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THIS November number marks the date when ST. NICHOLAS is forty years o- no, not old-is forty years young. For ST. NICHOLAS, like Santa Claus, is simply another name for The Spirit of Youth, which never can grow old. If you choose to apply the word in the way that boys and girls speak of their cronies as "dear old Jack" or "dear old Jill"-well and good. Indeed, on the very first page of the very first number, Mrs. Mary Mapes Dodge, the beloved editor, paid a warmhearted tribute in the name of all young folk, to "dear old St. Nicholas, with his pet names 'Santa Claus,' 'Kriss Kringle,' 'St. Nick,' and we don't know how many others. Is he not the acknowledged patron saint of New York, America's greatest city? Did n't his image stand at the prow of the first emigrant ship that ever sailed into New York Bay? Certainly. And what is more, is n't he the kindest, the best, and the jolliest old dear that ever was known? Certainly, again."

True indeed; and since that happy day what a host of young folk have spoken just as warmly of the magazine that was named in his honor, and have found that so long as they were boys and girls, ST. NICHOLAS was of just the right age for them,-was just as old as they were.

It is true, too, of the ST. NICHOLAS MAGAZINE and of Santa Claus, that they have not only the same name, but the same ideal and special purpose: their one "excuse for being" is to make everybody in general and young folk in particular as happy as it is possible for them to be. The main difference between the two is that Santa comes but once a year, while ST. NICHOLAS makes twelve visits in the same interval-one for each month of the round dozen. Moreover, it has now maintained this pace for forty years without skipping a single month-has completed twelve times as many calls as the Christmas saint-and yet has kept as young as ever! Surely here is a miracle greater than any ever wrought by the blessed Santa himself!

And with this happy result: that, to-day, all over this wide land of ours, in Europe, and the

islands of the sea-we might truly say all round the world-there are thousands and thousands of boys and girls and of grown men and women, yes, even of grandfathers and grandmothers, who rejoice that this is so, and who share our pride in the record of those forty years.

For a truly glorious record it has been. ST. NICHOLAS was not only a new magazine, but from its very beginning a new kind of magazine. It set itself to prove, from the first, that only the best was good enough for boys and girls, as for their elders. The manifold achievements which its history presents are referred to, at length, in the pages alongside this number's Table of Contents. We bespeak a careful reading of those pages by all our boys and girls and their parents as well, for we feel sure they will welcome, on this anniversary, a reminder of the good things and the good times that the magazine has brought into their lives.

Let us all rejoice, therefore, that ST. NICHOLAS, now that he "is come to forty year," is young at heart as ever- -as all who love and live for young folk must needs be. And turning back to that first page of the magazine, forty years ago, we realize how much truer it is to-day than it was then,-and in a marvelously better way,

that "ST. NICHOLAS" is indeed "the boys' and girls' own Saint, the especial friend of young folk the world over." To our readers and their parents, this is a familiar story, an oft-told tale. The "Letter-Box" of this month, or of any month, and the host of equally ardent missives which we have no room to print, show clearly enough the esteem and affection in which the magazine is held. And to each of its readers, it makes this birthday pledge: So long as you are a boy or a girl, ST. NICHOLAS will be your chum, your crony, and-just as old as you are.

We may even add a confidential whisper that, if you wish to remain young, there is no better way to accomplish it than to form the habit of reading ST. NICHOLAS when you are eight years old, and continue that good habit until you are eighty.

THE LETTER-BOX

MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA, MASS.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I have taken you for five or six years, and I cannot tell you how much I enjoy you. My father took you, also, when he was a boy, and I have about twenty old volumes of ST. NICHOLAS bound. I just love to look over them and read them.

I liked "The Lucky Sixpence" so very much that I bought the book, and I am going to do the same with "Beatrice of Denewood."

Your base-ball articles are helpful as well as interesting, and I often remember the helpful things that Mr. Claudy wrote about. I especially like the one on "Signals and Signal-Stealing."

