criticism I reply, by way of explanation: 1. The Shanghai renegade was shut up in the labyrinth; no one of his race was ever known to muster wit enough to lead him under cover in a storm. Of course this chap did n't know enough to get out of an intricate labyrinth, and consequently there was no danger of his shocking the sensibilities of decent people by the appearance abroad of his ungainly carcase. 2. I did n't put him there; I had nothing to do with the fellow; Aunt Sue made the pen for him, and put him into it. Now, Russell, are you satisfied? It must require a very hard-hearted, strong-willed uncle-which I am not willing to admit is my character-to push aside such a nephew as this one. No, Marshall, I think with you, most decidedly, that it is your put in now. I don't recollect as to those questions which you say you asked me before. But I'll attend to these, at all events. The fountain pen—a contrivance which embraces a pen, inkstand, and holder, all in one-is called Protean from the material of which the handle is composed, which is that combination of India-rubber called Protean. The name of Protean was given to this substance because so many things could What "Ris-book on mythology, you'll find that Probe made of it. If you will consult some teus, an old sea-deity, was supposed to have the faculty of changing himself into various shapes. To account for the appearances in the rocks near your home, you must bear in mind that the ocean once covered many parts of the globe which are now dry land. You must also bear in mind that this world of ours is very venerable. I hope, too, you will be able to read some good book on geology. I must try to make you a visit one of these days. And pray whom have we here? in the world does all this mean? ing Sun!" Let's put on our spectacles. Yes, that's what his credentials say. He must be one of the wise men of the East, without question. Heads down in front! One of the Magi, boys and girls; Rising Sun, Ind., March, 1856. DEAR UNCLE FRANK,-I asked you a question once before which I should like to have had answered very much, but you had so many nephews of older date, I expect you had not time to attend to me. My father says that last winter, in the Legislature, one of the members listened very patiently to the speeches for a long while. At last he rose to make one himself, but another member sprang up and began to speak. "Stop, stop," said the first one, "it is my put in now." hope, Uncle Frank, you will think that it is my put in now, and make the other nephews stand aside while you answer one or two questions for me. Why are Prince's fountain pens called Protean pens? On the hills back of our town there are rocks which seem to be made entirely of sea-shells and coral. Now, how do you suppose they came to be here, when we are about midway between the Atlantic and Pacific, the Arctic and the Gulf? I see you have promised to come to the West-the land of sunset. We should be happy to see you also at our home, but strange to say, though we live in the West, where the sun sets, it is always Rising Sun here. Yours, etc., MARSHALL P. HAYDEN. The Enigmatical Tea-Table is capital. We'll have it served up in good time. Meanwhile, why will not the good-natured caterer who set this table provide us an enigmatical flower garden? Now let me introduce to you my friend Master Thomas P. Lovelace, who lives a long way south of that line of Mason & Dixon, that we hear so much aboutMaster Lovelace, from Fort Adams, Mississippi. He is a little afraid, he more than half intimates, that he will not be quite welcome at a Northern editorial levee, because his home is at the South. If he is really serious-and it makes me smile at the bare idea that he may be-I hope you will all exert yourselves to dis pel such a fear. We recognize no North, no South, no East, no West, at our table; and Uncle Frank would look out for a place where he could hide his face for very shame, did he believe that there was a boy or girl in this charmed circle who would not extend a hand of cordial welcome to every other well-behaved boy or girl in the laud, no matter what section he or she comes from. Woodworth's Youth's Cabinet is published for the whole Union. It is intended to be equally adapted to the tastes and wants of every section. I believe it is so esteemed. At all events, it is my constant aim to make it such a magazine; and if the time should ever come when, in the course of human events, it would seem to be necessary to steer this bark in another course, it would then be necessary to get some other pilot besides Uncle Frank. But let us have a taste of Thomas's communication. He gives us