GEORGE C. McI.--The supply of bound volumes of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE for 1880 is exhausted.
We do not care to so much as mention the initials of one correspondent who sent a very dictatorial letter to the Post-office Box the other day, complaining because we had not published his exchange. Exchangers usually understand that the convenience we give them in YOUNG PEOPLE is a favor, and not a right; and if occasionally they are overlooked or obliged to wait a while, they must remember what we have often told them, that we print their offers as soon after receiving them as we can, and as nearly as may be in the order we receive them. We are quite sure the correspondent to whom we refer will regret his manner of writing when he thinks the whole affair over calmly and coolly.
JACQUELINE.--There is but a limited demand for French translations, and even experienced translators have great difficulty in finding publishers to look at their work. It would be excellent practice for you to translate the book you mention, but we do not think you would be successful in procuring anybody to print it for you. Translation should be literal, and elegant as well, and there is no better way of becoming familiar with the idioms of French or any other foreign tongue than by studying its literature, and rendering it into your own language.
ROBERT H. R.--Read article on "The Young Tin-Typers," HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE No. 63, Vol. II.; and if that does not aid you, go to some obliging carpenter for help.
"SILVER SAUL," JOHNNIE T. P., AND OTHERS.--You may send your puzzles for examination if you wish. Birds' eggs are not allowed as exchanges.
FRED H. W.--We can not give addresses, nor arrange for private correspondence.
William Shattuck, H. S. Buffum, Marion S. Hare, B. P. Craig, William H. Paine, Joe S. McKnight, and Edward W. Smith withdraw from our exchange list, their supplies being exhausted.
L. L. B.--The best authorities give _dec_-orative, which is the common pronunciation. The present æsthetic whim is, however, to say de-_cor_-ative. This usage is not yet general.
We can not adjust differences of opinion as to the worth of specimens and articles exchanged. It would be well in most cases for exchangers to have a brief correspondence by postal cards before sending their wares. Thus trouble would be avoided in the end.
