom is falling into confusion; all the affairs of the state stand still; the most favourable operations of our arms, both by sea and land, are suspended; trade and commerce languish: so that, unless you resume your position, the states of the empire must of necessity elect another monarch."

This remonstrance brought the czar to his wonted presence of mind, and he promised the senate that he would rouse himself, and meet them on the next day. He then went immediately to the Czarina, and, embracing her very kindly, said: "Now, Catherine, it is enough; and we will no longer complain of what we ought never to have forgotten was the will of God.”

The emperor detained the whole of the senate to dinner, and joined so freely in the conversation as gradually to dispel that air of grief in which his face was shrouded. In the afternoon he received company, and the next day presided in the senate and at the Admiralty as usual.

CHINESE REGRETS.-A Chinese of forty years of age, who had a very passionate mother, frequently received from her a sound beating, which he always bore with exemplary patience. A friend, who knew the life the poor fellow led, calling upon him one day just after he had received a severe drubbing from his mother, found him dissolved in tears and quite inconsolable. "What," said the friend, "can be the cause of this immoderate grief?" "Ah!" replied the poor fellow, "my dear mother did not thrash me half so soundly to-day as she used to do. Poor creature! her strength is fast declining; I am much afraid that I shall soon lose her."

Young Scholars' Compositions.

DINGWALL.

DINGWALL, the chief town of Rosshire, is at the west end of the Cromarty Firth. I am told that the name was given to it by an old woman, whose son fell into a well of water, and that she was crying out "Dig the well, dig the well," and from those words the name of the place was called Dingwall. There was a pretty building at the east end, built by one Captain McLennan, called McLennan's Castle, or the Castle of Dingwall. There are two prisons (an old and a new one), three churches (one of them very beautiful, and newly built), and a number of fine shops. Near Dingwall is the famous Strathpeffer Spa, where many sick people come for their health.

FRANK MCIVER, aged 11 years.

Certified by A. FRASER, Master.
Invergordon F. C. School, Rosshire, N.B.

OUR SCHOOL EXCURSION.

ONE fine morning during our summer holidays we had a nice trip to the Falls of Kilmorack, which we enjoyed very much. We all marched off from the school as happy and as blithe as the day was fine. When we arrived at the station we began to feel a little impatient for the train to appear. However, we had not to wait long before she came, and then we were put into a large carriage set apart for ourselves. Soon we started for our destination. The day was fine, and the scenery very beautiful. At the Beauly station we all alighted, and proceeded on foot to the celebrated Falls of Kilmorack, distant two miles. None of us ever saw a fall before, and our astonishment was great at seeing so much water rushing and tumbling so wildly over the rocks 100 feet below us. The master was afraid for us, but no accident happened. We then returned slowly to Beauly, where the boys played at cricket and boating, while the girls had their own sports. We were much amused at seeing salmon caught and landed from the river. On the train's arrival we again started for home, after enjoying a most delightful day. I forgot to mention that there were 90 pupils on the excursion. MARY ANN FRASER, aged 14 years. I certify that this exercise is the work of the girl whose name it bears. ALEX. FRASER, Master.

Invergordon F. C. School, Rosshire, N.B.

BROUGH HILL FAIR

Is appointed for the sale of horses, cows, sheep, &c. It is held at Brough Hill, about one and a half miles from Warcop, a little village nearly six miles from Appleby, and near the Pennine Range. The hill is owned by Sir Henry Tufton, one of the great land protectors of Westmorland. About two days before the fair takes place he has toll-gates erected, so that persons passing with cattle have to pay for

EDITOR'S EXAMINATIONS.

303

the damaging of the hill. People from all parts of Great Britain attend it. There are great ditches on both sides of the road, and white posts with black tops are put up to be a guide to the traveller. It is held annually, on the last day of September and the first of October; but when either of these dates fall upon a Sunday, the fair is put off till Monday. Farmhouse servants are not at liberty to go to the fair, but they have a holiday on the Saturday following, and a fair is then held at Appleby, but it does not consist of the sale of cattle, but of readymade clothes and blankets.

GEORGE HENRY SYMONS, aged 11 years (Standard V.) The above is honestly worked.-J. F. TIMPANY, Master.

British School, Appleby.

[We have received several other compositions, which we have not space to insert this month. The paper on

"Mackerel Catching at Seaton" we should like to see again.-ED. Y. S.]

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 twelfth year are eligible to answer the first question; boys and girls under twelve must confine themselves to the second question. The papers written by scholars of the same age will be examined together, and the names of forty of the best essayists, with the addresses of their schools, published in each division. The prizes will be awarded to the papers that excel most within the limit of the prescribed ages, varying from eight to fifteen years inclusive. Papers sent from schools should contain a certificate from the teacher that they have been honestly worked; in the cases of writers who are receiving their education at home, a certificate from the parent will suffice.

Questions for this Month.

FOR SENIORS. (Boys and girls of the ages of 12, 13, 14, and 15.) A Drawing, from copy, of a Horse.

FOR JUNIORS. (Boys and girls of the ages of 8, 9, 10, and 11.) A Drawing, from copy, of a House.

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; hut 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 ESSAYS PRINTED IN THIS NUMBER.

A five shillings book each to JOHN MOLINEUX, Deane School, near Bolton; and DAVID MCLAREN, Commercial School, Kendal.

A three shillings and sixpenny book each to A. S. CHOVIL, Harborne N. S., near Birmingham; and THOMAS ELLIS, Smallwood N. S., Stokeupon-Trent.

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.

Answers to Questions in October Number.

We have received a very large number of answers to our first question. It has grieved us much to have to throw aside so well-worked papers; many but we have no option in the matter. We have, however, increased the numbers in Classes III. and IV. to twenty instead of ten, as some means of showing our appreciation of the large number of excellent papers that have been sent to us. The labour of the scholars, though unnoticed here, will, however, not be lost. It is only by careful practice, such as scholars find in answering these questions, that they can hope to do well in the inspector's examination.

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We have also received a large number of well-drawn maps. Derby British School; Sir W. C. Trevelyan's School, Seaton, Devon; the Commercial School, Kendal; the Trust School, Chipping Ongar; Moravian School, Dukinfield; and Beeston N.S., Nottingham, are schools to be specially commended for their skill in map drawing.

The following are the best answers to the first question :—

ARITHMETICAL PROBLEM.

A pupil-teacher in receipt of his first year's salary of £12 per annum, pays his parents 2s. 6d. a week for his board, and 1s. a week for his clothes. He is allowed out of it sixpence a week for pocket-money, and the rest is invested in the Post-office Savings Bank. How much does he save weekly? and how much yearly?

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This solution has been entirely worked by the above-named person.

M. MOLYNEUX, Master.

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