silk thread is embedded. The first stamps printed on this kind of
paper were the Great-Britain 10d. brown and 1s. green of 1847. The
paper is sometimes called "Dickinson" paper, from its maker.
Bavaria 1849-1868, Würtemberg 1857, Switzerland 1854-1862, are also
printed on this paper. Specialists in Switzerland stamps collect
the different sets on green, black, blue, yellow, white, purple,
and red threads. Other advanced collectors usually pay no attention
to the color of the thread. "Silk paper" in U. S. stamps means a
paper in which a lot of short fine filaments of silk have been
embedded when the paper was still in a pulpy condition. Usually
found on some of the U.S. Revenues.
J. COOPER.--Yes. The Cuban stamps now offered in packages at such
low prices are genuine. It seems the Cuban government kept all
remainders for nearly twenty-five years, and have sold out the
entire lot of many millions to stamp-dealers.
JOHN G. SAXE.--The 5-rouble gold piece is worth full face value.
Any money-broker will give you the full value, less a small charge
for exchange.
C. B. N.--The present 5c. U.S. stamp is found in two conditions: 1.
From a new plate, very carefully printed; this shows a faint line
at the edge of the background on which the portrait is engraved;
this line is made by the engraver as a guide. 2. The ordinary
stamp, which does not show the line, or simply traces of it. This
refinement in varieties does not meet with the approval of
philatelists in general.
YREKA.--There are many minor varieties of U. S. Revenues in colors
(shades), papers, etc. They are worth keeping if you are making up
a big collection.
NED C.--The 1803 cent can be bought of dealers at 10c. each; the
1820 dime for 50c. The French coin; no value. The Prussian coin has
no value in this country.
CECIL RAWSON.--Your British Guiana stamp, from your description, is
the ordinary 1c. green, worth 5c.
E. STEBBINS.--The U. S. 24c. 1861 is very common. All the other
U. S. 24c. are comparatively scarce.
W. L. MCKINNON.--Your coin is a 3 skilling Norway. No value in this
country.
G. H. CLARK.--The stamps are the so-called "Dominical" or "Sabbath"
stamps issued in Belgium two years ago. On the Continent of Europe
it is customary to deliver letters on Sunday. Some years ago a
large number of Belgic citizens petitioned the government to forbid
the delivery of letters on Sunday, or at least to make it optional
on the part of the sender. As a result all stamps were issued in
the following form: The lower part of the stamp bears the
instruction, in the French and Flemish languages, "Do not deliver
on Sunday." If the sender wishes the letter delivered on Sunday he
tears off this part of the stamp.
[Illustration]
G. H. C.--The word "Julia" in small letters on the bust of portrait
on some of the Spanish stamps is the name of the engraver. Funchal
is the capital of the Island of Madeira, with its special series of
Portuguese colonial stamps. "Continente" is the main land of
Portugal. New Brunswick never issued any stamped envelopes.
PHILATUS.
* * * * *
LAUGHING BABIES
are loved by everybody. Those raised on the Gail Borden Eagle Brand
Condensed Milk are comparatively free from sickness. _Infant Health_ is
a valuable pamphlet for mothers. Send your address for a copy to New
York Condensed Milk Co., N. Y.--[_Adv._]
ADVERTISEMENTS.
Postage Stamps, &c.
$117.50 WORTH OF STAMPS FREE
to agents selling stamps from my 50% approval sheets. Send at once for
circular and price-list giving full information.
C. W. Grevning, Morristown, N. J.
[Illustration: STAMPS]
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
STAMPS
=10= stamps and large list =FREE=!
L. DOVER & CO., 1469 Hodiamont, St. Louis, Mo.
[Illustration: THOMPSON'S EYE WATER]
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.
Midsummer Jaunt by a Bird-lover.
During the last week in June I decided to take a day off and go
trout-fishing. Promptly after breakfast I mounted my bicycle, and
was soon spinning up the "river road." In five minutes I arrived at
the brook, leaned my "bike" against a neighboring barn, and
started. I was at once interested in the swallows which were
skimming around, almost touching the ground in their low sweeping
flight. Once two of them tried to go in a hole at once, and a
lively scrap resulted.
