corresponding Chapter, or some society of young naturalists. He also
wants the pupa of the cicada and the shell it leaves on the trunk of
trees. He has beetles, and wants correspondents among members of the
Order interested in natural history.
* * * * *
A Modern Curfew.
The saying about history repeating itself has an example in the modern
curfew, which is in legal effect in about two hundred cities in this
country. Many years ago, in English towns, a bell was rung every night
at a certain hour, and after that hour people found on the streets were
liable to be caught, tried, and punished. This old law applied to grown
folks, but the modern curfew law applies to children only, and is
designed to keep boys off the streets. It is said to be in successful
effect in Omaha, Nebraska; St. Joseph and Kansas City, Missouri. Besides
these large cities, eight or ten smaller cities in New Jersey, Ohio, and
Michigan contemplate enacting the law, and there is to be a movement
made this winter to get it passed in New York city. Will members living
in any city in which it is in effect tell the Table about it? Tell us
just what the ordinance says, and how it works in practice.
* * * * *
To Amateur Journalists.
William F. Tillson, 149 North Street, Springfield, Massachusetts, is
interested in music and dramatics, and wants correspondents. He wants to
receive amateur papers from publishers as samples. So does Ethel S.
Deane, Dean, Ohio.
* * * * *
Will do for Next Summer.
Please give me plan and measurements of a single tennis-court, and
tell me how it may be made a double court.
WILL KELSEY.
BARABOO.
Choose the place for your net so as to give an equal space behind each
base-line. Measure 36 feet, and put in a peg at either end, with the
tape-line fastened to it. Take 39 feet on one measure, and 53 feet 3/4
inch on the other. Where they cross is one corner. Mark off 21 feet from
the net from one end of the service-line. Transpose the measures and do
the same thing, and you have half the court. Carry the measures to the
other side of the court, and repeat the operation. The central-line runs
from the middle of each service-line. The inner side-lines run from
base-line to base-line 4 feet 6 inches inside of the side-lines. If you
are marking out a double court only, do not carry the inner side-lines
beyond the service-lines. Make a mark inside the middle of the base-line
to show where the server may stand. The diagonal of a single court is
about 47 feet 5 inches. If possible, have the court run north and south.
* * * * *
The New Mint Building.
The old United States Mint, for so many years in the crowded and
expensive neighborhood on Chestnut Street in this city, is to be
torn down and removed to Spring Garden and Sixteenth streets, about
one mile north of its present location. Strong efforts were made to
get the Mint removed to Washington when it was found necessary to
build a new one. Even Chicago and New York tried to get it away
from here. But five years ago a whole square was purchased for its
site, and Philadelphia breathed easier.
The new Mint will have a main entrance on Spring Garden Street. It
will be in the form of a hollow square, giving a court-yard open to
the sky. It is to have a terrace balustrade constructed of granite.
Above it the material will be marble. The style is severely plain
classic, and the design as shown on paper is far from pleasing. In
the plan is provided a spacious room for the coin museum, which
many readers have doubtless seen in the old building. It is by far
the finest collection of old coins in the world, outside of the
British Museum. Work upon the new Mint building is expected to
begin next spring.
FRED B. BIDDLE.
PHILADELPHIA.
* * * * *
Answer to Convent Puzzle.
By looking at these four diagrams you will see the trick of the puzzle.
Fig. 1 shows the nuns on good behavior; Fig. 2, when four sisters have
escaped; Fig. 3, when they have returned with four friends; Fig. 4, when
four more outsiders have been admitted--presumably by a rope-ladder.
[Illustration: FIG. 1.]
[Illustration: FIG. 2.]
[Illustration: FIG. 3.]
[Illustration: FIG. 4.]
* * * * *
Queer Weather Signs.
Not long since a number of natural signs were given by which a
change in the weather could be easily told. Here are a few more:
When a strong hoar-frost is seen in winter, it will rain in two,
or, at most, three, days.
It commonly rains on a day when the sun appears red or pale; or the
next day when it sets in a cloud.
When the moon is pale, rain; when red, wind; when of a pure and
silver color, fair weather; according to the old verse,
_Pallida pluit, rubicunda flat, alba serenat._
When the sun appears double or treble through clouds, a storm of
long duration may be expected.
When a halo is seen around the moon, rain; around the sun during
bright weather, rain; around the sun during a rain, fine weather.
