SUBLIME PRAYERS.

(Vol. III, 40, 71, 186.)

The following is the

prayer of Henry D. Thoreau, an American author and philosopher :

"Great God, I ask no meaner pelf

Than that I may not disappoint myself,
That in my action I may soar as high
As I can now discern with this clear eye.

And next in value which Thy kindness lends,
That I may greatly disappoint my friends,
Howe'er they think or hope that it may be,

They may not dream how Thou'st distinguished me.

That my weak hand may equal my firm faith,

And my tongue practice more than my tongue saith;

That my low conduct may not show,

Nor my relenting lines,

That I Thy purpose did not know,

Or overrated Thy designs."

Wacie the Caliph, who died A. D. 845, ended his life, the Arabian historians tell us, with these words:

"O Thou whose kingdom never passes away, pity one whose dignity is so transient."

PHILONIC, AND STRABONIC. (Vol. III, p. 140.) doctrines, principles, etc., as Platonic from Plato. the "Philonic" as from Philo, and "Strabonic

H. W. H.

Authors speak of Is it correct to use as from Strabo, etc.? BELGRADE.

Philonic is correct, Philon being a Hellenic word; but Straborean would be more accurate with the Latin name Strabo.

A. W.

EARTH-EATERS. (Vol. III, p. 140.) It is stated that in some parts of the world the earth is edible and is eaten by the natives. Where is this done?

GIMEL. Earth is eaten by the natives in some parts of Brazil and Colombia. It is not common earth, however, but contains the remains of animals, etc. A. W.

ISLAND OF ST. HELENA. (Vol. III, p. 140.) From whom is the island of St. Helena so called?

St. Helena was named from the mother of Constantine.

Z.

A. W.

THE MACEDONIAN ALEXANDER. (Vol. III, p.140.) "In strategy, a Hannibal; in tactics, the Roman Cæsar; in battle, the Macedonian Alexander; Charles comprised the three in himself." was this?

What Charles
GIMEL.

I should suppose that Charles XII of Sweden to be the person here referred to.

A. W.

POST-MORTEM CROWNING CEREMONY. (Vol III, p. 187.) What queen was crowned with full ceremony after her death?

PHILOS, Baltimore, Md.

Inez de Castro, queen of Pedro I of Portugal, to whom she was married January 1, 1347. The marriage was clandestine, as Pedro's father the king had already contracted him in marriage to a Spanish princess. Three years afterwards Inez was murdered by assassins instigated to the act by her father-in-law. When Don Pedro heard of her assassination he was beside himself with grief and rage. Two of the criminals afterwards fell into his hands, and were exposed to the most excruciating torture for three days and three nights, after which their hearts were torn out while the victims were yet living. Upon coming to the throne shortly after, Pedro had the body of his beloved Inez taken from the grave, placed on a magnificent throne, arranged in robes of royalty, and crowned "Queen of Portugal." The court was summoned and compelled to do her homage as if she were a living queen. One fleshless hand held the sceptre, and the other the orb of royalty. The next night there was a grand funeral cortege extending several miles, each person holding a torch. The crowned queen was escorted, as she lay in her rich robes, in a chariot drawn by black mules, to the royal abbey of Alcobaça for interment. Her monument is still to be seen there, and that of "Pedro the Just " is at the foot of it.

The present reigning house of Portugal is descended from Don Juan, the son of this princess. An attempt made by Phillip II of Spain to secure the throne of Portugal, by trying to prove the marriage of Inez illegal, was clearly the political reason of her posthumous coronation. S. GRANT OLIPHANT, Newfield, N. J.

THE DOG IN LITERATURE. Errata. Page 173, line 5, for "it" read he; line 7, for "its" read his; page 174, line 26, for “ (KYON) read (KUON); page 175, line 12, for "Gargitios" read Gargittios; line 20, for "(PR-KYON)" read (PROKUON); line 23, for “ Molosia read Molossia; page 176, line 17, for "Ptemphanae' read Ptremphanae; page 177, line 1, for "Bolestan II" read Boleslaus II; line 38, for "Cinobeline" read Cunobeline; page 178, line 4, for "Fioun read Fionn; line 6, after "Highland "insert proverb; line 20, after "likewise" insert too important; line 29, after "1205," insert and.

