Chapter XIV: Bonny's Invention, and How It Worked (2)

The schedule for the interscholastic cricket season in Philadelphia has been revised and definitely arranged as follows: May 6th, Episcopal _vs._ Penn Charter, Haverford _vs._ De Lancey; May 13th, Germantown _vs._ Haverford, De Lancey _vs._ Penn Charter; May 20th, Germantown _vs._ Episcopal, Penn Charter _vs._ Haverford; May 27th, Germantown _vs._ Penn Charter, De Lancey _vs._ Episcopal; June 1st, Germantown _vs._ De Lancey, Haverford _vs._ Episcopal.

The New England I.S. League took in a number of new schools as members at its recent meeting, and voted to join the National Association. There are now over thirty-five schools in the Boston Association. It ought to be able to send an almost invincible team to the national field-day in June.

THE GRADUATE.

This Department is conducted in the interest of stamp and coin
collectors, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question
on these subjects so far as possible. Correspondents should address
Editor Stamp Department.

The illustrations of the "local" Confederates in this column excited some interest in the readers of the ROUND TABLE, and resulted in the finding of several of the rare and a large number of the common varieties.

Of late great interest is being paid to the North American British Colonies, and I illustrate the scarce Canada issue used between 1851 and 1859. With the exception of the Threepence they are all scarce, and the "Twelvepence" is one of the rarest stamps. Excluding minor varieties, their values are as follows:

Unused. Used.
3d. red $3 $0.25
6d. purple 20 5.00
1/2d. pink 6 3.00
7-1/2d. green 12 15.00
10d. blue 25 8.00
12d. black 400 300.00

Varieties on laid paper, and perforated copies are worth still more.

Quite a number of correspondents have called my attention to a difference in the color of the paper used in printing the current issue of U.S. stamps. An examination shows the paper to be the same. The seeming difference arises from the careless wiping of the steel plates during printing.

C. E. M.--No. It is worth bullion only, probably 50c.

A. SUBSCRIBER.--1813 cent is worth 35c., 1616 worth 10c.

E. B. COUNCIL.--No premium if you wish to sell. You can buy of
dealers at about double face value.

G. F. COHOON.--Canada coins are not collected in the U.S. The other
things mentioned are tokens, not coins.

D. L. DELAMARTER.--I do not know the Weissinger & Bate stamp. The
18 kr. Wurtemburg unperforated is worth about $7.50.

L. K.--The newspaper stamps of 1865 are worth $2 for the blue 5c.
with white border, $15 blue border, $6 each for the 10c. and 25c.
Reprints are common.

H. FROST.--The coin is a Spanish dollar, worth 50c. Philately is
growing stronger every day. The 24c. Treasury is priced $4 used,
the 7c. $1.25 used. War Department set about $5 either used or
unused.

P. L. PARSONS.--The Missouri Defence Bond has no market value.

C. BETHUNE.--Some of the English colleges at one time issued stamps
for postal purposes, but they are not collected in America.

J. D. CORBIE.--The coin is Spanish and has no value. Many millions
of these old Spanish coins are still in existence.

ALINS.--No addresses of dealers are given in this column.

A. A. KRIEGER, 1531 New Broadway, Louisville, Ky., wants to
exchange stamps.

W. K. DART.--Foreign revenues are worth nothing in this country.
The coin has no premium.

L. P.--Your stamp is from the centre row of the sheet, hence has no
perforation on one side. No special value. The Philadelphia die has
a double line; the Hartford a single line under the word "Postage."

W. F. MEEKS.--The 1803 cent can be bought for 15c.

G. H. C.--No premium on the coins.

SARA L. YOUNG.--The New York 5c. black of 1845 is worth $7.50 if in
good condition.

D. W. W.--Old albums or catalogues have no value. The 10c. green on
buff U.S. envelope, 1853, wide ends, can be bought for $5. Names of
dealers, etc., not given in this column.

PHILATUS.

ADVERTISEMENTS.

Arnold

Constable & Co

* * * * *

INFANTS' AND

CHILDREN'S WEAR.

SPRING STYLES.

_Lace-Trimmed Robes,_

_Dotted Linen Coats,_

_Hand-made Guimpes,_

Piqué Bonnets, Mull Caps,

Infants' Layettes.

_Children's Reefers, Outing Suits,_

_Shirt Waists._

* * * * *

Broadway & 19th st.

NEW YORK.

A cream-of-tartar baking powder. Highest of all in leavening strength.--_Latest United States Government Food Report._

ROYAL BAKING POWDER CO., NEW YORK CITY.