JEAN BONPÉRE.
* * * * *
Questions and Answers.
Helen L. Codey: The United States takes a census each decade--1880,
1890, 1900, etc. The first national census was made in 1790. No, it was
not that this government neglected it up till that date. It was not then
the custom of countries to take careful censuses. Some States take
censuses on the abstract decades, as 1885, 1895, 1905, etc. The figures
about shipping, the crops, railway earnings, etc., to which you refer,
are collected, for the most part, by a bureau of statistics, at
Washington, and published free for general use.
Fred B. Davies asks what is meant by an advertisement, which he encloses
to us, asking for bids in connection with the making of pennies, and he
inquires if the United States does not coin its own money. Yes, our
government coins its own money, and prints its own paper bills. But it
gets blanks for pennies and nickels made by private parties. The
advertisement enclosed specifies that "one-cent blanks must be properly
annealed, cleaned and milled, and ready for the press, composed of 95
per cent. of copper and 5 per cent. of zinc and tin, in equal
proportions." These blanks are made by private concerns, and then the
pennies are coined at the mint. The blanks cost the government 21.95
cents per pound, and there are approximately 146 pieces to the pound,
avoirdupois. Last year the mint at Philadelphia coined 46,168,422
pennies.--Foster W. Stearns, 269 Park Street, Newton, Mass., wants to
hear of some amateur journals whose editors desire contributions.--May
Inman Maguire, Hendersonville, N. C., expects soon to move to
Washington, D. C., and desires to hear from some Chapter or young
ladies' literary club in that city to which she may belong.--George E.
Purdy, Box 1228, New York city, will write a description of the New York
Stock or Produce Exchange to any member anywhere willing, in turn, to
write and send him a description of an interesting spot, feature,
industry, etc., in any other city.
"Page": You should apply at once to the member of Assembly from your
district if you would become a page in the Assembly-Chamber at Albany
this winter. But, to be frank with you, it must be said that, as a rule,
boys whose parents reside in Albany are almost always appointed. Boys
are required to be bright, well behaved, and strong enough to endure
several hours of hard work per day, with sometimes a night session
thrown in. The pay is $2 per day.
Frederic B. Schurman: Charity organization societies are not found in
cities as small as the one in which you live (Erie), for the reason that
the necessity for them does not exist. They are a banding together of
public and private charities for better administration and for the study
and cure of pauperism. It is an English idea. Organized charity was
undertaken in London in 1869, and in this country in 1877. The first
American society was organized in Buffalo, N. Y., and the organizer of
it was an Episcopal clergyman named Rev. Humphrey Gurteen. The second
American society was organized in Philadelphia in 1878, and that of New
York city four years later. There are now seventy-eight such societies.
[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.
The publishers of a paper in Boston, having occasion to send out many
thousands of their annual announcements, by a special arrangement with
the postmaster used 1c. stamps which had been cancelled in a press by
the entire sheet as follows:
[Illustration]
I understand that an employé of the P. O. inspects the affixing of
stamps thus cancelled.
This is a variety well worth collecting, but possibly the same plan may
become popular at other large post-offices, and it would be a little
difficult to determine the genuineness of many varieties.
Mr. John N. Luff read a paper on the early issues of Switzerland, at the
Collectors' Club, and illustrated the same by stereopticon views of the
stamps, counterfeits, cancellations, etc. Most of the unused stamps from
which the photographic slides were made came from Mr. H. J. Duveen's
wonderful collection of these rare stamps. This was one of the best
papers ever read before a philatelic audience, and the _first
stereopticon stamp lecture_ given in America.
People wonder at the high prices asked for old postage-stamps. The same
people probably wonder at the still higher prices asked for old books,
old armor, old pictures, etc. But the curious thing is that a man who
gives $5000 for a unique stamp is not thought to be quite as sane as the
man who gives $100,000 for an old master, or $50,000 for a rare orchid.
Still philately flourishes, and the press is educating the public.
I very much regret to announce the death, on Thanksgiving day, of the
_Daily Stamp Item_, at the age of one year. Begun as a joke, edited by
"the office cat," it has appeared day by day for a full year, always
bringing a little philatelic titbit, and sometimes containing as much
news as the average weekly or monthly stamp paper. The publishers
purpose to issue a special souvenir number during the holidays,
containing a review of the year's work, and also a complete list of the
subscribers, to each of whom a copy will be sent.
