"Further particulars with regard to the competition I will let you know in a few days, but I may as well say now that most of the examination will be _vivâ voce_, and will consist of eight questions relating to the study of the French language, eight questions on the study of the German tongue, eight mathematical questions, eight arithmetical questions, eight questions on English History, and eight on English Literature.  In addition, a piece of music will be played by each girl and a song sung by each; but the final and most searching test of all will be the essay, which in itself will contain, I doubt not, the innermost heart of the competitor, for she cannot truly write on Heroism without understanding something of what a hero or heroine should be.  Thus that innermost spirit which must guide her life will come to the front.  Her spelling and English composition will be subjected to the best tests by means of those written words; her handwriting will not go without comment; her style will be noted.  She can make her essay rich with reference, and thus prove the varied quality of her reading.  And the grace of her diction will to a certain extent testify to her ladylike deportment and the entire breadth of her education.