BREAKFAST--SUPPER.

EPPS'S

GRATEFUL--COMFORTING.

COCOA

BOILING WATER OR MILK.

Snap Shot

Camera, takes 4 pictures, 1 loading. It's a dandy, $1. The Comet Co., Lewisburg, Pa

the best things in Prose and Poetry, always including good Songs and Hymns. It is surprising how little good work of this kind seems to be done in the Schools, if one must judge from the small number of people who can repeat, without mistake or omission, as many as Three good songs or hymns.

and accurate Memory work is a most excellent thing, whether in School or out of it, among all ages and all classes. But let that which is so learned be worth learning and worth retaining. The Franklin Square Song Collection presents a large number of

and Hymns, in great variety and very carefully selected, comprising Sixteen Hundred in the Eight Numbers thus far issued, together with much choice and profitable Reading Matter relating to Music and Musicians. In the complete and varied

which is sent free on application to the Publishers, there are found dozens of the best things in the World, which are well worth committing to memory; and they who know most of such good things, and appreciate and enjoy them most, are really among the best educated people in any country. They have the best result of Education. For above Contents, with sample pages of Music, address

Harper & Brothers, New York.

This Department is conducted in the interest of Bicyclers, and the
Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject. Our
maps and tours contain much valuable data kindly supplied from the
official maps and road-books of the League of American Wheelmen.
Recognizing the value of the work being done by the L. A. W., the
Editor will be pleased to furnish subscribers with membership
blanks and information so far as possible.

If you are in no hurry on your trip to Buffalo, it is well to spend a day or two in Syracuse, and take some of the rides in the vicinity of that city. The streets are very poorly paved in the city itself, with few exceptions, but on getting out of the immediate city limits the roads are moderately good. It is well for the tourist to remember that the Syracuse Athletic Association, on Jefferson Street near Salina, and the Century Cycling Club, at 319 James Street, will be glad to see at any time any member of the bicycling confraternity who goes through Syracuse.

On leaving the city by the west, proceed out Genesee Street, which is asphalt. To leave the city on the east, take East Water Street to Pine Street, and turn to the right into East Genesee Street, running out to the Genesee turnpike by keeping to the left again. To leave Syracuse on the south, run out to Onondaga on Salina Street, which is cobble-stones as far as Onondaga, and is brick to Burt. Further out than this it is macadamized. To leave Syracuse on the north--and this, by-the-way, is one of the pleasantest rides in the vicinity of Syracuse--cross the river at the swing bridge, thence, turning to the right, pass through James Street to Catherine, and proceed along this to Lodi; turn to the left into it, and again to the left into Pond Street. It is but one block to Litac Street, where you should keep to the left, and run another block to Kirkpatrick, thence turn into Alvord Street; proceed along this to Court Street, and thence proceeding to Park Street, turn left around the park itself, and proceed over the canal bridge to Liverpool. At Liverpool cross the bridge and turn to the right into the tow-path, which is left at the next bridge by turning to the left, whence you run to Long Branch. At the latter place proceed along the boulevard across the entire western side of Lake Onondaga through Maple Bay, Manhattan Beach, Rockaway Beach, Pleasant Beach, and Lakeview. Beyond Lakeview you run into the Marsh road at the end of the boulevard; thence turn left to Sand Street, where a turn to the right is made, and the run along Sand Street is continued until West Genesee Street is reached, whence it is easy to return to the swing bridge. This is a fifteen-mile ride, and is perhaps the pleasantest in the vicinity of Syracuse.

Continuing the journey towards Buffalo, leave Syracuse by the north on South Salina Street, and crossing the canal, turn into West Genesee Street. Again cross the canal bridge, and proceed direct out Genesee Street over the turnpike to Camillus. From Camillus to Elbridge there are some very bad hills, which are in places unrideable. Elbridge is fifteen miles from Syracuse. The run from Elbridge to Weedsport is direct except at a point about a mile and a half out, where a turn to the right must be made, and the turnpike followed to Weedsport direct. The road is in reasonably good condition, but is somewhat sandy. From Weedsport to Port Byron and Montezuma, and on through Clyde to Lock Berlin, the route follows the canal. In fact, most of the way from Port Byron to Clyde is on the canal tow-path, which, though it is three miles longer than by the road, is much better riding and much more picturesque and interesting. At Clyde take West Genesee Street, and proceed direct to Lock Berlin, forty miles distant from Syracuse. The road is good, and at the intersection of the four corners turn sharp to the left, cross the canal, pass under the railroad, and, taking the first turn to the right, again crossing the railroad and canal, proceed direct into Lyons, finally passing by a hill that is practically unrideable. The distance is about forty-three and a half miles.

