summer riding and winter riding. It is often the case that a bicyclist,
or any human being for that matter, has better muscles than he has heart
and lungs. Perhaps he never finds this out until he takes some exercise
like bicycling, which stimulates his heart beyond its power. Then he
discovers that he can ride a certain distance, and of a sudden, though
perfectly free from any weariness, he is obliged to stop because he
cannot breathe, or because he has a pain in his chest. He is surprised,
and cannot understand it until his physician tells him he must not ride
so fast or so far at any one time. These little irregularities come out
more prominently in the cold air of winter-time than in the summer
months. Furthermore, a young man who is blessed with a weak throat will
catch cold by riding fast against a head wind in winter, where in summer
he would never notice that his breathing had anything to do with
bicycling. One should always remember, therefore, that in cold winter
air, especially against the wind, speed is to be given up. In fact, it
is wise to put on a thick woollen or silk handkerchief, spread across
the whole chest under waistcoat or jacket like a fencer's shield. If
this is done, many an unexplained cold may be avoided. Never stop in
winter to rest. If you want rest, go into a house and take off some
clothing, or keep walking after you dismount. A little thought in time
saves much trouble and anxiety.
[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.
Somebody asks me to talk about economy--a bright little somebody who has
spent all her savings on the holidays, and now regretfully looks at the
empty satin-lined box in her bureau drawer, where usually she keeps her
funds. Never mind, girlie, your allowance is paid you every month, and
if you are a little bit self-denying, a wee bit careful, the box will
presently be comfortably full once more.
We are apt to think of economy as scrimping and hoarding, and to speak
of the economical person as if she were not generous and open-handed,
but, instead, were close, and what the Scotch call "near." This is all
wrong, a misunderstanding of the word, which is really a beautiful old
picture-word, which came to us from the Greeks, and which means
management. The economical girl is a good manager, and the good manager
makes the most of whatever she has in her hands. A poor economist is
cramped and worried even when she has a large income; a good economist
has a margin, though her allowance happen to be small.
Speaking of margins, the late Prince Albert is always quoted as a man of
singular good sense and sweetness of character. In writing to his
daughter, then a young girl, now the Dowager Empress of Germany, mother
of the reigning Kaiser, the wise father gave this advice: "Never spend
all you have. Keep a margin for expenses which may be unforeseen."
This is a very safe rule for every one--always to reserve at least a
little, a thing which can be done if we are very decided about the
trifles. It is usually the little expenses, a few cents here, a few
cents there, which make the big holes in a girl's income.
I do not think that boys are more saving than girls, though there is an
opinion to that effect among some people. The fact is that such
qualities as economy and prudence are not affairs of sex. They do not
belong especially to boys or especially to girls, but depend on
training, on conscience, and on disposition.
You ought to have a talk with mamma, and know precisely how much your
allowance is meant to cover. Are you expected to buy your own gloves,
your handkerchiefs, ties, ribbons, and the small odds and ends of your
toilette? Then do you pay your car fares and daily expenses from this
sum? And do your church and Sunday-school money, and your little
charities, come out of this too? Be sure to have a clear understanding
on the whole subject.
Having found out all about it, keep an account of what you receive and
what you spend. A little book, with a pencil attached by a string, will
be the greatest convenience here, and you can set down every day what
you pay out for this or the other thing, and balance the sum at the end
of the week. A girl who keeps her accounts with care need never be
worried about money. It is not honest to spend what you do not possess.
And it is very stupid to be a poor manager.
[Illustration: Signature]
[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.
Sixteen Years' Subscriber asks where or how one could learn to use a
kodak. Full directions for using a kodak accompany the camera; but if
one has a friend who uses a camera, it would take but a little time for
him to show him how to manipulate the instrument. The making of a good
picture is only the result of experience and experiments. After spoiling
two dozen plates one generally learns what the camera will and will not
do. Directions for developing, etc., are given in the Camera Club
Department. "Papers for Beginners" will be found very helpful.
J. C. P. R. says he made some paper according to formula given for plain
paper, but in a day or two it had discolored so as to be unfit for use.
He says he dried the paper by a gentle heat, wrapped it in brown paper,
and put it in a tin box. If there was only a slight discoloration the
paper would make good prints which would give clear whites when printed,
toned, and washed. A yellowish brown tint does not affect the printing
qualities of the paper. The paper gives best results if it can be used
the day it is made. If made at night, it should be used the next day.
Three days is the longest it can be warranted to keep.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
The
Columbia
Bicycle
Pad Calendar
For 1896
[Illustration]
YOU NEED IT.
