from reprints of the first Samoa issues. Counterfeits also abound,
but these can be distinguished. The early Heligoland stamps are
also difficult to identify. The government sold the original dies
and plates to a German dealer, who reprinted the stamps in the
correct colors.
J. P. NELKER.--The early stamps of Lagos and Labnan are very
scarce, used or unused, although many thousands of the lower values
were used in making up packets in the '80s. It would not be worth
your while collecting them unless you are prepared to spend much
money.
ALBERT GREEN.--Your plan of collecting one at least of all the
stamp-issuing countries is very good, as far as it goes, but you
will make it much better by collecting one stamp of each set where
the design is different or the color changed. Usually there are
several cheap stamps in every issue, and they illustrate the set
quite as well as if they were rare varieties or high values.
PHILATUS.
[Illustration: IVORY SOAP]
The price of good things oft is high,
But wise housekeepers tell
That Ivory Soap is cheap to buy
And best to use, as well.
Copyright 1896, by The Procter & Gamble Co., Cin'ti.
POPULAR BOOKS
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
* * * * *
By HOWARD PYLE
_Illustrated by the Author_
=THE WONDER CLOCK.= Large 8vo, Half Leather, Ornamental, $3.00.
=PEPPER AND SALT.= 4to, Cloth, Ornamental, $2.00.
=THE ROSE OF PARADISE.= Post 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.25.
=TWILIGHT LAND.= 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $2.50.
=MEN OF IRON.= 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $2.00.
=A MODERN ALADDIN.= Post 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.25.
* * * * *
By THOMAS W. KNOX
The "Boy Travellers" Series
ADVENTURES OF TWO YOUTHS IN
THE LEVANT
SOUTHERN EUROPE
CENTRAL EUROPE
NORTHERN EUROPE
GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND
MEXICO
AUSTRALASIA
ON THE CONGO
THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE
SOUTH AMERICA
CENTRAL AFRICA
EGYPT AND PALESTINE
CEYLON AND INDIA
SIAM AND JAVA
JAPAN AND CHINA
Copiously Illustrated. Square 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental $3.00 per vol.
_OTHER BOOKS BY COLONEL KNOX:_
THE YOUNG NIMRODS IN NORTH AMERICA
THE YOUNG NIMRODS AROUND THE WORLD
2 vols., Copiously Illustrated. Square 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $2.50
each.
* * * * *
HARPER & BROTHERS, Publishers, New York
How I "visited" Mashonaland.
Older readers are always glad to hear from our entertaining
correspondent in South Africa, and we are sure that new readers will no
less enjoy her delightful morsels. She tells us this time how she
visited Mashonaland without leaving Cape Colony. She wonders if she is
too old, having just passed her eighteenth birthday. We beg to assure
her she is not, and that the Table will be pleased to hear from her for
many years yet. Here is her morsel. It is written from Roydon,
Queenstown, Cape Colony, South Africa:
A few months before the rebellion in Mashonaland broke out, a young
gentleman of my acquaintance made up his mind to have a six months'
tour through this new country. He went beyond the great Zambesi
River, and had many strange adventures. I am afraid I will not have
space to tell you of more than two of them.
While hunting near the Zambesi, Mr. H---- was told that a lion had
been creating a great disturbance in the neighborhood. He offered
to go and hunt it if the chief would lend him some of his men. But
on no account could they be induced to accompany him. Growing
impatient at last, he set off with a few of his own servants. They
followed the spoor of the animal for some little time, until they
came to a dense bush. Glancing back, Mr. H---- saw that his
followers were not far behind him, so he went on, looking carefully
about him. At last he saw before him two large trees; behind one of
them stood "King Leo." A rapid glance back sufficed to show that
his cowardly servants had deserted him, and he was quite alone. He
fired at the lion, which gave a fearful roar and sprang at him.
Fortunately, however, the shot had disabled it, and it sprang
short. Mr. H---- gave it another shot and killed it. On going in
search of his men, the hunter found them hidden among the branches
of the trees, too much terrified even to answer him. Mr. Selous
says it is the second largest lion he has seen. The skin is very
handsome, but as I examined it I felt very thankful that its owner
was not alive.
The second adventure was rather a comical one. While camping out
one day Mr. H---- heard what he thought was the report of a gun.
