OUR NEW COVER.

WE hope ST. NICHOLAS will not seem like a stranger to you because it comes this month in a new and shining dress. Indeed, it should seem more familiar,- more like an old friend than ever,— because its new garb is so becoming and so beautifully symbolizes the spirit and the purpose of the magazine.

The cover which appears for the first time this month was designed by Mr. Sidney L. Smith, who was for some time associated with the La Farge Decorative Art Company of New York City, The beauty of the drawing speaks for itself, and can hardly fail to give pleasure and satisfaction. But it would be wrong to regard the design as a mere piece of decoration. The view through the graceful archway suggests the youthful outlook upon the world of nature and civilization; - and the morning of life is further symbolized by the sunrise, in which Apollo, who, in the old mythologies, was the

god of youth and music and light, is driving the chariot of the sun. In the upper right-hand corner, a little winged figure with a horn of plenty may well represent the unceasing abundance of stories, sketches, and verses that ST. NICHOLAS offers to its readers; and in the opposite corner, three similar figures display the book and the palette (the seal of The Century Co.), which stand for the work of author and artist combined. The same idea is suggested by the scroll and the pen and crayon in the lower right-hand corner, and that part has also a special interest because, in the little circle there shown, there is to appear, each month, the sign of the Zodiac for that month. This time, we have Sagittarius, the Archer—which is the sign of the Zodiac for November; next month it will be Capricornus, the Goat; for January, Aquarius, the Water-carrier; and thus on the cover, month by month, you can find the succession of the twelve signs that in old times symbolized the circuit of the year.

CANTON, N. Y., July 31, 1885.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: Will not Lieutenant Schwatka kindly tell the many readers of his interesting papers, how the weight of the roof of an Eskimo igloo is sustained? Do the native builders understand the principles of the arch and vaulted dome and employ them in shaping and piling their snow bricks, or are the blocks of snow simply frozen together? Many a boy in our north country has tried to make a snow hut like those in the pictures, not always with success, and we should like to know just how it is done.

Yours truly,

NELSON L. ROBINSON.

The roof of an Eskimo igloo is like the half of an egg-shell, it being impossible to say where the walls cease and the roof begins. Not only does this perfect dome sustain its own weight of six or eight inches of building snow (in the snow-blocks), but it can sustain, besides, two or three feet of loose snow, and the additional weight, even, of two or three people working on the roof. That the native builders understand thoroughly and practically the principles of the arch and dome is proven by their perfect construction of domed igloos, and by their making the dome more pointed in the fall and spring (when the snow is weaker and more liable to tumble in), and flatter in the winter, when the material is good. In any other shape than that of a dome the igloo would not hold together for a minute, as the blocks are not frozen together, at least until a day or two after the igloo is completed.

One of the reasons why boys fail in building snow houses in our country is because the snow is not of the proper consistency. The thermometer must have been down to 40° F., and several gales must have "packed" the snow before even an Eskimo would use it. In fact, until the snow is of proper consistency the igloos are built of ice, as explained in the September ST. NICHOLAS. There would be very few days in the year in the coldest parts of the United States when even an Eskimo could build a good igloo. And then, too, even if everything were favorable, igloo-building is an intricate art, and until the boys here can show a sealskin diploma or shall have graduated at a cold weather kindergarten in the Arctic, they can hardly hope to be successful. FREDERICK SCHWATKA.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: There is a game that young folks can play which consists in letting one person describe a thing without naming it, and asking the others to guess what it is. Here is an instance: I am the child of the night and the child of the day. Some dread me, some hate me, some find me a good companion. I have walked for many a mile, but no one ever heard my footfalls. Sometimes my master sends me on before him; but, as he travels as quickly as I do, he sends me back, sometimes, and I have to follow in the rear. It is impossible to estimate my exact height. Nobody has ever looked into my eyes; nobody has ever incurred my anger. I sometimes in my haste run over people, and am sometimes tram

pled under foot by them. When my master writes, I always hold a pen by his side, and when he shaves I generally take a razor, too. I have traveled a great deal, and am very old. When Adam walked in Eden, I, too, was there; and when any new member of Parliament goes to the House of Commons, I nearly always accompany him. Robinson Crusoe was disturbed by my approach when I visited him on the island of Juan Fernandez. Although I have no eyes, I could not live without light. I am of very active habits, although I have not the will or ability to move. Tell me my name. The answer is, "A Man's Shadow." Yours truly,

LULU M. B, Webster, Mass.

