Pretty painted bridges, Baby cannot get 'em. Never mind the shower, Water cannot wet 'em.
Who can guess it? The bridges are not real bridges, and they are not really painted,—yet every summer we see them. Now, what kind of bridges are they? Nobody over seven years of age need try to guess these riddles.
Now you shall have another riddle,—this time about sheep, but they are not the real sheep shown in the picture. On almost any sunny day you can see the kind of sheep that this riddle means. Many of these riddle sheep are white as snow, and they keep moving, moving, when the wind blows. Did you ever see them? Perhaps if you look out of your window now you may see some of the same sort. But it must be at noon time, or in the morning when the sky is blue, or when you wake up in the night and see the moon softly stealing in and out among them. Do not look for them when it is time for little folk to say "good-night!" Then thesesheep sometimes change into bright red and yellow banners stretching across the sky and floating over the place where the sun is going to sleep.
White sheep, white sheep, On a blue hill. When the wind stops You all stand still. When the wind blows You walk away slow. White sheep, white sheep, Where do you go?
And now comes the very last riddle,—about Dormio Hill. What can the white ground of Dormio Hill be? It is in the land of Nod, and if you wish to find it, I do believe the Sand-man can take you to the very spot.
And who is the Sand-man? Ah, that is another riddle which Mamma can answer for you.
On Dormio Hill the ground is white And nobody's there except at night To Dormio Hill mamma will go And carry the baby whether or no.
JACK-IN-THE-PULPIT.
We will open the meeting this month, my hearers, with "A Bumble Grumble" sent to you by my friend Harold W. Raymond.
A bumble-bee sat on the wild-rose tree,And grumbled because he was big and fat;"Just look at yon butterfly light," quoth he,"I wish I were airy and graceful like that!O ho!I know'Tis hard to be heavy, and huge, and slow!"A mischievous boy the butterfly caught,And in his rough grasp it fluttered and died.Sir Bumble his dagger drew out, and thoughtThat his end had come; but he boldly cried:"Come on!My son;This stinger and I weigh nearly a ton.""You'll have to excuse me, sir," said the lad,"I know the weight of your little barbed spear.Were your logic less pungent I'd be most gladTo meet you in conflict and vanquish you here.Good-day!I'll say;For I fear 'twould unhealthy prove to stay."The bumble-bee laughed a stitch in his sideWhen he saw the youngster in full retreat;Then he stretched himself in a new-born prideAnd threw out his chest with martial conceit."Dear me!"Said the bee,"'Tis easy to seeAn ounce of stingIs better than yards of butterfly-wing."
A bumble-bee sat on the wild-rose tree,And grumbled because he was big and fat;"Just look at yon butterfly light," quoth he,"I wish I were airy and graceful like that!O ho!I know'Tis hard to be heavy, and huge, and slow!"
A bumble-bee sat on the wild-rose tree,
And grumbled because he was big and fat;
"Just look at yon butterfly light," quoth he,
"I wish I were airy and graceful like that!
O ho!
I know
'Tis hard to be heavy, and huge, and slow!"
A mischievous boy the butterfly caught,And in his rough grasp it fluttered and died.Sir Bumble his dagger drew out, and thoughtThat his end had come; but he boldly cried:"Come on!My son;This stinger and I weigh nearly a ton."
A mischievous boy the butterfly caught,
And in his rough grasp it fluttered and died.
Sir Bumble his dagger drew out, and thought
That his end had come; but he boldly cried:
"Come on!
My son;
This stinger and I weigh nearly a ton."
"You'll have to excuse me, sir," said the lad,"I know the weight of your little barbed spear.Were your logic less pungent I'd be most gladTo meet you in conflict and vanquish you here.Good-day!I'll say;For I fear 'twould unhealthy prove to stay."
"You'll have to excuse me, sir," said the lad,
"I know the weight of your little barbed spear.
Were your logic less pungent I'd be most glad
To meet you in conflict and vanquish you here.
Good-day!
I'll say;
For I fear 'twould unhealthy prove to stay."
The bumble-bee laughed a stitch in his sideWhen he saw the youngster in full retreat;Then he stretched himself in a new-born prideAnd threw out his chest with martial conceit."Dear me!"Said the bee,"'Tis easy to seeAn ounce of stingIs better than yards of butterfly-wing."
The bumble-bee laughed a stitch in his side
When he saw the youngster in full retreat;
Then he stretched himself in a new-born pride
And threw out his chest with martial conceit.
"Dear me!"
Said the bee,
"'Tis easy to see
An ounce of sting
Is better than yards of butterfly-wing."
And now you shall have a story that isn't in verse, though there's poetry in it. "Turn about is fair play," and this will interest you in the butterflies.
