Iceland possess a very curious method of communication in their
so-called "bottle post." When the wind blows from the south, and one of
the islanders wishes to communicate with the mainland, he puts his
letters into a well-corked bottle, and to insure their delivery he
incloses at the same time a plug or twist of tobacco, or a cigar. The
wind speedily impels the bottle to the shores of the main island, where
people are usually on the lookout, who are willing to deliver the
letters in return for the inclosed remuneration.
Africa is coming to the front with a multiplication of new stamps. The
French in Madagascar have issued three different sets, two provisional
and one regular. The British East Africa new series of fifteen
denominations, and Zanzibar with fourteen denominations, have been
issued. In the near future specialists in African stamps will grow
common.
This reminds me of a prophecy by one of the old dealers that soon there
would be albums made for each country and for each hemisphere for the
advanced collector with money, and one simplified album for the use of
the general collector, who with less money, but with equal enthusiasm,
would get just as much enjoyment out of his modest general collection as
the millionaire specialists out of their marvellous collection of
varieties, etc., of one country.
W. W. WOOD.--The two coins are sold by dealers at a slight increase
over face.
J. M. F.--There were five varieties of the $5 red Internal Revenue,
first issue, viz.: Charier Party, Conveyance, worth 15c. each;
Mortgage and Probate of Will, worth 50c. each; and Manifest, worth
$1.50. These prices are for perforated copies; unperforated copies
are worth from $1.25 to $10. The second issue, blue and black, and
the third issue, vermilion, are worth 50c. or 60c. each. Cuban
stamps are not much collected, and any one can buy them in
quantities, therefore there is little prospect of an advance.
W. R. WHEELER.--The $10 Charter Party, perforated, is worth 60c.;
unperforated, $8; the $3 Charter, 15c., and $1.50 respectively; a
pair of $2 Mortgage, unperforated, is worth $4; the $2 and $5
Probate, worth $1 and 50c. respectively.
W. R. C.--The 3c. U.S. red, 1851, is worth 35c. per hundred; the
1857, about 25c. per hundred; the 1861, about 10c. per hundred. The
1c. blue, from 1851 to 1860, are worth much more, depending on
condition of the plate, etc. The U.S. Internal Revenue 2c. are not
worth anything, the other 2c. Revenues are worth various prices.
F. E. COWAN.--I do not know the value of Mexican Revenue stamps.
Probably some St. Louis dealer could quote prices. Hitherto they
have not been collected generally, but I believe they will soon be
more popular. When that time comes prices will become more stable.
G. LEONARD.--I cannot repeat the long list of coins previously
published in the ROUND TABLE for December 17, 1895, and January 14,
1896.
A. A. HALL.--English Revenue stamps, or rather stamped papers, have
been used for several hundred years. You will doubtless recall
England's attempt to force the American Colonists to use stamped
paper in 1765. The law was repealed in 1766 in consequence of the
disaffection and riots.
J. SCHWANMAN.--"Gumpaps" is a nickname or term of contempt applied
to stamps issued primarily to sell to collectors, especially those
condemned by the Society for the Suppression of Speculative Stamps,
usually called the S.S.S.S.
W. T. WILLIAMS.--No. Never paste your stamps down. Always use
hinges, and buy the best hinges, as it will pay you in the end. I
frequently see old collections containing stamps pasted down, with
the result that almost every stamp has been damaged. Blues, greens,
and some reds disappear altogether. I am told it comes from using
dextrine from which the acid has not been thoroughly removed.
J. J. SINGER.--In perforating postage-stamps a die plate is placed
before the needles of a machine carrying hundreds of needles. As
about 180,000,000 holes are punched per day, the wear on the die
plate is excessive. Brass plates wear out in a day, and even steel
plates are rapidly destroyed. The use of aluminium bronze has
caused the die plates to last for months without renewal. Usually
the parallel horizontal rows are perforated first, and the vertical
rows next. Both rows have been perforated at one time, but this
method has proved impracticable.
FAITHFUL READER.--The 1850 dime can be bought of the dealers for
20c. They are still in circulation.
M. C. HALDEMAN, Thompsontown, Pa., wishes to exchange stamps and
philatelic literature. Also wants samples of amateur papers.
V. M.--The 1851 1c. U.S. is worth $2 unused, 25c. used. But there
are two varieties (from the early impressions) which are worth much
more. Do not cut any pairs or strips of any unperforated stamps.
PHILATUS.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
[Illustration: COLUMBIA BICYCLES.]
WALTER BAKER & CO., LIMITED.