I soon found a willow rod, to which I tied my line, and after
putting a little worm on my flies I commenced fishing. As usual,
"skeeters" were plentiful, and I turned up my coat collar for
protection. Robins were numerous in the pasture, hopping fearlessly
among the cows. After going a mile and a half through pasture and
bits of woodland, I came to the end of the brook without having
caught a fish.
I recollected having been told of another brook about a quarter of
a mile from the one I was fishing in, and I decided to hunt it up.
I easily found the road which ran through the woods. I had not gone
far before I became aware that birds were numerous, for a little
oven-bird ran across the road into a brush-heap, where it was
joined by its mate. I could not get through the underbrush as fast
as they could, so they were soon lost to view. Further on a
blue-jay flew screaming through the woods, starting the little red
squirrels.
The woods were alive with chickadees, an unusual occurrence, and
for some time all I heard was chickadee-dee-dee-chickadee-dee. The
brook was a small one, and the woods were thick, so I rolled on the
end of my pole all but a foot of my line. I fished the brook for
about an eighth of a mile and succeeded in catching a great number
of fingerlings, which of course I threw back, and one 6-1/4-inch
trout. As the law said 6 inches, I kept it.
On the way back I spied a cat-bird on a maple sapling. Near the
place where I saw the oven-bird my eye caught a glimpse of gaudy
colors, and, following them up, I discovered a male Maryland
yellow-throat. He was soon joined by his mate, and both of them
hopped into a brush-heap. I was greatly elated, as yellow-throats
are a rarity about Springfield. Near the barn were two huge
chestnut-trees overhanging the brook, and as I was tired I sat down
on the ground and leaned against the smaller tree. Suddenly a
series of loud knocks and a pick-wick-wick-wick right over my head
caused me to hop to my feet. My movements started the flickers,
which flew up the brook, and, to my surprise, alighted on the
ground.
Several kingbirds were perched on a rail fence near by, and now and
then darted off after some insect. A meadow-lark whistled far up
the pasture, and a solitary sand-piper teetered along the brook.
While crossing the Connecticut River on my way home I noted a
belted kingfisher on a dead limb. I arrived home in time for
dinner, and you may be sure I had soon eaten my trout. While writing
this a bird-note called me out-doors. There I found many
bird-loving neighbors intently watching a pair of red-breasted
grosbeaks. The male was resplendent in his fine colors, but the
poor little brown and white female looked dilapidated.
ALBERT W. ATWATER.
SPRINGFIELD, MASS.
* * * * *
"Where'd I leave That?"
To-day I paid a visit to the room in which are stored the articles
left by passengers on one of the great railways entering New York.
People leave many articles in the cars, and forget to call for all
of them. Indeed, not more than one-third of the things found in the
cars are ever claimed by owners. On the other hand, very few things
that are claimed and accurately described fail to be recovered.
Every railway keeps a store-room for lost articles, and employs are
under strict orders to send all articles to it.
Perhaps you can guess what a lot of odd things I saw in this
store-room! Of course there were such common things as books,
umbrellas, and, rubbers. A few of each? Oh no, not a few only, but
barrel upon barrel of rubbers, a library of books, and enough
umbrellas to fill a twenty-bushel bin. But the queer things
included--what do you think? Well, half a dozen sets of false
teeth, more than one hundred night-robes, a score or more of
eye-glasses, and two razors. Any live-stock? Not in this room, for
the attendant told me such things had to be cared for, and could
not be stored here; but during the past few weeks, he said, there
had been turned in two canaries, three kittens, a lap-dog, and a
parrot!
There are not a few pocket-books found, but these are invariably
called for. Some months ago a man left a book containing $54,000 in
one of the sleeping-cars, and books containing $100 to $1000 are
quite often found. Rather odd, too, is the fact that the people who
leave most of these things in the cars are old travellers.
Excursionists and others unfamiliar with the ways of travel look
after their possessions. It is the confident man or woman who
leaves the car and leaves his or her valise or lap-dog behind.
If your friends are coming to New York soon, tell them that the
value of articles forgotten by passengers entering this city every
year foots up into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and that
they will do well not to contribute anything to this wasteful fund.
JOHN B. HENDERSON, R.T.K.
NEW YORK.
* * * * *
A Rare Bittern.
"In our reading lesson to-day occurred a reference to a tiger-bittern.