The following lines were found in a bundle of socks, sent by a "Lively Old Lady" in Amherst, N. H., to the U. S. Hospital, corner of Broad and Cherry Streets, Philadelphia, Penn., about twenty years ago. It appeared in a newspaper at that time, and passed out of mind. A subscriber to NOTES AND QUERIES (P. M. C.) sends it us asking that it be republished that it be more permanently preserved :

By the fireside, cosily seated,

With spectacles riding her nose,
The lively old lady is knitting
A wonderful pair of Hose.
She pities the shivering soldier,
Who is out in the pelting storm,
And busily plies her needles,

To keep him hearty and warm.

Her eyes are realing the embers,

But her heart is off to the war,

For she knows what those brave fellows
Are gallantly fighting for.

Her fingers as well as her fancy

Are cheering them on their way, Who under the good old banner,

Are saving their country today.

She ponders how in her childhood,
Her grandmother used to tell-
The story of the barefooted soldiers,
Who fought so long and well.
And the men of the Revolution
Are nearer to her than us;
And that perhaps is the reason
Why she is toiling thus.

She cannot shoulder a musket,
Nor ride with cavalry crew,
But nevertheless she is ready

To work for the boys who do.
And yet in "Official Dispatches,"
That come from the army or fleet,
Her feats may have never a notice,
Though ever so mighty the feet.

So prithee, proud owner of muscle,
Or purse proud owner of stocks,
Don't sneer at the labors of woman,
Or smile at her bundle of socks.

Her heart may be larger and braver
Than he who is tallest of all,
And the work of her hands as important
As cash that buys powder and ball.

And thus while her quiet performance
Is being recorded in rhyme,
The tools in her tremulous fingers
Are running a race with Time.
Strange, that four need es can form
A perfect triangular bound,
And equally strange that their antics
Results in perfecting the round.

And now, while beginning" to narrow,"
She thinks of the Maryland mud,
And wonders if ever the stocking

Will wade to the ankle in blood.
And now she is shaping the heel,"
And now she is ready to bind,"
And hopes if the soldier is wounded,
It never will be from behind.

And now she is "raising the instep,"
Now "narrowing off at the toe,'
And prays that this end of the worsted
May ever be turned to the foe.
She gathers" the last of the stiches,
As if a new laurel were won,
And placing the ball in the basket,
Announces the stocking is " done."

Ye men who are fighting our battles,
Away from the comforts of life,
Who thoughtfully muse by your camp-fire,
On sweetheart, or sister, or wife:
Just think of their elders a little,
And pray for the grandmothers too,
Who, patiently setting in corners,
Are knitting the stockings for you.
S. E. B.

ANSWERS to RIDDLES. (Vol. III, pages 52, 160.) The answer to the "Scripture Riddle," contributed by "J. A. B.," is The whale that swallowed Jonah. J. H. H. DEM., Hamilton, N. Y.

The answer to the "Riddle," contributed by " J. K. S.," is A gentleman on horse-back and a lady behind mounted on a pillion—an ancient mode of riding. L. A. N., Nashville, Mich.

The

The art of shorthand writing, may easily be acquired. The study and writing of it, instead of being a task, is felt to be a delightful recreation. It is an excellent means of imparting a correct pronunciation, and forms a valuable aid to the acquisition of knowledge. system that we teach is that of Isaac Pitman, the inventor of phonography. Experience has shown that its principles may be mastered by most learners in a very short period of time. To obtian a thorough knowledge of shorthand requires from two to six months, according to the aptness of the learner, and the amount of time daily devoted to it. A daily practice of one hour in reading and writing, continued for about three months, will usually give a speed of from 50 to 75 or more words per minute, or from two to four times the speed of common writing. The average rate of speed of common longhand writing is from 20 to 30 words per minute-that of shorthand being from five to eight times faster. The average rate of public speaking is 120 words per minute. Some very deliberate speakers do not utter more than 80 or 90 words per minute, while others articulate 180 or more. Speakers, generally, however, articulate at the rate of about 140 words per minute. A speed of from 100 to 130 words per minute is the requsite for amanuensis work. A course of twenty lessons, in conjunction with the practice of an hour in reading and writing daily, will usually give a speed of from two to four times that of ordinary writing. To obtain speed, after the principles are mastered, is mainly a matter of practice.