PRETTY DUSTY WINGS.Dear Jack: Please let me tell you this true story:Dusty Wings is the name of a charming little pet of mine; and he is so curious a thing to have for a pet, that if it were not for his name, I don't believe you could ever guess what he is.One day in the early part of November, as I sat by the window, I noticed lying on the piazza a beautiful butterfly, with his gorgeous wings outspread. He was apparently stunned by the cold, as he did not attempt to fly away when I went to pick him up. I brought him into the warm room, when he soon became very lively.His body is dark brown, covered with fine hairs, which look like feathers when put under a magnifying glass. The wings show all the colors of the rainbow, arranged in the most artistic manner. The wings themselves are transparent, like those of a fly, and the color is given to them by fine scales, which come off very easily. Theantennæwhich grow from each side of the head are black and white.Although you all have probably seen many butterflies as beautiful as my pet, I don't believe you ever watched one eat, and that is a very interesting process. Dusty Wings alights on my finger and clings to it as if he really loved me. I then put a drop of sugar in front of him. Immediately a long trunk (it is hollow, like an elephant's) unwinds and feels about until it finds the liquid, which gradually disappears; and then Mr. Dusty Wings slowly coils his trunk around and stows it away in a vertical opening in the center of his head. The trunk is so delicate that when it is coiled up, it looks like a fine watch-spring. If he has not had enough, he lets me know by waving this trunk in the air. The first time I fed him, he seemed shy and only ate very little; now he is not at all afraid.I made him a house with plenty of air-holes, and there he stays most of the time on a warm corner of the mantel. I do not like to let him out very often to fly about, as I am afraid he might be stepped on. If I wear a flower he will crawl up my dress until he comes to it, and there he will stay, showing that he has not forgotten his old life.Yours sincerely,Ada C. Ashfield.TREES THAT RAIN.Memphis, Tenn., January 10, 1886.Dear Jack: I thought some of your readers might be able to answer my question.There had been no rain here for about three weeks; it was in the fall, and our school went to see a tree that had been raining for two or three days; this tree was a sycamore. I saw two more trees that rained. One was a box-elder, and the other an elm. The elm was in the woods. The drops tasted like water, and dried up as quickly.Can any one explain this to me?Your constant reader,Julia S.
Dear Jack: Please let me tell you this true story:
Dusty Wings is the name of a charming little pet of mine; and he is so curious a thing to have for a pet, that if it were not for his name, I don't believe you could ever guess what he is.
One day in the early part of November, as I sat by the window, I noticed lying on the piazza a beautiful butterfly, with his gorgeous wings outspread. He was apparently stunned by the cold, as he did not attempt to fly away when I went to pick him up. I brought him into the warm room, when he soon became very lively.
His body is dark brown, covered with fine hairs, which look like feathers when put under a magnifying glass. The wings show all the colors of the rainbow, arranged in the most artistic manner. The wings themselves are transparent, like those of a fly, and the color is given to them by fine scales, which come off very easily. Theantennæwhich grow from each side of the head are black and white.
Although you all have probably seen many butterflies as beautiful as my pet, I don't believe you ever watched one eat, and that is a very interesting process. Dusty Wings alights on my finger and clings to it as if he really loved me. I then put a drop of sugar in front of him. Immediately a long trunk (it is hollow, like an elephant's) unwinds and feels about until it finds the liquid, which gradually disappears; and then Mr. Dusty Wings slowly coils his trunk around and stows it away in a vertical opening in the center of his head. The trunk is so delicate that when it is coiled up, it looks like a fine watch-spring. If he has not had enough, he lets me know by waving this trunk in the air. The first time I fed him, he seemed shy and only ate very little; now he is not at all afraid.
I made him a house with plenty of air-holes, and there he stays most of the time on a warm corner of the mantel. I do not like to let him out very often to fly about, as I am afraid he might be stepped on. If I wear a flower he will crawl up my dress until he comes to it, and there he will stay, showing that he has not forgotten his old life.
Yours sincerely,
Ada C. Ashfield.
Memphis, Tenn., January 10, 1886.
Dear Jack: I thought some of your readers might be able to answer my question.
There had been no rain here for about three weeks; it was in the fall, and our school went to see a tree that had been raining for two or three days; this tree was a sycamore. I saw two more trees that rained. One was a box-elder, and the other an elm. The elm was in the woods. The drops tasted like water, and dried up as quickly.
Can any one explain this to me?
Your constant reader,
Julia S.
All look out, my friends, for raining trees, and report the results of your observations. I've seen no such instance in my meadow as the one Julia describes. But you all may go searching the groves and the books, and see what you can discover.
New York, March 1, 1886.
Dear Jack: I frequently have read of shooting stars, but never of anything like this that I saw. About four summers ago, I was staying at a village on Long Island. One evening as I was about to go into the house, I glanced up at the heavens. Myriads of stars were shining brightly, but no moon. As I was looking directly overhead, there was a sudden, intense light, and a star burst into fragments. The pieces slid a short distance and then disappeared, as all shooting stars do. The utter noiselessness of the whole occurrence made it even more impressive and startling. Willyou please ask your readers whether they ever have seen such a thing or read of anything like it?
Yours respectfully,
Susan A.
COASTING IN AUGUST.Gardiner, Maine.Dear Jack: I meant to have written to you before, telling how we boys coast in August, as I was reminded of it by reading the story about coasting down the grass-covered hills, inSt. Nicholasfor August, 1885.Along the Kennebec river are many huge ice-houses. The ice is sent away in big ships in summer. It is raised high in the air and swung on a sloping plank which reaches to the ship's deck. Block after block is dispatched in this way very quickly. We boys used to get pieces of old carpeting and put on the ice. Then each boy would seat himself on a carpet-covered block of ice, and, in something less than a wink, we would find ourselves on the ship. We did this, the boys and I, till our mothers found it out.Then we stopped.Your constant reader,John W.
Gardiner, Maine.
Dear Jack: I meant to have written to you before, telling how we boys coast in August, as I was reminded of it by reading the story about coasting down the grass-covered hills, inSt. Nicholasfor August, 1885.
Along the Kennebec river are many huge ice-houses. The ice is sent away in big ships in summer. It is raised high in the air and swung on a sloping plank which reaches to the ship's deck. Block after block is dispatched in this way very quickly. We boys used to get pieces of old carpeting and put on the ice. Then each boy would seat himself on a carpet-covered block of ice, and, in something less than a wink, we would find ourselves on the ship. We did this, the boys and I, till our mothers found it out.Then we stopped.
Your constant reader,
John W.