PATTY'S THANKSGIVING.

WRITTEN BY A LITTLE GIRL.

"OH, dear!" sighed Patty, as she sat beside the window looking out on the dull, wet street, "other girls have Thanksgiving dinners, with turkey and plum pudding, and mince pies and all sorts of things. I wish I could. So!

Her book went down on the floor with a bang, and she sat for a long time with her head in her hands, thinking.

Patty lived in a shabby little house, a little way out of the city. Her father and mother were poor, and had four other children besides Patty, so that Patty could not have a great many things that she wished, and the two things that she wished most just now were a Thanksgiving dinner and a wax doll.

"I guess I will go out for a little while; there is nothing else to do," said Patty, at length, getting slowly out of her chair and picking up her book.

"I wish a big turkey and a plum pudding would drop down from the sky; but I am selfish to wish for a big dinner when I know father and mother can't afford it. And the children need a great many things; so I will try to give up cheerfully," and Patty sighed, for she had looked forward for a long while to the good time they were going to have at Thanksgiving, and it was a great disappointment to her that they could not have it after all.

She put on her hood and cloak, and went out into the street. She soon reached the city, and straightway forgot everything else in her pleasure at looking at a group of dolls all dressed up as ladies and gentlemen, grandmas, children and babies, seated around a Thanksgiving dinner-table, which was covered with good things.

Just then a little hand slipped into hers, and a little voice said: "Will oo peas lif' me up so me tan see de pitty dollies?" Patty looked down in surprise, for standing beside her on the sidewalk was a little boy of about three years old. He had light curly hair and dark brown eyes, and was dressed in a coat and cap of gray fur, with velvet gaiters, and shiny new rubbers. She stooped down and lifted him up so he could see.

"Did you come here all alone. Where is your mamma?" asked Patty.

My mamma is at home. I tummed all by myself to see de pitty I tood n't wait for nursy," explained the little fellow.

dollies.

"Where is nursy?" asked Patty.

"I dess see's dorn to walk," answered the baby, with his eyes fixed on a very fine doll at the end of the table.

"Where do you live?" asked Patty again.

"I lives wiv my papa," he answered, with his eyes still on the doll.

"But where does he live?" inquired Patty, finding it rather hard to get any information from the little boy.

He lives wiv me, and my name is Harry, an' his name is Papa," said Harry, and seeing she could not get anything from him, Patty put him down on his feet, and taking his hand, led him down the street.

"I'se tired and I want to doe home," he wailed at last, when they had gone a little way.

"Harry, be a good boy and don't cry, and I'll take you home as soon as I can," said Patty, gathering the little fellow up in her arms and wiping away the tears that were beginning to fill the large brown eyes. "We will go into this drug store and perhaps the man will know where you live." The man was very kind, but had never seen the little boy before. He asked him a great many questions, just as Patty had done, but could get no better answers than she had received.

"I wants my mittings, my han's is cold," said Harry; "they are in mine potet."

As Patty drew out the little red mittens, she felt a piece of paper, She drew it quickly out and, opening it, she saw these words: "Harry Harding, No. 164 Blank street."

How joyfully Patty read that piece of paper! - Thanking the man, she hurried across the public square, only stopping a few minutes to let Harry look at the boys and girls skating. She had not much trouble in finding the house, which was one of the largest on the street, a stately brick house with wide stone steps leading up to the door. She went up the steps, feeling as if a load was off her mind, and rang the bell.

It was opened directly by a servant, who looked very stiff and pompous; but the moment he caught sight of Harry all his stiffness vanished, as he threw his hands over his head, shouting wildly, "He's found, mum! he 's found, mum! it's Master Harry himself, mum; come quick, mum!!" and he set off at a very fast walk to a door at the end of the hall. Before he could get to it, however, a door opened, and in another moment Harry was in his mother's arms. At the servant's outcry the whole family came running to the spot. They were just going out again to search for the little wanderer. But all wraps were laid aside now, and sitting by a cheerful fire in the large parlor, Patty told her story. And at last she found herself riding home in a fine carriage with Mr. and Mrs. Harding, who could not thank Patty enough for what she had

done for them.

