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ESSAYISTS IN ORDER OF MERIT.

221

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 July Number.

THE papers which have been sent us this month are superior in some respects to any that have yet reached us. The maps are especially good. They must have taken a considerable amount of time to prepare and finish.

The following are the names of the two competitors who have sent in the best maps of England and Wales :—

1. Alexander Laurie, aged 13 years, British Schools, Derby.

I certify that this map has been drawn by the boy whose name it bears without any assistance whatever. WILLIAM CROWTHER.

2. Charles Topham, aged 14 years, Wesleyan Day School, Lincoln.

Harby,

Dear Sir,-I certify the enclosed map to be the work of the boy whose name it bears. H. GRASSBY.

The following are the names of the writers of the best papers in the Senior Division:

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5 Maurice Rogers, Stalbridge N.S., 10 Catharine Halkyard, St. Mary's

Dorset

School, Oldham

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A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE CAT.

Its Origin.-THE domestic cat is supposed by some to be descended from the Egyptian cat. Mummies of cats have been found in the sepulchres of Thebes. In the British Museum there is an old Egyptian painting representing a cat catching birds. Others suppose it to be descended from the wild cat.

Description.-The wild cat has been called the British tiger, because it is so fierce. Its colour is of a pale yellowish gray, and its tail is barred with dusky stripes. It is larger than the domestic cat, and the hair, which is much longer, makes it look larger than it really is. The domestic cat is of many colours, such as black, tabby, tortoiseshell, slate, blue, and white. Those of the last colour having blue eyes are said to be always deaf.

Habits. The wild cat is a carnivorous animal, feeding on mice, leverets, young rabbits, and birds. It prowls about during the night in the woods of the north of England, Ireland, Scotland, and the wooded districts of Europe, and sometimes makes great havoc among our poultry and young lambs. Cats do not seize their prey by open attack, but come upon it suddenly. The domestic cat is a great favourite, but it is not to be trusted like the dog; and it becomes more attached to places than to persons.

Different Kinds.-The Angora cat is noted for having sometimes one eye blue and the other yellow; it has got long silky hair. The Persian cat has long slate-coloured fur. The cat of Japan is noted for its long pendant ears. The Russian cat is red, and is said to have a tail six times as long as its body. There are also the wild cat, and the domestic cat.

Its Use. The cat clears the premises of rats, mice, and other vermin.

Anecdote.-A serious conflict once occurred between a man and a wild cat near Barnborough, in Yorkshire. It began in an adjoining wood, and thence to the church porch, where it terminated fatally to both combatants. A rude painting inside the church commemorates the event.

ESSAYISTS IN ORDER OF MERIT.

223

Lessons to be Learnt.-1. Cleanliness, for the cat is mostly cleanly in its nature; and, 2. Affection, from the great care she takes of her young ones.

WALTER G. ROGERS, aged 11 years; Alvediston, Salisbury.
This has been fairly done.
L. A. LITTLE, Governess.

THE effects of careful training, in softening the temper and improving the manners, may be observed in the cat. The wild cat of this country is sometimes called the British tiger; while the tame cat is a gentle creature, and often becomes the pet of each person of the family in which it lives. It is fond of warmth, and is nearly always seen close to the fire in winter. It sleeps very lightly, being disturbed by the slightest noise. The chief use of the cat is to destroy rats and mice; these it seizes suddenly, having watched its opportunity, and concealed its design by slow and stealthy steps. It likes being noticed, and, when caressed, shows its pleasure by purring. Although it dislikes to wet its feet very much, it has been known to look for fish in water, thus showing what a great liking it must have for it. If frightened, or attacked by dogs, it shows its teeth and raises its back, the hair stands out from the skin, the tail appears to increase in size, and the animal utters a harsh growl. It is attached to places to which it is accustomed, and has been known to travel some miles, and even across rivers, to return to its home. Pennant relates that Henry Wriothsley, Earl of Southampton, having been confined for some time in the Tower on a charge of high treason, was astonished one morning by a visit from his favourite cat, which reached him by coming down the chimney of his apartment. The cat has been known to nurse the young of hares and squirrels with great tenderness.

H. E. WORTHINGTON, Abercromby House School, 66, Oxford Street, Liverpool.

I certify that this composition has been done without assistance.

C. V. GARLAND, Principal.

The following are the names of the writers of the best papers in the Junior Division:

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CLASS III. (AGE 9.)

1 Frederick Perry, Sir W. C. Trevelyan's Schools, Seaton, Devon

2 Clara Whistlecraft, Hockham School, Norfolk

3 J. F. Duniner, Wootton Rivers, Pewsey, Wilts

4 H. M. Pettitt, N.S., Woodhouse, Eaves

5 Robt. Fairhurst, Union School, Wigan

6 Mary Simpson, St. Mary's School, Oldham

7 W. H. Illingworth, Sheriff Halton Church School

8 J. P. Hall, Wesleyan School, Cowhill, Oldham

9 May Hale, Staveley Works School, near Chesterfield

10 Thomas Cowin, Wesleyan School, Douglas, Isle of Man

CLASS IV.

(AGE 8.)

1 Mary Jones, Smallwood N.S., Lawton, Stoke-on-Trent.
2. J. W. Beard, Wesleyan School, Cowhill, Oldham.
3 J. T. Hardwick, 33, Monmouth Street, Sheffield.

To our Correspondents.

The master of a school writes: "I am trying to create an interest in my school in favour of your excellent magazine. I know of no better one for the scholars in our day schools. My own copy I circulate among the boys. I heartily wish the magazine success."

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Another gentleman writes: "I have lately introduced the Young Scholar' into my class, where it is read with great earnestness and delight by the boys. Judging from its contents, so far, I consider it not only highly amusing, but also conducive of much good."

A teacher writes: "I am anxious my boys should read your magazine, because of the benefit that must result as regards their improvement in reading, and in their command of the English language generally, both in composition and in speaking." This correspondent will see that we have adopted his suggestion.

The head master of another large school writes: "Our young folk are delighted with the magazine, and I am certain the reading in the upper classes has greatly improved since its introduction. I wish we had a magazine suitable for Standards I. and II. Our June numbers arrived on the morning of our examination, and I brought the work under the notice of H. M. Inspector."

Joseph Barnecutt, of Llanelly, sends us some verses, which are very fair for a boy of eleven. We subjoin a verse :—

Flowers, flowers, pink, red, white, or green,
In gardens or fields they are everywhere seen;
Whether I'm dying, or walking, or sleeping,
Still flowers around me are silently creeping.

We must, we suppose, in common fairness, admit one verse of the "first attempt at poetry" of Ellen Last, of Abergavenny:

Oh, how delightful is the morning!
The air so fresh, so cool, so sweet;
Everything shows the day is dawning;
And the little lambs begin to bleat.

THE YOUNG SCHOLAR,

SEPTEMBER, 1872.

Lay Sermons.

No. 7.-ON PRAYER.

And he spake to them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.-St. Luke xviii., 1.

And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father, which art in heaven, &c.-St. Luke xi., 2.

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HIS duty is not understood by boys and girls as well as it should be. They do not yet understand that they "ought always to pray." A few words of prayer hurriedly said in the morning when they rise, and at night when they go to bed-this is all they think necessary, and many of them fall short even of this.

But they will find out, the older they become, that if they want to live good, honest, and Christian lives-if they wish to be the wheat gathered in God's harvest into God's own garner, and not the chaff, fit only for the burning-that they must "always pray"-their whole life must be a life of prayer.

But some boys and girls will say, "These are very good things in their way, and we hear of them on Sundays and in our Scripture lessons at school; but we would rather read interesting

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