Dear Jack: I saw some letters about turtles in your department, and so I thought I would write to you about something I noticed. I have a small turtle, and I have seen that the shell scales off in little pieces just the shape of the divisions on its back. It shuts its eyes by raising the lower lid. Has any one else noticed the first peculiarity?
Your reader,
W. I. L.
Mr. C. F. Holder, I hear, is to tell you in the JuneSt. Nicholasabout some fishes and their young, so this is a good time to show you this letter from my friend Ernest Ingersoll, concerning a fish that weaves its nest.
Dear Jack: Among the small fishes that inhabit the streams and ditches along the Atlantic coast of the Northern States, is the four-spined stickleback. Like the rest of the sticklebacks, this species makes a nest in which the eggs are deposited. The male fish makes the nest himself and defends it with great spirit. It is about half an inch high and three-eighths of an inch in thickness. It is composed of stalks of water-weeds and small stuff of that kind, bound together by a glutinous thread which the fish spins out from a gland in his body, and which is wound round and round the nest to bind it together. It frequently happens, however, that in poking apart the straws with his nose this living bobbin will pass his body through the nest and back again, thus weaving the thread he reels out into the substance of the nest and sewing it tightly together.
Yours truly,
Ernest Ingersoll.
You all remember, I am sure, "Robin's Umbrella," which was described and shown to you from this pulpit two months ago. Now I'll tell you about the way in which a clever humming-bird shielded her little ones from the rain. There they were, a nestful, and the rain beginning to fall. The people who had watched the nest out of their window were concerned about the young birds, but the mother-bird evidently was prepared for the emergency. Near the nest grew a large leaf,—it was a butternut tree,—and on one side of the nest a small twig stuck out. When the drops began to fall, she came quickly, and with many tugs pulled the leaf over the little nest, for a roof, and hooked it by the twig on the other side, which held it firmly.
Thus the half-feathered babies were kept as dry under their green roof as if their house had been built by a carpenter, like the sparrow-houses all around on the trees.
When the rain was over, the mother came back and unhooked the leaf.
A CLEVER HUMMING-BIRD.
Contributors are respectfully informed that, between the 1st of June and the 15th of September, manuscripts can not conveniently be examined at the office ofSt. Nicholas. Consequently, those who desire to favor the magazine with contributions will please postpone sending their MSS. until after the last-named date.
The Audubon Society, of which Jack-in-the-Pulpit informed our readers last month, takes its name from that of the great naturalist J. J. Audubon. It has been established for the purpose of fostering an interest in the protection of wild birds from destruction for millinery and other commercial purposes. The head-quarters of the society are at 40 Park Row, New York City. It invites the coöperation of young folk in every part of the country.
All of our readers who are interested in the handiwork of children, will remember Mr. Charles G. Leland's valuable papers concerning Brass-Work and Leather-Work for young folk, published in this magazine, and will be glad to know thatSt. Nicholasintends to print, before the close of the summer, an illustrated account of the Children's Industrial Exhibition held in New York City last April.
We have the pleasure of beginning the Letter-Box this month with five letters from the other side of the world. First of all, comes one sent from Clermont, France, by "Georgine and Sybille," whose letter is very charming and welcome even though theymaynot "yet write well English."
Clermont, France.
Dear St. Nicholas: If this will reach you but we don't know your addres. We have been having very pleasure to read you. We understant it better than much books in English. We think little Lord Fauntleroy very fine. If we tell you a fine tale you will print it? A fine dog lives in the village named Turc, he had hunger so he went to the châlet and pulled the cord with his patte, and when the domestique came she gave him to eat, and Turc goes all the days now and is given to eat. do you not think Turc is very clever? We are very sorry to terminate our letter, but we are fearful it be too long. You will give us very joy to print this. Mamma says we do not yet write well English.
Georgine and Sybille.
Boitsfort, Belgium.
Dear St. Nicholas: I receive your paper every month since November, when mother took it for a birthday present to me. I see that many children write to you. Perhaps you will publish my letter because it comes from a little Belgian girl. We live in a pretty place called Boitsfort, quite near Brussels, and quite near the Forêt de Seignes, where we take pleasant rides, I on my pony, my brother and sister on the two donkeys. My brother Louis is nine, my sister Tata is six, and I am eleven. My cousin Helen, who is nineteen, traveled all over America last year with her father, and likes very much your country and the ways of the people there. She brought several papers for children, and we decided thatSt. Nicholaswas the best; that's why mother gave it me. I hope I too will go once to the United States. Believe me, dearSt. Nicholas, yours sincerely,
Alice Solvay.
San Remo, Italy.
Dear St. Nicholas: Some of your readers might like to know what an Italian peasant's house is like. On the ground floor the donkey lives, on the second and third floors the people live, and on the roof the chickens live.
If you wish to go and see them, you have to go up some narrow stairs that are very dark, but when you come out on the roof there is the most beautiful view of the quaint old town, with its red roofs, and the sky and sea. We went to walk to-day, and found violets, blue hyacinths, and daisies growing wild under the olive-trees.
I get mySt. Nicholasfrom London, but I am a little American girl from Cleveland, Ohio.
Your loving reader,
Lily May Z.
Poland.
Dear St. Nicholas: I live at Warsaw in the winter. I am ten years old. I have nine dolls and a King Charles dog, named Beauty, and she has a great antipathy to music. I am Polish, and have been learning English for two years. Mamma takes you for me, and I like your stories much.
I hope this letter is not too long to print.
Ina Komar.
Prinkipo, Sea of Marmora, Turkey.
