for bicycling, and it deserves to be given a place in this Department
simply on account of its asphalt streets, to say nothing of its
importance as the capital. In the better parts of the city, towards the
west and the north, almost every street is asphalted, and where asphalt
is not used, macadam or some smooth block pavement of one kind or
another is. But through the whole city most of the streets are rideable,
and it would therefore be absurd to give here any directions for getting
about from one part of Washington to another. Certain things there are,
however, which should be said regarding Washington. There is a good deal
of riding of late in the parks and grounds about the Smithsonian, and it
should be remembered that these park roads are kept in the best
condition, as are all the avenues that run up to the Capitol. These are
so wide that one need not fear crowding from carriages, as is the case
in most cities, Baltimore especially. New York is, of course, almost
impassable, except above Fourteenth Street, but the magnificent avenues
of Washington are a joy to the wheelman. The District of Columbia is,
indeed, filled with many good roads, and there are consequently several
trips well worth taking in the vicinity of the city. It will be
impossible for us to go into these trips, giving maps, since we must
begin in the Chicago wheelman's vicinity, as was promised some time ago.
An opportunity is now given to explain a little more fully why the
longest bicycle route from Philadelphia to Washington was given in these
columns. It has already been said that the reason was because the road
was better and less hilly. It is naturally taken for granted that any
one riding a bicycle from Philadelphia to Washington is in no great
hurry. If he were, he would possibly think of the railway. Consequently,
unless the time occupied on the journey is a wager (in which case the
wager might just as well be laid over the long route), the wheelman is
probably out for pleasure. And one of the greatest pleasure creators, so
to speak, in the bicyclist's world is a good road. Hence, if you are
going by bicycle from Philadelphia to Washington, you will do well to go
the route given during the last six weeks. The trouble comes between
Philadelphia and Baltimore. Of course there are other routes, and they
are shorter. For example, one route runs from Philadelphia, through
Darby, Moore's, Chester Station, Linwood, Practical Farmer, Wilmington
Court-House (Delaware), Middleton, Warwick, Cecilton, Frederictown,
Galena, Locust Grove, Hainesville, Fairlee, Tolchester Beach (Maryland),
and thence to Baltimore by boat. This is a 92-mile trip as compared with
our 160-mile trip, or at least 68 miles shorter; but from Chester
Station on the road is apt to be bad. Another route is from
Philadelphia, through Moore's Station, Chester, Linwood, Practical
Farmer, Wilmington (Delaware), Hare's Corner, Glasgow, Elkton
(Maryland), Northeast, Perryville, and on direct to Baltimore, crossing
at Havre de Grace. Much of this road is sandy, and between Elkton and
Perryville it is usually easier to walk the whole 15 miles. The distance
is, all told, 105 miles, though any one who had done it once would
choose the 160 miles by the other route the next time.
On the above map the black streets are asphalt or macadam.
NOTE.--Map of New York city asphalted streets in No. 809. Map of
route from New York to Tarrytown in No. 810. New York to Stamford,
Connecticut, in No. 811. New York to Staten Island in No. 812. New
Jersey from Hoboken to Pine Brook in No. 813. Brooklyn in No. 814.
Brooklyn to Babylon in No. 815. Brooklyn to Northport in No. 816.
Tarrytown to Poughkeepsie in No. 817. Poughkeepsie to Hudson in No.
818. Hudson to Albany in No. 819. Tottenville to Trenton in No.
820. Trenton to Philadelphia in No. 821. Philadelphia in No. 822.
Philadelphia-Wissahickon Route in No. 823. Philadelphia to West
Chester in No. 824. Philadelphia to Atlantic City--First Stage in
No. 825; Second Stage in No. 826. Philadelphia to Vineland--First
Stage in No. 827; Second Stage in No. 828. New York to
Boston--Second Stage in No. 829; Third Stage in No. 830; Fourth
Stage in No. 831; Fifth Stage in No. 832, Sixth Stage in No. 833.
Boston to Concord in No. 834. Boston in No. 835. Boston to
Gloucester in No. 836. Boston to Newburyport in No. 837. Boston to
New Bedford in No. 838. Boston to South Framingham in No. 839.
Boston to Nahant in No. 840. Boston to Lowell in No. 841. Boston to
Nantasket Beach in No. 842. Boston Circuit Ride in No. 843.
Philadelphia to Washington--First Stage in No. 844; Second Stage in
No. 845; Third Stage in No. 846; Fourth Stage in No. 847; Fifth
Stage in No. 848.
