club, a limited space could be given each week to the printing of the
requests. The print exchange would enable one to make a fine collection
of views, and the members would receive many helpful suggestions from
seeing the work of other amateurs. The addresses and wants would be
published in the Camera Club Department of the ROUND TABLE, but the
correspondence would of course be carried on by mail, and not through
the Camera Club.
Some of our amateurs have been abroad, and have made fine negatives of
foreign scenes: the stay-at-home amateurs might, through the print
exchange, be able to obtain some of these pictures. Amateurs who make a
specialty of some particular subject or branch of photography might add
to their collection, and in many ways the exchange would be a source of
pleasure and profit.
The plan of exchanging prints is not a new one to our amateurs, for
several of the prize-winners in our photographic contest exchanged
prints of the prize pictures.
In making exchanges it is better to send unmounted prints, as the
pictures can then be mounted on cards of uniform size, or placed in an
album.
[Illustration: STAMPS]
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.
It is now reported that instead of 200,000 sets (except the 5c.) Nova
Scotia cents issue, there were 200,000 stamps only, divided as follows:
1c. 52,000
2c. 54,000
8-1/2c. 54,000
10c. 28,000
12-1/2c. 12,000
The price paid was about $10,000, and the entire quantity of stamps has
been divided into 2000 lots, each containing the same number of stamps,
and the price was fixed at $6 per lot. Stanley Gibbons, of London, the
English agent, stated in a letter that 80 sets would cost $500, and that
single sets would retail at $6. In Stanley Gibbons's paper announcing
prices of the Nova Scotia sets, advertisements of other dealers appeared
offering sets at $2.40 to $3.60. Harry Hilckes, of London, states that
sets have been offered to him at 62c. per set. The difference between $6
and 62c. per set is simply ridiculous. Collectors should not pay fancy
prices for stamps which are common.
The French government announces the early withdrawal of the 75-centime
adhesive stamp, the 5c. and 60c. envelopes, and the 3c. newspaper
wrapper.
The new Japanese stamps which were to be issued in Japan on September
12, 1896, were received on letters in London on September 5.
The S.S.S.S. adds the following to its list of speculative stamps the
collection of which should be discouraged:
Uruguay (Suarez memorial), 1c. black and violet; 5c. black and blue;
10c. black and red. Venezuela (Miranda), 5c., 10c., 25c., and 50c., and
1c. Bolivar.
The desire to differentiate minute varieties on the part of advanced
collectors gives point to a story which is going the rounds of the
philatelic press. A certain dealer secured a lot of U.S. stamps with
original gum, etc. Some were older than other copies of the same issue,
others were a little "off," still others had had the gum soaked off,
etc. He began marking them "uncancelled"; a better copy became "unused,"
a still better one "original gum"; then advancing, "old original gum,"
"older original gum," "very old original gum"; and still there were a
few which seemed to him should be classed by themselves, so after much
thought they were labelled "pre-historic gum."
MCHENRY COAL.--The 1827 dime can be bought for 20c.
W. G. CRAWFORD.--I do not understand your inquiry regarding
postal-cards. There is a "Postal-Card Society" in existence which
is quite active, but stamp-collectors, as a rule, confine
themselves to adhesive stamps. In many instances, however, cut
square envelopes are added. Entire envelopes of the U.S. are coming
into favor gradually.
W. T. HOLDEN, 36 Marcy Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y., wishes to exchange
stamps. I believe dealers are eligible to membership in the
Dorchester Stamp Exchange. I do not know the New York Stamp
Exchange. All the philatelic societies in New York have exchange
circuits of their own, confined to their own membership. Dealers
are not eligible to membership in "The Philatelic Society, New
York"; but members who afterward become dealers can continue their
membership if they wish.
H. O. KOERPER.--The 1839 dime is offered by dealers at 20c. each;
the 3c. piece in fair condition from 10c. to 20c. each. Worn copies
of either are worth face only. U.S. fractional currency which is
not fresh and clean is worth face only.
L. V. GREEN.--Continental, Colonial, and Confederate paper money is
extremely plentiful. With a few exceptions, dealers do not care to
buy, except in large quantities. One house held Confederate money
in _bales_, and sold it by the pound. The copies mentioned by you
have no money value.
T. A. B. OSAGE.--No illustration of the St. Louis stamp appeared in
No. 871 HARPER'S ROUND TABLE, page 875. It was illustrated in No.