Dear St. Nicholas: I must tell you something about my life in Turkey. I am an English girl, about thirteen years of age. I have been living in Turkey for twelve years. In the summer we go to the country, to the Island of Prinkipo, in the Sea of Marmora. It is very small and pretty. We have great fun there in the summer. We go out sailing and rowing. There are a great many donkeys at Prinkipo; we often go out for rides on them. We generally go around the island, so you can imagine how small it is. It takes about one hour to ride around it on donkeys, and about one hour and a half to go around it on foot.
The people here are mostly Greeks. Of course there are some Turks and Armenians. At the back of the island there are the ruins of the monastery of the Greek Empress Irene, who lived a long time ago.
I will tell you a little story about the dogs of this place. In Constantinople and the villages near it, there are a great number of dogs. All these dogs have their own quarters, and quarrel very much with those of other quarters. At San Stephano, about two years ago, some wolves came down from the mountains, and then all these dogs united and chased the wolves right back to the mountains. And then they went home to their quarrels again. What I mean is, that although they had their differences amongst themselves, they were ready to join together against the wolves. I hope my letter will be good enough to interest the other little girls who write to you, and who have never lived in Turkey.
Your interested reader,
Muriel P.
Brooklyn.
Dear St. Nicholas: I want to tell you about our performance of your comedy for children, "Dicky Dot and Dotty Dick." We got it up in our Cozy Club. I was stage manager. I am ten years old. My sister Christine was Dotty. She is six. A little boy named Sidney was Dicky. He is six and a half. They both knew their parts perfectly, and did so well that everybody said it was too cute for anything, and I felt very much pleased. We all loveSt. Nicholas.
Geraldine.
Kansas City, Mo.
Dear St. Nicholas: I was wishing for you before Christmas, because all the girls at school say you are so interesting. I never had a hope of getting you. But what do you think! On Christmas, to my great surprise, among my presents was aSt. Nicholas. I jumped around with glee. I sat down, left all my other presents, and commenced reading you. I am eleven years old. I think the covering of you very pretty. The picture in front is "Apollo, the god of the sun." I am very fond of mythology. Mamma is going to have mySt. Nicholasbound when this year is out, and I am going to take you next year. Hoping this letter will be printed, I remain, your devoted reader,
Etta K.
Palisades.
Dear St. Nicholas: I live in the country, very high up on the Hudson River Palisades. The woods are all about us, and my nurse takes me to the edge of the great cliffs to look down on the shining river, and see the steamers and the lovely white sails far over on Long Island Sound.
We have a baby colt in the pasture with his mamma, whose name is Aniline, because her glossy coat shines in bright tints when the sun strikes it. The colt follows us about like a large dog. Papa has taught him not to be afraid.
At night when it grows dark, and I am undressed for bed, we hear Owen calling the cows, "Here, Dolly! Dolly! Here, Jenny! Jenny! Jenny!"
Then he sits down to milk them, and the three cats all gather around him, watching and waiting for a sip.
The katydids sing a great deal up here, and this is what Mamma has sung to me at bed-time, and you will guess from it, dearSt. Nicholas, what my name is:
Out-of-doors the air is fullOf voices small;List to what they're talking of,So busy all:"Did little Katy do to-dayAs she was bid?"Something hastens to reply,"Katy did!"Katy didn't! Katy did;She did! she did! she did!Who this morn played in the hay?Katy did!Who pulled pussy's tail to-day?Katy did!Did she eat all Grandma's cakes?Katy didn't! Yes, she did!Did she sometimes make mistakes?Katy did, she did!Did she sup on milk and bread?Katy did;Did she run away to bed?Katy did;Said her prayers at Mamma's knee!Katy did! Katy did!And fell asleep! ah, dreary me!Katy did, she did!Katy didn't! Katy did!She did! she did! she did!
Out-of-doors the air is fullOf voices small;List to what they're talking of,So busy all:"Did little Katy do to-dayAs she was bid?"Something hastens to reply,"Katy did!"Katy didn't! Katy did;She did! she did! she did!
Out-of-doors the air is full
Of voices small;
List to what they're talking of,
So busy all:
"Did little Katy do to-day
As she was bid?"
Something hastens to reply,
"Katy did!"
Katy didn't! Katy did;
She did! she did! she did!
Who this morn played in the hay?Katy did!Who pulled pussy's tail to-day?Katy did!Did she eat all Grandma's cakes?Katy didn't! Yes, she did!Did she sometimes make mistakes?Katy did, she did!
Who this morn played in the hay?
Katy did!
Who pulled pussy's tail to-day?
Katy did!
Did she eat all Grandma's cakes?
Katy didn't! Yes, she did!
Did she sometimes make mistakes?
Katy did, she did!
Did she sup on milk and bread?Katy did;Did she run away to bed?Katy did;Said her prayers at Mamma's knee!Katy did! Katy did!And fell asleep! ah, dreary me!Katy did, she did!Katy didn't! Katy did!She did! she did! she did!
Did she sup on milk and bread?
Katy did;
Did she run away to bed?
Katy did;
Said her prayers at Mamma's knee!
Katy did! Katy did!
And fell asleep! ah, dreary me!
Katy did, she did!
Katy didn't! Katy did!
She did! she did! she did!
Fulton, Illinois.
Dear St. Nicholas: We have been taking you ever since you first started, and I can never tell you how we all love and admire every feature you possess.
I have two brothers and two sisters. My youngest brother is only seven, so you see we will have to take you several years yet.
Papa and Mamma read you almost as much as they read their grown-up magazines.
I live on a farm in the western part of Whiteside County, Illinois, about four miles from the Mississippi. We think it is a beautiful country here with the bluffs, trees, and farming lands on the bottoms. Our picture gallery is all outdoors. From your faithful reader,
D. E. H.
Woodmont, Conn.