* * * * *
Getting Ready for a "Backward Dance."
In the "Questions and Answers" column a Lady asks how to get ready
for a "backward dance." Comb your hair over your face, but do not
put it in a knot. Put a false face on the back of your head and try
to get as queer clothes as you can. Wear very large shoes, so that
when you walk they will clatter. In the dance you walk frontward,
but you look as if you were walking backward. You should wear also
a very large hat with lots of feathers and ribbons bobbing about on
it.
AMY DU PUY.
ALLEGHENY, PA.
[Illustration: THE CAMERA CLUB]
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.
PREPARATION OF TINTED SENSITIVE PAPERS.
NO. 1.--HOW TO MAKE RED PRINTS.
Learning how to prepare sensitive papers is one of the most interesting
of photographic processes, and an art that is quite easily mastered.
While for general work the brown or black tones are more desirable,
still for decorative work the tinted papers are very effective, and in
these papers some simple directions on the preparation of tinted papers
will be given.
A few general hints, which will not be repeated in the other papers, are
as follows:
1. See that all dishes and utensils used in the preparing of solutions
are perfectly clean. The traces of chemicals used in some other process
left in the dishes will sometimes spoil the entire solution.
2. Follow the directions exactly. In the preparation of sensitizing
solutions one must be careful to put in the amount given, and no more.
3. In handling chemicals care must be taken not to get any on the hands
if one has a wound or sore. Some chemicals are very poisonous, and some
are quite harmless, but by using rubber finger-tips one will not only
avoid all danger of blood-poisoning, but will keep the fingers free from
stains.
With the salts of uranium one may obtain several colors by treating the
prints with different solutions in developing. To make red prints, take
suitable photographic paper--which may be found at any dealer in
photographic goods all ready for sensitizing--and sensitize it as
follows:
Make a solution of 96 grs. of nitrate of uranium and 4 oz. of distilled
water. Put in a flat tray, and float the paper on this solution for
twenty seconds; drain, and dry it in a dark room. If the paper is dried
by artificial heat it is much more sensitive to the light. As soon as
the paper is thoroughly dry, cut it in sheets a suitable size for
printing, and wrap first in post-office paper, and then in black
needle-paper, and lay away in a drawer or covered box till wanted.
To print, place in the printing-frame and expose to the light. If the
negative is thin, three minutes in bright sunlight will be sufficient,
or one hour in the shade or on a dull day. If a strong negative is used,
expose for ten minutes to bright sunlight, or two hours in the shade.
Negatives vary in the time required to print from them, and the printing
may be judged by the time which it takes to print with other papers, and
gauged accordingly.
Have ready a solution of red prussiate of potash, made with 80 grs. of
red prussiate of potash and 8 oz. of distilled water. As soon as the
print is removed from the printing-frame wash it for twenty-five or
thirty seconds in hot water (120° Fahr.), then place it face up in a
toning-tray and flood it with the potash solution. Keep the tray in
motion so that all parts of the paper may be affected equally. In a few
moments the picture will begin to appear, and will develop into a
beautiful blood-red color. As soon as the right tone has been reached
and the detail is well out, remove from the solution, and wash in
several changes of water till no trace of coloring matter shows in the
water. Pin the print by the corners to a flat board, and set the board
in an upright position till the prints are dry. These pictures may be
applied to glass by optical contact, as described in No. 788.
One of these colored prints makes an attractive decoration for the cover
of a collection of photographs. Make the cover of heavy water-color or
picture-mat paper; cut a square in the upper right-hand corner, and
place the picture back of the opening. Letter the cover in red, and tie
with red ribbon or heavy red silk cord.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
Unanimous
Choice
The New York Morning Journal recently offered ten leading makes of
bicycles as prizes in a guessing contest, giving the winners free choice
of any one of the ten machines. The result was ALL of the ten winners
selected
Columbia
Bicycles
[Illustration]
The Journal accordingly bought ten Columbias, paying $100 each for them,
without discount or rebate. On even terms few will choose a bicycle
other than the Columbia
STANDARD OF THE WORLD
Unequalled, Unapproached.
Beautiful Art Catalogue of Columbia and Hartford Bicycles is free if you
call upon any Columbia agent; by mail from us for two 2-cent stamps.
POPE MANUFACTURING CO.
Factories and General Offices, Hartford, Conn.
Branch Stores and Agencies in almost every city and town. If Columbias
are not properly represented in your vicinity let us know.