Speaking of good manners, is it not worth while to think about how we behave in church? One mark of a thoroughbred girl is her air of repose, especially when she is in public. She avoids restlessness, she sits quietly, and she listens to the sermon. Other and ill-trained persons may observe to their neighbors that the contralto flats or the tenor's voice is cracked, but the well-mannered girl keeps unkind criticisms of the quartette and the choir strictly to herself. She does not whisper during service, nor look about her, for she knows that the place and the hour are sacred, and she would not like to disturb others, even if she were not in the proper spirit, on her own account. Whoever else is late, the girl I am thinking of is in good season, and she does not bring with her an atmosphere of haste and confusion into a house which should be quiet and tranquil.

But you will accuse me of preaching, and this is not my wish; so I will tell you of something else. A girl writes to me that she has a great ambition to become an editor, and wants to know how to begin her training for the profession. As she is still in the high-school, with four years of college to follow her present course, she is not pressed for time. If I were she I would practise the writing of bright, short, chatty paragraphs. Until you make the attempt, you will not believe how hard it is to write in two or three sentences the gist of an occurrence, to relate what is necessary in a story, to describe an event or a person, without using too many words. The girl who can write clever paragraphs will in good time find a newspaper which will use her work. As between producing paragraphs or poems, I advise the paragraph as by far the better factor in forming a really good style. But if, as with Daisy R---- and Alice F----, my girls like to write verses, there is no reason why they should not acquire so graceful an accomplishment.

As for earning money out of school hours, Belle S----, there are not many ways open to a girl. In the first place, the hours of a girl's life at school and at home are very full. She has her lessons to prepare, and there are usually some home duties which fall to her share. A school-girl must not overwork, for if she does she will neither do credit to her teacher nor to her own abilities. We insist in these days that the best students are those who are in good health, able to walk, to ride a wheel, to play golf and tennis, and to lend a hand at whatever is going on. Pallid, attenuated girls are out of fashion.

Still there are chances now and then for girls who need or who wish to add to their store of pocket-money, and if you will wait till next week, and then turn to the Pudding Stick, you will discover some of them. I have taken pains to find out things which young girls at school actually do, so that I will not be misleading you or extending false hopes, only to be disappointed when you read my report in the case.

At the same time, if you were my own daughter, I would rather have you wait, and not enter the lists with those who earn money until her school days were over.

E. T. C.--A girl of your age should not have headaches. Be careful
of your diet. Avoid hot rolls and cake and candy, which you say you
are fond of. If fresh air, exercise, and attention to your diet do
not cure you, it is worth while to find out whether the trouble may
not arise from your eyes. An oculist by fitting the eyes with the
right glasses often drives away the cause of a persistent headache.

BETTIE G.--I know of no way in which you can become a good
performer on the piano without patient and very regular practice.
There is no easy road to music. Do not believe any one who tells
you there is.

MARGUERITE.--I am told by a music-teacher of eminence that too much
practising is as bad as too little. Try breaking your time into
four half-hours daily. With your studies, two hours a day is all
you should devote to the piano.

MART AND LILL.--It is customary for girls to sign their full names
in correspondence with strangers. You are Martha and Elizabeth to
the world. The pet names are pretty for home use.

MARION.--I cannot tell you how to write a letter in which you have
nothing to say. Wait till you have some reason for writing, and
then you will not find the task hard, especially as you are fond of
writing letters to the home people.

ELEANOR DANA.--Any of Mary E. Wilkins's books will suit your
friend; I think she would like _A Humble Romance_ or _Jane Field_.

WINNIE LEWIS B.--Certainly it is right to wear cleaned gloves, and
if the work is done well, and the gloves are of a light color, they
may be cleaned several times before they are abandoned as past use.

ARCHIE P.--Wear your hair in a long thick braid for the present.

ADVERTISEMENTS.

FINISH that WEARS

The enamel and nickel that are applied to Columbia Bicycles know no equal for beauty. Better still, this beauty is the same a year hence--two years hence. A rub of the polishing cloth, and Columbia enamel shines like new. In every detail you can be sure of Columbias--unequalled, unapproached.

Standard of the World.

$100 to all alike

Columbias in construction and quality are in a class by themselves.