Dear St. Nicholas: My Uncle gave you to me for my birthday present, and I like your pages very much; and I have two other friends that like you very much. I like the story named "Oh, Dear!" very much, and my sister liked the story "Davy and the Goblin." We have a very cunning cat, and we call it Blaine. I hope my letter will be printed, as it is the first one I ever wrote, and I am anxious to see it in the magazine.
Your little reader,
Avis N.
Hingham, Mass.
Dear St. Nicholas: I have written several letters before, but none of them have been printed; but I hope that this one will be. I have a very nice time here in summer. My home is within forty feet of the water. I have a boat, and can row, swim, dive or fish. I am just learning to ride on horseback. In the winter I live in Boston, and I have a governess to teach me algebra, English history, physiology, and the common branches, and I study French and Latin at Mrs. Newhall's. I have taken you for five years.
Elaina T.
Hartford, Conn.
Dear St. Nicholas: In one of your nice magazines last summer, you gave an account of how to make a string house. I thought it would be very nice to make one; so my sister and I tried it. We made it exactly according to the directions; it took us three whole days. We enjoyed reading and playing in it very much. We made a kind of porch in front, so as not to make it look so much like a tent.
We have been taking you ever since 1880, and we like you better than any other book. I think your best stories are, "Little Lord Fauntleroy," and "From Bach to Wagner."
Hoping you will print my letter, for my sister would not write—(she said you would not print it, but I hope to show her that you will) I remain,
Your devoted reader,
N. C.
New York.
Dear "St. Nick"(as you are nick-named among us): I have taken you ever since I was a very "small girl," and now, I am sorry to say, I am a very large one of eighteen. I am told that I ought to abandon dear old "S. Nick" for some "grown-up magazine," and I feel that it is indeed sad to grow old if giving upSt. Nicholasis one of the penalties, which I shall take care that it shall not be. I have just fallen in love with "Little Lord Fauntleroy," and I wish the "small boy" of the present day would copy after him, but I fear that would be too "pretty a state of things." I am afraid to keep on lest I lose the opportunity of seeing myself in print and of boring the readers of the Letter-box; so I shall close to avoid such a calamity.
Faithfully yours,
Yum Yum.
New Orleans.
Dear St. Nicholas: I am one of your constant readers, having takenSt. Nicholasfrom the first number, and I do not think that a more interesting magazine for boys and girls can be found. I live in the quaint old Creole City of Nouvelle Orleans, as the Creoles call it. I was born here, and I expect to live here all my life. I do not think that you have any correspondents from New Orleans, at least I have seen none in the Letter-box, so I take the liberty of writing to you. I tell you, dear oldSt. Nick, it would do you good to come and see our Carnival here in March; many children are dominoed and masked in fearful and fantastic costumes. Rex, King of the Carnival, enters in grand procession the day before Mardi-Gras, usually coming up the river on a steamboat, gayly decked in bunting. All the military turn out to escort him to the Royal Palace. The artillery battalions salute him on the levee, and then he parades through all the principal streets. Generally there are three night processions—those of Momus, Comus, and Proteus—and they are gorgeous beyond description, and there is one day procession—that of Rex—which is also magnificent; there are also a great many Burlesque organizations—I. O. O. M. (Independent Order of the Moon), and the Phunny Phorty Phellows are the principal ones, I hope you will publish this, as I think it will interest the boy and girl readers ofSt. Nicholas; it is my first letter. I forgot to say that King Rex also parades the day after his arrival.
Your loving reader,
William S. P.
Newport, R. I.
Dear St. Nicholas: I have often wanted to write to you before, to tell you how much I like your stories. In the July number of 1885, there was a story in which the training-ship "New Hampshire" was mentioned. I liked the story very much, because I can see the "New Hampshire" from my window.
I am deeply interested in "Little Lord Fauntleroy," and I liked Miss Alcott's Spinning-wheel Stories very much. I hope to see my letter in print.
Your constant reader,
Mamie S. W
Colorado.
Dear St. Nicholas: I live on a ranch in Colorado and I look forward every month with great pleasure for theSt. Nicholas. I am going to tell you about a donkey we had once; we hitched him in a sled and tried to make him go, but he would not stir from home; after a little while we succeeded, and when we turned around he went like the wind, so that we could hardly hold him. The same afternoon he ran into a post and broke the sled to pieces.
We have coyotes here, and they kill our sheep. One day I saw the herd running as fast as they could, and what do you think was after them? A horrid coyote, which was so thin that it looked as if it was going to die from hunger. The coyote is not a brave animal; it will sneak around and kill sheep, but it will never fight dogs. This is the first letter I have ever written to a magazine. Good-bye, dearSt. Nicholas. I am, ever your friend,
Ida R. F.
P. S.—I am eleven years old, and live eleven miles from a school. I have gained my education from readingSt. Nicholas, and studying at home.
Buffalo, N. Y.
Dear St. Nicholas: In your February issue, there was a communication concerning "curve-pitching," and a diagram was used to explain why a ball curves in a certain direction.
I beg leave to call attention to what I believe to be a mistake in the explanation. The writer says that the curve must be "toward the retarded side." I think it must befromthe retarded side; for, the ball while advancing is also revolving in a horizontal plane,—we will say from right to left.
In its rapid flight, the ball condenses the air in front and tends to form a vacuum behind, and the condensed air in front attempts to flow around the sides of the ball to fill the vacuum behind.