A Desk Calendar is a necessity--most convenient kind of storehouse for
memoranda. The Columbia Desk Calendar is brightest and handsomest of
all--full of dainty pen sketches and entertaining thoughts on outdoor
exercise and sport. Occasionally reminds you of the superb quality of
Columbia Bicycles and of your need of one. You won't object to that, of
course. The Calendar will be mailed for five 2-cent stamps.
Address Calendar Department,
POPE MANUFACTURING CO.,
HARTFORD, CONN.
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.
HOOPING
COUGH
CROUP
_Can be cured_
by using
ROCHE'S HERBAL
EMBROCATION
The celebrated and effectual English cure, without internal medicine.
W. EDWARD & SON,
Props., London, Eng. Wholesale,
E. FOUGERA & CO., New York
Postage Stamps, &c.
[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.
[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
FOREIGN STAMPS
ON APPROVAL.
Agents wanted at 50% com. Lists free.
CHAS. B. RAUB, New London, Conn.
500
Mixed Australian, etc., 10c.; =105 varieties=, and nice album, 10c.; 15
unused, 10c.; 10 Africa, 10c.; 15 Asia, 10c. F. P. Vincent, Chatham,
N.Y.
FINE PACKETS in large variety. Stamps at 50% com. Col's bought.
Northwestern Stamp Co., Freeport, Ill.
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. Approval sheets. Agents wanted; 50% com.
G. D. Holt & Co., 155 Pulaski St., Brooklyn, N. Y.
CARDS
The FINEST SAMPLE BOOK of Gold Beveled Edge, Hidden Name, Silk Fringe,
Envelope and Calling Cards ever offered for a 2 cent stamp. These are
GENUINE CARDS, NOT TRASH. UNION CARD CO., COLUMBUS, OHIO.
[Illustration]
Harper's Catalogue,
Thoroughly revised, classified, and indexed, will be sent by mail to any
address on receipt of ten cents.
A Great American Bell.
To Cincinnati belongs the honor of casting one of the largest of
the world's bells. Its weight is about fifteen tons; diameter of
rim, nine feet; circumference, nearly thirty feet; diameter of
crown, five feet; height, seven feet. Six hundred and forty pounds
is the weight of the clapper, and fifteen feet the diameter of the
bell's wheel. The bell will be swung on a yoke, to which five
silver plates will be attached bearing the history of the bell,
together with that of the persons whose medallions adorn it. Among
the latter is Joseph O. Buddeke, who bequeathed the sum of $10,000,
two-thirds of the cost of this giant bell.
Four designs ornament the bell's outer surface. They are in low
Gothic relief. The low Gothic was used because high-relief
ornaments are more apt to be broken in the casting, thus marring
the tone of a bell. Immediately above the thickest portion of the
bell is the Lord's prayer in Latin, inscribed in Gothic characters
over half a foot in height. Around the crown are placed the
phrases:
"Laudo Deum verum, plebem voco, congrego clerum,
Funera prango, fungere frango, sublata pango."
Of these, the latter phrase was the inscription commonly placed on
church bells during the Middle Ages. It was usually accompanied by
the phrase:
"Excito lentos, dissipo ventos, paco cruentos."
Originally, as will be borne out by their translation, these quaint
expressions arose from the belief in the charm of a church bell's
sound. Note the different occasions on which bells were, and are to
some extent to-day, pealed--at sun down, at bed-time, at a wedding,
and at funerals. Of the designs on the bell one is civic, the other
ecclesiastical. Above the civic design an American eagle is
perched. Below the eagle are the seals of the United States, of
Ohio, and of Cincinnati. Around this design are grouped medallions
of the donor of the bell and those of the members of his family.
Two flags are draped on either side.
On the other side of the bell is the ecclesiastical design. Its
parts are arranged similarly to those of the civic design. In place
of the eagle there is the Pope's tiara. Under it in order are the
medallion of Leo XIII., his seal, and the medallion of Archbishop
Elder, the head of the diocese of Cincinnati. The Elder medallion,
occupying the central position of this design, is flanked on either
side by medallions of Bishop Purcell, Cincinnati's first bishop,
and Archbishop Fenwick. The bell is formed of an alloy of copper
and tin, in the proportion of seventy-eight to twenty-two. This is
given by modern experts as the best proportions of the two metals
that can be used in the composition of bell-metal. No silver is
used in the alloy; for that, contrary to popular belief, injures
the tone of a bell when mixed with the copper and tin.
