f. Then name where the crooked-backed Richard the Third Was conquer'd, and where they his relics interred; g. Then where in these modern times it is known, To view the horse-races, that Royalty's shown; h. Last tell me that lovely unfortunate fair, Whom Harry the Second protected with care; Put these names together, and perhaps you may find, They will tell you a month that to mirth is inclined. 2.-FIGURED CHARADE. My 5 2 1 is part of a beast which, I presume, few dislike; my 4523 is a somewhat rare fish; my 3 2 1 is an animal; my 4 2 3 is the name of a vehicle much used in the "olden time;" my 2 3 4 5 is what young ladies are peculiarly characteristic for being; my 2 3 1 is a part of the human frame; my 1,2 3 signifies to "obstruct;" my 4 5 2 3 1 is a noun expressive of "to delight;" my 5 2 3 1, I trust my readers may never sustain; and my whole is a division of the year. E. HILL. 3.-AN ACROSTIC.-TWO BRILLIANT AUTHORS. a. Indispensable to a well-trained horse. b. A floating fairy. c. A disappointed lover renounced in verse. d. A medical preparation. e. One who had reason to repent his vanity. ZELIA. An European country, and its capital a. A coin. b. An uproar. c. Ordinal number. d. A bird. 7.-ARITHMETICAL ENIGMA. A humorous old bachelor bought, for distribution among the girls of the village, a certain number of straw hats, giving for the whole £37 10s. These hats were of three different prices; the second quality was one-half the price of the first, and double the price of the third. The second quality, in numbers, was double the first; and the third was one-fourth more than the first and second added together. How many of each were bought, and what the respective prices T. B. of each ? 9.-ACROSTIC CONUNDRUM. First bounding o'er the rocks we find, A fruit that comes from sunny climes A tree which basking in the sun's bright rays, And last a town in England doth appear, 23. In hedge-rows by thousands I'm seen, 24. a. A poem, whose scene lies in Eastern climes, (But his head, in the stead of his tail you must d. An Imperial city, once highly renowned, e. A magnificent palace, in Spain 'twill be found, f. A battle, where Greece independence obtained, 9. A judge, by whom authors are frequently pained, A fleet-footed quadruped, graceful and light; These initials and finals, if joined all aright, Of two Christian heroes will give you the name, A halo of glory encircles their fame, For their country they died; I am of great magnitude and brilliancy, thoughh. small to observation. I am represented in character, signifying Excellence; also in heraldry, appertaining to. Royalty; and yet beheaded I am only a glutinous substance. J. C. 17. My first is a French pronoun feminine. My second a pronoun. The whole will name an occupation. ALINE. 18. Two boys were playing well One summer-day at ball, My first one did and down it fell My second little bees contrive Where purple violets often grow, Can you tell me the same? 25.-ORIGINAL ENIGMA. My first, it hath a sound; My fourth most sadly hides: ANSWERS TO THE ENIGMAS, &c. COTTAGE CONTENT. Soft as the shade, and cheerful as the day, 84.-HISTORICAL MENTAL PICTURE. 85.-Two EUROPEAN NATIONS GOVERNED BY ONE KING. a. NeedleS. b. OverfloW. c. NosE. d. Wormwood. e. AxE. f. YarN-Norway-Sweden. 86.-ENIGMATICAL LIST OF BIRDS. a. Martin. b. Kingfisher. c. Magpie. d. Yellowhammer. e. Linnet. f. Wren. g. Ostrich. h. Sparrow. i. Partridge. j. Swallow. k. Robin. l. Turkey. m. Raven. n. Woodcock. 87.-REBUS-A GREAT ENGLISH POET, AND ONE OF HIS WORKS. a. Stout, b. HarwicH. c. AbbreviatE. d. KenT. e. SeinE. f. PluM. g. EquiP. h. AberdarE. i. Riches. j. ElephanT-Shakspeare-The Tempest. 88.-ACROSTIC CONUNDRUM-SACRED EMBLEMS OF THE GOOD AND VILE. a. WhisT. b. HerniA. c. EasteR. d. Ather ston E. e. TasseS-Wheat-Tares. c. ErR. 9. AT. 89.-a. GuinnesS. b. Romantic. d. ArticlE. e. TaW. f. Empress. h. SabrE. i. TatA. j. EpigraM. k. RosE. 1. NeaR-Great Eastern Screw Steamer. 4. Because it is a good conductor. 5. Because he has so many new suits. 6. Because there is some probability of his getting off the line. 91.-Mis (s)-le-toe. 92.-Mice-ice. 93.-Headache. 94.-Cot-erie. 95.-Waist-coat. 96.- Bill. 97.-Her-i-tage. 98.-Cor-dial. 99.-Wholesome. 100.-In-cap-a-city. 101.-Chair-hair. 102.-Summary. 103.-Pan-o-ram-a. 104.-Lamp-lighter. PICTURE CONUNDRUMS. (On p. 364). 1. Because he is taking the (h)air. 2. Because he has taken a glass too much. 3. Andover. 