Terms. The subscriber will give Twenty Lessons for $15.00, the necessary text-books furnished. Five or more may club together and receive Twenty Lessons for $12.00 each.

L. M. Gould, 70 Rumford St., Concord, N. H.

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN AKADEME. This journal has entered its third volume, is edited by Alexander Wilder, M. D., and is the organ of "The American Akadêmê," with headquarters at Jacksonville, Ill., of which H. K. Jones is President. The members of the Akadêmê are found in all the States of the Union. The journal's object is "to promote the study of Philosophic Truth and the dissemination of such knowledge with a view to the elevation of the mind from the sphere of this sensuous life into that of virtue and justice, and into communion with diviner ideas and nature." Vol. III, No. 1, for October, 1886, contains articles on "Ancient Symbolism and Serpent-Worship," by the editor, covering 21 pages, a most interesting paper. Conversations follow. A portrait of Plato is a frontispiece, and under it an extract from Emerson "Out of Plato comes all things that are still written and debated among men of thought." The journal is octavo, 24 pages, ten numbers a year, published at $2.00 a year. Address all orders, letters, and communications to Miss Emily Wing, Secretary, Box 101, Jacksonville, Ill.; or, Alexander Wilder, M. D., 565, Orange St., Newark, N. J.

New Books, Pamphlets, etc., Received.

THE WORKS OF JACOB BOEHME; with an introduction by a Graduate of Glasgow University. Vol. I. The Epistles. Glasgow: D. Bryce & Sons, 129 Buchanan Street. MDCCCLXXXVI. (A Reprint.) The Epistles of JACOB BEHMEN aliter, Tevtonicvs Philosophvs. Very useful and necessary for those that read his VVritings, and are very full of excellent and plaine Instructions how to attaine to The Life of Christ. Translated out of the German Language. London Printed by M. Simmons for Gyles Calvert, at the Black Spread Eagle, at the West end of Pauls Church, 1649.

:

Note. It is intended to Reprint all the Works of Jacob Boehme uniformly with this Volume. In the introduction to the next Volume, special attention will be given to the recent book by Dr. H. L. Martensen, "Jacob Boehme, His Life and Teachings: or, Studies in Theosopy." London, 1885. The widespread inquiry for books by THE MYSTICS, their scarcity, and their great spiritual importance, seem sufficient reason for this undertaking. All intimations relating to the above will be made in Light and Life, an Unsectarian Magazine of Mystic Literatare, published at 100 West George St., Glasgow, Scot. This volume is small quarto in size, pp. 216, and contains the Fiveand-Thirty Epistles. Translated into the Nether-Dutch out of Jacob Behmen's own hand-writing; and out of the Nether-Dutch into English. Bound in cloth; price six shillings, or $1.50, and may be had by addressing "Light and LiFE, 100 West George St., Glasgow.

Boehme was one of most remarkable cases of spiritual mediumship, in the highest sense; a man through whom the revealing of knowledge came unsought; he seemed not to understand while at the urgent dictates of an invisible guide he wrote what was communicated to him. Received from the publishers.

HANDY HELPS, No. 1. A Manual of Curious and Interesting Information; by Albert P. Southwick. New York, E. L. Kellogg &

Co. 12mo. pp. 286. cloth. Price, $1.00. to teachers, 80 cents, and 8 cents postage.

The volume contains 500 questions of more or less interest to every person. Useful in the schoolroom, in the household, on a railroad journey, or at any time. Many queries are here answered when the desired information might requires days of search to find. Received

from the publishers.

A MEMOIR OF JUDGE EBENEZER THOMPSON, of Durham, N.H., with some account of his parentage and offspring; by his great granddaughter, Mary P. Thompson. "Tell me what ancestors were thine." [Farinata to Dante.] "Inferno," Canto x. Printed for private circulation. Concord, N. H., 1886. 8vo., pp. 86. Received from Lucien Thompson.