library the copy of Dr. Holmes's poem which tells of the wonderful
"one-hoss shay," which suddenly went completely to pieces one day. What
has happened to a one-horse chaise might very easily happen to a
bicycle, particularly on a joggly hill. Nothing will loosen bolts and
screws more quickly than joggles, and if it should happen some morning
that while you were coasting down a hill full of thank-you-marms your
wheel should suddenly come apart in every bolt and bar, you would go
sailing through the air like a cannon-ball just from the cannon's mouth,
and alighting finally on the ground, while not at all difficult, might
prove painful. Be careful, then, to keep your feet on the pedals while
going down a hill of this character.
V.--Don't try fancy riding until you have studied the art of bicycling
for at least a week. One young man who ignored this rule, and tried to
ride his wheel side-saddle-wise at the end of his third lesson, left a
goodly half of his left ear on the road-side as a result, while a small
youth of our acquaintance, who tried to ride backwards on the afternoon
of his fourth day of study, got into a dispute with a picket-fence,
which tore his clothes, and made the back of his neck look as if seven
hundred mosquitoes had lunched there.
VI.--Don't be absent-minded when riding. One of the rules of good
playing in the game of golf is, "keep your eye on the ball." An equally
good rule in riding your wheel is, "keep your mind on the wheel." The
writer of these hints, while riding in the mountains during his first
year of wheeling, got thinking of something else, and the first thing he
knew, instead of being out wheeling, he was in swimming in a very cold
and wet mountain lake.
VII.--Don't forget the rule of the road. This is a very old rule, but it
cannot be too often repeated. Not more than two weeks ago the writer saw
a young woman out riding on her wheel who had forgotten the rule of the
road, and she was met by another young woman who was absent-minded in
violation of our rule numbered six. They met very forcibly, and the
result was that both of them not only had to buy new wheels, but the
spring bonnets of both of them were irretrievably ruined.
VIII.--Don't mount with a jump, but slip lightly into the saddle. A
gentleman weighing two hundred and twenty-three pounds leaped into the
saddle of his wheel one day not long ago, and as a result the upper bar
was bent into the shape of a hair-pin, the hind wheel was changed in its
shape to that of an oval, and the pneumatic tire of the front wheel
burst with such force that for a moment the gentleman thought somebody
had fired a gun at him.
[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.
TONING OF SILVER PRINTS.
The color of the silver print when it is taken from the printing-frame
is not very pleasing, and if it is fixed in this state it assumes a
yellowish-brown or bricky hue which is quite inartistic. To change this
color to a more agreeable shade it must be subjected to the chemical
treatment called toning--a process which the early photographers called
"coloring."
The theory of toning is that one metal is substituted for another, and
in the toning of silver prints with gold the gold is substituted for the
silver. Silver and gold have a great affinity for each other, and in the
toning of the silver prints the gold is deposited on the print somewhat
after the manner of plating metals.
It is a well-known fact that finely divided gold is of many shades of
color, from a rich red to a deep blue. The combination of the red of the
silver subchloride in the print with the deep blue of the gold gives
beautiful purplish, sepia, and black tones.
The gold for toning is first made into chloride of gold. This chloride
of gold is dissolved in water, and then the solution is rendered neutral
by adding acetate or bicarbonate of soda.
"Gold is reduced to a metallic state from a neutral or alkaline
solution." This toning-bath, therefore, contains a deposit of metallic
gold, which is ready to be precipitated by any reducing agent with which
it may be brought in contact. Now the action of light on the paper
coated with the silver salts has changed the salts into a gold-reducing
agent. When the silver print is placed in the gold toning-bath, this
sub-salts of silver immediately decomposes the gold salt, and attracts
the gold to itself, and it is deposited in a fine powder on the unfixed
print, changing the reddish color to brown or black. The unaltered
silver chloride on the paper--the portion of the print which has not
been exposed to the light--contains no reducing power, so the white
portions of the print remain unchanged.
