Harper's Round Table, July 23, 1895 Part 12

=100= all different, China, etc., 10c.; 5 Saxony, 10c.; 40 Spain, 40c.; 6 Tunis, 14c.; 10 U. S. Revenues, 10c. Agts. wtd., 50% com.; '95 list free.

CRITTENDEN & BORGMAN CO., Detroit, Mich.

[Ill.u.s.tration: If afflicted with SORE EYES USE Dr. ISAAC THOMPSON'S EYE WATER]

Commit to Memory.

In Germany the children in the schools Commit to Memory the words they are accustomed to sing; and they are seldom at a loss for Music anywhere; especially when great numbers are a.s.sembled do they sing together, in mighty chorus, the songs and hymns of the Fatherland without reference to a book "for the words." This is a grand result coming out of the Schools. In America too much time is occupied in teaching, not enough in learning, and, as a result, when we want to sing--perhaps only the National Hymn--"n.o.body knows the words." Let it be regarded an essential part of School work, daily or weekly, for Teacher and pupil to Commit to Memory some good thing in Prose or Verse.

The Franklin Square Song Collection comprises Eight Numbers, which may be had bound separately or in different styles. These numbers may also be had in two volumes at $3.00 each. For full list of contents, sixteen hundred songs and hymns, alphabetically arranged, address

Harper & Brothers, New York.

Something New In Puzzles.

Here is something quite new in puzzles. There is contained in the following story a four-line verse from one of Alice Cary's most familiar poems. The first two lines contain seven words, the third line six, and the last, eight. Every other line rhymes. The verse's subject is a moral one--about right living. It is not concealed in any way. It is not made up of parts of words, nor of letters omitted, or words misspelled. But it is there--openly and plainly there. Who can find it?

The author of this puzzle is Miss Mamie Denton, who lives in Grand Rapids, Mich. No prizes are offered for finding this verse, but we hope you will try to find it. We will print it in a week or two. The following is the puzzle:

This is the true story, dear aunt Ruth and Ulyses, of my trip to Europe.

We started October twenty-fifth, from Rockport, Texas. How many days we were upon the water I cannot tell, as Sarah, my sister, was very ill on the way, and I devoted myself constantly to her. Nevertheless we at last arrived at our destination, which was Brussels, where Eva Irving was awaiting us. Near our hotel was a shop owned by Gustav Narheisen, whose sign bore this--'Oysters To Sell.'

Every member of the family appeared in the window as our carriage stopped at the hotel, but auntie explained to us that their neighbors were particular friends of hers, and it was out of compliment to us that they were watching our advent so eagerly. Eleven heads we counted before we entered our hotel, the Meisterschaft, where we ate a hearty supper, and I retired at once.

Next day Gustav called, bringing his wife, Irene, and his two daughters, Nerissa and Dorcas. Our first impression, I must say, was not favorable; but Nerissa was really a beautiful girl. Genuine worth, however, cannot long conceal itself, and we were not slow to discover the n.o.ble qualities of Eva's friends. Auntie took us out next day. Coming home, we found auntie's maid packing her trunk, and learned that we were to start for Havre that afternoon. Delighted at the thought of new scenes were we. After discussion we decided to go by an overland route as far as the river Yonne, down which we sailed until we reached the mouth. Then from there we sailed to Havre.

As we were tired out we were glad to rest at the Thiers house. Going out next day, we met an old friend, Olive Easton, who had married and settled in a small village on the Seine, near Beauveau. Yet we were glad to leave this lively seaport town behind us and sail up the Seine again.

Our destination this time was Ma.r.s.eilles. Entering it, we purchased a copy of the _Literary Idler_. This we hastened to peruse, reading very eagerly the news from Toulon and Tameraque. Lest inquiries should be made respecting this paper, let me say that it is one of the few English papers published in foreign cities.

Gustav sent us a letter containing an invitation to the wedding of his daughter Olivia, which was to take place in October, and as this was December, he thought that we might be there in time. Nerissa also sent us a note, telling us in confidence that her marriage was to follow Olivia's, as soon as her Theodore was able to provide a cozy home for her. I was anxious to attend the wedding.

Next morning while poring over a copy of _Dreams_, with Raphael, the hotel cat, curled up in my lap, Eva entered and announced that an old friend of ours from Austin was in Ma.r.s.eilles and would call upon us the next afternoon. I was in a flutter of joy, and forgetting my book, ran away to tell my sister of the good news. Nothing ever ruffled my sister's composure, but the light in her eyes told that she would be glad to see George Ogden. Five years ago we three played together as children, George always treating my sister with admiring deference, but finding fault with me whenever opportunity offered.

Ruby Eliot had written to us that her cousin from Austin was wintering in Toulon, but we had not thought of meeting him here. The next afternoon our maid Harriette was nearly crazed by the demands made upon her time and taste. I gave up in despair, and confined myself to looking like a fright in a dark red silk. Not so with my sister, who was perfectly exquisite in a dove-colored silk and white lace. George called at half past four, and, of course, gave all his attention to Sarah.

The sequel to this story cannot be written, but those two were only friends, after all, and some people admire elves in red dresses more than saints in gray. Our next move was cross country by rail, and after many days sailing through bays, channels, and straits we landed at Dover, where we remained until October, when we crossed the strait to Brussels, arriving in time for the double wedding.

