RECORDING THERMOMETER.--This is a very interesting little machine,
especially so at this time of year when the temperature is a constant
subject for thought.
[Illustration: Thermometer]
It is a recording thermometer, and consists of a thermometer and a
recording disk. By means of cleverly arranged mechanism the rise and
fall of the mercury is used as the motor power, and registers the
changes in temperature on an indicator card. Other simple mechanism
works a rotary drum by which this indicator card is carried.
[Illustration: Pencil Sharpener]
PENCIL SHARPENER.--This is another helpful little contrivance, a pencil
sharpener. There are already numberless things of the kind, some of
which answer for a time, some not at all, and all being made for the
purpose of sharpening the pencil to a kind of regulation point. For my
own part I have always preferred a good sharp knife, or the simple
reason that I could then make exactly the kind of point suited to the
work to be done. The purpose of the new pencil sharpener is evidently
the same. This contrivance is a small and handy block for holding the
pencil in position for the knife, and has a cutting guide which will be
a joy to people who are awkward in using the knife.
COLORED PHOTOGRAPHY.--The State Department has received a specimen from
Paris of Mr. Villedieu Chassaigne's work in colored photography.
The claim made by Mr. Chassaigne is that he can photograph objects in
their exact colors.
The coloring process is applied after the picture has been developed and
the print made.
A colorless liquid is then applied to the print, and after that it is
washed again in blue, green, and red liquids. After each application the
print is wiped dry. The various parts of the picture choose their
original colors, and the result is an exact representation of the object
photographed.
Several pictures have been brought over by Mr. Anthony, of New York.
Among them were several portraits in which the flesh tints and the
colors of the clothing were beautifully rendered. A view of the _Jardin
d'Acclimatation_ in Paris showed a group of storks, the red coloring of
their legs and beaks being distinctly visible.
The liquids which produce these results are to be put on the market on
July 1st.
It is but fair to say that there are some doubts as to the success of
this process.
A Chassaigne photograph was sent to the State Department, which persons
who have seen it claim is a very crude affair, and cannot be pronounced
a success, as it only resembles a very poorly tinted photograph.
These persons declare that the Chassaigne photographs are not nearly as
fine as those of Kurz, of New York. These latter are obtained by making
three negatives of a subject--one which photographs only the yellows,
one the reds, and the third the blues in a picture.
By carefully printing the three negatives, one on the top of the other,
excellent colored pictures can be produced.
KITCHEN CABINET.--A new cabinet for the kitchen has been designed which
is a very handy thing for use.
It is arranged to contain all the sugars and spices and various nice
things that are required in cooking.
On one side is a large receptacle for coffee, with a mill fixed half-way
down, so the coffee is not only stored, but is always ready for
grinding.
On the other side is another bin for flour, which is provided with a
sifter.
By turning a handle the flour falls to the drawer at the bottom, sifted
and ready for use.
There are handy drawers for sugars and tea, and at the bottom a large
place for bread.
A clock is fixed into the top of the cabinet, and completes the very
useful little case.