Knowing elephants were about, he concluded that some one was
hunting them. Snatching up his gun, he hastily set off in the
direction of the sound, without taking a mouthful of food. On and
on he tramped, but never a sight of either elephants or hunters did
he catch. Still, every now and then he heard the report of guns,
sometimes near at hand, sometimes far off. He walked for thirty-six
hours, hoping to be rewarded by the sight of the elephants. At last
he saw below him a thickly wooded ravine, in which the animals
might be hidden. He scrambled down to it, and sat down under a huge
tree to rest. Suddenly he heard the report just above his head.
Springing to his feet, he looked up, and--the mystery was
explained. The tree was full of peculiar-looking pods, which every
now and then burst with a loud report. It was rather exasperating
to have walked all that way for nothing, was it not?
I was very much delighted with his fine collection of horns. They
were all of different kinds, and of different sizes, some of them
being exceedingly handsome. Two very large python-skins next
attracted my attention. Imagine my surprise when Mr. H---- coolly
told me they were considered quite small in Mashonaland! "I'm never
going there until it is civilized, then," I said, very decidedly.
"Did you notice any signs of rebellion during your travels?" I
asked one day. "No," was the answer. "It struck me that the natives
were a very subdued race, and I feel sure it is some under-handed
dealing which has caused the revolt. The natives were exceedingly
kind to me. As soon as I entered a new territory I would go to the
chief and say, 'I want to go hunting; can you give me a guide?' The
chief would answer, 'Yes, I will give you a guide to such and such
a place. That is as far as my territory extends.' They never asked
for pay, which was rather refreshing after being used to the
civilized (?) natives of Cape Colony. _Their_ first question is
always, 'What will you give me for doing it?'" The Mashonas have no
idea of money.
On his return journey he wanted to buy some grain, and sent word to
the chief. Next day a number of natives came, each carrying a
basket of grain. "How much do you want for it?" asked Mr. H----.
They named their price--a high one--which he refused to give. There
was a big argument, and he was beginning to think he would not be
able to get the grain, when it struck him to offer salt for it.
Pulling out a handful of salt from a bag, he asked the natives what
they would give for it. "So much!" they cried, eagerly, indicating
the quantity of grain. So, at the end of the day, he got as much
grain as he wanted for a few handfuls of salt. Time and space fail
me, or I would tell you about some other curious things I saw--of
the queer little chair and table, both cut from a single piece of
wood, and which belonged to Lobenguela's brother, of the
cream-of-tartar trees, and many other funny things. But--I can
almost see the frown on Mr. Editor's face as he contemplates the
length of this so-called "morsel," and I daren't write more.
However, if he will kindly give me permission I will write again,
and tell you more of my interesting "visit to Mashonaland." In the
mean time I will bid you good-by.
Your friend,
ISMA FINCHAM, R.T.F.
The Editor gives his permission promptly. Please write again.
* * * * *
A Founder's Sad End.
When one tries experiments one should be extremely careful of the tools
employed. The Table has to record a most distressing incident in this
connection. One of the original members of our Order was Vernon S.
White, a son of Mr. F. W. White, of Omaha, Nebraska. He was a Founder,
and preserved his Founder certificate because of the honor it stood for.
He was much given to trying experiments. He had sent some suggestions to
us concerning them, at least one of which we published. The others we
read with interest, but failed to find space for them. A few weeks since
Sir Vernon, while trying an experiment in his room, lost his balance,
fell, and met his death. He was thirteen years old, and an only child.
The Table expresses its deep sympathy, and begs its other friends of a
scientific and experimental mind to be careful.
* * * * *
Answers to Kinks.
No. 59.--CIVIC.
* * * * *
No. 60.--The letter T.
* * * * *
No. 61.
G L O B E S
L E V A N T
O V E R G O
B A R B E L
E N G E D I
S T O L I D
* * * * *
About Slang.
Why is slang denounced by the best writers? We know that all slang
is not low, and we further know that slang expressions convey to
multitudes of people the thought of the speaker more clearly than
if his sentences were clothed in the finest possible manner. This
question arises from an argument.
LESTER W. BELLOWS.
WATERLOO, N. Y.