* * * * *

POPE MFG. CO., Hartford, Conn.

Columbia Art Catalogue, telling fully of all features of Columbias--and of Hartford bicycles, next best, $80, $60, $50--is free from the Columbia agent or is mailed for two 2-cent stamps.

LAUGHING CAMERA, 10c.

The latest Invention in Cameras. You look through the lens and your stout friends will look like living skeletons, your thin friends like Dime Museum fat men, horses like giraffes, and in fact everything appears as though you were living in another world. Each camera contains two strong lenses in neatly finished leather case. The latest mirth-maker on the market; creates bushels of sport. Catalogue of 1,000 novelties and sample camera 10c., 3 for 25c., mailed postpaid. Agents wanted.

Robert H. Ingersoll & Bro.,

Dept. No. 27. 65 Cortlandt St., New York.

JOSEPH GILLOTT'S

STEEL PENS

Nos. 303, 404, 170, 604 E.F., 601 E.F.

And other styles to suit all hands.

THE MOST PERFECT OF PENS.

Postage Stamps, &c.

STAMPS! =800= fine mixed Victoria, Cape of G. H., India, Japan, etc., with fine Stamp Album, only =10c.= New 80-p. Price-list =free=. _Agents wanted_ at =50%= commission. STANDARD STAMP CO., 4 Nicholson Place, St. Louis, Mo. Old U. S. and Confederate Stamps bought.

$117.50 WORTH OF STAMPS FREE

to agents selling stamps from my 50% approval sheets. Send at once for circular and price-list giving full information.

C. W. Grevning, Morristown, N. J.

=LOOK HERE, BOYS!= 50 stamps and hinges, 15c.; 100, 25c. Cheaper packets if you want. Sheets on approval. List sent free. Send Postal Card.

W. C. SHIELDS, 30 Sorauren Ave., Toronto, Canada.

=STAMPS.=--20 different stamps free if you send for our approval sheets at 50 per cent. commission. Enclose 2c. stamp and give reference.

DIAMOND STAMP CO., Germantown, Pa.

125

dif. Gold Coast, Costa Rica, etc., 25c.; 40 U. S., 25c. Liberal com. to agents. Large bargain list free. F. W. MILLER, 904 Olive St., St. Louis, Mo.

STAMPS! 100 all dif. Barbados, etc. Only 10c. Ag'ts w't'd at 50% com. List free. L. DOVER & CO., 1469 Hodiamont, St. Louis, Mo.

=FINE APPROVAL SHEETS.= Agents wanted at 50% com. P. S. Chapman, Box 151, Bridgeport, Ct.

U.S. Stamps and Coins. 8 dif. large cents, 50c.

R. M. P. Langzettel, Box 1125, New Haven, Conn.

=115= foreign stamps, Liberia, Borneo, Indo-China, etc., 7 cts. H. L. ASHFIELD, 767 Prospect Ave., N. Y.

Harper's Catalogue,

Thoroughly revised, classified, and indexed, will be sent by mail to any address on receipt of ten cents.

* * * * *

Writing Letters.

III.

Young persons--and old persons too, for that matter--ought to be careful what they put down in writing. Letters are permanent things--or likely to become so. Italian, Spanish, French, and Continental Europe business men are much more cautious about signing their names and about reducing business matters to writing than the same class of men in England and America. But if these Continental business men do sign anything, they live up to it. Americans are too much given to agree to almost anything, and then--regret having done so. Young men fall into this error.

In correspondence, be very sure that you know to whom the letter is going, that it reach him, and that it will then be promptly destroyed, before you trust to paper even that indignation which the world agrees in calling righteous. Trivial matters of a personal character that ought not to be said ought much less to be written. A good rule is: Never write anything that you would blush to have all the world read.

In constructing letters, give some advance thought to the task. Avoid details, be explicit, and polite. If you ask a reply and it is your business, enclose a self-addressed and stamped envelope, but do not put into it a sheet of blank paper. Say all you have to say before you sign your name. "N. B.'s" there is no excuse for. If you find one necessary, write your letter over again. Too much trouble? Not so. It is the least troublesome in the long-run, for, having taken it a few times, you acquire the habit of constructing your letters as you wish them, and ever after avoid both re-writing and "N. B.'s" If you enclose other papers in the envelope with your letter, say so, and specify what they are.

Do not imagine yourself to be your correspondent's only correspondent. If you are writing on a business matter, begin one letter where the last one ended. Give details of your business in order that your correspondent may learn at once what you are writing about. If your letter be an answer to another letter, answer all of the questions. Don't neglect to look at the letter and think you have answered. Consult the letter and be sure about it.