Two days before Thanksgiving a large carriage drove up to the Robbins' door, from which was taken a great hamper of good things from the Hardings. The man put a long box into Mrs. Robbins' hands, into which she peeped, and with a smile at Patty she whisked it into the closet, and helped her daughter unpack the hamper. Patty kept giving little screams of delight as one thing after another was taken out of that hamper. First came a large turkey, with a great many vegetables; then a loaf of frosted cake and a plum pudding in a bag; and last, some mince and apple pies, and oranges and nuts and raisins.

"Mother, let's not tell the children, but have it for a surprise," cried Patty, when at last the hamper was empty.

"So we will, Patty!" said Mrs. Robbins; it will be a great surprise to them all."

So on Thanksgiving morning Patty and her mother went to work and set the table and cooked the turkey and vegetables. When Patty came to the table with the rest, she was as much surprised as anybody, for at her place was the long box that had been given to her mother.

Opening it, she saw a lovely wax doll, and on a card were the words, "For Patty Robbins, from her grateful little friend, Harry Harding,"

And I think in all the city there was not a happier little girl than Patty, as with her doll in her arms she watched her father carve the Thanksgiving turkey.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: One question that I would like to ask is, how, in Miss Alcott's "Spinning-wheel" story about the lunchparty, eight girls could partake of one mince pie so freely as to cause any of them to have bad dreams. For my part, it does not trouble me to eat a quarter or even a half a pie, and our pies are not all crust and no fruit, either.

if my letter is too long, please cut out any part but that about the Yours truly, ADDA W.

pie.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: Although I have taken you nearly six years, I have never before written a letter to you. I suppose you will think what I am going to write is very strange for a girl of sixteen years to think about. It is of my strange love for fire-arms, machinery, swords, boats, and the sea, that I wish to tell you.

sea.

Ever since I was a little mite of a girl I have been very fond of the I like to go to the beach and watch the waves as they roll up on the beach or break against the rocks. I am never sea-sick, and enjoy a sail out of sight of land better than I do among the islands of Casco Bay.

A boat of any kind was always my delight, from a saucy little tug-boat to a stately ship; and living so near the water, I see all kinds. They seem like living things to me. There is one steamer that is my especial pet, and that is the steamer "Tremont," which runs between Portland and Boston. Every visitor we have I take down to see the "Tremont."

The

When I was quite small, I used to go with my sister down to the depot and watch the trains as they went back and forth. engine used to be a source of wonder and admiration to me. Whenever I hold in my hand an old sword, it thrills me as I think what stories it would tell if it could speak. There came into my possession, the other day, two swords.-one was taken away from a dying Confederate at the battle of Fredericksburg, and the other, a beautiful one, with a hilt of gold and ivory, and engravings on the blade, belonged to an officer in the war of 1812.

When I have been over to Fort Preble, I have enjoyed looking at the immense cannons mounted on top of the fort, and the neat piles of cannon-balls by the side of each one. Everything at the fort is always in "apple-pie" order.

There is one thing that I have always wished, and that is that I could have lived during the civil war, and have gone into the hospitals to help take care of the wounded soldiers. I would rather read stories of the civil war than any novel. I enjoyed reading "Recollections of a Drummer-Boy," which you published two years ago, very much, and I wish somebody else would write some more stories of the war for ST. NICHOLAS.

When I was very young I was very much afraid of the dark, but

PLAINFIELD, June, 1885. DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: Your interesting and useful magazine considerably lightened one of my cares this month. My pupils are required to write a letter before receiving their promotion, and I have hitherto found it a trying ordeal for us both.

The idea occurred to me this year to suggest that they all write a letter to ST. NICHOLAS, whose monthly visits to our class-room had been so eagerly looked for. I promised to send the most interesting to you for publication, and I was delighted to see them begin their work without one grumbling word. I found difficulty in selecting from twelve, but I forward to you two that seemed to be best suited for publication.

I hope you will find room for them, and reward forty-five anxious boys and girls, who will watch the Letter-box, and be almost as delighted to see the work of their class-mates in print as they would be at sight of their own. Yours truly,

C. A., Public School, Plainfield, N. J.

No. I.

PLAINFIELD, N. J., June, 1885. DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: At the beginning of school last year, the scholars in each class commenced to save up money to buy a picture. The money that we would have spent for candy, we saved and brought to the teacher, until we had enough to buy the picture. Our picture is George Washington. It is about two feet by three. In the corner of the room we have a cabinet, which the scholars have bought in the same way. We have some rare specimens in it. It has four shelves, and all of them are full of specimens.