Established Dorchester, Mass., 1780.
Breakfast Cocoa
[Illustration]
Always ask for Walter Baker & Co.'s
Breakfast Cocoa
Made at
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"La Belle Chocolatiere" on every can.
Beware of Imitations.
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.
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STAMPS
=10= stamps and large list =FREE!=
L. DOVER & CO., 1469 Hodiamont, St. Louis, Mo.
STAMPS on Approval! 50% disct. _List free._
W. C. Shields, 30 Sorauren Ave., Toronto, Canada.
[Illustration: THOMPSON'S EYE WATER]
Reader: Have you seen the
[Illustration: Franklin]
It is a Collection which no one who loves music should fail to own; it
should find a place in every home. Never before, it may truthfully be
said, has a song book been published at once so cheap, so good, and so
complete.--_Colorado Springs Gazette._
[Illustration: Square]
This Song Collection is one of the most notable enterprises of the kind
attempted by any publisher. The brief sketches and histories of the
leading productions in the work add greatly to the value of the
series.--_Troy Times._
[Illustration: Collection?]
Sold Everywhere. Price, 50 cents; Cloth, $1.00. Full contents, with
Specimen Pages mailed, without cost, on application to
Harper & Brothers, New York.
* * * * *
The Theban Chariot.
When in Florence we started for the Egyptian Museum one morning at
ten, and got there in about twenty minutes. I was disappointed when
I first looked at the chariot. As I examined it I saw how
wonderfully it was made. There was no metal in it, and the only
substances besides wood were leather and fossil bone. There are
very few pieces of wood in the chariot, as you will see in the
picture. The collar is like a wishbone with the point down. The tip
is round instead of flat, and is of fossil bone. The ends of the
yoke are finished with the same bone, and also the heads of the
wooden spikes that hold the wheels on the axles.
[Illustration: THE THEBAN CHARIOT.]
The pole is about the same length as an average carriage-pole. The
yoke is about four feet long, and the wheels the same height. The
place where the driver and warrior stood is made of leather,
plaited like a split-bottomed chair, and this platform is
semicircular. The yoke and pole are held together by a bone-headed
spike. The spokes, pole, and hubs were originally covered with
birch bark. The authorities say that from the quality of the wood
and the absence of metal, it may be presumed that this chariot,
formerly belonging to some warrior of the north, had been taken to
Egypt as one of the spoils of war over 3300 years ago.
I have seen a photograph of a Roman chariot. It was the same as
this, but filled in with bronze, and thirty times as heavy. The
pieces of leather which go from the breast-work of the platform to
the pole have been put there recently. There is a bow, that was
found with the chariot, leaning against it. It used to be covered
with leather, and is about five feet long.
JOHN B. CANTLEY.
WOODBURN SANDS, BLETCHLY, ENGLAND.
* * * * *
A Man-eating Russian.
In the church of St. Alexander, St. Petersburg, are the remains of a
Russian general, Hannibal. A guide once said to a traveller, "There lies
a Cannibal." This startling remark was all due to the fact that the
Russian alphabet is H-less.
* * * * *
An Infallible Guesser.
When Thomas was compiling one of his first almanacs his clerk asked him
what forecast he should enter opposite a certain week in July.
"_Thunder, hail, and snow_," promptly replied Thomas--and, lo! the
prediction proved to be true! Thomas's almanac was thereafter considered
well-nigh infallible.
* * * * *
In Order Now for "S.Z.B." to Explain.
Some weeks ago a letter reached us, signed by what appeared a
responsible name, and dated at Kingman, Arizona, telling us of the death
of Lady Florence E. Cowan. As Miss Cowan lives at Kingman, we believed
the statement, and as she had contributed to the Table many delightful
morsels, which thousands had enjoyed, we made a minute of the news. A
letter from Miss Cowan expresses her natural surprise, and gives us and
the Table the glad tidings that the information of "S.Z.B." was
incorrect.
* * * * *
Some Odd Pastimes.
Spinosa, after studying assiduously for hours, would amuse himself
by setting spiders to fighting. His laughter was said to have been
positively alarming on the occasion of especially exciting combats.
Socrates loved to play with children, and Tycho Brahé to polish
spectacle glasses. D'Andilly, a translator of _Josephus_, spent his
leisure in cultivating trees, while Barclay, author of the
_Argenis_, was as devoted to his flowers as Celia Thaxter. Balzac
collected crayon portraits, and the Abbé de Maroles, prints.