826 (August 26, 1895). You say you have a copy of the 5c. St.
Louis, and ask its value. It is impossible to express any opinion
as to the value of a rare stamp until after examination. I am
always glad to oblige a subscriber to the ROUND TABLE, but I cannot
be responsible for the loss of stamps in transit. If you wish me to
examine it I will do so, provided it be sent by express prepaid.
When returned, it would be sent express at your expense. In the
case of less valuable stamps, they can be sent by registered mail,
and an addressed envelope stamped for return in the same way should
be enclosed with the stamps. If stamps are sent in the regular
mail, they will be returned the same way, provided an addressed and
stamped envelope be enclosed.
MARY WILLIS.--French assignats are worthless. The French government
made thousands of millions, which gradually sunk in value from par
with gold to absolutely nothing within four years. The same was
true of Colonial and Continental currency in this country, with the
solitary exception of Vermont Colonials, which were redeemed at
par.
G. T. T.--Your 1853 quarter is the common variety, worth face only.
PHILATUS.
* * * * *
YOUNG MOTHERS
should early learn the necessity of keeping on hand a supply of Gail
Borden Eagle Brand Condensed Milk for nursing babies as well as for
general cooking. It has stood the test for 30 years, and its value is
recognized.--[_Adv._]
ADVERTISEMENTS.
[Illustration]
W. G. BAKER
..Pays You..
Well to Introduce
Teas, Spices and Baking Powder.
JUST go among your friends and sell a mixed order amounting in total to
50 lbs. for a Waltham Gold Watch and Chain or a Decorated Dinner Set; 25
lbs. for a Solid Silver Watch and Chain; 10 lbs. for a Solid Gold Ring;
175 lbs. for a Lady's High-Grade Bicycle; or sell 75 lbs. for a Boy's
Bicycle; 100 lbs. for a Girl's Bicycle; 200 lbs. for a Gentleman's
High-Grade Bicycle; 30 lbs. for a Fairy Tricycle.
Express or freight paid if cash is sent with order. Send address on
postal for Catalogue. Order-sheet and particulars.
W. G. BAKER (Dept. I), Springfield, Mass.
WALTER BAKER CO., LIMITED.
Established Dorchester, Mass., 1780.
Breakfast Cocoa
[Illustration]
Always ask for Walter Baker & Co.'s
Breakfast Cocoa
Made at
DORCHESTER, MASS.
It bears their Trade Mark
"La Belle Chocolatiere" on every can.
Beware of Imitations.
Postage Stamps, &c.
[Illustration: STAMPS]
100 all dif., & fine =STAMP ALBUM=, only 10c.; 200, all dif., Hayti,
Hawaii, etc., only 50c. Agents wanted at 50 per cent. com. List FREE!
=C. A. Stegmann=, 5941 Cote Brilliant Ave., St. Louis, Mo.
STAMPS
=10= stamps and large list =FREE!=
L. DOVER & CO., 1469 Hodiamont, St. Louis. Mo.
STAMPS on Approval! 50% disct. _List free._
W. C. Shields, 30 Sorauren Ave., Toronto, Canada.
[Illustration: THOMPSON'S EYE WATER]
[Illustration: Commit to Memory]
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.
[Illustration: Clear, Sharp, Definite,]
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
[Illustration: Old and New Songs]
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
[Illustration: Table of Contents,]
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.
The Importance of Care.
Not infrequently has the Table urged upon its readers the desirability
of good penmanship and careful selection of words in letter-writing.
Here are three stories, all vouched for as true, which emphasize the
points anew:
A Cincinnati grocer's house found that cranberries had risen to $6 per
bushel. The purchasing clerk immediately sent this note by the firm's
teamster, "One hundred bushels per Simmons." (Simmons was the driver's
name.) The well-meaning correspondent thought the scrawl read, "One
hundred bushels persimmons," and boys were straightway set to work, for
persimmons were plentiful. The wagon made its appearance next day loaded
down with eighty bushels. The remaining twenty bushels were to follow
next day, and when the correspondent found out his mistake he angrily
demanded why the order did not read _by_ Simmons?
A New England clergyman wrote a letter to the General Court. The clerk
came to a sentence which he read, "I address you not as magistrates, but
as Indian devils." The Court was wroth until the "Indian devils" were
found to be "individuals."