* * * * *

The Lake Worth Country.

I suppose there is not a tract of land in the United States that
has increased in value so rapidly as that of the now famous Lake
Worth Country. Twenty-five years ago there were no settlers there,
and it was not until early in the '80's that it began to be
attractive. Several years ago the finest piece of land on the lake
could be bought for $250. Congressman Miner, of New York, was
offered a portion, but refused. Last winter he was told that the
same piece of property is now worth $50,000.

The improvements along the lake cost millions of dollars. Among the
lovely places is that of C. L. Craigin, of Philadelphia. It cost
more than $115,000. Mayor Swift, of Chicago, has a winter home
overlooking the lake, situated on a high bluff. The most
conspicuous place on the lake is the site of the Episcopal Church,
Bethesda-by-the-Sea.

A part owner of the famous Hutchinson Land Grant is Colonel A. T.
Lewis, a native of Mississippi. In 1836, during the Indian war, he
marched from St. Augustine to Tampa Bay. He was in the fight that
resulted in the death of the Indian chief Hoocha Billy. He also
secured the title to the Spanish grant opposite Ancona, which he
had been contesting since 1875.

HARRY R. WHITCOMB.
UMATILLA, FLA.

* * * * *

At School in Germany.

I am an American boy, from the city of New York, but already three
years have gone by since I last passed the Narrows on my way to
Europe. I shall never forget my feelings as I saw the last of the
well-beloved coast, which I knew I should not again see for many
years. I had previously been over Lake Ontario (and in my whole
life I was never in a worse boat), and a good way up the St.
Lawrence; but still it was a curious sensation to see nothing for
days but sky and ocean. Nevertheless, I enjoyed my trip pretty
well. I was not troubled by seasickness, and arrived, after a
journey of seven days, at Southampton. I passed a week in London,
which I was very anxious to visit, but after having seen some of
it, my curiosity quickly subsided. It is not half as nice as New
York. Then I went to Cologne _viâ_ Flushing, Venlo, and from there
to Stuttgart, the capital of the kingdom of Würtemberg, where I
still live.

One often mentions the beautiful position of this town, and it has
indeed many advantages which we do not find in other German cities.
Among other things Stuttgart is especially noted for its good
schools, and of these the "Realgymnasium," which I frequent, is
probably the best. Contrary to the so-called "humanistischen
gymnasium" we are taught only Latin, not Greek and Hebrew, but a
great deal of mathematics. There are three departments: lower
gymnasium, first to third classes (primary); middle gymnasium,
fourth to sixth classes (grammar school); the higher gymnasium,
seventh to tenth classes (college). Of these again, classes one to
seven have each three parallel classes, viz., a, b, c. The three
highest, VIII., IX., X., have only one class each.

Our general hours for lessons (I am now in the VII.), are, in
winter, from 8, in summer, from 7-12, and from 2-5. That's pretty
long, but still when we get home our work is not nearly done, for
we have a good deal of work to do at home. With mathematics--that
is, geometry, algebra, and physics, I get on very well, thanks to
the good grounding I received in America, but Latin is in some
sense my stumbling-block. Still, I already appreciate the beauty of
Latin literature. French I read with perfect ease and pleasure. I
could tell you a good deal more about school, but I fear to weary
my readers, so I will only mention how our bodily education is
cared for.

Thrice a week we have gymnastics, once swimming, four times fencing
(with foils now, afterwards with bayonet and sabre), and we also
play a good deal of football, which has begun to spread in Germany
during the last three years, and which, by the wish of the Emperor,
has been introduced into all the higher schools. Like many other
classes mine has also formed an eleven, of which I am captain. Our
school library is very good, consisting of about eight thousand
books of the best German, English, French, Latin, Spanish, and
Italian authors. These form ample amusement for our leisure hours.
Our summer vacation lasts from July 25th till the 6th or 7th of
September, Christmas holidays from December 23d until 5th or 7th of
January. At Easter we have two and a half weeks.

I am, comparatively speaking, a recent member of the Order of the
Round Table, but a very old reader of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE. I
myself have had it since 1887, and before me my brother took it for
several years. The volume of 1880, in which, if I remember right,
_Moral Pirates_ and _Who was Paul Grayson?_ (I think that was the
name) was printed, is still in my possession. I have followed with
great interest the stories of Mr. Kirk Munroe--the _Mates_,
_Fur-Seal's Tooth_, _Snow-Shoes and Sledges_, _Fire Rangers_, _Road
Rangers_, and _Sea Rangers_. Of Captain King's stories I prefer
_Cadet Days_ to _Corporal Fred_.