Your interested reader,

EDITH ROSAMOND MERRILL (age 11).

WASHINGTON, D. C. DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I want to tell you how I enjoy and appreciate you. I am a member of the League, but am nearing the age limit.

You are a truly delightful magazine, and I am sure that I am reading good reading when I have you. "The Land of Mystery" certainly abounds in mystery and interest.

In the July number, there was a most beautiful poem entitled "Wandering," by a girl thirteen years old. You don't know how I love that poem, and I know it by heart. The poem I refer to is on page 857. Your loving reader,

HELEN G. RANKIN. HILLSBORO, O. DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: Although I have taken the ST. NICHOLAS since 1907, this is the first letter I have ever written to you.

I enjoy every page of the ST. NICHOLAS, and I like to read the poems and stories that other girls and boys about my age have written in the League, and I often wonder if I could do as well.

I like all the short stories, and also the continued ones, especially "The Land of Mystery."

I think the Letter-Box is fine, and I always read every letter. I think the letters from girls and boys in Australia, China, Chile, or any other country are interesting and instructive.

SO

I am fourteen years old, and I enter high school this fall. My sister, Patty, is eight, and will go into the third grade.

We have a little black kitten named "Imp." It spends most of its time upon the transom or the grape-arbor. It ran away twice, but we found it again.

Although Hillsboro is not a very large place, we girls have very good times, swimming and playing croquet in the summer, and coasting in the winter.

I am keeping all my Sr. NICHOLAS MAGAZINES, and on rainy days, I like to get them and read the stories over again.

I lend my magazines to the other girls, and we all enjoy them very much.

Sincerely yours,

NARKA NELSON. LOS ANGELES, CAL. DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: In the Nature and Science department of the August number, we saw an account of blackbirds attacking people in Los Angeles, California. We were very interested, as we had a similar experience in the same city.

We live here, and going to school one morning, some blackbirds flew at us, and tried to peck our heads. We became frightened and ran.

When we got home, we were assured it was a com

mon occurrence.

We are very interested and excited over your two serial stories. We think that all your departments are fine, too.

Your interested readers,

DOROTHY KLAUBER, MARY MATHEWS.

CLOUDCROFT, N. M.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: As I have never written to you before, I thought I would tell you about the country I live in. I live in El Paso, Texas, but, at present, I am spending the summer in the Sacramento Mountains.

El Paso is just across the Rio Grande from Jaurez, Mexico, and on the border line. The Rio Grande has been changing its course for a long time. Gradually it has taken land from Mexico and added it to the United States. After great discussion, the United States paid Mexico for the disputed territory.

There have never been floods here, but about sixteen years ago, the State of Colorado had unusually heavy storms. In spring, the snow melted, flooded the surrounding country, and overflowed the rivers. After a while, the water rose above the embankment, and grad ually crept up one street after another, until it reached the principal streets. When the water stopped flowing from the mountains, the water ebbed back, revealing the damage it had done.

In the southern part of El Paso is the poor Mexican quarter. The Mexicans live in adobe houses. These houses have flat roofs, which are used as we use verandas. Poorer Mexicans live huddled up in a small one-room house. They eat many dishes, consisting of chile and other things. Some of the things they eat are en chiledes, chile concarne, and tamales.

In western El Paso is the largest silver smelter in the United States. It is the second largest in the world, the largest being in Mexico. The El Paso smelter is situated on the river which furnishes its power.

Northeast of El Paso is Fort Bliss, the residence of the soldiers. It has base-ball- and parade-grounds. This is inclosed by the soldiers' barracks and officers' houses.

North of El Paso is Mount Franklin. It was once part of a plateau, but after many years this has become a peak, and the land below a mesa. Some tin mining and quarrying is carried on.

Your very interested reader,

BIRDIE KRUPP.

SEAL HARBOR, Me.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: My real home is down in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, but my sister and I come up here every summer with Grandmother. I am eleven years of age, and my sister is eight.