When finished, the bell will be exhibited, and then hung in the
belfry of St. Francis de Sales church. There it is to be one of a
peal of twenty-five. The other bells of this peal are yet to be
cast. How far our bell will compare in size with the other great
bells of the world can be gleaned from the following:
The largest bell ever cast is the great bell of Moscow, now used as
the dome of an underground chapel. Its height is nearly 22 feet,
and its weight, 193 tons. The next in size is also a Moscowan
affair weighing 80 tons. China has a great bell weighing, it is
claimed, 60 tons. There is a bell in the cathedral at Montreal
weighing 13-1/2 tons. Other famous bells are, "The Great Peter,"
cast at York, 1843, weighing 10-3/4 tons; "Great Tom," at Lincoln,
5-1/2 tons; and the great bell of St. Paul's, 5-1/10 tons.
SIMON THEODORE STERN.
NEW YORK CITY.
* * * * *
The Ancients not so Slow.
I saw in the Table that query from a New York Knight about what the
ancients believed concerning the roundness of the world. The error
of thinking that the roundness is a modern discovery is common. The
word _polus_ is derived from the Greek [Greek: phalas], which means
an axis. From this we see that the old Roman philosophers did
believe that the world was round. Again, if this Knight had read
carefully the First Book of the Aeneid, he would have noticed line
233, which reads,
"Cunctus of Italiam terrarum clauditur orbis."
If the Greeks and Romans did not know that the world was round, how
can we account for the expression _orbis terrarum_ which means "the
_circle_ of the earth," or simply "the world." Once more, in 46
B.C., Julius Cæsar, who was not only a warrior, but also a profound
scholar, divided the year into twelve lunar months. To do this he
must have been cognizant of the fact that the world is round.
Virgil uses the word _polus_ only as a metonymy for _coelum_,
which means heaven, or the sky in general. The primitive use of the
word may be found in the writings of Ovid and Pliny.
HERBERT A. GIBBONS.
PHILADELPHIA.
* * * * *
The helping hand.
The energetic Robert Louis Stevenson Chapter, of Cincinnati, which has
already done its full share in helping the School Fund, sends us the
following, which we print with pleasure.
A LETTER FOR EVERY MEMBER.
Shall the Round Table fail in building its School?
Yes, if we do not make some effort.
No, if we follow the plan of this letter.
We have undertaken to build this school and have practically
pledged our word to do so, and now are we to fail? You have it in
your power to answer no. We have named our Chapters after great
men, promising them to make these Chapters an honor to their names.
Are we to make these men regret they have Chapters named for them?
One of the Round Table editors recently said that if each Knight
and Lady gave 5 cents (only 5 cents), the School Fund would be
complete. This is the plan:
Below you will find a Good Will square. Fill it out and send 5
cents to the Fund. Let every one of the 25,000 Knights and Ladies
respond to this and we will have our school. Fill out the "square"
and send it as soon as you read this. Do not wait for others to
contribute. Do not make us ashamed of the Round Table. Every member
of our Chapter feels his honor and that of the Round Table at
stake, and in this letter exhorts you as fellow-members to help.
Let us make this a grand rally and not a last weak effort of fifty
or sixty members to save the day.
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON CHAPTER.
CINCINNATI.
GOOD WILL MITE
HARPER'S ROUND TABLE
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FUND
_Amount_, $........................
...................................
_Contributor._
_This money is contributed, not because it is asked for, but because I
want to give it._
* * * * *
If you use this Good Will Mite, simply pin it to your letter, in order
that it may be detached for filing. If the amount is given by more than
one contributor, add blanks for their names, but attach the added sheet
firmly to the Mite, that it may not become detached and lost. Include a
given name in each case, and write plainly, to avoid errors on the Honor
Roll.
* * * * *
Word-Hunt Contests.
Very great interest was taken in our "word" contests. We offered $50 in
money to those who could find the most words in Webster and Worcester
that might be made from the letters composing the words "Harper's New
Monthly"; and the same sum, to persons under eighteen, who did the same
with the letters composing the words "Harper's' Round Table." In both
cases the money was to be divided, $25 to first, $10 to second, $5 to
third, and $1 each to the next ten.
Over eleven thousand persons took part in these contests. We had certain
rules, but answers received were entered in the competitions whether
contestants conformed to the rules or not. None were excluded. Where
rules were not followed words were cut out, all contestants being
treated precisely the same. Some of our rules were unknown to a few
contestants, but no one suffered on that account. The winners are those
who exercised the most diligence.
Some contestants counted in a most extraordinary fashion, hundreds
claiming in their totals from two to five times as many words as they
really had. Others included plurals, when plurals were forbidden, and
many did not number their words. Contestants who sent lists longer than
the winning ones are assured that their lists, when subjected to our
uniform and fair conditions, fell to much smaller proportions than when
they left their hands.