[Illustration: HARTFORD Single Tube Tires]
Two years ago 80 per cent. of bicycle tires were double tube. But we
were making Single-Tubes. Experts soon found out how good they were.
To-day 80 per cent. of bicycle tires are Single-Tubes. Best of
all--easiest of all to repair--are Hartford Single-Tube Tires.
The Standard Tires
You can have them on any bicycle if you ask.
* * * * *
The Hartford Rubber Works Co.
HARTFORD, CONN.
Branches--100 Chambers Street, New York.
335 Wabash Avenue, Chicago.
18-24 Main Street, San Francisco.
Postage Stamps, &c.
JAPANESE POSTAGE STAMPS.
Every one who sends me 100 good stamps of his land will receive 100
stamps, in 20 varieties, from Japan.
K. TODA,
BINGO MITSUNOSHO--JAPAN.
FREE!
Send 10c. to pay the postage, and I will send you a 225-page catalogue
with illustrations of every stamp, FREE. 100 varieties foreign stamps,
5c.; 200 varieties foreign stamps, 25c.; 12 varieties Japan, Spain, and
Portugal, 2c.; 400 varieties foreign stamps, $1.25; 500 varieties,
$1.75; 750 varieties, $4.50; 1000 varieties, $6.50. Approval sheets for
good references.
RICHARD R. BROWN--KEYPORT, N. J.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
100 all dif. Venezuela, Bolivia, etc., only 10c.; 200 all dif. Hayti,
Hawaii, etc., only 50c. Ag'ts w't'd at 50% com. List FREE! =C. A.
Stegmann=, 5941 Cote Brilliante Ave., St. Louis, Mo
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.
10 Stamps
free to every applicant for our app'l sheets at 50% disct. Franklin
Stamp Co., 74 Fayette St., Allegheny, Pa.
310
foreign Bolivia, etc., 10c.; 100 different China, etc., 10c. Finest
approval sheet, at 50%. Agents wanted. Large price-list, free. SHAW
STAMP CO., Jackson, Mich.
10 different unused Venezuela, post free, 12c. Fine stamps on approval
at 50% com. =H. Stonebraker & Co.=, 1921 Eutaw Place, Baltimore, Md.
CONFEDERATE STAMPS (fac-simile), 100 all dif., 12c. S. ALLAN TAYLOR, 24
Congress St., Boston.
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.
STAMPS ON APPROVAL. Ag'ts w't'd. Big com. T. J. MANNING, Norwich, N. Y.
[Illustration: Thompson's Eye Water]
Prize Poems by Order Members.
The Table offered three prizes of $5, $4, and $3 respectively for the
best original poems written by persons who had not passed their
eighteenth birthday. They were limited to five stanzas in length. Here
is the first-prize one, written by Clara Louise Angel, aged fifteen, of
New York City.
OCTOBER.
Ho for October! he's coming! he's coming!
Swallows fly southward, the bees cease their humming.
Leaves red and yellow, air soft and mellow,
Herald this very old, merry old fellow.
Say you he's sober? Nay, not October,
Gay as Aurora, first glimpse of the morn;
Ho for the apple bees! Ho for the evening glees!
Ho for the husking of ripe yellow corn!
Down by the river's flow softly the zephyrs blow,
Brightly above smiles the radiant sky;
Dreamy the morning haze, beauty meets every gaze.
Sweet songs of joy on the breezes float by.
Up on the mountain's crest light fleecy cloudlets rest.
Gorgeous the forests with crimson and gold,
Squirrels hop all about sorting ripe chestnuts out,
Hide them in coverts they never have told.
Dear old October, how gladly we greet him,
Bringing the autumn days full of good cheer,
Stories at eventide all round the fireside;
Ho for the merriest month of the year!
CLARA LOUISE ANGEL, R.T.L.
Oddly, the winner of the second prize lives also in New York city. His
name is Simon T. Stern, aged sixteen.
THE LITTLE BLIND GIRL.
There's a winsome little maid,
For her age quite prim and staid--
Yet _so_ kind;
But this bonnie lassie bright
Has ne'er seen the golden light--
For she's blind.
Hers in a pleasant oval face,
Full of sweetness, full of grace,
And no care;
Two blue eyes look up at me,
It is not that they can see--
Only stare.
"What if I have no sight,
And see not a ray of light,"
So says she;
"God has given me a mind,
In a thousand ways been kind
To poor me.