My uncle has a little dog, and his name is Timmy. He is very cute. Uncle says, "Timmy, get your ball," and he gets it and has a game of ball with Uncle.

It is very pretty here at Seal Harbor. There is a nice beach, and lovely walks, for there are many mountains. There is a lovely lake called "Jordan Lake," and a tea-house. It is four miles away, and my sister and I often walk there.

I enjoy reading your stories so much, especially "The Land of Mystery," which I think is very exciting. Your loving reader,

MARY LARDNER BAYARD.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND. DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: Ever since 1908, when I first had you to read, I have wanted to join the League, but by the time I get you, it is too late to send any contribution, so I have to content myself with writing letters, though this is my first.

I do like the serial stories, and I think "The Lucky Sixpence" and "Beatrice of Denewood" are just lovely. I have generally read all the stories by about the second day after you come, and then I have to wait a whole month before I can go on with them.

Living, as I do, in Auckland City, I see ever so many Maoris. The women do look so funny sometimes, walking about town in dresses of every imaginable color, barefooted, and sometimes smoking pipes.

Although I live in Auckland, I am not a New Zealander, as I was born in Australia, and lived there for some time. I have been to several places in New Zealand, but I think I enjoyed our stay in Christchurch best of all. The scenery here is very pretty, and Waitemata, the name of the Auckland harbor, is Maori for "sparkling water."

I am yours sincerely,

MARGARET BROTHERS.

RICHMOND, IND. DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: You can't imagine how much I have enjoyed you this year. I think "The Land of Mystery" and "Beatrice of Denewood" are splendid stories. I am always in a flutter of excitement as the time draws near when you are to come.

I am twelve years old and will be thirteen in August.

My little brother Edward enjoys the section "For Very Little Folk" a great deal, and I think he is almost as anxious for you to come as I am.

Yours affectionately,

MILDRED NUSBAUM.

LAWRENCEVILLE, N. J. DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I have taken you for two years, and I don't know what I'd do without you. I am very much interested in "The Land of Mystery" and "Beatrice of Denewood."

We have a library in Lawrenceville, and I often go there for ST. NICHOLASES. I have just finished Vol. 22, Part I, and am just in the middle of an exciting serial story, so I have to wait until I can get Part II.

For pets I have thirty-six baby chickens, about fifteen big ones, a cat, a ring-neck dove, and a canary. I have lots of fun doing your League puzzles. Your loving friend,

MARY E. VAN DYCK.

GREENWICH, CONN.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I have taken you for three years now, and have read you through every time, so as not to miss a single one of your fine stories. I think that "Beatrice of Denewood" and "The Land of Mystery" are the two best serial stories I have ever read.

The sketch on the ways to swim was very interesting to me, for, at the present time, I am learning all the different strokes. I liked the ways to dive the best.

I have two sisters and one brother. My brother is the youngest, and his favorite saying is, "By, by in cho chos," meaning, "I want to go out in the automobile." Next year, I am going to be in the fourth form at school. That means that I will have four more years at school before I graduate for college. I am your devoted reader,

RUTH VIRGINIA HYDE (age 11).

ALBANY, N. Y.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I have taken you for almost four years, and there has n't been a month in the four years that I haven't been excited waiting for the mail to come on the fifteenth day. (That is when I receive you.) I have never seen a letter from Albany in the magazine, so I thought I would write. I am extremely interested in the stories and especially "The Land of Mystery," "The Lucky Sixpence," and its sequel, "Beatrice of Denewood." I have a lot of dogs at my summer home, but only one in the city. He is a pure white, thoroughbred, gordon setter, and his name is Kipi. He is very affectionate and intelligent, and is a fine companion.

Your loving reader,

DOROTHY CUYLER SHINGERLAND (age 13).

