town, and several other vessels were
lying at anchor near, no one had heard, or seen, or knew anything
about how it happened. It proved to be the "Magellan," of St.
Catherine's, Ont. Since then nine bodies have washed ashore, among
them the captain and his brother, the mate, both of them
fine-looking young men, and not like ordinary rough sailors. The
captain was a Knight Templar, and the Masons took charge of the
body and sent it home, and some ladies made a beautiful cross of
natural flowers, which they laid on his breast. But I will leave
this sad subject, and tell you how we appreciate ST. NICHOLAS.

Last week we had a concert. There were several recitations from ST.
NICHOLAS, besides the "Mother Goose Operetta" in the January number
(1877). It was very pretty. There were fifteen children, all in
handsome peasant costumes. I was Marie.

Last summer, when we came from the Centennial, in our Pullman car
were two boys just Fred's age; one was from San Francisco and one
from Chicago. Of course, the three were soon well acquainted, and
had lots of fun together. And what do you think? They soon found
out that each was a subscriber to ST. NICHOLAS! And how they
enjoyed talking over the stories together! "Fast Friends" seemed to
be the favorite; but I like "Eight Cousins" better.--Respectfully
yours,

NETTIE CONINE.

* * * * *

Paulsboro, N.J., 1877.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I had pigeons at the Woodbury Fair both this
year and last, and took the first premiums for best display:
another little fellow, about my age, had four when I had six, and
had eight when I had nine; how many had I better take next year?
You are interested in this question, for the two dollars premium
helps pay for my ST. NICHOLAS, and I don't want to be without
_that_. I take the "Scattered Seeds," but like ST. NICHOLAS better.
Please stop sending my magazine to Wm. E. _Grant_. I am no relation
to General Grant, but am a Democrat, and for General McClellan. I
am nine years of age.--Your constant reader,

WILLIE E. GAUNT.

You have done so well already, Willie, that we think you can best
answer your own question; but we should take _all_ of our _best_
pigeons.

* * * * *

New York.

Will ST. NICHOLAS please tell "Sidonie" if the "trad