The principal of our school takes different papers and magazines for every class, for the scholars to read. Our magazine is ST. NICHOLAS, and this is the way I get it to read.

Our teacher is very much interested in flowers; we bring them to her, and she presses them. We have seventeen different wild flowers pressed. Yours truly, J. A. S.

No. II.

PLAINFIELD, N. J., June, 1885. DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: We have been studying about flowers, and I think it is very interesting. I will describe how we found the dogtooth violet.

On the seventeenth of May, about six girls, myself included, went into the woods, and we came upon some very pretty yellow flowers, behind two large chestnut trees. We did not know what they were at first, but after we took a good look at the petals and stamens, we found that they were the dog-tooth violets.

We have read the ST. NICHOLAS, every Friday, from September to May. I think it is very interesting. Your constant reader, S. S. Y.

HAMPTON, VIRGINIA, June 29, 1885. DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I have been taking you ever since February, and think you are just superb.

I am not able to take you, but a kind friend of mine gives you to me every month, and I am just as happy as I can be when it comes. I hope you will put my letter in the Letter-box; if you do I think I will be the happiest boy living. I hope you will never die, and that I can take you always. Your constant reader, CHARLIE B.

WE present our sincere thanks to the young friends whose names are given herewith, for the pleasant letters received from them:

Louise M. Gehn, Constance Lodge, A. Stone, J. C. C., W. A. T., Esther M. V., Carrie Louise Walker, Julian A. Keeler, A. L. T., Mary B. Eyre, Mary Page Buskett, Daisy, Gertie, Charlie and Marion, Damie Bigger, Ruth, Ralph T. Hoyt, Kate M. Drew, H. F. Mayer, Helen Smith, John H. Easter, Ella L. G., Helen Perry, P. A. Baynes, T. J. Baynes, May Relay and Grace Foster, Mamie A. S., Allie Duden, Annie and Harry Foster, Helen M., Ellinor D. Runcie, Celia Loeb, Laura and Grace, Lizzie Brinsmade, May L., Daisy R., M. H. and L. A., L. V. Price, Fred G., E. V. D., Louise B. Cluett, Jennie M. Woodruff, Maggie Clarke, Tom C., Kittie L., Eugene Heald, M. Y. Demerick, Edith Houghton, Sammie Noyes, Florence Derby, Rodney E. Derby, Kingsley S., Phil Carr, F. S., Marion Roberta Stuart, Mollie Orr, Bessie G. Brand, Frederick Dabney Miller, Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, Audrey A., Effie A. C., Pierre Brown Mitchell, Elizabeth S., Lilian B. A., James A. Hayne, Polly, Anna, Lucy, Isabella and Jenny, Laura W., Archer Dana Baker.

HISTORY OF THE A. A.

It would seem appropriate, in this initial number of a new volume, to give a brief history of our Association, and an explanation of our purposes and methods, for the benefit of the large number of new friends who now begin to take ST. NICHOLAS.

A very few words must suffice: The Agassiz Association is a society for the encouragement of the personal observation of Nature. It is freely open to all, old and young. About one-fourth of our membership is adult. Among the branches of study pursued, are botany, mineralogy, entomology, zoology, ornithology, conchology, microscopy, oology, chemistry, archæology, ethnology, and physiology. Each Chapter is at liberty to choose whatever branch it may prefer. The smallest number recognized as a Class, or Chapter, is four. Individuals can join the Association on application to the president. Specialists have very generously volunteered their services in the several departments. These gentlemen freely answer any questions in their line, and from time to time conduct special classes through regular courses of observation and study. All who satisfactorily complete these courses receive properly indorsed certificates. A complete and detailed account of the Association may be gained by consulting back numbers of ST. NICHOLAS since October, 1880, especially the November issue of each year. For the convenience of those interested, the president has prepared a small volume of something over one hundred pages, known as the

HAND-BOOK OF THE A. A.

THIS book was made in this way: For two years a record was kept of all important questions submitted to the president. These questions were classified, and the carefully written answers constitute the book, which thus contains information on almost every imaginable point connected with the Association, and much regarding the several departments of study pursued by us.

A NEW PLAN.

WITH the beginning of another year, we have a very important though simple change to propose to all our Chapters, to which the careful attention of every member is now earnestly invited. After mature deliberation, we are convinced that if all the Chapters give their cordial cooperation, the new plan will add much to the interest of our society, the character of our work, and the extension of our influence.