Now, in the diagram mentioned, the side B, the rotation of which conspireswiththe motion of translation, resists, by friction, the attempt of the air to flow back; while the side D, in which the motion of rotation is opposite to the motion of translation, offers no resistance to the air in flowing around its side. For that reason the ball meets with most resistance in front of B, and least in front of D. Hence, taking the direction of least resistance, it curves toward D orfromthe side of most resistance.
Very respectfully,
Elmer Storr.
"The Franklin," Washington, D. C.
My Dear St. Nicholas: I thought I would write and tell you how happy you have made me this winter. I am a little Washington girl, only ten years old, and have been spending the winter in Virginia for my health. It was very lonely there; and nothing interested me so much as your stories. The "Brownies" are so funny!
I am writing this from my home in Washington; but I must tell you what a hard time I had to get here. The steamer I was on was caught in a blinding snow-storm, and had to anchor in the Chesapeake Bay a whole day and night. Then, when we got nearly to Baltimore, a tug came to tell us that we could not get into Baltimore for the ice; so the steamer turned around and went back to Annapolis. From there I took the cars to Washington.
Good-bye. Your constant reader,
Julia Rock.
Sewickley, Pa.
Dear St. Nicholas: The following verbatim copy of a composition by an eleven-year-old boy will interest some of your readers by its originality. It is without suggestion or correction. W.
Dear Lunch Basket,Do you like to carry lunch? I like to eat the lunches that you carry; sometimes you have better lunch than other times. I like it the best when you have chicken sallad in. I hope you do not ever take anything out of any other basket. I don't know very much to say to-day. Do you like a dog to carry you? I hope you will all ways have good lunches from this time on. Do you like the jam to run out of the bread on to you. I would not think you would, but I don't know what you would like. Would you rather be a boy?
H. B.
We heartily thank the young friends whose names here follow, for pleasant letters received from them: Bessie C. Ketchum, "Yum-Yum" and "Ko-Ko," A. M. L., Susie M., Winnie Jackson, Eddie D. Sherlock, Henry W. Armstrong, Jessie Overlin, Herman Nelson Steele, Estelle K. D., Mark Waterman, Bijou J. McKinnon, George A. Root, Catherine H. L'Engle, Bessie M. Rhodes, Rita C. Smith, Fullerton L. Waldo, Emmett Murray, Mabel H. Chase, Elizabeth B. Kelsey, "Bee," Meg R. M., Myra E. Smith, Dorothy E. B., Nattie, Beth and Cherrie, Florence Ames, Maurice S. Sherman, Maud R., Al. Robinson and Stuart Tatum, Mary A. Evans, P. B. Jennings, Herbert Cutting, Katie B. Baird, Georgie King, Clara, Florence and Ada, Constance P. G., Mabel Thompson, Alice Bussing, James G. R. Flemming, Nellie Montgomery, Blanche E. B., Leigh Hodges, "Isabel Conway," Annie R. F., Bertie Byers, Edith I.
Benedict, J. A. Bonsteel.
The Agassiz Association is now so large, so widely known, and so firmly established, that, in order to protect ourselves from the annoyance of frivolous persons who, taken by the novelty of the idea, seek to join us just for the fun of the thing, and then drop away after a few weeks, we have decided to make the gates of admission swing just a trifle less easily. The following circular will, therefore, be sent hereafter to all who seek admission. It will be seen by every one that its requirements are sufficiently liberal:
"The Agassiz Association is a Society for the observation of nature. It is composed of 'Chapters,' which, apart from the common name, constitution, and badge, are free to follow their own pursuits under the direction of the President of the A. A. The smallest number recognized as a Chapter is four, but after a branch has once been admitted, and has continued active for six months, it is not then cut off, though its membership should decline below four.
"There is no entrance fee for Chapters, nor any charge for registration, or for the advertising of 'Exchanges' inSt. Nicholas. There are no assessments, nor any "dues." The special classes, occasionally conducted by eminent scientists, are freely open to all members. The only necessary expense is 54 cents for the A. A. Hand-book. Engraved charters can be obtained for $1.25 each, as many Chapters and individual members wish them, but there is no obligation to purchase them. As we make no charges, we appreciate generous orders for the little hand-books, whose sales about cover the expenses of our enormous correspondence—usually nearly every member is glad to secure a copy.Individuals who join us without organizing a Chapter, are charged a fee of 50 cents in addition to the price of the Hand-book.
"Kindly fill out the inclosed application form and card (excepting 'No. of Chapter'), and return them at once. Then, if accepted, the certificate, number, and letter will be sent. It must be made one of your by-laws that your Secretary send to the President a carefully prepared report at least once a year, and should you at any time be compelled to disband, immediate notice must be sent and the charter returned.
"TheSt. Nicholasmagazine is our only official organ, and it should be found on the table of every Chapter; this, however, is not compulsory. In the November, 1885, issue ofSt. Nicholas, will be found full directions for the annual reports, which are required from every Chapter.
"Badges are no longer to be had from Mr. Hayward, but should be ordered through the President.
"We, whose names are on the accompanying card, hereby petition to be recognized as a Chapter of the Agassiz Association. We accept the constitution, we agree to the conditions of membership as explained in the circular from which this form has been detached, and we faithfully promise to do our best work in our several branches of study, and in all ways heartily to support and further the interests of the General Association. Respectfully
____________________________Secretary."
The only new conditions are the agreement to send an annual report, and to send immediate notice, in case of disbanding. Failure to do the latter causes untold confusion throughout the whole Society, as the disbanded Chapters continue, sometimes for years, to be addressed by the active ones.
YOUNG NATURALIST CLASSIFYING HER FIRST SPECIMEN:YOUNG NATURALIST CLASSIFYING HER FIRST SPECIMEN:"Poly-omma-tus pseu-darg-io-lus!—Gracious! if a little one like that has such a dreadful name, how can I ever remember the big ones!"