The chemical action of the alkali on the chloride of gold is to separate
the chlorine from the gold. The alkali unites with the chlorine, and
sets it free from the gold. It forms with the hydrogen in the water a
new chemical combination called sodium-trichlor-acetate and hydrochloric
acid. The former is harmless to the print, but if there is not enough of
the alkali in the solution to neutralize (render harmless) the
hydrochloric acid, or, in other words, to liberate and absorb all the
chlorine, the chlorine immediately reattacks the silver and stops the
action of the gold. The result is a weak flat print. If the prints do
not tone, the bath is too acid, and more of the alkali must be added. In
order to test a bath to find out whether it is neutral, take a piece of
blue litmus-paper and dip it in the bath; if it is acid it will turn the
paper red. Add more of the alkali, until enough has been added to turn
the paper which has been turned red back to its original blue color. A
piece of red litmus-paper when dipped in the toning-bath will turn blue
if the bath is too alkaline, but if the bath is neutral the paper will
remain red.
Every silver print toned with gold contains four parts of silver to one
of gold, the quantity of both being very small. One grain of gold will
tone a sheet of paper.
There is a great deal of waste in the silver used in photography, there
being thirty-three times as much silver used as remains after the
picture is finished.
Silver prints may be toned with platinum, and this method is often used
as a substitute for gold toning, the tones obtained being very pleasing
in color, and quite as permanent as the gold tones.
SIR KNIGHT JOHN H. CHAMBERLAIN, 6 Franklin Avenue, Dayton, O., asks
why films are given a glycerine bath, and if the bath can be
dispensed with; what will remove the spot of glycerine from a
negative caused by the glycerine flowing to the edge and partly
drying. Sir John says he is a regular reader of the Camera Club
column, and would like to form a Chapter, and asks those of our
amateurs who are interested in the plan to please send him their
names. The reason for using a glycerine bath is to prevent the film
from curling when it is dry. The bath can be dispensed with, but
the film rolls up so tightly that it is hard to make it stay flat
while placing it in the printing-frame. Use 1/2 oz. of glycerine to
16 oz. of water, and there will be no trouble with the film being
sticky. A little alcohol applied gently with a soft cloth or brush
will remove the glycerine from the negative.
SIR KNIGHT JAMES MAYNARD, JUN., asks if the bottle containing the
sensitizing-solution for plain salted paper should be wrapped in
non-actinic paper; what camera, lens, plate, and developer Max
Miner used for the picture "Sweeping a Sliding-place"; what is the
price of Whatman's paper. The sensitizing solution should be
wrapped in non-actinic paper, or else kept in a dark place. Max
Miner writes as follows in regard to the picture "Sweeping a
Sliding-place": "The camera which I used is the Universal, made by
the Rochester Optical Co.; the lens is a Morrison R. R., 8-1/2-inch
focus, designed for a 6-1/2 by 8-1/2 plate. The camera was a 5 by
7. The plates which I have always used are made by the Blake
Dry-plate Co., North Adams, Mass. They are rapid, and always give
uniformly good results. I have the best success in developing with
pyro, potash, or soda, though I like the eikonogen two-solution
developer nearly as well. I never have trouble with pyro stains, as
I use an alum bath before fixing. The paper used is lithium, toned
and fixed in a separate bath." A large sheet of Whatman's paper may
be bought for fifteen cents.
SIR KNIGHT JOHN MILLS asks how to make a picture in a pin-hole
camera without using plates--if some kind of paper cannot be used.
The formula for preparing paper for negatives is too long to be
given in the column space devoted to answers to queries. The
process will be described later in the columns of the Camera Club.
If you have access to a public library, consult a cyclopædia of
photography, which will give a formula for making paper negatives.
Try a piece of bromade-paper, making an exposure of about fifteen
seconds, if in a bright sunshine.