We do not quite agree that slang better conveys the thought of the
speaker than do other and more generally recognized words. That depends
upon the speaker and upon what he is trying to say. Slang does not
consist in the words themselves so much as in the way they are spoken,
the frequency of their utterance, etc. Words are harmless in themselves;
the manner of using them may not be equally so. Slang is denounced
because it tends toward the vulgar, the common--not always the words
perhaps, but that which lies beyond them. Some slang terms are very
expressive, and these generally come into reputable use, when needed,
and when the atmosphere surrounding the inception of them has drifted
away.
* * * * *
Corresponding Chapter.
In Milwaukee there has always been not a few active and most creditable
members. Not long since some of them organized a Corresponding Chapter.
It wants members everywhere. The membership fee is ten cents; dues,
nothing; and members resident in foreign countries free. The Chapter has
a circulating library. It sends a membership certificate of its own, and
hopes to have some prize contests. The officers are Edward F. Daas,
secretary, 1717 Cherry Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The president is
Edward C. Wood, and vice-president Charles D. Turnbull. The president
lives in Philadelphia, and the Chapter is already organized on the
correspondence plan.
* * * * *
Questions and Answers.
A Fort Wayne member asks what is the most expensive product in the
world. We cannot tell surely, but the most expensive one we ever read of
is a charcoal thread employed as filaments for incandescent electric
lamps. Filaments designed for thirty-candle-power lamps are worth
$12,000 a pound. It requires 1,500,000 of these filaments to make a
pound, and their total length would be 187 miles.--Harry M. Jones: The
first United States census was taken in 1790, and the next one will be
taken in June, 1900. The discussion whether the twentieth century begins
January 1, 1900, or January 1, 1901, is idle to enter into.--"Young
Politician": President-elect McKinley is free to select any persons he
pleases for places in his cabinet, the only restriction being that
Secretaries must be American citizens above certain ages. That which
prevents him from selecting unfit men is his desire to make his
administration successful. The President nominates his cabinet officials
to the United States Senate, but that body, while it holds a legal right
to confirm or reject such names, always, as a matter of courtesy,
confirms them, holding that a President ought to be permitted to have
such men in his official family as he desires. The talk in the
newspapers about cabinet-making is mere speculation. The final decision
rests with the President.
John Hamill asks what tundra is. It is a long fibrous white moss
(_Cladonia rangiferina_) which is the natural food of the reindeer. It
grows to its greatest perfection in northern and central Alaska, but is
found in South Greenland and Lapland. In Alaska there is a vast tract of
land--400,000 square miles, it is said--covered with this moss. Why you
see it mentioned just now is because there is a project to grow great
herds of reindeer on this vast tract; it is good for nothing else. The
reindeer, slaughtered, frozen, and shipped to San Francisco and
Liverpool, command high prices as venison. The skins, tanned, are of a
soft texture and serviceable color, admirable for book-bindings and
furniture-covers, and the hair is the best possible filling for buoys to
be used in a life-saving apparatus, as it possesses a wonderful degree
of buoyancy. It is said, you know, of the hog slaughter at Chicago and
Kansas City that there is nothing wasted save the squeal. Everything
else being used to advantage, the horns of the reindeer make the best
glue of commerce. The project is to turn this moss to profit by feeding
it to reindeer, as corn is fed to hogs in the West, and marketed as
pork.
"Liberia." Liberia is a republic modelled after our own. It was founded
by some enthusiastic philanthropists who thought the colored people of
our southern States could be induced to go back to Africa where their
ancestors, as slaves and against their wills, came from. Before our
civil war some went. Since then none have. The experiment was a failure,
and Liberia is not prospering greatly. Have we any readers living on the
Isle of Man? We fear not. Does any reader know any one living there?
Ralph Carr, living at 1041 Santa Fé Street, Atchison, Kansas, says his
father came from there, and he desires to hunt up, if possible, some
facts about the island and his father's birth-place. This is an
interesting and profitable thing to do. If any member can help him,
please do so.
[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.
HANDY APPARATUS FOR THE DARK-ROOM.
One of the latest conveniences for the dark-room is a developing-tray so
arranged that a plate may be examined during development without taking
it from the tray. The tray is made with a solid glass bottom and wooden
sides, with a reservoir at one end for holding the developer while
examining the plate. When the tray is lifted the solution runs down into
this reservoir. Another tray, made on the same principle, is of solid
glass, and a piece of glass extends about a third of the way across the
top of the tray, making a reservoir for the developing solution during
the examination of the plate. There are small knobs on the bottom of the
tray to prevent the plate adhering to the bottom by suction. A 5-by-8
tray with glass bottom and wooden sides costs $1.20. The solid glass,
same size, costs $1.25.