Politian was never so happy as with his lute. The learned monk
Petavius would gravely whirl his chair for five minutes at the end
of every second hour of theological research, while Dr. Samuel
Clarke was an expert chair and table jumper. Swift was often seen
running up and down the steps of the deanery. Shelley's fondness
for sailing paper boats is well known, but few know that he once
folded a fifty-pound bank-note and sent it bobbing down the current
of the Serpentine. But all will be glad to know that the shallop
was finally moored in safety lower down the river. This launching
somehow reminds us of the first stanza of Lear's _Owl and Pussy
Cat_.
GEOFFREY CARTWRIGHT.
* * * * *
Two Apt Anagrams.
A person once wrote this anagram of the name "Napoleon Bonaparte": "No,
appear not on Elba."
When it was rumored that the Duke of Wellington intended marrying a rich
heiress, Angelina Burdett Coutts, this anagram appeared:
"The Duke must in his second childhood be,
Since in his doting age he turns to A B C."
ORION BELTON.
* * * * *
Kinks.
No. 19.--A JINGLE OF JACKS.
Pray find, without much tribulation,
Full many a neat e_jac_ulation:
The Jack^1 that flies at vessel's prow;
Before it all good Jack Tars bow;
The Jack^2 that on a darksome night
May well inspire one's soul with fright;
The Jack^3 that rears its massive trunk
O'er flowers that of the brook have drunk;
The Jack^4 whom ev'ry butcher greets
With offers of all lean-fleshed meats;
The Jack^5 whom sober-minded people shun,
So great his size he fills a tun!
The Jack^6 who makes the strong and hale
Before its very name turn pale;
And now I'll tell you of _one_ Jack--
The Jack who has the happy knack
Of making sunshine out of shade--
The dearest Jack that e'er was made!
PROTE A. JAY.
* * * * *
No. 20.--A QUARTUS.
First is a state that is surely in debt;
Second, a stone that in truth is _a door_;
Third, an odd gem which dilates in a pet;
Fourth is a stone that may mean _a horse poor_.
PLESIOSAURUS.
* * * * *
No. 21.--A SESTINE OF STONES.
The stone (1) that will capture the "mackerel-guide";
The stone (2) which might have the term "measures" applied;
The stone (3) that "O, Partner!" cries out with _esprit_;
The stone (4) that may grow 'mid the tall _fleurs-de-lis_;
The stone (5) that means "steward" in Persian, 'tis said;
And, lastly, the stone (6) in which gas burns o'erhead.
EASON C. ARLINGTON.
* * * * *
No. 23.--A MYTHOLOGICAL MÉLANGE.
In the following jumble find these mythological personages, Greek and
Roman: nine female and five male divinities, two giants, two heroes, a
legendary king, a monster, a Greek maiden metamorphosed into a white
heifer, the most beautiful of all mortals, and the mother of a
well-known god and goddess:
The miner vacantly began to leer--ostentation at last! He cater to a
maniac? Hill escaped; an oven used to mar Smith's arbor. Eastwardly the
coach ironically accompanied Jan. "Usually _I_ owe; _he_ bears genuine
grief amid astounding trials, surpassing any Medes." The ice restored
her; attentive Lucas tore the vest at the hem; the shy mender let oats
fly, while the poacher messed his porridge--the color I only conjectured
to be bice.
SOUTHE ARLINGTON.
* * * * *
Questions and Answers.
Are you interested in music and natural history? Inez M. Brush, Chelsea,
Iowa, wants to correspond with you if you are. If you live in Baltimore,
P. Dettelbach, 1905 Druid Hill Avenue, wants you to join the Monumental
City Chapter. Corresponding members are also received. William J.
Smith,--No badges are now in stock. When more are prepared, notice will
be given in these columns. We know of no active Chapter in Detroit near
you. It is better to form one among your own friends than to join one
whose members you have no acquaintance with.
"Disputants,"--Austria is on a gold and Russia on a silver monetary
basis. "Amateur Newspaper,"--There are several methods by which writing
is cheaply duplicated. None are perfect--that is, as perfect as
type-printing, and none can, unless done far better than the average
amateur is able to do, deceive the recipient to the extent of making him
think it an original letter. For HARPER'S MAGAZINE, and for prices apply
to your bookseller. Directions go with the apparatus.