SIR KNIGHT HUBBARD MARSH asks what makes the solio prints stick to
the glass when they are squeegeed to it for burnishing; a
preparation for coating the glass for burnishing; and a good
toning-bath. The reason why prints stick to the glass is because
the film is soluble, and is apt to soften in warm weather. A very
glossy surface can be imparted to prints by washing the glass or
ferrotype plate to remove all grease and dirt, then pour on a few
drops of a solution made of 1 oz. of benzine and 10 grs. of
paraffine. Rub dry with a clean cloth and polish with a piece of
chamois or soft cloth. For toning-solution formula see No. 825.
E. H. C. asks if, in photographic contests where no pictures are
accepted under 4 by 5, pictures taken on a 4-by-5 plate, and the
prints trimmed so as to come a little under this size, would be
accepted. Yes, if not trimmed too much.
There is a good story told of the well-known actor Frédéric Lemaitre.
One of his weak points was his pride, and he expected the attachés of
the theatre in which he played to show as great interest in his
performance on the fiftieth night as the audience who were seeing him
for the first time. For some time, to his infinite rage and disgust, one
of the musicians had been in the habit of taking out a newspaper and
perusing its contents during one of his best scenes, when his acting
would hold the audience spellbound. He finally forbade this man to read
his paper during the performance. The musician refused to submit to the
demand, and Lemaitre, when he heard of the refusal, grew mad with rage,
and stormed around in great manner. The offender happened to cross the
stage while Lemaitre was in his bad humor, and the actor, catching sight
of him, cried out, in angry tones:
"You, sir; is it you who has the audacity to read in my great scene,
especially when I have forbidden it?"
"I!" mildly replied the musician. "What a mistake you are making!
Monsieur, you have been misinformed: I am in the habit of going to sleep
during that scene."
* * * * *
SICKNESS AMONG CHILDREN
is prevalent at all seasons of the year, but can be avoided largely when
they are properly cared for. _Infant Health_ is the title of a valuable
pamphlet accessible to all who will send address to the New York
Condensed Milk Company, N. Y. City.--[_Adv._]
* * * * *
If you wish to earn a bicycle the advertisement of W. G. Baker, of
Springfield, Mass., which appears on page 1203, will interest you. His
store in Springfield is noted for the fine teas, spices, and baking
powder which it sends out both by express and freight to all parts of
the United States. A boy by going about among his friends and selling a
mixed order of 75 lbs. can secure a good boy's bicycle, or a woman by
selling 175 lbs. can secure a lady's high-grade wheel. If you feel
interested write for catalogue and full particulars, which will be sent
on application.--[_Adv._]
ADVERTISEMENTS.
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PLAYS
Dialogues, Speakers for School, Club and Parlor. Catalogue free.
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[Illustration: THOMPSON'S EYE WATER]
About Naval Schools.
Bert Cunnington, who lives in Arkansas, Reed Kohl, a New York city
member, and Fred P. Jackson, who lives in a Baltimore suburb, ask about
_St. Mary's_ school-ship and naval apprentices. All get the various
naval schools well confused. That they do so is no great wonder, since
the provisions governing them are new, and have recently been changed.
We will try to make these naval matters clear. In the first place, the
United States Naval Academy, at Annapolis, is a school where men are
trained to become officers in our navy. Indeed, entrance to the academy
is at the same time entrance to our navy--naval cadet, and so on up,
without leaving the United States service at graduation.
Entrance to this academy is had only through members of
Congress--through the member from your district, Mr. Jackson.
Representatives Baker, Rusk, and Cowen represent Baltimore.
Only one cadet from each district may be at the academy at a time. You
must wait for a vacancy. Residents of other districts must address their
member of Congress, or the Secretary of the Navy, Washington, who will
give information about vacancies. The President of the United States has
ten appointments--not annually, but may keep ten cadets at the academy.
These cadetships are usually assigned to sons of naval officers. The
Annapolis Academy was removed to Newport, R. I., for a time during the
civil war. That is why, possibly, you get the naval apprenticeship
school at Newport and the naval academy confused.
Naval apprenticeships have nothing whatever to do with the Annapolis
Academy. They are enlistments for young men above fifteen and not above
eighteen years of age, who may remain in the navy till they are
twenty-one. These boys must have the full consent of parents or
guardians, be of good character--for apprenticeships are not to reform
bad characters--be sound of body, and be able to read and write English.