"With the dearest happy home,
Through which I delight to roam,
Am I blest;
Have I not a father bold,
And a mother I can fold
To my breast?"
So this bonnie lassie brave
Does not sigh at what He gave,
Nor lament;
If to murmur you're inclined.
Take this lesson from the blind:
Be content.
SIMON THEODORE STERN, R.T.K.
The third prize goes to Detroit, Michigan, the winner being Carrie R.
Schrop, aged twelve.
TWO SHOULDERS AT THE WHEEL.
Should you meet a troubled brother,
Then a kindred spirit feel.
Heavy burdens might be lifted
With two shoulders at the wheel.
Let him know you take an interest;
'Twill not take him long to see
Whether you're a true well-wisher,
Or a shamming Pharisee.
And the time may not be distant
When you'll lack both strength and zeal,--
When perhaps you will be grateful
For one extra at the wheel.
Do not turn your back upon him,
Do not coolly walk away,
Just because you think you're made of
Some superior kind of clay.
When you come to think about it.--
And sometimes we mortals must,--
There is nothing very striking
In the finest kind of dust.
More than that! We cannot claim it;
'Tis but lent to us on trust!
And pray what is there to boast of
In ashes, clay, _or_ dust?
CARRIE R. SCHROP, R.T.L.
Poems deserving special commendation are: "The Harvest-Time," by Ethel
Marjorie Knapp, of Virginia, aged twelve; "The Valkyries," by Virginia
Berkley Bowie, of Maryland, aged fifteen; "Skating," by Leslie D.
Reeves, of Pennsylvania, aged seventeen; "An Appeal to Apollo," by
Sanford M. Salyer, New York; "Ike," by Lottie Hay Meredith, of Illinois;
and "Pleading," by Ida Lee Sharp, of Maryland.
* * * * *
Prize for New Puzzle Idea.
The Table is constantly in search of new ideas in puzzles. To stimulate
this search it offered $5 for one new idea.
We received a great number of suggestions, of course. Many of them came
from persons who had not read the Table, for the ideas were old, not
new. The very best idea to reach us came from Sir Knight John R.
Moreland, who is a Virginian. It was in a puzzle, and here it is:
A man was asked which is the most unlucky day of the year, and replied:
If you multiply the date when fans were first used in England (1) by the
number of letters in the name of a celebrated painter who died in 1483
(2), and add to the product the date when Jerusalem was destroyed by
Titus (3), subtract from this sum the date when Moscow was founded (4),
multiply this by the numeral part of a bird's name (5), divide this by
the number of American Presidents that have been assassinated (6), from
this subtract the date when Canute invaded England (7), and the date
when barometers were invented (8), add the number of letters in the name
of the man who invented spectacles (9), divide this by the number of men
who captured André (10), add the number of words in the two shortest
verses in the Bible (11), add the number of letters in the name of the
first inventor of the thermometer (12), subtract the number of letters
in Charles VII.'s nickname (13), subtract the number of ships in the
Spanish Armada (14), add the number of signatures to the Declaration of
Independence (15), subtract the number of letters in Louis Philippe's
nickname (16), add the number of letters in the name of the president of
the first Continental Congress (17), subtract the number of letters in
the right name of "The Swamp Fox" (18), divide the number of letters in
the last name of the Puritan who, when his right hand was cut off by the
order of Queen Elizabeth waved his hat in his left hand and said, "Long
live Queen Elizabeth" (19), subtract the number of letters in the name
of the Massachusetts girl who fought in the Revolutionary war (20), add
the number of letters in the right name of "Max O'Rell" (21), subtract
the number of letters in the name of a river in Utah, who from the sound
of his name you would think he would be in a warmer region (22),
subtract the number of letters in the right name of "The Melancholy
Dane" (23), subtract the date of Cleopatra's death (24), and last,
subtract the number of letters in William IV.'s nickname (25), you find
the day and date you ask for.
The Table awards the $5 prize to Sir John. Who can find the correct day
(of the week) and date (of the month)? The second-best suggestion--we
offered no second prize--came from Miss M. B. Banks, a Patron, who lives
in New Jersey. It is a puzzle story, but not wholly new in idea. The
answer to this prize puzzle will be given in two weeks.
* * * * *
The League of Junior Patrons and Patronesses of the Messiah Home.
