If any of those who read it are boys on a farm in New England, they will see themselves, as if they looked in a mirror; and if any of them are city boys or girls, or live in the South or West, or anywhere in the world but in New England, they will see what sort of times some of the smartest and brightest men in our country had, before they grew up to be governors, book-writers, and other folks of importance.

There is a particular reason why readers of ST. NICHOLAS should see this book, for in it they will meet with some old friends.

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  Williamsburgh, L.I.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS:  I read in the May “Letter-Box” your answer to Stella G. about long and short words.  It reminded me of what I read once about Count Von Moltke, the great German general.  The writer described him as “the wonderful silent man who knows how to hold his tongue in eight different languages.”—­Yours truly,

Willie, M.D.

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  Santa Fe, N.M.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS:  The donkeys here are called “burros.”  They are very tame, and do not get frightened at anything.  A few days ago, the boys in our school tied a bunch of fire crackers to the tail of one, and fired them off.  We all thought he would be very frightened at the noise, but he just walked off and began eating grass.  My brother Barry had one of these little burros, when we were in Texas, and every evening he would go to a lady’s house for something to eat, although he had more than he could eat at home; and if she did not come to the window soon, he would bray as loudly as he could, and she would have to come out and give him something, even if it was only a lump of sugur.  Good-bye,—­From, your affectionate friend,

Bessie Hatch.

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  Coldwater, N.Y.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS:  Having read in the March number an account of the “Great Eastern,” I thought perhaps your readers would like to hear something of the history of her captain, which I read a short time ago.

When he was a little boy, he went to sea.  As he left home, his mother said:  “Wherever you are, Jamie, whether on sea or land, remember to acknowledge your God.  Promise me that you will kneel down every morning and night and say your prayers, no matter whether the sailors laugh at you or not.”

Jamie gave his promise, and soon he was on shipboard, bound for India.  They had a good captain; and, as several of the sailors were religious men, no one laughed at the boy when he knelt down to pray.

On the return voyage, however, some of the former sailors having run away, their places were filled by others, and one of these proved to be a very bad fellow.  When he saw little Jamie kneeling down, this wicked sailor went up to him, and, giving him a sound box on the ear, said, “None of that here, sir!”

Another seaman, who saw this, although he himself swore sometimes, was indignant that the child should be so cruelly treated.  He told the man to come up on deck and he would give him a thrashing.  The challenge was accepted, and the well-deserved beating was duly bestowed.  Both then returned to the cabin, and the swearing man said, “Now, Jamie, say your prayers, and if he dares to touch you, I will give him another dressing.”