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    Oswego, N. Y.

    DEAR ST. NICHOLAS:  Please will you tell me where I can find
    directions how to build a boat?—­Yours respectfully,

    HARRY MEAD.

    Midland, 1878.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS:  I wish that you would tell me how to make a yatch I have a schooner but she gets beat bad and I should like to know how to make a yatch that will beat them all I think one about 30 inches will be long enough.—­I remain your constant Reader,

    G.B.J.

In ST. NICHOLAS for July, 1875 (Vol.  II.), Harry will find full directions how to make a serviceable boat at a small cost; and G.B.J., whose letter we print verbatim, also may find hints that will enable him to build an all-conquering “yatch.”

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    Milwaukee, Wis.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS:  I am going to tell you about a game that we play here a good deal.  I do not know what it is called.  It can be played by any number, though the more the merrier.  Each player must have a sheet of paper and a pencil.  When all are supplied, each one must write across the top of the sheet a question, taking up as little room on the page as possible, and turning the paper down so as to cover up the writing, as in “Consequences.”  The paper is then passed to the next neighbor, who is to write a common noun, of any kind, under the question, and turn over in like manner.  After the noun has been written, the paper is passed on.  Then everybody opens the paper that last came to him, and must answer the question in rhyme, inserting the noun.  I will give you an illustration.

        EXAMPLE: 

        Question,—­“Do you like pigs?”
        Common noun,—­“Peas.” 
        Answer, in rhyme,—­

        “I love the gentle animals
          That sport about our home. 
        And all among the peas and corn
          So happily do roam.”

        “Ah! little pigs I’ll harm you not,
          Nor e’en disturb your play,
        But you shall have your own sweet will,
        And feed upon the best of swill,
          Through all the livelong day.”

    Will somebody answer thus this question, that was given to me: 
    “Which was the greatest battle of Alexander the Great?”

    Noun:  “Toes.”

    Yours truly,

    D.J.

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    DEAR ST. NICHOLAS:  I send you a puzzle, which I hope you will print: 

        My first is in your body,
          Quite useful in its way. 
        My second flows in Italy,
          And flows by night and day. 
        My third, a thing to cook with, is
          In every kitchen found. 
        My fourth’s a common article,
          A very simple sound. 
        My fifth folks often get into,—­
          The careless ones, of course. 
        My whole, a clumsy animal,
          Is partly named for horse.