_Dear Editor of_ HARPER'S ROUND TABLE:
Do you think the ROUND TABLE readers would like to know how I, a
little boy only seven years and nine months old, became an editor,
like you, of a children's magazine? Mrs. Champney told me that
seven years ago some very little girls made some pin-balls and
paper dolls and had a fair. Many grown-up people came to it,
because they thought it strange that little girls should have such
a fair. With this money the children decided that they would form a
home for poor little children, and their mothers should be
managers. The mothers didn't like this plan at first, but
afterwards they gave in, and the Messiah Home was founded, and has
been helped by children ever since.
Last spring the League of Junior Patrons and Patronesses was
formed. We voted that we would publish a paper, all by ourselves,
to help the home. We elected a staff of editors, and I am one. So is
Karl Dodge and Gilbert White and some other boys and girls. We want
all the boys and girls who take HARPER'S ROUND TABLE to join our
league, and to write articles and draw pictures for our paper. We
offer thirteen prizes. The editor of HARPER'S ROUND TABLE is going
to be one of the judges. If any one will write to Mrs. J. W.
Champney, 96 Fifth Avenue, New York, she will send a little
pamphlet which will tell all about it. Any one can send their
contributions to her or to me.
GILBERT E. JONES,
Editor Junior League.
222 MADISON AVENUE, NEW YORK CITY, N. Y.
* * * * *
A Picture in a Word.
WHAT IS IT?
War, carnage, and sacrilege; priests and friars preaching in city
streets or by country road-sides to thronging crowds; thousands of
travellers of all ages starting on a long and toilsome journey, many of
them dying from its hardships ere they reach their destination; costly
ships, loaded with soldiers and passengers; kings leaving their thrones
and peasants their hovels, all impelled by the same motive; great armies
going into battle bearing the cross on their shoulders; money and blood
poured out like water for years to win from infidel hands a place dearer
than life.
Answer.--Saunter, from Santa Terræ, the Holy Land.
[Illustration: THE PUDDING STICK]
This Department is conducted in the interest of Girls and Young
Women, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the
subject so far as possible. Correspondents should address Editor.
I wish I could gather my whole company of girl friends about me to-day,
and see their faces, and bear their replies by look and word as I talk
with them. These are talks with my own girls, and I follow the paper
with very loving and wistful thoughts as it goes on its way to them,
wondering and hoping a great deal about them, hoping that they are
making the best possible use of life. There is something splendid in
being young and a girl, with the bright years before her, each fairer
and fuller than its predecessor. If I could give the girls my eyes to
look through, what visions they would see! If they could dream as I do
for them, what pleasures they would have when the dreams came true!
I have been thinking lately about our habits of speech. What do we talk
of when we are with our friends? What is our rule so far as speaking of
others is concerned? Are we of the number who refuse to set unkind
gossip going, and of whom it may be said, in the beautiful words of the
Bible, "On her tongue is the law of kindness?"
To decide never to allude to our neighbors and their affairs in our
every-day talk would be silly as well as impossible. Neighbors and
friends are part of the outside family which composes the community, and
a community is made up of all the families who reside within its
boundaries. We are interested, or we ought to be, in whatever happens to
our friends and townspeople, both of good and of evil fortune. If Mrs.
Brown's house burns down, we are most happy to invite Mrs. Brown and
Sally Brown and the little Browns to come and stay with us until their
arrangements can be made for living in another home. If Louis Larcome
takes the Latin prize at college, or Alfred Cocks is selected as captain
of the Freshmen crew, or Margaret Lane's essay receives honorable
mention, or Nelly Parsons writes a book, we are, of course, sharers in
the pleasure of the Larcoms, the Cockses, the Lanes, and the Parsons.
And on the other hand, if there is illness at the Jenkinses, or Polly
Marten falls from her wheel and hurts her knee, or the dear baby dies at
the Whitfords, we are saddened with these who are sorrowful. It is quite
right to take, and it would be most selfish and shocking not to take, a
real interest in our friends and their concerns.
The wrong and the mean thing is to tell little trivialities which are
personal affairs, as if they had to do with society. To observe that
Martha Newcome is so stingy that she wears her old cloak when the whole
town knows she could afford another, but won't do it; that Elias Judson
makes his boys get up in the morning and work in the field without their
breakfast; that the people over the way spend their whole time going
about, and goodness knows they cannot find time to mend their children's
stockings, etc. These are the stupid things some absurd people talk
about. Pray, my dear girls, set your faces against this, and never take
part in it. Never say that Eleanor is proud, or Edith is vain, or Marie
has no taste, or Lulu has the temper of a wasp, or Charley's word is not
to be depended on. When you cannot honestly utter a kind word, then be
silent.