YOUNG NATURALIST CLASSIFYING HER FIRST SPECIMEN:
"Poly-omma-tus pseu-darg-io-lus!—Gracious! if a little one like that has such a dreadful name, how can I ever remember the big ones!"
Important as are the proceedings of our Chapters, as set forth in their "reports," they must not be allowed to crowd out the records of personal observation, which we have presented until lately under the heading—"Notes." We suggest, therefore, that all Chapters forward promptly to the President whatever items of interest come to their notice from time to time, without waiting for the formal annual report of the Chapter's progress. The most important results of your observations should also be incorporated in your annual report, as being of quite as much general interest as the condition of your treasury. We intend to devote a large share of this page to these "Notes," during the months of July and August, when no Chapter reports are due.
314,Lancaster, Pa. (A). With the Bedford, Pa., Chapter, we have exchanged at least seven thousand crystals of iron pyrites, for minerals, fossils, etc. Our egg, mineral, fossil, and shell cabinets are all pretty well filled with labeled specimens. We now propose to take up Botany, and desire to collect and mount at least four hundred specimens. Until another year has elapsed, we hope to pursue our studies of the myriad mysteries with which nature has surrounded us.—Edw. R. Heitshu.
320,Peoria, Illinois. We like geology better than the other sciences. We have several fine localities in which to seek specimens, and we go searching for them whenever we get a chance. We have several fine trilobites, corals, and other fossils. We are very much pleased with the A. A., and are delighted when we read of the good work it has done.—James A. Smith.
339,Salt Lake City (A). We are progressing very nicely. At the second or third meeting after our summer vacation, it was announced that the type of a defunct newspaper had come into the possession of one of the members, and it was suggested that the Chapter publish a monthly pamphlet.
The suggestion was carried into effect; two members were elected editors and compositors combined. Friends kindly subscribed, and counting $5 generously given by Dr. E. Evans, enough money was raised to buy a cabinet eight feet high and three and one-half feet wide. We are trying to get a library. Two of us are building large boats to take trips and explore Great Salt Lake. We have questions, two-minute talks, papers, select readings, and criticisms.
We mean to try to make this the most successful year of our existence.—Arthur Webb, Sec.
350,Neillsville, Wis.The dawning spring wakens us all. We are planning a trip through Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, which is to last all next winter.—M. F. Bradshaw.
354,Litchfield, Conn.Our departments of ornithology and zoology exhibit the best results. Many new specimens have been added, and great improvement has been made in preserving them. The library has been increased.—Lewis B. Woodruff.
355,North Adams, Mass.At present we have seventeen active and eleven honorary members. We have questions distributed at each meeting which the members are expected to answer at the following meeting. We try to have at least one good essay each week, and occasionally a lecture. Our cabinet is pretty well filled.—M. Louise Radlo.
365,Hyde Park, Illinois. There have been fifteen regular and three special meetings during the past year. September 18, 1885, Mr. John F. Gilchrist was elected president, and Mr. S. D. Flood vice-president of the Chapter. Since March 27, 1885, there have been 125 specimens presented. The total number now in the cabinet is 1000. With the aid of the Board of Education, we have purchased a microscope valued at $100. The literary exercises have consisted, as a rule, of debates on subjects in natural science.—Blanche Longmire, Sec.
374. Three of us have revived our Chapter. We devote ourselves to science instead of arguing parliamentary nonsense, as we used to do. We have come to the conclusion that if we want to apply ourselves to science we must drop parliamentary discussions.
Here is an example of our latest resolutions: "Resolved, That any member who does not do his share in the scientific work, or by unseemly mirth distracts the attention of the meeting, shall, after three reprimands by the president, be expelled from the Chapter."
It is hoped by this and other cast-iron resolutions, to banish levity, and meet together as sober, earnest workers. We'd rather have three earnest workers than thirty that take no interest.—Frank E. Cocks.
378,Ambler,Pa.Our Society is now composed of about sixty members, the teachers and scholars of Sunnyside School. We hold fortnightly meetings; the exercises consist of referred questions, presentation of specimens, readings, occasional debates, and the reading of theSunnyside Naturalistby the editor. The officers are: Pres., Mary McCann; V. P., Helen Styer; Sec., Carrie A. Lukens; Treas., Anson Smith; Editor, John H. Rex. We seem to be more interested in mineralogy and entomology than in any other branches.—Carrie A. Lukens, Sec.
382,Brooklyn, N. Y. (F). This is our fourth year. We have eight active and eight honorary members. Meetings have been held weekly without interruption, except for summer vacations. Geology has been our subject during the greater part of the time. Each year we go a little farther into it. Our collection, while not large, is byno means a poor one, and our pleasure is enhanced by examination of actual specimens. We have all been benefited by our study, and have now an intelligent general idea of geology. We have received very kind attention from the President of the "Brooklyn Entomological Society," who is an enthusiast in plants and insects. No Chapter is more interested than ours in the growth and success of the entire Association.—D. A. Van Ingen, per B. S.
386,Pine City, Minn.We think that keeping live animals is more profitable than only stuffed skins, as we have a live owl, and find it more interesting to watch him than to watch a skull and claws which belonged to another owl. We have, of insects, 980 species; minerals, 110; stuffed birds, 6; animals, 2; heads, 4; skulls, 6; miscellaneous, 20. Total, 1128; and 1018 of them are native in Minnesota.—Ernest L. Stephen.