We refer to the manner of sending in Chapter reports. Hitherto there has been no uniformity. Each Chapter has been expected to send a report once in two months, but the number of Chapters is so great that it has been found impracticable to keep exact account of the day when each report falls due. It has also been out of the question to send reminders to tardy secretaries or to acknowledge in every case the receipt of punctual reports. As to publishing extracts from all the reports received, when we consider that we can not use more than twenty or twenty-five a month in this magazine, it becomes evident that thirty-nine-fortieths of our material has to be laid aside, to the disappointment of the faithful secretaries and the unmentioned Chapters. Now, to remedy all these troubles we propose to divide the whole Association into hundreds, or centuries. Chapters 1 to 100 inclusive will constitute the first century; Ch. 101-200, the second century, and so on.

Then we shall assign to each century a special month, during the first week of which we shall expect from each Chapter in that century a carefully prepared annual report. All these reports will be acknowledged in the second succeeding issue of the ST. NICHOLAS, and such extracts therefrom will be published as may seem of general interest.

APPOINTMENTS.

THAT there may be no mistake, we will now make the following appointments.

Every Chapter from No. 1 to No. 100 will please send an annual report to the president, which must reach him not later than January 7, 1886. That is, the first one hundred Chapters, or the first century, will report in the first month. That can not be forgotten. The second century will report in the second month, their reports being due before February 7; and so on until the sixth month, the sixth century reporting in the first week of June.

Then we shall omit two months, July and August, as those are vacation months, and no annual reports need be sent then. The seventh century will report in Septem-ber, the eighth in Octo-ber, etc.; those also being readily remembered from the Septem, Octo,

etc.

It is not intended that these special annual reports shall prevent Chapters from writing and reporting at other times also. We are always glad to hear from our friends, and shall be glad to have all continue their bi-monthly reports as hitherto, but we will agree regarding the appointed annual reports, that they shall each and all be regularly acknowledged in ST. NICHOLAS. More than this, we shall keep them all on file. We have had ten boxes made and carefully indexed, one for each of our one hundred Chapters. Each is labeled also with the name of the month when the reports to be kept

in it are due, so that we shall be able to tell at a glance precisely which Chapters are punctual and which are dilatory.

To illustrate still further, suppose you are secretary of Chapter No. 456. When is your report due? The Chapter is in the fifth century; the report is therefore due the first week in the fifth month, or by May 7th. If duly received, it will be acknowledged in ST. NICHOLAS for July, and will also be kept permanently on file.

The advantages of this new plan will be:

Ist. Increased care and fullness in the preparation of reports. 2d. Greater regularity in making returns.

3d. Assurance that all reports will be mentioned in ST. Nich

OLAS.

4th. Assurance that all reports will be kept.

DIRECTIONS.

In order to insure the complete success of the plan, it will be necessary to observe carefully a few simple directions:

1st. Remember your month, and begin the preparation of your report at least two weeks before it falls due.

2d. Use paper of commercial note size, and write on only one side of the sheet.

3d. Put the number of your Chapter and your full address at the beginning of your report, just as we print them.

4th. Send requests for exchange "Notes" and personal letters on pieces of paper distinct from your reports and from one another. Wc file them in separate cases.

5th. Inclose postage if you wish a personal answer.

6th. Make your report as complete and interesting as possible. It is your annual opportunity to tell the Association what you are doing.

This plan of working draws out much original thought, and we have made some discoveries not yet embodied in books.

"The porpoise,' "The effect of the seasons on shells," and "The conch family" are among our subjects of general discussion recently treated.

We find these seaside studies are vast, improving, and outreaching. Even the common, homely things along the beach are vested with new interest. Our youngest members are delighted to collect odd specimens for the meetings.

If we can give inland or other Chapters any information in regard to our specialty, 289 is always yours to command.- Mrs. S. L. Oberholtzer, Pres.; Ellis P. Óberholtzer, Sec.

761, Paterson, N. J. (A). All the members are very enthusiastic over the work, and, moreover, their enthusiasm seems to increase with each meeting.

We have a cabinet, and about seventy specimens.