An English gentleman, in writing to a Lincolnshire friend, mentioned the
latter's kindness to him, and said he should soon send him a suitable
"equivalent." The friend read the word "elephant," and immediately built
a handsome barn for the reception of his elephantine majesty. But much
to his surprise a barrel of oysters was the "equivalent."
* * * * *
Minimized Writing.
Mention was made in the Table, not long since, of the microscopic ring
presented to Queen Elizabeth, consisting of a silver penny on which
Bales "put more things than would fill several duodecimo pages." For a
long time, Pliny's remark that Cicero had once seen Homer's Iliad in a
nutshell was considered an exaggeration, at least. But an old French
writer named Huet proves the statement to be true. A sheet of sheep-skin
10x8 can be neatly folded up so as to fit the shell of a large walnut.
In its breadth the strip will contain one line of thirty verses, and in
its length, 250 lines. Each side of the page would, then, contain 7500
verses, or the whole of the Iliad! Huet proved this fact in the presence
of the Dauphin, using a sheet of paper and a crow-quill pen.
In the library of St. John's College, Oxford, is a head of Charles I.
made up of minute lines of script which at a little distance resemble
common engraving lines. The lines of the head and ruff form the Psalms,
the Creed, and the Lord's Prayer. There is a portrait of Queen Anne in
the British Museum "not much above the size of the hand." This drawing,
too, is made up of microscopic lines and scratches which form the
contents of an entire folio!
Elizabeth's silver penny ring was surpassed by the farthing of Peter
Almunus, an Italian monk. On the coin were engrossed the Acts of the
Apostles and the Gospel according to St. John. Another example of
microscopic writing was presented to Elizabeth in the shape of a piece
of parchment the size of a finger, containing the Decalogue, the Creed,
the Lord's Prayer, the name of the giver, and the date. A pair of
spectacles accompanied this Lilliputian manuscript.
Ælian tells us of an artist who wrote a "distich in letters of gold,
which he enclosed in the rind of a grain of corn," while Menage writes
of microscopic sentences, pictures, and portraits. He mentions reading
an Italian poem in praise of the Princess, "written by an officer in the
space of a foot and a half."
With Pope we would say:
"Why has not man a microscopic eye?
For this plain reason--man is not a fly."
MAURICE MAXWELL.
* * * * *
A Story about Holland's Young Queen.
Queen Wilhelmina, of Holland, who once applied for membership in the
Order of the Round Table, and purchased a set of Columbian stamps
through the Editor of the Round Table Stamp Department, has become
betrothed to her second cousin, although yet in her early teens. When
the German Emperor paid a visit to The Hague, in 1893, the Queen desired
to be present at the banquet given in his honor. This, of course, was
out of the question. To all the pleadings of her daughter the Queen
Regent turned a deaf ear. "You are too young and must go to bed." As,
however, the child Queen persisted in her demands, there remained for
the Regent but one alternative--to herself conduct the young lady to her
bedroom. This she did, but not without one final energetic protest from
the disappointed Queen. "I will go to the balcony and tell the Dutch
people how you abuse their Queen."
Of course the young lady did nothing of the kind, but sobbed herself to
sleep instead, and next day dutifully begged her mother's pardon.
* * * * *
Kinks.
No. 41.--A PROSE CHARADE.
I am a combination of the animal and vegetable kingdom, generally made
by boys, and carried in their pockets. Part of me once belonged to a
two-legged farm animal, and helped to do what Maxim, Langley, and
Lielenthal have as yet failed in. The next important part grew in the
forest and was shaped by a jack-knife. The third and last part grew in
the ground. Many a fly has met death at my hands, but my chief merit is
noise. What am I?
* * * * *
No. 42.--POLITICAL QUESTIONS.
1. What legislature is known as the "House of Keys"?
2. What early American hero boasted of having killed, while in Austria,
thirty men merely to prove to a party of ladies that he was brave?
3. Who burned up the "copy" of the first _Congressional Record_?
4. Who made the principal address at Gettysburg, now forgotten, on the
day that Lincoln made his famous impromptu one?
* * * * *
No. 43.--A STAR.
[Illustration]
1 to 2, part of a woman's cap; 1 to 3, an explosion of thunder; 4 to 5,
a soothing ointment; 4 to 3, a soft mass; 5 to 2, a wooden mallet.
B.
* * * * *
NO. 44.--SINGLE ACROSTIC.