Having been sworn in, they are sent on board naval vessels, where they
are given the elements of a common-school education and taught naval
seamanship. That is, they knot, splice, hitch, and bend rope; sew
canvas; head, reef, and furl sail; learn the use of the various gear in
standing and running rigging; become acquainted with the terms for the
different parts of the ship; practise military tactics, broadside
exercise, rifle drill; and learn how to fire the great guns, to row, and
to swim.
Apprentices are enlisted as "third-class boys," and receive $9.50 a
month. There is no condition from what part of the United Slates they
come. They receive their board free. Their clothing is provided by the
paymaster of the ship to which they are assigned and charged against
their pay. There is a possible promotion to $11.50 a month. These
apprentices never become line-officers, but may rise only to
warrant-officer, gunner, or boat-swain. Warrant-officers are retired at
sixty-two, as are other officers, and receive thereafter a fair
proportion of their duty pay as an annuity. Apprenticeship recruiting
stations are at New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. Address
"Recruiting Station for Naval Apprentices, Navy-yard," and add the city
and State.
Wholly distinct from either of the foregoing are the various
school-ships. These are not owned by the national government, but by
cities, and are under the control of the boards of education. The
_Saratoga_ is located at Philadelphia, and the _St. Mary's_ at New York.
Address "Executive Committee, Nautical School." To join the _St. Mary's_
applicants must be residents of the city of New York. They must also be
of good character, and between sixteen and twenty years of age; $30 is
required as an entrance fee, and a large number of personal necessities,
as clothing, thread, needles, etc. The course covers two years of two
terms each, with two summer cruises. The _St. Mary's_ spends part of the
year at the foot of Twenty-eighth Street, East River, New York, a part
in Long Island Sound, and the cruises are usually to the coast of Europe
and Mediterranean ports.
Rules governing the _Saratoga_ are similar to those governing the _St.
Mary's_. Graduates of these nautical schools look about them for
positions just as do graduates of other schools. The New York Board of
Education say: "The passage of the 'Postal Subsidy Bill,' requiring all
vessels receiving such subsidy to be officered by Americans, and to
carry a cadet for each 1000 tons burden, enables graduates of this
school to obtain a situation upon graduation, where the education
obtained at this school will be of great advantage to them. Graduates of
this school, with few exceptions, are competent to navigate a vessel,
understanding thoroughly dead-reckoning, and how to find the latitude
and longitude by the sun, moon, planets, or stars; they are also taught
the duties of seamen, they have practice in handling a sailing vessel,
in steering, heaving the lead, in handling boats, both under oars and
sails, the rule of the road, and in fact everything that may assist in
their advancement in the profession they have chosen."
* * * * *
A Distinct Difference.
The following story is told of the late Professor S----, the great
teacher of German at the University of Pennsylvania, and a man of much
hard and blunt sense. A man having a son whom he had reared in a most
superficial way called on the professor, whom he knew slightly, and
asked how much it would cost to give his son an education. The
professor, looking intently at the son, who accompanied his father, and
who was attired in uncomfortably big cuffs, high collar, and gave forth
an aroma of up-to-date perfume, blandly observed:
"I can't say. But you can send him through college for about $2000."
* * * * *
Cruel, but Facetious.
When employees are discharged from the service of a firm or company they
generally receive from such employers brief letters stating when
employment is to cease. But the head of a great theatrical concern once
took a quite different course in discharging his actors and singers. His
season had been unprofitable, but he took a little of his remaining
money and paid the way of his entire troupe to West Point. The members
of said troupe were Europeans. After luncheon he arose, and in the
blandest manner possible said:
"Ladies and Gentlemen,--Mark the beauties of America, the greatest,
grandest, and most wonderful country in the world. Behold the noble
Hudson before us; observe these magnificent mountains; consider
everything well. For, by my word, you will never see them again at the
expense of Messrs. Blank and Company."