This is my first trial of a letter to HARPER'S ROUND TABLE, and I
much doubt if it will pass muster, but I hope I shall be allowed to
try again, and to be more successful then. I always read the
letters and questions, and if I could be of any use to a member I
would do so with the greatest pleasure.

PAUL LOESEY, R.T.F.
STUTTGART, GERMANY.

* * * * *

Plants that Live on Insects.

The plant known as the Drosera, or Sundew, is very curious, and is
well worth watching, for it is what is called insectivorous. That
is, it eats insects for food. Its leaves are covered with bristles,
and on the end of each bristle is a drop of sticky secretion which,
when the sun shines on it, looks like dew, hence the common name.
But if a fly or other insect lights on the leaf, he gets caught.
Then the outer bristles turn towards him, and at last, although it
takes about twelve hours, the leaf folds around him. The plant
takes all the nutriment from the insect's body, and opens, ready
for another catch. It has been proved that a plant fed on animal
food is more vigorous than a plant that is not. This Drosera is
very common in wet meadows and on the shores of ponds. It has a
more expert cousin, the Dionæa. This closes its leaf very quickly,
and the insect has no chance to escape.

LINCOLN W. RIDDLE.
JAMAICA PLAIN.

* * * * *

Legendary Geography.

CONCEALING RIVERS, CITIES, STATES, AND ISLANDS.

In the country _beyond the mountains_,(1) where we spent our summer vacation, a _kind of fish_(2) is caught by _fish-spearing_,(3) in the _cold spring_(4) _between the rivers_(5) by a _husher or bully_.(6)

Traces of the _silver or lead ore_(7) in the _Green Mountains_(8) on the _cross shore_(9) are distinctly seen in the _bold rock_(10) by the _long lake_,(11) where the tired and _drowsy_(12) fishermen, stopping for rest and refreshment, are lulled to sleep by the _thunder of waters_(13) rushing through _the strait_(14) near the _islands of land turtles or tortoises_.(15)

The country is rich in geographical interest and old Indian legends. It is a curious coincidence that the initials of the geographical names concealed by their definitions, when properly arranged, give a national holiday of historic importance.

Answers.--1, Housatonic River. 2, Tippecanoe River. 3, Androscoggin River. 4, Sandusky River. 5, Nashua. 6, Indiana. 7, Galena. 8, Vermont. 9, Yokohama. 10, Aleutian Islands. 11, Kennebec River. 12, Iowa. 13, Niagara. 14, Detroit. 15, Gallapagos Islands. Thanksgiving Day.

Any questions in regard to photograph matters will be willingly
answered by the Editor of this column, and we should be glad to
hear from any of our club who can make helpful suggestions.

PHOTOGRAPHING THE STARS.

How many of our Camera Club have tried to photograph the stars? Of course, to make accurate pictures of the stars one must have special apparatus, and the camera must be adjusted by machinery so that it will move as the earth moves; but one may make very curious and also interesting pictures of star "tracks" with an ordinary camera. The winter-time is the best time of year for making such pictures, for the stars appear much brighter then than in warm weather.

Use a moderately quick plate and expose for fifteen or twenty minutes, pointing the camera toward that part of the heavens where there are stars of the largest magnitude. When the plate is developed, there will appear on it what seems like white marks, more or less distinct, according to the brightness of the stars which came within the compass of the lens.

If the camera is pointed toward that part of the sky which answers to the equator the lines will be straight, but if the camera is pointed toward the North star the lines will be curved. An interesting study may be made of one of the planets when in the vicinity of stars of first and second magnitude. The plate, when developed, will show that the planet travels in a different direction from that of the stars. The moon may also be photographed, and a much shorter exposure made than for the stars; indeed, one can make an almost perfect photograph of the moon when it is full, or nearly so.

Of course the plates are of no special value except as curiosities; but one may be as fortunate as was one young amateur recently, who, when exposing a plate, caught the image of a large meteor which shot across the sky within the field of his lens. Several interesting pictures of comets have been made with an ordinary camera; but these celestial visitors come few and far between. Photographs may be taken on bright moonlight evenings, and are sometimes very artistic. It is necessary to expose the plate from half an hour to an hour, according to the quickness of the plate and lens used.