Our natural history does not mention it. Can you tell me if there is
such a bird? Ella F. Loomis, Steubenville, O." The tiger-bittern is
found in the West Indies and in South America, but is rare. It is a
trifle smaller than the United States blue heron, and has a bill much
shorter. The coloring is most beautiful. From the top of the head to the
last row of feathers on the legs it is barred precisely like the Bengal
tiger, the stripes of bright yellow showing up in striking contrast to
the black. The bars are most regular.
If the skin of this bittern were spread out on the floor at some
distance from you, you would assert it to be a portion of a tiger-skin.
Like many other varieties of crane, heron, and bittern, this bird is
sought for its plumes, and is becoming rarer every year.
* * * * *
The Law She Intended to Practise.
In our day women enter occupations which earlier times thought belonged
exclusively to men. The wife of one of the men now before the people as
a candidate for President of the United States is a lawyer. At the time
of her admission to the bar she was the head of a household and mother
of two children. Asked her specialty in law practice, she replied,
"Home-rule."
* * * * *
Answers to Kinks.
No. 8.
1, Lark--Shakespeare. 2, Cock--Longfellow. 3, Jay--Longfellow.
4, Bluebird--Longfellow. 5, Duck--O. W. Holmes. 6, Turtle-dove--D.
Conway. 7, Cuckoo--Shakespeare. 8, Cuckoo--Shakespeare. 9,
Pheasant--William Howitt. 10, Gull--O. W. Holmes. 11, White
owl--Longfellow. 12, Eagle--Mrs. Barbauld. 13, Nightingale--Coleridge.
14, Nightingale--Coleridge.
* * * * *
Kinks.
No. 9.--CENTRAL ACROSTIC.
If the cross-words--of equal length--are correctly solved, the central
letters, reading downward, will spell the name of a Greek hero whose
life ended with the burning of a brand.
Cross-words.--1. A weight used in sounding. 2. Cuts into two parts. 3. A
large wild-duck; the greenhead. 4. An overseer. 5. Imprisonment. 6. Long
gaiters. 7. A plant clinging by tendrils. 8. Bespangled.
* * * * *
No. 10.--A MATHEMATICAL MELANGE.
From the date of the siege of Saragossa subtract that of Valentinian's
death: add the number of letters in the name of a common article; divide
by the number of Henry VIII.'s wives; multiply by a German word of
denial; divide by the number of letters in a whip used for punishing
criminals; subtract the age of the "Sage of Monticello"; add the weight
of the giant anvil at the Woolwich Arsenal, England, and that of the
Braganza diamond (in carats). The square root of the first half of this
number multiplied by 1/37 of the second half will give the number of
letters in the name of "The Blooming Grace." Who is she?
VINCENT V. M. BEEDE.
* * * * *
No. 11.--A RIDDLE.
I have no substance, and generally no intelligent relation to time or
times. Sometimes I am sensible, but oftener I am absurd. Yet I have
great influence, and not infrequently change the plans of people.
Indeed, I have helped to change the history of the world. What am I?
* * * * *
No. 12.--A RECEIPT.
To decapitate a notion
Of course makes it dead,
But gives what is put
On the murderer's head.
A further beheadment
Will make what you pay
When you purchase an article
At a shop some day.
Again you behead
With a very quick motion,
And at once there's a plant
That is part of the notion.
Behead once more
And the first part you see
Of what our confection
Is going to be.
Take a measure of paper
To form the second.
Prefix one hundred
In proper shape reckoned.
Join this to the first,
And I'm sure you will say
It's a delightful treat
For a hot summer day.
* * * * *
No. 13.--AN ENDLESS CHAIN.
The first syllable of every word is the second of the preceding word.
The first syllable of the first word is the second syllable of the last.
All words are dissyllables.
An animal--the tonic--a brief communication--a longer
one--fear--relating to dew--to assign--a game--a citadel--a disease of
rye--obtained--delicate--the true skin--naval--pertaining to the
kidneys--to frighten--steel covering--human--grease--a poet--not rare.
SIMON T. STERN.
[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.
COPYING PICTURES WITH A CAMERA.
Copying pictures may seem to be a very simple matter, for the subject
does not even need to be posed, and will remain motionless for any
length of time; but there are several points connected with the copying
of pictures which are of importance if one wishes to make a correct
copy. For convenience the pictures to be copied might be divided into
three classes. I. Black and white pictures, such as engravings,
wood-cuts, wash-drawings, etchings, etc. II. Photographs and half-tones.
