The prize for the Biblical Essaya copy of Dr. Smith's "Smaller Biblical Dictionary"-is awarded to

R. D. HICKS, of Bristol. Next in merit are the excellent compositions of J. R. Watts, G. Templar, and E. M. I. (Edinburgh). The last named has unfortunately exceeded the prescribed limit as to length, otherwise it would have occupied a still higher place. The adjudicators desire also to mention the essays of E. Westcott, W. M. T., and Emma C. John W. (Carlisle) would have been more successful had his penmanship been more legible. There are many others of whom a good word might be spoken, had we space to do so here.

The prize for the best Essay on "Rational Recreations "-a copy of

"Domestic Life in Palestine,❞—is awarded to

ERNEST PEWTRESS, of Blackheath. There is a second essay, of equal, in some respects superior merit, by | J. J. Poynter, of Barnsbury, but it exceeds the limit assigned. The rest of the compositions on this important and difficult topic are decidedly inferior to the two just named.

On the whole, however, the efforts of our young friends have been highly creditable, and, as they will see, we are prepared to give them another opportunity of engaging in this worthy contest for excellence.

Unsuccessful competitors may have their MSS. returned during the present month, by sending a stamp (with their addresses, if not already given) to the Editor.

WE now invite our young friends to a third competition in the honourable and useful field of Essaywriting. It has been our pleasure and privilege to examine many highly creditable compositions, and we have been still more gratified at the excellent spirit in which successful competitors have received the intelligence of their success, and unsuccessful essayists have declared their resolution not to be at all discouraged, but to "try again next time." A friend of ours, in acknowledging a vote of thanks for a lecture he had just delivered, observed with great truth, "However much the audience may be instructed, it is the lecturer himself who receives the largest share of benefit."

So we

would say, "However valuable the books gained by successful essayists may be (and we endeavour to select those which are really worth possessing), it is the mental exertion put forth by all who really strive for the prizes, which constitutes the chief value of such competitions." This is the chief object which we have in view in announcing another offer of books, for papers of merit on specified subjects.

Many of our former circle of friends will no doubt be ready again to engage in honourable rivalry; let them remember, however, that we expect a goodly accession of readers from among the supporters of the timehonoured Youth's Magazine, so that there will be need for all the more

exertion to produce essays of a superior kind. A word to the wise is enough, and we will only draw especial attention to the rule-write plainly and on one side of the paper only; adjudicators do not like writing which would puzzle the "blind clerk" at the General Post Office !

We offer, then, THREE PRIZES, as on a former occasion, for the best papers on three subjects of diverse character.

I. BIBLICAL SUBJECT.
"TYRE; AN ILLUSTRATION OF

FULFILLED PROPHECY."

For the best essay on the above topic we will award a copy of Dr. Angus' valuable "BIBLE HANDBOOK," illustrated edition. II.-BIOGRAPHICAL SUBJECT. "THE LIFE, AND WRITINGS OF

DR. ISAAC WATTS."

The prize for the best sketch of the "Poet of the Sanctuary" will be a copy of Mr. Smiles' interesting work "SELF-HELP."

III.-SCIENTIFIC SUBJECT.
"RIVERS; THEIR ORIGIN AND

VALUE TO MAN."

The successful competitor will receive a copy of the late Hugh Miller's autobiography, well known as "MY SCHOOLS AND SCHOOLMASTERS."

At the request of several correspondents we have extended the limits allowed to the essays in re

We may add that

spect to length. an ordinary page of this Magazine contains about 550 words. The following conditions must be strictly observed:

1. Competitors to be under twenty years of age.

2. The composition to be in all parts that of the competitor, except in cases of a brief quotation. 3. Competitors may write on any or all of the subjects specified, but no writer will be entitled to receive more than one prize. 4. No paper to exceed the length of five ordinary pages of the Bible Class Magazine.

5. The successful papers to be at the disposal of the Editor, for insertion in the pages of the Bible Class & Youth's Magazine, or otherwise. The others to be returned to the writers, on application at 56, Old Bailey, within a certain period, to be hereafter specified.

6. The essays to be written legibly on one side of the paper only, signed with the name (or initials) and address of the writer, and delivered at 56, Old Bailey, not later than March 1st, 1868. The address to be to "To the Editor of the Bible Class and Youth's Magazine, 56, Old Bailey, London, E. C. ;" with the words Prize Composition on the outside.