It is an odd circumstance that almost all of the Junior winners live in
Pennsylvania. But they resided in widely separated towns, and did not
work together. The first Junior prize, of $25, was won by John A.
Contant, Titusville, Pa., whose list contains 4585 words. The other
winners are: Second prize, $10, M. W. Morton, Wingham, Canada, 4484
words; third prize, $5, Chauncey Shackford Curtis, Pittsburg, Pa., 4340
words; and the next ten, $1 each, James Norman McLeod, Scranton, Pa.;
Willard O. Carpenter, Troy, N. Y.; George Conradson, Brooklyn, N. Y.;
Hannah Adair, Fort Stevens--will she please give the State?--E. Lawrence
Conwell, Upland, Pa.; Glen Skinner, Oak Valley, Kansas; Julia Ann Stiff,
Maybrook, Va.; Henry O. Evans, Jun., who gives no address; Clarence
Lessels, Troy, N. Y.; and Clayton Dovey, Latrobe, Pa. All of these ten
had correct lists exceeding 4000 words.
Winners in the Senior contest were more widely distributed in the matter
of residence. The sender of the longest list of words was Mrs. John D.
Strange, Birmingham, Ala. Her list contained 4629 words, and she is
awarded the first prize of $25. The second prize-winner of $10 is Miss
Helen T. Littlefield, Avon, Mass., 4516 words; the third prize, $5, Miss
Jessie V. Shover, Baltimore, Md., 4463 words; and the next ten, $1 each,
were Miss Alice M. Chase, Dorchester, Mass.; Mrs. Agnes R. Conwell,
Chester, Pa.; Miss Bertha Fuller, Somerville, Mass.; Miss Mary E.
Roebuck, Upland, Pa.; Miss Lavilla Humason, Portland, Ore.; Miss Rose
Wood, South Los Angeles, Cal.; Mrs. Edward G. Spencer, Penacook, N. H.;
Miss Mary E. Chamberlain, Hudson, Mass.; Misses Irene and Ethel Bogert,
Bayonne, N. J.; and Miss Mary Littlejohn, Fort Worth, Texas. All of the
Senior winners had above 3800 words.
The prizes have been forwarded to reach winners at about the same time
as this announcement of awards. While we congratulate the winners, we
bid the losers to be of good cheer. It was a spirited contest, in which
winners well earned their rewards.
* * * * *
Quite.
Here is an interesting question for ROUND TABLE readers. Take this
sentence to your Latin teacher and ask him to translate it:
"Mater mea sus mala est."
He will probably make it, "My mother is a bad pig," or something
equally nonsensical. But this is quite another story, "Hasten,
mother, the pig is eating the apples!" Rather surprising, isn't
it?
UPTON B. SINCLAIR, JUN., R.T.F.
* * * * *
Questions and Answers.
Frances de Berard, Coulter, Colo., has specimens of jasper, agate, and
white topaz, and wants tin ore, copper, amethyst, gold, or silver ores.
A member asks what chemicals are put in batteries that run electric
lights. These lights are not run by batteries, but by dynamos. Emma
Jennette Pratt asks if any belong to the Order who also belong to the
Society of Friends (Quakers). We think so, though we cannot say so
certainly. Lady Emma's address is 135 Algoma Street, Oshkosh, Wis., and
she wants to hear from the secretary of any Chapter that wants a
corresponding member. George Jillard, 92 Thompson Street, Poughkeepsie,
N. Y., asks if some Knight living in the South will send him, now or
whenever possible, a few cotton bolls as they come from the plant. He
will remit postage. Sybel N. Stone, Selak, Colo., is interested in
petrified wood and agate specimens, and wants to hear from you. She
lives in a region where these are to be obtained.
[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.
How to find the water-mark on stamps?
First, hold it to the light; if the water-mark is well made it can be
fairly well seen. Second, lay the stamp face downward on a piece of
black goods or a dark japanned surface; then hold it at various angles,
in direct light, cross light, near the eye, at arm's-length, etc. It is
wonderful how elusive a water-mark can be, and after an expert has shown
it to you it seems to stand out so plainly that you wonder how you could
have missed it. If not yet successful, then, third, soak the stamp in
water, and then try the second method again. As some stamps are printed
in fugitive colors (Russia, U.S. due stamps, etc.), they should not be
soaked in water. The dealers usually have a bottle of pure benzine, or
alcohol nearly pure. In these liquids they plunge the finest stamps,
even if unused and with original gum; the effect is about the same as if
soaked in water, and neither gum nor colors are affected.