SUFFERN, N. Y. DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I have taken your magazine for about half a year, and think that no other one is equal to it. I think that "Beatrice of Denewood" and "The Land of Mystery" are fine, as well as all the rest. A few days ago, five or six boys and girls were playing with me, and after we had played for a long time and were tired, I got out some copies of ST. NICHOLAS, and soon every one of them were so interested they did not want to go home for lunch.

From your most interested reader,

RUTH HOOPER.

BOSTON, MASS.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: Even though I don't take you, I always manage to read you every month. You are the best magazine published, I think.

I have six pets, a pony, very black, whose name is Teddy, a collie, named Spunk, a terrier, named Jack, a parrot, named Poll Pry, a squirrel, named Chip, and a charming pussy whose name is Kitty Puss. She has four kittens, Mittens, Muff, Mit, and Mose. One day, my father was all dressed up for a wedding, and as he passed Poll Pry, she said: "Is n't Syd a pretty boy?" Sydney is my father's name.

Poll Pry is scolding me now. She is saying, “Who you writing to? Answer me! Quick? Say. All right for you, I'll call the cop." I remain,

Your interested reader,

CHRISTINE ISOBEL AMADON.

MOUNT VERNON, N. Y.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I have taken you for three years, and this is the first letter I 've written you. I think I would feel as if something were missing in my life if you did not come every month.

Though I enjoy everything in you very much, "The Land of Mystery" is my favorite. I can hardly wait until next month to find out how it and the other stories will end. Your loving reader,

FLORENCE WEBSTER (age 13).

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A GREEK PUZZLE. Zigzag, Themistocles; 1 to 8, Pericles; 9 to 13, Cleon; 14 to 21, Leonidas: 22 to 30, Aristotle; 31 to 36, Pindar; 37 to 41, Myron; 42 to 47, Ithaca; 48 to 54, Salamis; 55 to 58, Tyre. Crosswords: 1. Treason. 2. Chalice. 3. Elysium. 4. Smatter. 5. Illegal. 6. Asphalt. 7. Transit. 8. Mortify. 9. Coppice. 10. Slander. Erodent. 12. Ostrich.

11.

ENGLISH HISTORICAL DIAGONAL. Plantagenets. Cross-words: 1. Paxton. 2. Albert. 3. Thanet. 4. France. 5. Cabots. 6. Armada. 7. Tostig. 8. Wolsey. 9. Sidney. 10. Quebec. 11. Stuart. 12. Saxons.

magne.

II.

I.

12.

AN ANAGRAM ACROSTIC. The Courtship of Miles Standish.
Thora of Rimol. 2. Hiawatha's Fishing. 3. Enceladus. 4. Charle-
5. Ovid in Exile. 6. Ultima Thule. 7. Resignation. 8.
Twilight. 9. Sandalphon. 10. Hawthorne. Iron-beard.
Pegasus in Pound. 13. Old Age. 14. Flowers. 15. Maidenhood. 16.
17. Loss and Gain. 18. Endymion. 19. Sleep. 20.
Scanderbeg. 21. Torquemada. 22. Amalfi. 23. Nuremburg.
Delia. 25. It is not always May. 26. Seaweed. 27. Holidays.

In the Harbor.

24.

Wheelay

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NOVEL NUMERICAL ENIGMA. "Liberty and union, now and forever, one and inseparable." Daniel Webster. Diabolo, answer, neat, Indiana, envy, lorn, wool, eel, bur, son, tone, episode, roof. ILLUSTRATED CENTRAL ACROSTIC. Balaklava. 1. caBin. 2. crAbs. 3. ta Lon. 4. frAme. 5. baKer. 6. paLms. 7. blAde. 8. raVen. 9. spAde. SQUARES CONNECTED BY DIAMONDS. I. 1. Scare. 2. Caper. 3. Apple. 4. Relic. 5. Erect. II. 1. Moral. 2. Opine. 3. Ridge. 4. Anger. 5. Leers. III. 1. Carat. 2. Amuse. 3. Ruche. 4. Ashen.

VII.