Of course sorrow closed the day's outing, but the actors and singers had
no alternative than to engage steamer passages to Europe--which they
did.
* * * * *
Through Historic Country on a Bike.
One cool, sunny day in the beginning of this month we took a
fifty-one-mile bicycle trip out of the city. At the start our road
lay along the extreme west of the city, and soon the new Harlem
Ship-canal came into view. We halted on the bridge which spans it
to watch a diver at work--quite a novel sight; then went on toward
Yonkers. Yonkers passed, we took the open road for Dobbs Ferry. At
the latter place we were informed that our road, Broadway, was
first opened in 1844 under the name of Edgar's Lane.
Back of the road, under tall shady trees, stands Washington's
headquarters. A monument in front relates that here the French
allies under Rochambeau first joined our General and his forces;
also that here Washington planned the Yorktown campaign which
successfully terminated the Revolution; and that directly opposite,
on the river, an English sloop fired seventeen guns in honor of
Washington--the first official acknowledgment of our nation on the
part of the mother-country.
From Dobbs Ferry to Irvington the road is lined with handsome
suburban residences, and leads through a pretty bit of country.
Four miles more, and Tarrytown is reached. In Tarrytown we saw a
monument over the spot where Major André was captured in 1780. The
shaft of the monument was dedicated in 1853. One side bears a
relief picture in bronze of the capture; while another side has
carved on it a eulogy of the three brave citizens of Westchester
County who rescued their country from "imminent peril." The
remainder of the stone, which is capped by a heroic figure of a
Revolutionary soldier, was erected in 1880 by the Society of the
Sons of the Revolution.
Directly north of Tarrytown there is a bridge. Crossing it, a sharp
turn of the road brought us to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. We spent
some time examining the inscriptions on some of the stones. The
lower portion of the cemetery is evidently the oldest, for here
repose the ashes of many who died at the close of the last century
and the beginning of this. Sleepy Hollow lies on a hill. At the
top, in the centre of the family plot, is buried the "American
Goldsmith," whose pen made the region where he now rests famous.
His grave is simplicity itself, the headstone which covers it
bearing merely the inscription, "Washington Irving, born April 3,
1783, died November 28, 1859."
SIMON THEODORE STERN.
NEW YORK CITY.
* * * * *
Questions and Answers.
Music.--The only place to which we can refer you is the United States
Marine Recruiting-office, 109 West Street, New York. That office wants
boys from fourteen to sixteen to learn music. Apply for conditions.
"Gold Fever" asks about gold-prospecting, especially in Alaska. The
occupation has many risks, and only the hardiest of persons, not alone
in body, but in determination and cheerfulness, ought to undertake it.
The Alaskan field is well to the north--in the Yukon country, which is
near the arctic circle. It is cold there. But perhaps the worst
discomfort is mosquitoes. An odd pest for that climate, yes. But they
abound there as they do in few other regions. A recent prospector says,
"When a man goes up one of the creeks he must envelop his head in a
mosquito-frame of cheese-cloth--their bills go through netting like a
knife through tissue-paper--must wear gloves, and tie his trousers and
shirt sleeves closely about his ankles and wrists." Mining is a lottery,
and the young man ought to think not twice only, but a dozen times
before undertaking it.
George J. Smith asks.--"Will you kindly tell me the names of artists who
teach pen-drawing and illustrating? When does the annual contest for
prizes begin?" Many artists take students, if such students possess
native talent. They require students to come to their studios, though
some of them have classes at art-schools. Apply to Irving R. Wiles,
Charles Broughton, or Clifford Carleton. Their addresses may be had in
the directory. Of course they charge for lesson-giving. And we do not
say that these gentlemen will now take pupils. Why not join the classes
at the Art Students' League? Round Table contests are announced, usually
late in October. See one of the issues of this paper for them. It is not
likely there will be an illustration contest unless there proves to be a
good prize story to make a picture for. In almost no other way, save
that of giving all contestants the same thing to illustrate, can
conditions fair to all be made. Full information will be published in
the Table later.