Yesterday something happened to convince me that there was no place like Austin in which to spend the rest of my days. Now as we are about to return to our native country a slight feeling of disappointment will arise that Dover was the only city in Britain visited by us. Yet how glad we shall all be to return to our native land.

Seeing the "Defender's" Launching.

I really wish I had had every member of the Round Table that is interested in boats with me on Sat.u.r.day, June 29th. On that memorable day I went with a party of friends on board of a sloop-yacht to witness the launching of the _Defender_. We left Warren about 9.30 A.M. We dropped anchor in Bristol Harbor just in time, for about five minutes later the big boat glided down the ways amid the banging of guns and the shrill whistles from the numerous steamboats. The only thing to mar the occasion was that the launching was not as successful as expected, for the boat stuck on the ways and was not floated till two days later.

[Ill.u.s.tration: AT THE "DEFENDER'S" LAUNCHING.]

As soon as the launching was over, I looked around to see what yachts were in the harbor. At our left was the _Colonia_, the practice boat for the crew of the _Defender_, consisting of thirty-three men. Among the other yachts were the Valiant, the handsome _Conqueror_ of F. W. Vanderbilt, the _Shearwater_, _Sakonnet_, and many, many others. The harbor, indeed, presented a beautiful picture from the sh.o.r.e. After lunch, my chum and myself went in one of the row-boats up near the cup-defender, thus getting a finer view of it than ever.

Souvenirs have been floating around Bristol and vicinity for a month in the shape of aluminum rings; but other souvenirs were sold on the launching-day. Some were stick-pins made from the bronze of the rudder-post. About 3.30 a stiff breeze set in, and many of the yachts took advantage of it and started out on a spin.

When we got back to our yacht the waves were dancing merrily about its bow, much to our delight.

When we got "under way" and fairly flew out of the harbor, the crew of the _Colonia_ took off their caps and waved to us (Captain "Hank Huff" also), and it is needless to say the salute was returned, and kept up for at least three minutes. With our spinnaker "set" we just skimmed homeward, reaching Warren in an hour. The spray came over the boat as we sped along. For my part, I got an extra coat of tan. I should like to know if any other members of the Table were at the launching.

LUISE DE ALCAZAR, R. T. L.

WARREN, R. I.

Questions and Answers.

Ida Fitzpatrick: We believe there is no active Chapter in Hempstead now.

J. C. Failing: There is no active mineral Chapter. Can't we have one in Oregon? All Chapters interested in minerals also collect stones, flowers, etc. Noah Roark: It is likely that we shall have some attractive offers to make to members in September. Watch for them. They are not quite ready now. Will Frances A. Rice send her address, that we may return some stamps?

We have to thank Katherine Warren for her morsel about Bermuda. We fear, however, we shall not have s.p.a.ce for it. Does any member know of a rule, condition, or whatever it might be called, regarding the t.i.tle of the Emperor of Germany, or German Emperor--one that was fixed at the time William I. was proclaimed at Versailles? The question is whether "German Emperor" is the correct t.i.tle, or "Emperor of Germany," and why? Who knows about it?

Tom S. Winston says he is immensely fond of machinery. Are you? He lives at Abbeville, La.--away down near the Texas line. He wishes the Table had a Chapter of amateur machinists or engineers. He may tell us about that stock ranch. Isabel McC. Lemmon, Englewood, N.J., asks if Elsie G.

Unruh will send her address? She wishes to forward some pressed flowers.

Berthold Landau, 310 East Third Street, New York, wants to join a literary Chapter.

Dudley Polk asks if the "literature of to-day tends toward the realistic or the idealistic." We believe the critics say it tends toward the former. Some say that they think the day of literary realism is about over. G. G. B. asks the cost of a chicken-coop such as Mr. Chase recently described. The cost of material varies so, according to locality, that it is difficult to name any fixed sum. The cost can easily be figured out, as the drawing is made according to a scale. Find the number of square feet of lumber required, and the cost of the window-frame at any lumber dealer's.

C. L. B. Beach, Hull, Iowa, wants to trade pressed flowers. He also wants specimens of the "fly-catcher" and of the "pitcher-plant." Andrew Neill: The numbers of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE, November to April, and of HARPER'S ROUND TABLE, April 30th to the end of the year, will be bound into one volume, not two. Beginning with the change in form and name, pages containing advertis.e.m.e.nts will be bound into the volume, not cut out as formerly. Platinum and iridium are found in the Ural Mountains, in Brazil, California, and Ceylon. They are original or primary substances, not manufactures. Platinum is used in telegraph keys, and iridium, being very hard, for nibs in the ends of gold pens.

Helen P. Hubbard: Common oyster-sh.e.l.ls contain lime, nitrogen, iron, sulphur, manganese, magnesia, flour, bromine, phosphoric acid, and iodine, and, ground to a powder, were once used as medicine, since all of the substances are good for building up the system. Walter Henry, of Wisconsin, asks where he can procure silk-worm eggs. We think he can get them from the American Silk-Culture a.s.sociation, Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa., or from the Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. At any rate, both will be glad to give him information where he can get them.

RICH TIMES.