The following words, all the same length, give for their initials, when,
read downward, the full name of a President of the United States: To
attempt; firmness; something that comes to us all; to answer; to
succeed; value; to varnish; keen; to dance; dexterity; to toil; to
command; a recess in a wall.
F. X. M.
* * * * *
No. 45.--NUMERICAL ENIGMA.
I am composed of three words and nineteen letters.
1. My 11, 6, 3, 19, 5, is to mount.
2. My 10, 11, 12, 18, is a low place between hills.
3. My 13, 11, 10, 12, 5, is a dipper with a handle.
4. My 19, 1, 2, 4, 18, is to clear up.
5. My 14, 15, 17, 8, is the dearest place on earth.
6. My 7, 3, 18, 13, 10, to sway.
* * * * *
Answers to Kinks.
No 37.
2803 miles--found by taking all the letters in the lines that are
employed in the Roman notation, setting down their common value in
figures, and adding all together. Count i as figure 1.
* * * * *
No. 38.
R
W A R
W A V E S
R A V A G E S
R E G E T
S E T
S
* * * * *
No. 39.--Niagara.
* * * * *
No. 40.
1.--1. Baret. 2. Abode. 3. Rosin. 4. Edict. 5. Tents.
2.--1. Prong. 2. Racer. 3. Ochre. 4. Nerve. 5. Green.
3.--1. Sharp. 2. Honor. 3. Angle. 4. Rolls. 5. Press.
* * * * *
A Clever Chapter Memorial.
The prettiest memorial that we have ever seen of any Round Table Chapter
comes to us from the Kearsarge Chapter, of Hudson, N. Y. It is a small
volume, bound in white cloth, neatly printed, and containing about half
a hundred pages. This Chapter has fourteen members and has had two jolly
and profitable years. Its clever editors, Messrs. L. G. Price, M. A.
Jones, Paul Rowley, C. S. Keating, and S. J. Salls, dedicate their neat
book to the Chapter--and its friends. They explain the objects of the
Order, and define a Knight: "A nineteenth century relic of the past,
distinguished for his chivalry, honor, and appetite"--the Kearsarge
variety, we presume. In some cyclopædic information it defines _gavel_:
"Something the Chapter needs, but hasn't got;
Different from gabble, which it has, but needeth not."
There is a witty salutatory, a list of the officers and members, minutes
of the year, done in college class-day oratory style, football, skating,
bicycling, tennis, and debating records, and a skit in one act, "Tales
of a Soda-Water Fountain," which is clever in composition and
exceedingly droll. Here is the Chapter yell:
Hobble, gobble! Razzle, dazzle! Sis! Boom! Ah! Kearsarge Chapter, Rah!
Rah! Rah!
Ten pages of advertising help out the "Business Manager's Cinch." The
editors hope it will be "a credit to the Chapter." It is indeed. No
mention is made of price, but we presume other Chapters can buy copies.
The treasurer is Allen Rossman, Hudson.
* * * * *
Proposed International Club.
Efforts are being made to form a Correspondence Chapter, its members to
be Ladies, and those whose homes are widely scattered, in order that
they may describe each other's homes, and have those descriptions of
interest. Three members interested in it are: Donna Vittoria Colonna,
Colonna Palace, Rome, Italy; Miss Isma Fincham, Roydon, Queenstown,
South Africa; and Miss Florence E. Cowan, Kingman, Arizona. The
last-named desires to hear from Miss Marie Ojetti, Rome, Italy, from the
members in Australia and New Zealand, and all others, fourteen to
eighteen years of age, who may wish to join.
* * * * *
Questions and Answers.
Robert Burdette Dale asks about the Panama Canal. The projector of it
was M. Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who success fully financed and
constructed the Suez Canal. For his Panama venture he obtained vast sums
from the French middle classes. The United States consul at Colon
reported, about one year ago, that $400,000,000 had been spent upon the
canal, but that comparatively little progress had been made toward
completion. Yet he said in the same report that $100,000,000 would
complete it. The discrepancy is due to the cause you mention--profligacy
in the management thus far.
Charges of fraud were made in France, and the last days of the great
engineer were embittered by the wreck of his hopes and of many poor
French families. Direct fraud was not, we believe, traced to M.
Ferdinand, but rather he was the victim of over-confidence and of
unscrupulous men. At present about 1000 men are employed on the canal,
chiefly to protect machinery and work already done. The Nicaragua Canal
is to be 170 miles long, and its estimated cost $100,000,000. Its survey
crosses no rivers; but were a canal to do so, it would, if on the same
level, let the river run into the canal and act as a water-feeder. If
not on a level, either the river or the canal would be crossed by an
aqueduct. Mountains are tunnelled, or the route laid out around them.