_Rubber Finger-Tips._--Rubber finger-tips are among the "must haves" of
the photographer. They are made specially for use in handling
photographic chemicals, are a perfect protection for the fingers, and
prevent the discoloration of the nails and ends of the fingers from the
various solutions used in photography. They are very thin, and fit
closely to the fingers, and do not impair the sense of touch in any
great degree. A set of three costs 15c., and their use prevents any
danger of poisoning when handling dangerous chemicals.
_A Handy Plate-Lifter._--A most convenient plate-lifter is a metal
finger-shield, very much the shape of an open-top thimble. It has a
sharp piece of steel attached to one side, and extending about half an
inch beyond the end of the shield. To use, the shield is placed on the
first finger, the pointed piece of metal slipped under the negative,
raising it from the solution. It can then be taken out without having
put the fingers in the solution. This little lifter costs 15c.
_Glass Rods._--For stirring solutions one should have a small glass rod,
especially when making solutions for sensitizing paper. The
nitrate-of-silver solution should never come in contact with any metal.
In sensitizing paper, where it is floated on the silver bath, it is
quite necessary to have a glass rod to lay across the top of the tray,
to draw the paper over when turning, or removing from the bath. This
helps to spread the solution evenly and removes the superfluous liquid.
A hollow glass tube designed for this purpose has one end flattened to
prevent its turning when laid on the tray. The price is 25c.; a glass
stirring-rod costs 8c.
_Photographic Chemical Tablets._--One can buy, put up in the form of
compressed tablets, all or nearly all the chemicals used in developing
and printing. These tablets are warranted not to alter or change by age
or climate, all that is necessary to preserve them being to cork the
bottles immediately after taking out what is required for use. Each
bottle of tablets is labelled with full directions for use, and the
photographer who wishes to develop his pictures while away on an outing
will find them very convenient. They take up but little room, and all
that is necessary is the addition of a little water when needed. The
price of a complete outfit for developing and toning a large quantity of
pictures is $3.
SIR KNIGHT ROBERT GUEST, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, asks if taking
money prizes in photographic contests makes one a professional
photographer, and if one can sell his pictures and still remain an
amateur. Taking prizes in competitions does not class one with the
professional photographers, nor does selling prints make one a
professional. By a professional is understood one who makes a
business of photography, either in opening a gallery for portraits
or in devoting himself to making pictures of all sorts of
commercial articles, photographs of buildings, interiors, etc. An
amateur is one who does this work for pastime, taking pay
occasionally for his work, but not making it a business. We should
like to have Sir Robert send us some views of Yarmouth and vicinity
for reproduction in our Camera Club column.
SIR KNIGHT HERBERT H. PEASE asks where bromide and platinum paper
can be bought, and which is the best; the price, and if it can be
developed with eikonogen developer, and fixed with hypo the same as
plates; if it is best to mount damp or dry; if the answer to Sir
William Merritt that the contest closed December 15 was a mistake;
and if one stands a better chance of winning a prize if he does not
use the glossy papers for printing. Bromide or platinum paper may
be bought of any dealer in photographic supplies; both papers are
good, the bromide being the easiest for the experimenter; bromide
may be developed with eikonogen and fixed in the same way as a
plate, but before the print is fixed it must be flowed with a bath
made of acetic acid, 1 dr., and water, 32 oz., according to the
directions which accompany the paper; 4-by-5 bromide paper costs
25c. a dozen. The date December 15 for close of contest was a
mistake. There is but one competition, and it closes February 15.
All pictures are judged according to their merits, without regard
to printing processes. The platinum and bromide pictures are the
more artistic, and mechanical finish is one of the points on which
pictures are marked.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
Postage Stamps, &c.
50% com. STAMPS on APPROVAL. 50% com.
_Best sheets and lowest prices. Send for some at once._
100 varieties, 1c. to 5c., only 15 cts.
40 varieties France, only 20 cts.
1000 mixed stamps, only 15 cts.
P. G. BEALS, Brookline, Mass.
[Illustration: STAMP COLLECTORS]
60 dif. U.S. $1,100 dif. Foreign 8c., 125 dif. Canadian, Natal, etc.