F. W. LERK.--The little true value of "Seebecks" was shown at a
late auction, where sets of these stamps were sold for $3, the
catalogue value of which was $28. If you are looking at collection
as a speculation, my advice is to buy high-priced stamps only, the
higher the better, as a rule; but if you are collecting for fun, go
in for everything in the countries you select, and you will have
much satisfaction, and not suffer any money loss should you wish to
sell your collection, provided you study your stamps carefully, get
and keep them in fine condition, and make up all the chief
varieties in shades, etc.
PHILATUS.
[Illustration: IVORY SOAP]
There is a "comfortable feeling" that comes after a bath with Ivory
Soap.
TH: PROCTER & GAMBLE CO., CIN'TI.
EARN A TRICYCLE.
[Illustration]
We wish to introduce our Teas. Sell 30 lbs. and we will give you a Fairy
Tricycle; sell 25 lbs. for a Solid Silver Watch and Chain; 50 lbs. for a
Gold Watch and Chain; 75 lbs. for a Bicycle; 10 lbs. for a Gold Ring.
Write for catalog and order sheet Dept. I
W. G. BAKER,
Springfield, Mass.
_X-RAY CAMERA._
[Illustration]
Roentgen and Edison out-done. The great up to date Sensation! Penetrates
any object inserted between its lenses, no matter how thick or dense.
You can see through a solid piece of iron or a part of your body, as
through a crystal; of all optical marvels ever discovered this is the
most wonderful. Two sets of compound lenses in handsome telescope case
3-1/2 in. long. Sells for 25c. Sample complete and mailed postpaid with
catalogue of 1000 Bargains for 15c. 2 for 25c. $1.25 Doz. AGENTS WANTED.
DON'T WAIT--DO IT NOW.
Robt. H. Ingersoll & Bro., Dept. No. 62, 65 Cortlandt St., N. Y.
Holiday Presents for Young People
* * * * *
"Harper's Round Table" for 1896
Volume XVII. With 1276 Pages, and about 1200 Illustrations. 4to, Cloth,
Ornamental, $3.50.
This unusually attractive volume contains three long serial stories
for boys; by James Barnes, Kirk Munroe, and Molly Elliot Seawell.
There are also many shorter stories by other popular writers.
Modern Outdoor Life is very fully treated, some one hundred and
fifty pages being devoted to subjects of that nature, and in
addition there is an important series of articles illustrated by
instantaneous photographs of the different athletic sports.
A few of the other features are the interesting papers by Mrs. Lew.
Wallace on The Tower of London, and the twelve articles by Mrs.
Emma J. Grey, on getting up entertainments for young people. Each
article describes amusements suitable for one month in the year.
Cyrus C. Adams contributes a series upon different interesting
subjects connected with recent African explorations.
Of the previous bound volume of HARPER'S ROUND TABLE, the _N. Y.
Sun_ said: "There is nothing, we imagine, that the young reader
would be likely to prize more."
A Virginia Cavalier
A Story of the Boyhood of George Washington. By MOLLY ELLIOT SEAWELL.
Illustrated. Post 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.50.
Rick Dale
A Story of the Northwest Coast. By KIRK MUNROE. Illustrated by W. A.
ROGERS. Post 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.25.
Naval Actions of the War of 1812
By JAMES BARNES. With 21 Full-page Illustrations by CARLTON T. CHAPMAN,
printed in color, and 12 Reproductions of Medals. 8vo, Cloth,
Ornamental, Deckel Edges and Gilt Top, $4.50.
The Ship's Company
And Other Sea People. By J. D. JERROLD KELLEY, Lieutenant-Commander,
U.S.N. Copiously Illustrated. 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $2.50.
The Dwarfs' Tailor
And Other Fairy Tales. Collected by ZOE DANA UNDERHILL. With 12
Illustrations. Post 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.75.
For King or Country
A Story of the American Revolution. By JAMES BARNES. Illustrated. Post
8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.50.
Tommy Toddles
By ALBERT LEE. Illustrated by PETER S. NEWELL. Square 16mo, Cloth,
Ornamental, $1.25.