Don Rathburn, write to Hon. George D. Perkins, Sioux City, your member
of Congress, who will give you full particulars about entering
Annapolis. At least he can tell you if there be a vacancy from your
district. Only one person at a time may be at Annapolis from one
district. Hence, ordinarily, one is appointed every four years. If, in
this busy political season, Mr. Perkins does not reply promptly, write
to Hon. Hilary A. Herbert, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Elizabeth Barber, 126 Court Street, Oshkosh, Wis., wants numbers 783 and
787 HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE. These issues are out of the publisher's
stock. If any reader has them and is willing to sell them, Miss Barber
will pay both price and postage. Thomas Skelley will do the same to get
numbers 787, 792, and 796, and Nicholas J. Healy, 203 West Street, New
York city, to get number 821. The last named is informed that he can get
number 833 by applying to the publishers. These numbers are wanted to
complete volumes for binding. Ralph B. Hughes, Richmond, Mo., a member
of our Order, says: "I am much interested in the collection of the
colloquial songs of this country, and would be very glad to receive a
copy of the words of any of these songs from any of the readers of the
ROUND TABLE. I want plantation songs, negro and steamboat deck hands'
songs, sailors' and soldiers' songs. Any one who will send me these
songs will confer a favor, which I would be glad to repay in any way
that I can. I have a small collection of these songs, many of which are
very interesting, and I would like to enlarge it."
"Fortunatus" can find, probably, no place where "fine needle-work may be
readily sold at a good price." The reason is an over-supply. She can try
two ways to earn money with her needle. One is to secure the names of
well-to-do women and write them personal letters, mentioning the wares
for sale, and asking if they may be sent for inspection. A few
replies--perhaps ten out of fifty letters--will be received, and it is
safe, as a rule, to send the article on approval, with stamp for its
return. If any be lost, charge it to profit and loss, which is in every
business. The other is to place the work on sale at exchanges, which are
found in all cities. To reach them, address "Woman's Exchange." A small
commission is charged, and generally hints are given you about what
class of articles sell best.
* * * * *
Can You give these Directions?
Malcolm I. Davis asks how to make an Æolian-harp for his library window.
Some time ago we gave directions for such harp, but several who followed
them said their harps were capable of being improved--"might be better,"
one Connecticut member wrote. Will some one give us directions for
making a harp warranted to be the best.
[Illustration: IVORY SOAP]
'Tis wisest to economize
By blending, in the home supplies,
The highest worth and widest scope.
Now Ivory, being pure and good
For laundry, bath and toilet, would
Save fully half the bills for soap.
Copyright, 1896, by The Procter & Gamble Co., Cin'ti.
[Illustration: THOMPSON'S EYE WATER]
HARPER'S NEW CATALOGUE,
Thoroughly revised, classified, and indexed, will be sent by mail to any
address on receipt of ten cents.
_Just Published_
A PRIMER OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL
By W. H. LEWIS. Illustrated from Instantaneous Photographs and with
Diagrams. 16mo, Paper, 75 cents.
Mr. Lewis, an old Harvard football centre-rush, has put together in
this book the result of his experiences in practical football. The
work, therefore, is not so much a treatise on the game as a series
of practical suggestions, to be used by captains in teaching their
men and coaching their teams. The book is divided respectively into
the "individual" and "team" play. The part on the "individual"
discusses, first, the individual plays, such as passing, kicking,
running, falling on the ball, and so on, and then the work of the
individual players themselves. The second part discusses, first,
offensive and then defensive team play. It will be seen, therefore,
that the book is unique of its kind, and in its small compass will
be eminently suited for use from day to day in the field or during
the discussion after practice.
* * * * *
RECENT POPULAR BOOKS
* * * * *
WITH MY NEIGHBORS
By MARGARET E. SANGSTER. 16mo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.25.
Mrs. Sangster is a gentle mentor, and while she preaches with great
earnestness, it is the sweet womanliness that shines through all
she says that attracts and holds the reader.... "With My Neighbors"
is wholesome and sweet.... A little book that fulfils an admirable
mission.--_Chicago Evening Post._
THE OLD INFANT, AND SIMILAR STORIES
By WILL CARLETON. Post 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.25.