a very interesting account of his part of the country: There being no mountains, we have no grand and picturesque scenery in this part of the country. There is a range of hills running along the western border of this State, which touches the Mississippi River at Vicksburg, Grand Gulf, Rodney, Natchez, and Fort Adams. The hills at this place are known in history by the name of Loftus's Heights, so called after | Major Loftus, an Englishman who was killed by the Tunica Indians at this point, in March, 1764, when on his way, with a detachment of four hundred men, in keels and barges, to take command of the posts in the Illinois country. The contracted channel of the river at this place, and the consequently deep, strong current that sweeps around the base of the bluff, favored the designs of the Indians, who, in great numbers, concealed themselves in almost impenetrable thickets of cane and undergrowth, on both sides of the river, until the arrival of the galleys, when they poured upon the unsuspecting Englishmen a terrible shower of balls and arrows, killing Major Loftus and many of his companions. The highest peak is called the "BlockHouse Hill," and is three hundred and thirty feet above the surface of the river at low-water. It was on the side of this hill, fronting the river, on a small plateau, or natural terrace, elevated seventy or eighty feet above its base, that Gen. James Wilkinson, in September, 1798, built Fort Adams. From the summit of the hill, where stood the "Block-house," the mighty Father of Waters is visible in his tortuous course for many miles, both above and below, and a boundless extent of the moss-clad forests of Louisiana. The little village at the base of the hill, where is my pleasant home, and immediately on the bank of the river, was called, formerly, Wilkinsburg, but now Fort Adams, after the fort just mentioned. T. P. LOVELACE. au revoir" my dear little Pennsylvania Cousins. J. G. Cooper. I can not refrain from saying that it is really a pleasure to read your answers, etc., they are so nicely written and arranged. feelings of exquisite pleasure in becoming one of your nominal nephews, and by claiming you as my new aunt, a privilege which I intend to improve by sending the answers to enigmas, charades, etc., according as my ability will permit. I can hardly express my love for the Cabinet, which is indeed very great. Tell Uncle H. A. Danker. I am quite in favor of Frank I am sorry for the sad fate which publishing again that unanswered enigma. has befallen his little alligator pets, but if he I tried very hard to solve it, but failed, and ever goes South again perhaps he can pro-to this day do not know the answer. A cure some more. I must not forget to say that I was very much pleased to see my name reported in the Cabinet, especially to find myself welcomed to a seat at the editorial table. What a blessing it is to put our thoughts on paper and send them to our friends, ain't it, Aunt Sue? But to make this uninteresting letter as brief as possible, I will conclude by sending my kindest wishes to Uncle Frank and all of your dear nephews and nieces, no small share of which accept for yourself. So good-by until the next opportunity. From your affectionate nephew, FRANCIS G. CHURCHILL. TO CORRESPONDENTS. word concerning enigmas; do you think it is quite fair to call quails and ants animals? Nida George. There is nothing to "excuse," I assure you. I like it. W. A. Hegeman. Answers should be sent in by the 10th of the following month to insure attention. Surely that gives you all time enough. Kate C. My remarks to Charlotte A. Gray will answer one of your questions. For the other—yes, she is. I hope your adage does not apply to me, touching the broth, does it? Mary S. Boyden. It is too bad that Ellen C. Thompson. It won't take us your answers for the February number long to get acquainted, I know. O. L. Bradley. Was n't the "adjective" intensified when it qualified the second party of the first part? R. E. Jewett. pretty little note. came too late, they were so beautifully arranged, and "brother D. H. Boyden" had no credit for his solution. Won't he condescend to answer any but Latin en Thank you for your igmas? Johnny. How are you going to improve in writing if you let your mother write for you? Write to me, Johnny, your own little self, every month, won't you? Your answers were too late for February. Mary C. Barber. Thank you, dear, for your "love," I guess I will "accept" it. I am sorry your answers came too late. Henry Chittenden. I like your spirit of perseverance. Your letter must have come too late, as I never saw it. You will find your rebus embodied in riddle