Shakespeare the Boy
With Sketches of the Home and School Life, the Games and Sports, the
Manners, Customs, and Folk-lore of the Time. By WILLIAM J. ROLFE,
Litt.D., Editor of "Rolfe's English Classics," etc. Illustrated. Post
8vo, Cloth, $1.25.
* * * * *
HARPER & BROTHERS, Publishers, New York
[Illustration: "THE HUNTER'S STRATEGY."]
* * * * *
HARD WORK WILL TELL.
One often envies greatness, overlooking the hardships and struggles
passed through before the place of honor has been attained. When we read
of the lives of distinguished men in any department, we find them almost
always where they are through hard work. We hear constantly of the great
amount of labor they could perform. Demosthenes, Julius Cæsar, Henry IV.
of France, Sir Isaac Newton, Washington, Napoleon, and many others,
different as they were in their intellectual and moral qualities, were
all renowned as hard workers. We read how many days they could support
the fatigues of a march; how early they rose; how many hours they spent
in the field, the cabinet, in the court--in short, how hard they worked.
* * * * *
CEDRIC. "Are you going to hang up your stocking Christmas eve, Tommy?"
TOMMY. "No; I've got enough feet. I'm going to hang up my pocket."
* * * * *
He was a bright, dapper young lawyer, full of spirits, and possibly a
little too smart. For some time the judge of the district court had been
waiting an opportunity to suppress a trifle of this smartness, as it
became a bore when constantly opposed to his Honor's long experience.
The young lawyer jumped up to defend a case of stealing in which the
accused had retained him. Unfortunately he had failed to thoroughly
acquaint himself with the facts of the case, other than that his client
had been arrested for stealing.
"Your Honor," he cried, "I ask you does the prisoner look like a man
that would steal? Does he look like a man that would suffer his honesty
to be demeaned by appropriating another man's gold? No! a thousand times
No! He is a patriotic citizen of the country, one of the proud upholders
of our grand republic, and I say it is an outrage for the plaintiff to
accuse such a gentleman of theft. Think of his friends that will weep
over his disgrace undeservedly thrust upon him. Think of the blight upon
this man's existence. I say the accused is too manly, too generous, too
noble a specimen of hum--"
Smash! went the judge's gavel as he roared out, "Quit that! Young man,
this is a case of hog-stealing!"
* * * * *
He was a New-Yorker, and proud of his city, and although his Chicago
friend pointed out sight after sight, boasted of the city's fine
boulevards, and drove the New-Yorker over them, he failed to excite in
his guest more than a slight curiosity. Then he brought up the subject
of tall buildings.
"Chicago beats the world," he said. "Our tall buildings top anything
ever erected."
"Well, well," said the New-Yorker, "that's queer. Ever heard of that
building in New York that the clouds bump against? Never heard of it,
eh? I'll tell you something about it. When they put the last story on it
a workman fell off the top. Some time later I was passing along the
street below when a newsboy yelled: 'Extry. Full account of the
accident.' I bought a paper, and it described how the man toppled off
and all that. But what do you think? while I was reading it something
dropped with a crash. What was it? Why, the workman, of course! He'd
just reached the ground."
* * * * *
In a letter that recently reached this country, written by one of Queen
Victoria's soldiers, who was with his regiment marching against the
Dervishes in the Egyptian campaign, is a little amusing story of a
certain soldier who disliked the intense heat of the country, and sought
in every kind of way to obtain some excuse for quitting the service. It
seems he complained to the doctor of his eyes, claiming that he was so
nearsighted that he could not with safety fire off his gun for fear of
hitting a comrade instead of an enemy.
"Dear me," said the doctor, "that is a serious matter. Now tell me what
you mean by nearsighted."
"Well, sir," said the soldier, and he looked around thoughtfully as if
in search of some idea, "it is an example you want? Ah, I have one. Can
you see that pin lying in a corner over there?"
"Why, yes! And I should say it required excellent eye-sight to see it,
too," replied the doctor.
"Well, that's my trouble, sir; I can't see it."
The poor man is still wondering why he is not sent back to the home
station.
* * * * *
MY MISSION.
Upon creating noise I'm bent--
I never go to bed.
Although I'm dumb, I'm eloquent
When hit upon the head.
I'm listened to with ecstasy
Where'er I go or come;
I madly roll and roll in glee--
I'm Tommy's scarlet drum.
End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Round Table, December 15, 1896, by Various