III. Oil-paintings, colored pastels, etc.
The first thing to be considered is the arranging of the camera so that
it will be exactly perpendicular with the picture. A copying-stand is a
great convenience, but, like many other conveniences, not an actual
necessity. A vertical support, with the drawing or picture placed in
such a manner that its centre shall come on an exact line with the
centre of the lens is all that is required. A board the width of the bed
of the camera, and perhaps five feet in length, will answer every
purpose of a copying-stand. At one end of this board fasten a small
piece of board in such a way that it shall be at exactly right angles
with the long board. This small board is the support for the picture.
The camera either rests on the board, or is raised a little above it by
a small block, the adjustment depending on the size of the picture to be
copied. To find whether the centre of the lens corresponds with that of
the picture, place the camera quite near the picture, thread a piece of
silk through the centre of the lens cap, place the cap on the lens, and
carry the string to the centre of the picture. In this way one can
readily see whether the two centres correspond with each other.
In copying a black and white picture we want no half-tones or shadows,
so that if the paper has a grain it must be placed in a strong front
light. An all-round illumination, which can be had by using the
apparatus out-of-doors, is the best lighting, as there is no possibility
of shadows.
The most suitable plate for copying a black and white picture is the
brand called "photo-mechanical." If these plates are not easily
obtained, use a very slow plate.
Place the picture on the support upside down, fastening it very securely
with thumb-tacks. If the paper is thin, place a piece of red or black
paper behind the picture. This should always be done if the picture is
being copied from a book, or there is any printed matter on the reverse
side of the picture.
In copying pictures from books a thin piece of flat board should be put
back of the leaf, and the leaf held in place by two stout rubber straps.
In copying photographs or half-tone prints, a plate of medium rapidity
should be used. If there are heavy shadows a more rapid plate is
required. A small diaphragm must be used in order to have the picture
sharp at the edges.
In copying colored pictures the only plate to use is the orthochromatic
plate. This will render the true color values of the different tints in
the picture. Oil-paintings require more care in lighting than other
colored pictures, in order to avoid the brush marks appearing in the
photographs.
The plates are developed in the same way as if made direct from the
object, hydroquinon and pyro giving the best results.
If one has been unfortunate enough to break a valuable negative, but has
a good print from it, a small negative may be made from the photograph,
and from this small negative an enlargement can easily be produced.
SIR KNIGHT CHARLES H. WOODS asks if the "Eureka" camera is a good
camera, as he wishes to buy a 4 by 5 camera and does not wish an
expensive one. The "Eureka" does very good work, but is not as
convenient a camera as one of the hand-cameras at the same price.
[Illustration: Ivory Soap]
An experienced laundress will tell you that shirts never look as white
as when washed with Ivory Soap.
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE CO., CIN'TI.
[Illustration]
THE
BALTIMOREAN PRINTING-PRESS
has earned more money for boys than all other presses in the market.
Boys, don't idle away your time when you can buy a self-inking
printing-press, type, and complete outfit for $5.00. Write for
particulars, there is money in it for you.
THE J. F. W. DORMAN CO.,
Baltimore, Md., U.S.A.
[Illustration]
EARN A TRICYCLE.
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.
Hold their place in the front rank of the publications to which they
belong.--_Boston Journal_, Feb. 19, 1896.
HARPER'S
PERIODICALS
MAGAZINE, $4.00 a Year
WEEKLY, $4.00 a Year
BAZAR, $4.00 a Year
ROUND TABLE, $2.00 a Year
[Illustration: THOMPSON'S EYE WATER]
BOOKS WORTH HAVING
* * * * *
FOR KING OR COUNTRY
A Story of the American Revolution. By JAMES BARNES. Illustrated. Post
8vo, Cloth, Ornamental $1.50.
OAKLEIGH
By ELLEN DOUGLAS DELAND. Illustrated. Post 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental,
$1.25.
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.
THE STORY OF BABETTE
A Little Creole Girl. By RUTH MCENERY STUART. Illustrated. Post 8vo,
Cloth, Ornamental, $1.50.
TOMMY TODDLES
By ALBERT LEE. Illustrated by PETER S. NEWELL. Square 16mo, Cloth,
Ornamental, $1.25.
