I know no duty more sacred than the education and training of a child. The chief duties of a guardian consist in knowing how to appreciate what is good, and in adopting a right course; then alone has proper attention been devoted to the welfare of his ward, whereas in opposing what is good he neglects his duty.

Indeed, keeping in view what is most for the benefit of the boy, I do not object to the mother in so far sharing in the duties of a guardian that she may visit her son, and see him, and be apprised of all the measures adopted for his education; but to intrust her with the sole guardianship of the boy without a strict guardian by her side, would cause the irrevocable ruin of her son. On these cogent grounds I reiterate my well-founded solicitation, and feel the more confident of a favorable answer, as the welfare of my nephew alone guides my steps in this affair. LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.

ARTHUR CHRISTOPHER BENSON

ARTHUR CHRISTOPHER BENSON, a delightful and inspiring English essayist. Born April 24, 1862. Son of the late Archbishop of Canterbury. Author of "From a College Window," "Poems," "Lyrics," "The Schoolmaster," "Tennyson,' "Rossetti," ," and "The Isles of Sunset."

(From "FROM A COLLEGE WINDOW," by permission of G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York, the publishers.)

GAMES

It requires almost more courage to write about games nowadays than it does to write about the Decalogue, because the higher criticism is tending to make a belief in the Decalogue a matter of taste, while to the ordinary Englishman a belief in games is a matter of faith and morals.

I will begin by saying frankly that I do not like games; but I say it, not because any particular interest attaches to my own dislikes and likes, but to raise a little flag of revolt against a species of social tyranny. I believe that there are a good many