Several of the members have made excursions to the Museum of Natural History, Seventy-seventh street and Eighth Avenue, New York City. This building does not seem to be generally known, and I am sure there are many living near New York City who are in quest of just such a place. It is free to the public every day but Monday and Tuesday, and I think even then members of the A. A. would be admitted. We have a letter from Mr. Holder, Prof. of Marine Zoology, who is connected with the institution, saying he would be glad to know any of the members of the A. A., and they would be admitted at any time on presenting his name. There are many stuffed animals with their skeletons; birds, birds' eggs and nests, insects; also a geological hall, in which are specimens of rocks, minerals, shells, etc. We found the Museum very instructive, as we could see there specimens it would be impossible for us to obtain ourselves.-H. C. Crosby, Sec.

416, Racine, Wis. Chapter 416 is still alive, but very feeble. The president and secretary are the only members, the same faithful two. There being only two of us, we have no regular meetings, but have impromptu ones very often. We have done a good deal of collecting this year in oology, geology, and general subjects. We are to reorganize and begin regular meetings again this fall. Four boys have promised to join us, two of them good botanists. Botanists will be quite an acquisition. We are to enter our collections in the Racine Industrial Society's Exposition this year, with a chance of $12 in premiums. JOHN L. McCALMAN.

EXCHANGES.

Shells and minerals.- Miss Maude Lord, 75 Lamberton St., New Haven, Ct.

Eggs in sets with data, for Cone's Field Ornithology, and Cone's Birds of the North-west.-Oscar Clute, Jr., Iowa City, Iowa.

Carnelian and calc-spar, for eggs. Send list.-Chas. Baker, St. Croix Falls, Wis.

Chinese nuts and petrified wood from petrified forest of California, for minerals.-Geo. S. Eddy, Leavenworth, Kansas.

Eggs, insects, and fine fossils, for same. - Harry McMinn, 211 North Thirteenth street, Richmond, Ind.

Eggs blown through one small side-hole, and skins, for same.I. Grafton Parker, jr., 3529 Grand Boulevard, Chicago, Ill.

Mounted specimens of Cicada Septendecim, and branches containing deposits of their eggs, for birds' eggs, or minerals.- Willie Hugg, 90 North Paca street, Baltimore, Md.

Corre

Fine specimens of aragonite, selenite, etc., for minerals. spondents wanted.-E. E. Amory, 3525 Grand Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois.

I. My primals and finals each name an adjective often heard and read in November.

CROSS WORDS (of unequal length): 1. The capital of one of the Southern States. 2. A large lake. 3. A fine city of Germany. 4. The city in which Raphael was born. 5. A group of islands in the Mediterranean. 6. A city of Pennsylvania. 7. One of the Ionian Islands. 8. A large arm of the North Sea. 9. A chain of mountains in Asia. 10. A town of France located on the Bayse. II. My primals name objects which beautify the landscape at this season of the year; the finals name the more pronounced colors of the objects.

CROSS-WORDS (of equal length): 1. To affirm. 2. To instigate. 3. To watch. 4. One of the bones of the arm. 5. Principal. 6. Exigency. 7. Slothful. 8. To relieve from pain. 9. A man's name. ro. Á thin covering. 11. Therefore. 12. To pack away.

A GEOGRAPHICAL DIAMOND.

1. In America. 2. A river of France. 3. A river of Germany, a tributary of the Neckar. 4. The country in which Mount Ararat is situated. 5. The town in which the painter Guercino was born. 6. The name by which a large South American city is often called. "ALCIBIADES." 7. In America.

WORD SYNCOPATIONS.

REMOVE One word from another, and leave a complete word. Example: Take part of a church from breathed, and leave a color. Answer, re-spire-d.

3.

1. Take to mistake from a light boat used on rivers, and leave for what reason. 2. Take a number from omens, and leave havens. Take a large cask from to make musical, and leave consumed. 4. Take a conjunction from stigmatized, and leave fostered. 5. Take to be sick from lamenting, and leave the side of an army. 6. Take the coarse part of hemp or flax from packing away closely, and leave to chant. 7. Take a girl's name from an instrument of warfare, and leave to study. 8. Take a domestic animal from frowned, and leave what every boy wants in winter. 9. Take astern from floated, and leave to marry. 10. Take a pronoun from bruised, and leave insane. 11. Take a Chinese plant from purloining, and leave to cast or throw. 12. Take a small winged animal from blunted, and leave a pike. 13. Take rage from desires eagerly, and leave poisonous serpents. 14. Take consumed from household gods, and leave small inclosures. 15. Take to inquire from exposed to genial heat, and leave part of a river.

The removed words are all of the same length, and their central letters, when read downward, will name that which Thanksgiving brings with it.

GILBERT FOREST.