5. Teens. IV. 1. Petit. 2. Elate. 3. Taper. 4. Items. 5. Terse.
1. E.
2. Old. 3. Elder. 4. Den. 5. R. VI.
1. E. 2. Ant.
3. Enter.
4. Tea. 5. R.
1. R.
2. Bog. 3. Rogue. 4. Gun.
5. E. VIII. 1. E. 2. Ace. 3. Eclat.
1. E.
4. Ear. 5. T. IX.
T.
2. Kit. 3. Eight. 4. Thy. 5.
ARITHMETICAL PUZZLE. Willie was eleven and his father was
thirty-six.

TO OUR PUZZLERS: Answers to be acknowledged in the magazine must be received not later than the roth of each month, and should be addressed to ST. NICHOLAS Riddle-box, care of THE CENTURY Co., 33 East Seventeenth Street, New York City.

ANSWERS TO ALL THE PUZZLES IN THE AUGUST NUMBER were received before August 10 from Bernard Candip-Mary L. Angles-Claire A. Hepner.

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN THE AUGUST NUMBER were received before August 10 from Sophie E. Buechler, 9-Kenneth Everson, 9-Gladys S. Conrad, 9-Nell Adams, 9-J. Whitton Gibson, 9-Edwina Kittredge, 9-Mary E. Steinmetz, 9-Ruth Dorchester, 9-Max Stolz, 9-Leonard Kimball, 9-Isabel Shaw, 9-Mary Steeles Voorhis, 9-"Chums," 9-Dawn G. Williams, 8-Margaret Warburton, 8-"Lilla and Lilla," 8 -Jonas Goldberg, 8-Theodore H. Ames, 8-Alberta B. Burton, 8-Arnold G. Cameron, Jr., 7-Ruth V. A. Spicer, 7-Evelyn Hillman, 7Rebecca Vincent, 7-Lothrop Bartlett, 6-Phyllis Young, 6-Henry G. Cartwright, Jr., 5-Hope Geiveright, 5-Helen A. Moulton, 5-Amelie de Witt and Cornelia Holland, 5-Marian E. Stearns, 5-Douglas Robinson, 5-"Greenville," 5-Mary Bates Martin, 4-Eloise Peckham, 4Barbara and Frederica Pisek, 4-Elizabeth E. Abbott, 4-Dorothy Berrall, 4-Marion J. Benedict, 3-Elizabeth Carpenter, 3-Helen Bull, 3Dorothy Dewar, 3-Henry Noble, 3-Martha Hammond, 3-Janet Brouse, 3-Evelyn Schoen, 3-Dorothy Chesley, 2-M. Ernestine Appleton, 2-Millicent F. Williams, 2-Hortense Miller, 2-Dorothy Craig, 2-Emma Carter, 2-James Carter, 2-K. C. K., 2-Alma R. Field, 2Carl Sprecher Schmidt, 2-Fred Floyd, 2-Allan Robinson, 2-Edith Brill, 2-Florence L. Klitz, 2-Jessica B. Noble, 2-Leatha W. Hecht, 2Rosalind Orr English, 2-Chester E. Phillips, 2.

ANSWERS TO ONE PUZZLE were received from G. C.-L. P. J.-D. R. U.-C. P. U.-B. A.-C. H. H.-E. H.-R. A.-H. D., Jr.-M. B."Camp Songo"-H. K.-E. S. H.-L. S. O.-M. E.-M. H. Š.-A. W. S.-D. L. J.-O. M.-D. P.-L. D.-A. D.-R. B. B.-J. B.-H. H. -I. S.-D. H. B.-S. N. C.-R. V. H.-L. D. P.-S. M.-J. N. B.-J. S.-L. W.-J. W.-K. von L.-M. T. P.-C. G. C.-E. G.-E. R. D. -F. S. W.-V. M.-D. H.-E. E.-R. Z.-C. F.-A. H. McD.-M. B.-H. E. A.-T. P.