E. A. M., New York, wishes to know if blue prints may be made with
a pocket kodak. Blue prints may be made from any negative, however
small. Films make as good blue prints as glass plates.

J. MOULTRIE LEE, JUN., says that he cannot find the articles which
are referred to in previous numbers. He says that he turns to the
number of the book and pages, but finds nothing relating to camera
work. This must be because he turns to the page and not the number
of the ROUND TABLE. He asks for a formula for sensitizing paper. A
formula for making plain salted paper will be found in No. 796
(January 29, 1895) and in No. 803 (March 19, 1895). This formula
was also reprinted in the circular sent out in October last. Our
correspondent also asks how to make a waxed paper negative from a
print of which the negative is destroyed, and how to transfer the
film from one plate to another. In answer to the latter question, a
paper is already prepared giving direction for this process, and
will appear in an early number of the ROUND TABLE. To wax a print,
heat an iron hot enough to melt wax readily, but not hot enough to
scorch. Take a piece of pure white wax, rub a little on the face of
the iron, and iron the print lightly on the back. If the picture is
a landscape do not wax the sky. After it is waxed enough to be
transparent, rub the iron over the print to warm the wax, and take
up all the excess of wax with a clean piece of blotting-paper. It
can then be placed in the printing-frame, using a glass support,
and printed from, the paper negative being waxed in the same way.

LADY HELEN GARNER wishes to know what a "kit" is, and what it is
for. The "kit" used by photographers, which is probably what Lady
Helen means, is a thin frame inserted in a plate-holder so that one
may use a smaller plate than the one for which the holder was
originally made. If one has a 5 by 8 plate-holder, a frame with an
opening 4 by 5 or 3-1/4 by 4-1/4 may be placed in the holder, and
by this simple arrangement the smaller sizes of plates used in the
larger holder. A 5 by 7 plate is used in a 5 by 8 holder by using
two thin strips of wood half an inch wide. Both the frame and the
strips of wood are blackened.

SIR KNIGHT SPRAGUE CARLETON wishes to know how to make good
transparencies, as those which he has made lack detail and are not
transparent enough. Directions for making transparencies were given
in the ROUND TABLE No. 798 (February 12, 1895); but another paper
will soon be published on this subject. If Sir Knight Sprague will
tell what process he uses, time of printing, etc., we will be glad
to suggest what remedy is needed. It would seem from the
description that the transparencies were over-exposed.

SIR KNIGHT K. GREGORY says he is going to buy a small camera, and
wishes to know how to develop and print his own pictures. He will
find directions for beginners in recent numbers of the ROUND TABLE.
The first paper was published May 21, 1895, and the others follow
in order.

SIR KNIGHT FRED E. TURNER wishes to know if the process described
in the ROUND TABLE for making prints with nitrate of uranium
produces permanent prints. The prints made with the salts of
uranium are, if properly treated, as permanent as the blue print,
with perhaps the exception of the green, which sometimes loses the
brilliant tone which it has at first. This is due to the
development and fixing of the red print. This process was first
practised by Niepce de St. Victor.

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PLAYS

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A NEW BOOK

TOMMY TODDLES

By ALBERT LEE. Illustrated by PETER S. NEWELL. Square 16mo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.25.

A more entertaining collection of nonsense has rarely been
penned.--_Boston Traveller._

This is primarily a book for boys, but it contains numerous chunks
of wisdom for the delectation of older heads.--_St. Louis Globe
Democrat._

We have not seen anything of the kind more pleasing since "Alice in
Wonderland."--_N. Y. Press._

The story is intended to be juvenile, but it will appeal to
thousands of grown-up juveniles better than to the juveniles
themselves.--_Boston Daily Advertiser._

This is one of the most charming bits of fairyland writing I have
read in a long time. The boys and girls will delight in it, but the
old folks, no matter how many years they carry, will find an equal
pleasure.... It is a charming little volume.--George H. Hepworth in
_N. Y. Herald_.

* * * * *

OAKLEIGH

A Story for Girls. By ELLEN DOUGLAS DELAND. Illustrated. Post 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.25.

A story for girls, charmingly written, and illustrated throughout
with pictures dainty enough to please the most fastidious
damsel.... The incidents are full of life, the characters are very
natural, and the conversations well sustained, so that the story is
full of intense interest from beginning to end.--_Chicago
Inter-Ocean._

* * * * *

By W. J. HENDERSON

=Afloat with the Flag.= By W. J. HENDERSON, Author of "Sea Yarns for Boys," etc. Illustrated. Post 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.25.