Have you heard of the "Stamp Hospital," where damaged stamps are made to
_look_ as good as new? No stamp which has gone through the hospital is
worth more than a fraction of the value of a perfect stamp, but it is
worth two or three times as much as in its original damaged state. The
doctor in charge of the stamp hospital is a clever German living in
Berlin, who is a thorough philatelist, artist, and mechanic combined.
One of the Round Table readers had a very rare stamp catalogued at $350
to $500 if in perfect condition. This stamp was sold to a dealer in New
York city for $100. A large piece had been torn off the right-hand side
of the stamp, and the corners were uneven. The dealer sent it to the
hospital in Germany, where it was put under a course of treatment, and
returned to him with a bill of $10 for repairs. Although the stamp was
printed on very thin paper, the doctor had pasted on a piece of similar
paper, and then painted the missing part in the exact color. When held
up to the light no joint could be seen, and the whole appearance was
that of a perfect copy, beautifully centred, wide margins, etc. The
dealer has since sold the copy at a fair advance. Of course water must
not touch the stamp; even a drop might loosen the patched up portion;
but the collector who now has it in his album will watch it carefully
and keep it from danger.
J. BALL.--The stamps of Afghanistan were cancelled by tearing out a
piece. Used copies not torn are extremely scarce.
HANCOCK.--Send me a "rubbing" of the coin.
R. C. WILSON.--English coins are not collected in this country. If
the date is undecipherable, even a rare coin would have little
value. The two U.S. coins have no premium value.
F. W. DOBBS.--Dealers ask $1.50 each for U. S. gold dollars of the
common dates, and from $2 to $3 for those coined in the later
years. The cents named are worth from 5c. to 50c., according to
condition.
A. MEIENBORN.--We do not buy or sell stamps.
PHILATUS.
[Illustration: Ivory Soap]
High priced toilet soaps cost more than the ivory, not because the soap
itself is any better, but by reason of the expensive wrappings, boxes
and perfume. Then the profit on toilet soaps is much greater.
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE CO., CIN'TI.
An important
trifle -- The
DELONG Patent
Hook and Eye
and trifles make
perfection.
See that
hump?
[Illustration]
Richardson
& DeLong Bros.,
Philadelphia.
BREAKFAST--SUPPER.
EPPS'S
GRATEFUL--COMFORTING.
COCOA
BOILING WATER OR MILK.
[Illustration]
PRINTING OUTFIT 10c.
Sets any name in one minute; prints 500 cards an hour. YOU can make
money with it. A font of pretty type, also Indelible Ink, Type, Holder,
Pads and Tweezers. Best Linen Marker; worth $1.00. Sample mailed FREE
for 10c. stamps for postage on outfit and large catalogue of 1000
Bargains. Same outfit with figures 15c. Larger outfit for printing two
lines 25c. post-paid. Ingersoll & Bro. 65 Cortlandt St., N. Y. City
PLAYS
Dialogues, Speakers, for School, Club and Parlor. Catalogue free.
T. S. Denison, Publisher, Chicago, Ill.
CARDS
FOR 1896. 50 Sample Styles AND LIST OF 400 PREMIUM ARTICLES FREE.
HAVERFIELD PUB. CO., Cadiz, Ohio.
[Illustration]
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
* * * * *
"HARPER'S ROUND TABLE" FOR 1895
Vol. XVI. With 1096 Pages, and about 750 Illustrations, 4to, Cloth,
Ornamental, $3.50.
A LIFE OF CHRIST FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
In Questions and Answers. By MARY HASTINGS FOOTE. Post 8vo, Cloth,
$1.25.
OAKLEIGH
A Story for Girls. By ELLEN DOUGLAS DELAND. Illustrated. Post 8vo,
Cloth, Ornamental, $1.25.
By KIRK MUNROE
=Snow-Shoes and Sledges=, a Sequel to "The Fur-Seal's Tooth." Illustrated.
Post 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.25.
_BY THE SAME AUTHOR:_
THE FUR-SEAL'S TOOTH.--RAFTMATES.--CANOEMATES.--CAMPMATES.--DORYMATES.
Each one volume. Illustrated. Post 8vo, Cloth, $1.25.
WAKULLA.--THE FLAMINGO FEATHER.--DERRICK STERLING.--CHRYSTAL, JACK &
CO., and DELTA BIXBY. Illustrated. Square 16mo, Cloth, $1.00 each.
By MRS. SANGSTER
=Little Knights and Ladies.= Verses for Young People. By MARGARET E.
SANGSTER, Author of "On the Road Home," etc. Illustrated. 16mo, Cloth,
Ornamental, $1.25.
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.
* * * * *
HARPER & BROTHERS, Publishers, New York
[Illustration]
BOBBIE'S DECLAMATION.