25c., 150 dif. Cape Verde, O. F. States, etc. 50c. Agents wanted. 50
p.c. com. List free. =F. W. Miller, 904 Olive St., St. Louis, Mo.=
[Illustration: STAMPS]
=ALBUM AND LIST FREE!= Also 100 all diff. Venezuela, Bolivia, etc., only
10c. Agts. wanted at 50% Com. =C. A. Stegmann=, 5941 Cote Brilliant Ave.,
St. Louis, Mo.
500
Mixed, Australian, etc., 10c.; =105 var.= Zululand, etc., and album, 10c.;
12 Africa, 10c.; 15 Asia, 10c. Bargain list free.
F. P. VINCENT, Chatham, N.Y.
60%
disc. on sheets. References required. 100 var. 8c.; 150 Hungary, etc.,
10c.; 250 var., 50c. Watches, etc., given free. 2c. stamp for
particulars.
L. F. PIERCE, Center Sandwich, N.H.
TRY
our 10-cent stamp packets and 25-cent approval sheets.
The Keutgen Stamp Co., 102 Fulton Street, New York.
=AGENTS WANTED=--50% com. Send references. Lists free.
=J. T. Starr Stamp Co.=, Coldwater, Mich.
118
Foreign Stamps, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Deccan, etc. 6c. H. L. ASHFIELD,
767 Prospect Av., N.Y.
1000
Best Stamp Hinges only =5=. Agts. wt'd at 50%. List free.
=L. B. DOVER & CO.=, 5958 Theodosia, St. Louis, Mo.
Arnold
Constable & Co
Cotton Dress Fabrics.
FRÈRES KOECHLIN'S
Printed Organdies.
_Fancy Batiste, Stripe Gazine,_
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DAVID & JOHN ANDERSON'S
Zephyrs and Zephyrines.
_Checks, Stripes, and Fancy Plaids in_
_novel effects._
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NEW YORK.
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[Illustration]
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50 lbs. for a DECORATED DINNER SET. Express prepaid if cash is sent with
order. Send your full address on postal for Catalogue and Order Blank to
Dept. I
W. G. BAKER, Springfield, Mass.
JOSEPH GILLOTT'S
STEEL PENS
Nos. 303, 404, 170, 604 E.F., 601 E.F.
And other styles to suit all hands.
THE MOST PERFECT OF PENS.
LAUGHING CAMERA, 10c.
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The latest Invention in Cameras. You look through the lens and your
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ROBT H. INGERSOLL & BRO.,
Dept. No. 62, 65 Cortlandt St., N.Y.
HOOPING
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The celebrated and effectual English cure, without internal medicine. W.
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HARPER & BROTHERS'
Descriptive list of their publications, with _portraits of authors_,
will be sent by mail to any address on receipt of ten cents.
HARPER & BROTHERS, Publishers, New York.
CARDS
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HAVERFIELD PUB CO., CADIZ, OHIO
[Illustration]
RAPHAEL UP TO DATE.
"Yo' see dem chilluns a-leanin' on de fence?
Dey's putty near clean gone los' deir sense.
Some leddy done tell 'em dey look like cupids,
But I jes' 'low dey's two little stupids."
* * * * *
FOREIGN NEWS.
In foreign lands the doings of royalty, the state of mind and body of
the reigning sovereigns and their families, form always an interesting
feature of the daily news for the public. It is no uncommon thing to see
in an English newspaper that "yesterday her Majesty the Queen walked out
accompanied by Princess This or That"; or that "in the afternoon her
Majesty drove from Windsor to Some-other-Place-on-the-Squeegee, attended
by Lady Somebody and the Duchess of Nothingmuch." All of this forms a
staple of news for the British, and it is a custom which prevails in all
lands where there are royal families. The height of absurdity in this
direction, however, is reached in Turkey, if the subjoined item, taken
from a French journal, is correct. It is as follows: "Turkish papers
take a deeper interest in the health of the Sultan than is to be found
in the periodical press of other countries. Quite recently a Turkish
organ gravely inserted the following lines:
"'His Majesty slightly indisposed, having been bitten last night by a
gnat.'"
* * * * *
ONE GOOD REASON.
MRS. WARMHEART. "My good man, why do you let your children go barefoot?"
PAT O'HOOLIHAN. "For de raison, ma'am, dat I have in my family more feet
dan shoes."
* * * * *
THE CHILDREN'S MUSICAL.