Mr. W. J. Henderson's latest sea-story for boys is one of the best
we have seen.... The story has been read with eager interest by
thousands of ROUND TABLE readers, and it will have an additional
charm to them and others in its present book form.--_Boston
Advertiser._

* * * * *

HARPER & BROTHERS, Publishers, New York.

"OH, I'M AN APRIL FOOL INDEED, AND HERE'S THE REASON WHY:
I LEFT MY UMBRELLA AT HOME, SUPPOSIN' 'TWOULD BE DRY!"
]

* * * * *

IT SETTLED THE QUESTION.

The Colonel was the possessor of a fat colored man who was extremely lazy--so much so that everybody in the town had tried to do something to liven him up. They usually abandoned their effort after a trial.

There was quite a gathering at the Colonel's one afternoon, and the question of the lazy colored man came up. Finally one of the gentlemen asked leave to experiment, and to gratify him the Colonel sent for his lazy servant. It was some time before Sam put in an appearance. When he came, the gentleman addressed him thus:

"Sam, as I was coming up the garden path I noticed several snails down near the gate. I want to show these gentlemen some of their peculiarities, so catch one for me, please."

Sam scratched his gray wool and departed.

The Colonel and his friends smoked and chatted for a long while, and still no Sam and no snail.

"Well, that fellow is really lazy," said the gentleman who had sent him on the quest. "Colonel, would you mind sending for him, and see what on earth he is doing?"

The Colonel did so, and Sam entered the room.

"Well," said the gentleman, "did you catch one of those snails?"

"'Deed no, sah," replied Sam; "dey was too powerful quick fo' me. Ise couldn't catch up wid dem!"

That settled the question.

* * * * *

A NEW COUNTRY.

A party of tourists were examining one of the large trees of California. One of the party remarked:

"What a magnificent specimen! Surely it must be the oldest tree in the world!"

An Irishman who was with the party cried out: "Now, faith, how could that be?" and burst out into laughter. "Sure any one knows this is a new country, and how the mischief could that tree be ould?"

* * * * *

A LIGHT BREEZE.

During one of the recent windy days in New York a discussion arose between some gentlemen at dinner about the velocity of wind. Each related a boastful story of his own experiences. One of the party, a hardy Westerner, said he was once riding in a train through Kansas.

"There was what is called out there 'a light breeze' blowing. I had occasion to look out of the window, and the moment I put my head out off went my hat."

"What did you do?" asked one of the party.

"Well, gentlemen, several people told me not to worry, that the breeze was strong enough to take it there. I sort of wondered what they meant, but that hat was handed to me by the station-agent at our next stop, about forty miles from where it blew out of the window. We came along pretty fast, too--I guess about fifty miles an hour. But then eighty miles an hour for wind is called 'a light breeze' in that country, and the hat went by the eighty-mile route."

* * * * *

A HARD MACHINE TO RIDE.

"Papa, what is a bicycle, anyhow?" asked Jack.

"Why, it's a two-wheeled vehicle, the wheels being placed tandem. The word is derived from _bi_, meaning two, and _cyclus_, a wheel. If it had one wheel it would be a unicycle."

"I've ridden a unicycle many a time."

"You? Where?"

"In the garden--in the wheelbarrow."

* * * * *

A SMALL BOY'S NOTION.

"Oh, mamma," said little Willie, as he made his first close inspection of a bicycle, "this machine has got rubbers on to keep its wheels from getting wet!"

* * * * *

An Irishman and a Yankee were playing the forfeit game of Questions.

"How does the little ground-squirrel dig his hole and show no dirt at the entrance?" asked the Irishman.

"Give it up," said the Yankee at last.

"Sure, you see, he begins at the other end of the hole," declared Pat triumphantly.

"But how does he get there?" queried the Yankee.

"Oh, that's your question; answer it yourself," said Pat.

* * * * *

A BRAVE OFFICER'S ANSWER.

During Napoleon's campaign in Russia a young officer was very successful in defeating, with a handful of men, a large body of Cossacks who had been skirmishing along the line for some days, doing considerable damage. The officer risked his life in a daring deed of bravery, and Napoleon, hearing of it, sent for him and praised him.

"Sire," said the officer, "I am happy for your praise, but the Cross of the Legion of Honor would make me happier."

"But you are very young," said Napoleon.

"Sire," answered the brave officer, "we do not live long in your regiments."

End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Round Table, April 7, 1896, by Various