4. Because she's a Monthly. ANSWER TO HIEROGLYPHIC. (On p. 12 of Family Council.) A merry Christmas to you all, and many happy returns of the day. THE EDITOR TO HIS FRIENDS. ADDRESS:-9, BELL SQ., FINSBURY, LONDON. A HAPPY NEW YEAR, FRIENDS! A HAPPY NEW YEAR! But should Providence have ordered otherwise should it bring sorrow for some of you-your true "Family Friend" has sympathy and solace, ean weep with those that weep, as well as rejoice with those that rejoice. In preparing a new Volume, it has ever been our practice to carefully analyse the past. We have done so on this occasion, and may be permitted to mention the satisfaction afforded us, by observing what a host of varied and entertaining subjects the "Family Friend" has gathered together. The last six volumes for example, (which form a complete series), supplies a perfect encyclopædia of Domestic Economy, besides an abundance of entertaining matter, as Tales, Essays, Biographies, Poetry, Practical Lessons in French, Zoology, and Drawing: Gardening, Window-gardening; and Needlework; Paper-modelling and Domestic Architecture; Letter-writing, Fables, Reviews, Notes and Queries for Naturalists; and last, not least, Pastime, for which the "Family Friend" has long been celebrated. And this feature, though seeming to superficial observers so trivial, is, in reality far otherwise. The remarks of a contemporary on this point are so penetrating and true, that we would have all our friends study them, and apply them also:- "When none but really good enigmas and conundrums are proffered or accepted, we are inclined to think them by no means unworthy instruments in the education of the people. They are to the million, what the severer studies of mathematics and logie are to the laborious student. To trace hidden resemblances, to explore secret qualities, to detect, as with the glance of an eagle, points of contact and divergence, to familiarise the mind with the attributes, history, and topography of natural objects-to do all this, and much more, is necessary to every Edipus who would properly solve the mysteries of the Sphynx; and he who is master of such an art, has intellectual powers of which he need not be ashamed." We have received from many of our subscribers at this genial season, the most cordial letters of commendation. That of H. A. J,, only expresses the general sentiment, when he writes:-"I am more than ever convinced, that there does not exist any one Magazine which excels yours, in cheapness, interest, and in the thorough soundness of tone, which is everywhere apparent in it." We may, therefore, while thanking each and all, not hesitate to suggest, to those who show us so much good feeling, that our publishers will be happy to supply the past six volumes to any in their social circles, who may wish to possess them; and we hardly fear a charge of presumption when we say, that we trust chiefly to our friends of 1859, for procuring us new subscribers in 1860. The Volume we are now commencing, has undergone careful preparation, and without making any promises, we hope our reader will judge by what we have done, and have faith in the GOOD PURPOSES of what we are about to do, for their entertainment and instruction. FIRST CLASS. QUESTIONS ANSWERED. last month for the classes).-Thomasina.-Cupid. R. D. H. (in time).-Aline.-Captain J. R.-A. L.-Bertha.-Tom Brown-W. C.-Tillie.— H. A. J.-Y. H. Y. (excuse us from again re- Ruthenpharl (you are entitled to a first-class, and it shall be sent immediately).-Alpha and Beta ferring to character).-Eliza.-Alpha (always to (welcome). be depended on).-Nellie-Agnese.Marguerite (conundrums accepted; we are devising a new system of prizes).-J. Christie D. (many thanks for your contribution).-Chotie (see wrapper).— Indignus (a Certificate shall be forwarded on receipt of name and address; we are obliged by your offer of photographic contributions; praetical hints on this subject will always be welcome). Nora (yes).- Daisy H. (your definitions were unsuited to our Christmas number).- Mary Anne.-M. A. and S.-Rolando (never fear).Amy-Rosa F. (welcome).-Irene.-J. Eastman. -Jane.-E. Hill (our sincere thanks for your encouraging letter).-J. C. L.-Little Giggie.Lily H.-G. Guyon.-Iago.-F. F. F.- Lizzie E. R. (we regret the omission).-Worcester Trio (thanks, my friends, thanks; send name and address and a Certificate shall be immediately forwarded).-Mary B.-E. O. S.-Teazer.-Venetia. SECOND CLASS. Nellie-Evadne Viola (very hopeful).-Anna Grey (we regret we had no letter from you; we are quite sure you might have thrown much light on the reading of the Scriptures).-Excelsior try and trust).-E. W. Shackell. L'Esperance. Emily C-th (we regret your want of courage; pray fix your attention more on improvement than defeat).-Amelia.-Marie and Elise (too late 1. TO PREVENT LINEN FROM IRON-MOULDING IN AN IRON FURNACE.-Procure some strong material, I think it is a kind of flannel, and make it up to fit the inside of the boiler, and then get a slight hoop and fasten to the top of the bag, which must rub on the boiler, over which the cover is placed: mine was a tolerable sized boiler, not furnace; I found it answered exceedingly. Washerwomen should be careful to leave their boiler quite dry after it is used.-ANNA GREY, 2. HENRY.-The Terms Whig and Tory were known in the reign of Charles II. Some writers derive the word "Whig" from "whaig," the Scotch from "whey"-a nickname applied to bandits and drovers; and "Tory" from "toory," (Irish) applied to beggars and outlaws. Others say that "Whig" is formed from the motto of the Puritans, "We hope in God!" and "Tory," from "Tar-a-Ki," (pronounced Tory) meaning "Come O King!" an exclamation much used by the Irish adherents of Charles II. The word "Radical" arose about the year 1818, and "Conservative" about 1830.-W. E. AKHURST, 3. M. M. M.-How To RE-CURL OSTRICH FEATHERS.-I have found the following simple mode very successful:-Take the sharpest edge |