AFLOAT WITH THE FLAG
By W. J. HENDERSON, Author of "Sea Yarns for Boys," etc. Illustrated.
Post 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.25.
A LIFE OF CHRIST FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
In Questions and Answers. By MARY HASTINGS FOOTE. With Map. Post 8vo,
Cloth, Ornamental, $1.25.
BIBLE STORIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
By the Right Rev. HENRY C. POTTER, D.D., and Others. Illustrated. Post
8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.00.
* * * * *
Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York.
[Illustration: NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF INVENTION.]
* * * * *
AMBITIOUS.
"Wisht I wuz a cork," said Jack. "They can swim all day and never get
drownded."
* * * * *
JIM'S JOKE.
CHARLIE. "Catch any fish down at Beachville?"
JIM. "Yes. Caught a brook-trout yesterday."
CHARLIE. "Brook-trout? At the sea-shore? Whereabouts?"
JIM. "At the dinner table."
* * * * *
A CORRECTION.
"Look at that old sea-dog," said Uncle George, pointing out the old
sailor.
"He ain't a sea-dog," said Bob. "He runs a cat-boat."
* * * * *
HOW IT IS DONE.
HARRY (_who is not yet up in bicycular slang_). "I say, Will, how do you
do when you scorch?"
WILL. "Pretty well, I thank you. If you wish to scorch, say in the
Park, just let your wheel go like forty. The bicycle cop will do the
arrest. That's scorching."
* * * * *
A FAMILY RESEMBLANCE.
DR. BALSAM. "Your boy favors you greatly, Mr. Hillside--that is, takes
after you."
FARMER HILLSIDE. "He'd favor me more, Doctor, ef he'd only obey me. He
don't take after me; but I tell you his mother takes after him when he
don't toe the mark she chalks for him."
* * * * *
A BUSINESS SESSION.
RAYMOND. "Papa, you say Congress is in session when it is sitting, don't
you?"
PAPA. "Certainly, my boy."
RAYMOND. "Well, then, would it be wrong for me to say that our old
Plymouth Rock hen is now in session in the barn?"
* * * * *
A fat old gentleman in a light gray suit got into an elevated train at
Thirty-fourth Street, and bustled every one out of his way in order to
secure the only vacant seat left on the shady side of the car. As soon
as he had thrown himself into the seat, he buried his face in a
newspaper in order that he might not see how many women were standing in
the car. The train had hardly pulled out of the station when a poorly
dressed and undoubtedly Irish woman who sat next to him touched him on
the arm, and said,
"I beg your pardon, sorr--"
The old gentleman looked up and frowned, and then turned to his
newspaper again.
"Will you be so good, sorr--" began the woman again.
The fat man in the gray suit glared savagely, but gave no reply. Several
times the woman tried to make him speak. At last, just after the guard
had announced "Ninth Street!" the woman said again, "I really beg your
pardon, sorr, but--"
The fat man turned upon her savagely, his face very red, and exclaimed,
"If you don't stop talking to me, woman, I'll call the conductor and
have you put off the car!"
"Shure, sorr," exclaimed the woman, "I'm afther gettin' off at Ninth
Street, but, conductor or no conductor, I won't get out until you get
off my butter that you've been sittin' in since you got on at
Thirty-fourth Street!"
* * * * *
A gentleman recently returned from travelling in England brought back
the following story, which he tells with such hearty laughter as to make
one believe that to have seen the incident were better than to read
about it:
The engineer of a train, or rather driver, as they call him in England,
not shutting off steam soon enough, ran his train some distance past the
station. He backed down again, but either through carelessness or
defective machinery his engine ran some distance the other way. The
station-master, exceedingly wroth at the first miscalculation, was
simply spluttering with wrath at the second, and running down the track
he yelled out:
"Hold on there! Stop where you are! We'll just shift the station up to
you, being as you can't get up to it."
* * * * *
Freddie was sent down stairs by his uncle to bring up a pair of tan
shoes. The youngster returned with two shoes, one of which was laced and
the other buttoned.
"That isn't the right pair, Freddie," said his uncle. "I can't wear
those. They are not mates. Where are the others?"
The little boy looked somewhat puzzled for a moment, and then said, "I
don't think you can wear the other pair, uncle; it isn't alike, either."
End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Round Table, July 28, 1896, by Various