29 DECEMBER 1894, Page 15

A CHILD'S RESOURCE. [To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:]

SIR,—Your delightful paper on "The Zoology of the Toy- shop," in the Spectator of December 22nd, reminds me of the ingenious way in which a young friend of mine, aged five, got over a difficulty. She and I had purchased a lovely china swan for a penny. It was hollow and very shapely, and on

reaching home, we took it at once to a basin of water to see it swim. Swim it did, it is true, but with its head at the bottom. This was sad ; and there was a sudden depression in the bright face beside me. Almost at once the cloud passed, and I was told : "I know how it was ! The swan was swimming in the water with its reflection, and then the real bird flew away and only the reflection was left !" So then we were happy ever after.—I am, Sir, &c., H.