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Ireland. 6. The capital of one of the United States.
7. A country of northern Africa. 8. A range of moun-
tains in Utah. 9. A river of South America. 10. The
capital of one of the United States. 11. A quaint Eng-
lish city not far from Liverpool. 12. The largest inland
sea in the world. 13. A lake lying north of Lake Su-
perior.
IDA CRAMER (age 12).

PRIMAL ACROSTIC

ALL of the words described contain the same number of letters. When rightly guessed and written one below another, the initials will spell a famous holiday.

CROSS-WORDS: 1. Bondage. 2. Very brave. 3. Conduct. 4. Delicacy. 5. A piece in the game of chess. 6. A flexible twig. 7. A musical instrument. 8. To hinder. 9. Excusable. 10. To draw into the lungs. II. A prickly plant. 12. A tool for boring. 13. Dismal. 14. Yearly. 15. A common man of a respectable class.

EDITH ANNA LUKENS (age 12), League Member.

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WHEN the words described have been rightly guessed and written one below another, the zigzag of stars (shown in the diagram) will spell the surname of a famous writer who was born in November, 1759; the letters represented by the figures from 1 to 7 spell the name of his native land; from 8 to 18, his best known work; and from 19 to 24, a friend who was also a famous writer.

CROSS-WORDS: 1. Illiberal. 2. Excessive joy. 3. A Spanish nobleman. 4. A substance neither animal nor vegetable. 5. According to the letter. 6. Permitted. 7. Conceit. 8. To tread under foot. P. ERNEST ISBELL (age 14).

CROSS-WORD ENIGMA

My first is in darling, but not in dear;
My second in month, but not in year;
My third is in verb, but not in noun;
My fourth is in dress, but not in gown;
My fifth is in minute, but not in day;
My sixth is in robin, but not in jay;
My seventh in eel, but not in fish;

My eighth is in platter, but not in dish.
My whole is a chilly month of the year,
Though it could n't be spared without loss, I fear.
FLORENCE ROGERS (age 13), League Member.

NUMERICAL ENIGMA

I AM composed of seventy-four letters, and form a
Thanksgiving quotation from the Earl of Clarendon.
My 68-26-56-9 is to chop into small pieces. My 32-
37-72-7 is caloric. My 28-23-53-20 is a popular roast.
My 70-50-13-4-17 is a rich repast. My 35-63-66-48-

43 is speed. My 58-40-45-64-18 is hoarse. My 30-571-54-15 is to weave. My 74-61-3-42-10 is a pronoun. My 11-52-25-33-5 is a woman sovereign. My 73-1224-62-59-8 is the highest point. My 60-6-47-39-65-36 is a widely popular beverage. My 67-19-14-51-29-69 is language. My 44-21-16-2-34-49 is to sew. My 27-2238-46-55-31-41-71 is to choke.

NOVEL ACROSTIC

(Silver Badge, St. Nicholas League Competition)

HERE are two groups of letters:

I. 3, 8, 7, 4, 100, 14, 4, 9.

II. 14, 24, 34, 6, 19, 11, 10, 12, 20.

Write the first row of letters one below another, and beside each letter write out the number in letters. From each of these eight written words select one letter, and you will have a masculine name.

Treat the second row of letters in the same way, and you will have a surname. These two names form the whole name of a President of the United States.

MURIEL W. CLARKE (age 13).

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2. A bev

IV. RIGHT-HAND DIAMOND: 1. In distance. erage. distance. V. LEFT-HAND SQUARE: 1. A convulsive motion. 2. One of a line of English kings. 3. Sun-dried clay. 4. A bird. 5. Tendency.

3. A proof of absence. 4. To decrease. 5. In

VI. RIGHT-HAND SQUARE: 1. Deals out scantily. 2. A musical drama. 3. Lawful. 4. To obliterate. 5. A city of Massachusetts.

DUNCAN SCARBOROUGH (age 16), Honor Member.

THE DE VINNE PRESS, NEW YORK.

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