Henry F. Brown, a Massachusetts Knight, who won a Round Table
Illustration prize, asks if the late Horace Bradley is the same person
who judged his picture: "for," he writes, "I find 'H. B.' on the back of
it." We cannot say with absolute certainty, but it is probable that it
is. Mr. Bradley, who was one of the most obliging of men, passed
judgment upon much work sent in by Round Table members. Pressed with
responsibilities, he often took time to look through a pile of members'
drawings, giving a word of criticism here or of commendation there. In
half a dozen instances he wrote letters to members of artistic promise,
giving them helpful advice. You should prize your drawing with its
initials "H. B." highly.
Eugene B. Benton, who says he hopes one day to enter the navy, asks what
became of the old vessels of the Revolutionary navy. There were about
forty of them, and they had different fates. Two, the _America_ and the
_Ariel_, were presented to France. The famous _Bonhomme Richard_ was
sunk in 1779, and the _Washington_, _Independence_, and _Montgomery_ in
1778. The _Saratoga_ was lost at sea, and the _Lexington_ was captured
by the British in the English Channel, in 1778. You are in error in
thinking the _Constitution_ was in the war of the Revolution. It was not
launched until 1797. It was in service, with some lapses, until
December, 1881, when it was consigned to "Rotten Row," in the Brooklyn
Navy-yard. The earliest built of our new navy, or White Squadron, was
the _Chicago_, in 1886. Previous to 1862 enlisted men in the navy were
granted a "spirit ration." In July of that year Congress passed a law
abolishing it, and enacted that "hereafter no distilled spirituous
liquors shall be admitted on board of vessels of war, except as medical
stores." Read Admiral Gherardi's article on the navy, in HARPER'S ROUND
TABLE for June 30 last. It can be had for five cents from the
publishers, and it authoritatively answers all of your questions about
entering the navy, the pay, etc.
CAMERA CLUB.
CHOOSING A CAMERA.
Many letters come to the editor of this column asking advice in regard
to the purchase of a camera, style, price, etc., and a short talk on the
subject may not come amiss to the members of the club.
There are so many makes of cameras, each with a seemingly equal claim to
merit, that the would-be purchaser--unless he has had some experience in
photography--is often at a loss what sort of an instrument to select. To
simplify the description we will divide the cameras into four classes:
1. The tiny snap-shot. 2. The hand camera. 3. The hand and view camera
combined. 4. The view camera.
If one has had no previous experience in taking pictures, and simply
wishes to make pictorial reminders of his summer outings, the tiny
snap-shot-camera, which makes pictures about the size of a silver
dollar, is a most satisfactory investment. This camera carries a spool
of film long enough for twelve pictures, which is easily and quickly
changed for fresh film. The lens has what is called a universal focus,
so that there is no focussing. All that one has to do to make a picture
is to point the camera at the object and press the shutter spring. The
result is sometimes very good and sometimes very amusing, according to
the skill with which the instrument is managed. Some of these miniature
pictures are perfect in detail, and such pictures may be enlarged four
or five times their diameter with slight expense. Even if one owns a
larger camera one of these pocket-cameras is a desirable addition to
one's outfit. This snap-shot camera costs from $3 to $5.
No. 2. The hand camera may be bought anywhere from $8 to $50. The size
of the picture made varies from the small 3-1/4 by 4-1/4 to the 5 by 7.
The camera which takes a 4 by 5 picture is the most convenient and the
most satisfactory size. These cameras are made with an interchangeable
arrangement, so that one may use either plates or films. For general
work the plates are less trouble to handle, and the fact that one can
carry only eight to ten plates in the camera leads one to be more
careful in making pictures. Films are more convenient to carry on a
journey, for the weight of film enough for one hundred pictures is not
equal to eight plates. A good 4 by 5 hand camera may be bought for $12.
No. 3. The hand and view camera combined is one of the best cameras for
all-round work. A 4 by 5 camera fitted with double swing-back, rising
and falling front, and a rapid rectilinear lens may be bought for $20.
The object of the swing-back is to adjust the plate so that it may be
parallel with the object to be photographed.
No. 4. The view camera is one made specially for out-of-door work, and
is the style used by professionals who make a specialty of landscape
views. The camera and lens are bought separately, and one may have
several lenses for the same camera. Most of the view cameras fold up
compactly, so that a 5 by 8 camera, three double plate-holders, two or
three lenses, and a focussing-cloth may be carried in a case about
twelve inches square and five and a half inches wide.
[Illustration: IVORY SOAP]
A wise young woman understands
That Ivory Soap is best to use
For outing flannels, sunburned hands,
Light summer gowns and tennis shoes.
Copyright, 1896, by The Procter & Gamble Co., Cin'ti.
THE
BALTIMOREAN PRINTING-PRESS
[Illustration]
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.