No. 4, page 75. Pennsylvania Cousins. I had a lazy fit over me when I expostulated about long names, but this time I will not abbreviate a single foot of your signature, as I find you have an affection for it; so Mary E. Rogers. Excuse the liberty I have taken with your lines, will you? Charlotte A. Gray. If either of your brothers or sisters takes the Cabinet, it entitles you to a seat at our table. It does not make any difference whether you "write to Aunt Sue or Uncle Frank," as the letters are sent to me; but of course if the letter begins "My dear Aunt Sue," it appeals more directly to my sensibilities. Your answers, dated March 21, were too late for the February number. Omar W. Folsom. I am afraid your communication has been neglected. If it has, just say the word, and I'll raise a terrible breeze about somebody's ears. I have n't quite made up my mind where the ears are that are to feel the wrathy zephyrs, whether the Cabinet in Nassau street or at Washington contains them; but your letter has a date early enough to have been noticed before now. Adelbert Older. You need n't undertake to scold me. It is n't of the slightest use, as I never stay scolded; but, touching your enigmas, etc. (which are always good. I've said it, and I'll stick to it), I examine-pronounce judgment-and then hand them over to Uncle Frank. That is the last I know about them until I see them published in the Puzzler's Drawer. Am I exonerated? John R. Scott. I think your ink requires change of air, it looks so pale. It is a pity that such good writing (for you do write a fine hand, John) should not be more visible. Sophia E. Bowers and P. Donan. Do the remarks made above to Omar W. Folsom apply to you? I am afraid they do. Hattie. You are welcome, dear. Clara. I am delighted to acknowledge your claim on my "Aunt-ship." Clara thinks Essie's poetry embellishes the Cabinet, and hopes she will not soon bid us "good-by." F. J. and D. Millar. We will have it right this time. We must not forget to thank, for contributions to the Puzzler's Drawer, Adelbert Older, Jonathan Sproul, W. B. T., A. E., jr., O. L. Bradley, Wm. Augustus Hegeman, Henry Chittenden, Friendship Cousins, W. H. Gaige, E. S. B., Samuel Hart, H. A. Danker, Mary E. Rogers, Kate C., and Rollin H. Cooke. THE PUZZLER'S DEPARTMENT. CHARADE NO. 11. When fired with wild ambition's dreams The youth aspires to fame, How swells his heart with pride to see When weary, worn, and tempest-tost, Should my second intervene. Among a lady's ornaments My fourth is sometimes used t' express And sometimes too, I must confess, My whole, a town in Yankee land, MARY AND WILLIE SWIFT. My first is to be met alike in the crowded cities of the East and the dense wilderness of the West. Although it is of vast benefit to the countries where its course lies, yet its approach is ever heralded by fire and flame. My second is a very Proteus in shape, and ever varies its form to suit the taste of its possessor. One will tell you it is a lovely child, another a bright bird, another a beautiful flower; to another it appears as a playful kitten or a faithful spaniel. My whole, how shall I describe it? It is oftentimes of magnificent design and gorgeous coloring. The most exquisite taste, the most costly materials, are lavished on my adornment. Thousands of dollars are often expended for my purchase, ENIGMA No. 11. I am composed of 23 letters. My 1, 12, 6, 4, is what we could not do without. My 14, 2, 21, is a weight. My 17, 18, 19, is a vehicle. My 21, 3, 18, 15, was one who lived before and after the flood. My 11, 2, 13, 23, 9, is a young person. My 10, 12, 8, 23, 3, 21, is a town in Vermont. My 5, 18, 7, 7, 22, 21, is a county in New York. My 20, 16, is a verb. My whole is a periodical magazine. MAGGIE. NOTES AND QUERIES, No. 1. 1. Every day is kept as Sabbath by different nations. What nations and what days? 2. How many words are there in the English language, and how divided, grammatically and etymologically? 3. Can you put together six thats, and make sense? 4. What verse in the Bible contains every letter in the alphabet? 5. Where, in Scripture, do you find, "Charity begins at home ?" 6. Is not the proverb of "No rule without an exception" false? for, if true, it is false to itself-being a self-exception. KATIE. PLACES IN OHIO ENIGMATICALLY EXPRESSED. 1. A point of the compass, and har- used? mony. 2. A season, and a piece of ground. 3. A nickname, and a relation. 4. A mineral, and a harbor. 5. Defiance. 6. A feat. HENRIQUE. 6. When and by whom were water-mills invented? 7. When was the first monastery founded? 8. When and from what country was silk first introduced into Greece? |