FREE.
Sample cards and circulars describing the latest and greatest
educational game. Fascinating, entertaining, and highly instructive.
H. J. WEIHE,
602 25th Street, Milwaukee, Wis.
[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.
[Illustration: THOMPSON'S EYE WATER]
SOME GOOD BOOKS
* * * * *
TRACK ATHLETICS IN DETAIL.
Compiled by the Editor of "Interscholastic Sport" in HARPER'S ROUND
TABLE. Illustrated from Instantaneous Photographs. 8vo, Cloth,
Ornamental, $1.25. In "HARPER'S ROUND TABLE Library."
A good book to put into the hands of the athletically inclined. It
is capitally illustrated with instantaneous photographs, and is
full of expert and sound advice and instruction.--_Outlook_, N. Y.
* * * * *
By CAPTAIN KING
Captain King has in large degree the rare faculty of placing in the
mental vision of the reader a clearly limned picture of the scenes
described.--_Newark Advertiser._
CADET DAYS.
Illustrated. Post 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.25.
CAMPAIGNING WITH CROOK,
And Stories of Army Life. Illustrated. Post 8vo, Cloth, $1.25.
A WAR-TIME WOOING.
Illustrated by R. F. ZOGBAUM. Post 8vo, Cloth. $1.00.
BETWEEN THE LINES.
A Story of the War. Illustrated by GILBERT GAUL. Post 8vo, Cloth, $1.25.
* * * * *
HARPER & BROTHERS, Publishers, New York
* * * * *
[Illustration]
Said Tommy Tadpole to his Ma,
"I wish I were a frog!
Then I could make a great big noise,
And sit upon a log!"
"You'll find, my dear," his mother said,
"More things than noise and log
Complete the sum of daily life
When you've become a frog."
* * * * *
A GOOD PLAN.
"Bobbie," said Tom, "let you and I go into business."
"What business?" asked Bobbie.
"Oh, I don't care," said Tom. "I'll be senior partner, and you be head
clerk and attend the business."
* * * * *
A GOOD TERM.
"Hoh," said Wilbur, when Wallie wanted to swap an American two-cent
stamp for a silver shilling, "you're pretty mumpy, I think."
"Mumpy?" asked Wallie. "What's mumpy?"
"When your cheek gets big," said Wilbur.
* * * * *
A HARD QUESTION TO ANSWER.
"Papa," said Arthur, "I read somewhere that people became what they
ate."
"So it is said, my son."
"Then why don't cannibals become missionaries, papa?"
* * * * *
A DISPUTE.
"Did you see how that bull tossed his head?" asked Mollie.
"No," said Allie. "I saw him shake it. He didn't toss it."
"Yes, he did," said Mollie.
"Where did he toss it to?" asked Allie. "I didn't see it land anywhere."
* * * * *
HARD TO RESIST.
"Billie," said little Tommie, "won't you come and play with me?"
"You're too little, Tommie," said Billie. "I couldn't play anything with
you."
"I'll be anything, Billie," pleaded Tommie. "I'll roll myself up into a
ball, and maybe you'll have a splendid time bouncing me about."
* * * * *
WHERE THE WINDOWS GOT THEIR NAMES.
It was a very blustery day. The breeze from the sea was so strong that
it blew in one or two panes of glass, and brought down the curtains with
a clatter to the floor.
"I see now," said little Harry, "why they call windies windies."
* * * * *
A BOUNCER.
"What a splendid jumper your little dog is, Sammie," said Mr. Hicks.
"Well, he ought to be," said Sammie. "He swallowed a rubber ball last
week."
* * * * *
Floods in lowland countries have their humorous side as well as their
tragic ones. A gentleman recently returned from the West relates a
little experience he had with a swollen river in Missouri. The country
had been a veritable swamp for some days, and after travelling through
it on horseback for a week doing business here and there, he says he
arrived at the bank of the river. There was no way to cross it except by
swimming, so, dismounting, he tied his clothes to the horse, and drove
him into the river, swimming after him. Reaching the other side, he
dressed and continued on his way. Before going twenty feet, however, he
came to the forks of the road, and not knowing the correct direction he
wanted to go, he looked around for a sign. There was none, but just
across the river, near the spot he had entered to swim across, he saw a
board nailed on a tree. Well, there was nothing to do but to get in and
swim across again, as undoubtedly that was the sign containing the
directions. He swam across, and after climbing up the bank he read the
following notice:
"Five dollars fine for crossing this bridge faster than a walk."