387,Baltimore, Md. (E). After your kind letter the members took courage and determined, under all circumstances, to continue the club. Our greatest difficulty was in securing a place to meet. In our despair we went to the President of our University (Johns Hopkins), who showed great interest in us, yet could not give us a room under his roof. We then decided to store our collection (which amounts to packing them on my own shelves, in the modest little room known in our family as "Ned's Den"), and accept the invitation of one of our young lady members to meet in her study. This we have been doing ever since.—Edward McDowell, for the Secretary.
395,Montreal (A). Since the organization of our Chapter on January 5, 1883, a wonderful change has taken place. Then only six individuals met to discuss the advisability of organizing a branch here; to-day we have a large collection and a good attendance at the meetings.
Each session of this branch commences on the first Friday in October of each year and closes about the 15th of June of the following year. In this period we usually hold eighteen regular meetings. So far this session, we have had six regular meetings at which a number of excellent papers have been read; among them might be mentioned the following: Origin of Life, by Rev. E. King, M. A.; two papers on Botany, by H. McAdam, Esq.; New and Variable Stars, by W. H. Smith, Esq., President of the Astro-Meteorological Association; Our Insect Friends and Insect Foes, by Rev. T. W. Fyles; Electricity, by Prof. J. T. Donald, B. A.; and Health, its Importance and its Laws, by Dr. Desrosiers, M. D. These papers were fully illustrated with diagrams, specimens, and experiments.
Our collection is steadily increasing, and numbers about 7000 specimens at present, neatly arranged in ninety-two drawers contained in two large cabinets, and an upright glass case, which latter contains the mounted birds and mammals. Our little library, which contains only scientific publications, is nicely arranged in a book-case for the purpose. It includes about 150 volumes and many pamphlets unbound.
One very encouraging feature in our work has been that many of our young people who previously took but little interest in the study of nature have now gained a liking for the study, and a number have made private collections and are carefully studying the different forms in which they are specially interested. One member has carefully studied the life history ofH. luna, one of our largebombyces, while another has been studying the flora of the Island of Montreal, and another is devoting his time to chemistry. This latter subject has been acknowledged by many of the members to be the fundamental and most fascinating study, and the one most elevating to the mind, as it can not fail to lead a student from nature to nature's God, and I confidently believe the science which tends towards that is the study which will eventually take first place in the scientific world.—W. D. Shaw, Secretary, 34 St. Peter Street, Montreal, Canada; Thos. Patton, Pres.
398,Roseville, N. J.Our Chapter has been divided into four sections, each having its own Chapter, and in turn instructing the club on its special subject. We have purchased a few standard books, a book-case, and a very handsome cabinet, which we have nearly filled with fine specimens. The leading events of the season have been a social party, and a debate on the comparative utility of wood and iron. We will never say die.—Sara Darrach, Secretary.
400,Fargo, Dakota.We have rented a fine suite of rooms. We have eighteen members, and the prospect of as many more. We have a cabinet full of specimens, and are prepared to exchange minerals, shells, Indian relics, etc., with other chapters. We are settled now, and are doing good hard work. With best wishes for yourself and the A. A.—Frank Brown, Sec. Box 1769.
262,Denver (B). It has been a long time since any report has been made by this Chapter, and we have been so far separated that we could not do much for the A. A.; but we hope to do better in the future. About one-half the members have been living in the East for two years, while the rest of us were here. We were united a little over a year ago, and since then there has been a great deal of sickness among us, ending disastrously; but for all that, we have had quite a mass of correspondence with other Chapters in all parts of the country, and have also done some exchanging of specimens which has resulted very favorably for us, and, we think, for those to whom we have sent specimens. We have now a very nice cabinet, well filled with specimens which we value very highly, and we shall soon have to get another, as we have room for no more specimens. We hope to do some good work in the future in mineralogy, which is our particular branch of study.—Ernest L. Roberts, Sec. Box 2272.
295,Boonville, N. Y.Our Chapter ran down for a long time, but a few months ago we started it anew and in earnest.
We now have seven active members, and two honorary. We expect more to join at our next meeting. We meet once a week at the houses of members.
Not long ago we went to see an old geologist's cabinet of specimens. He has a great many. He said when he first commenced collecting he lived in an old log-house, and his first cabinet was a log split in two, with a board, that was used for a walk to the spring, nailed on it. If all the members of our Chapter were half as earnest to collect and preserve specimens as he was, we should have some lively times.—W. S. Johnson, Sec.
The New England Meteorological Society invites the assistance of members of the Agassiz Association in New England and Eastern New York, in the observation of thunder-storms during the summer months. Records are wanted of the time of the beginning of rain and of the loudest thunder for every thunderstorm in all parts of New England. More complete records, giving temperature and direction of wind are welcomed from those who will make them. Instructions and blanks will be furnished, on application to
W. M. DAVIS, Sec. N. E. M. S.,
Cambridge, Mass.
Minerals, curiosities, and fossils, for same. Send for list. E. G. Conde, Schenectady, N. Y. (Sec. 891).
Pressed orange-blossoms, orange-wood, Japan plum-wood, fig-wood, Florida moss and other Southern curiosities, for labeled bird-skins, eggs, or nests. Write first.—Percy S. Benedict, 1243 St. Charles Street, New Orleans, La.
Cocoons of theCecropiaandPrometheamoths, for cocoons of other moths.—3646 Vincennes Av., Chicago, Ill.
Pressed flowers.—Miss Alice Grass, Sec. 323, Bryan, Ohio.
First-class bird-skins, for Southern skins or eggs. Write first.—L. M. Davies, 203 Newell St., Cleveland, Ohio.
Botanical specimens, for same. Send lists.—Theo. Kellogg, De Pere, Wis.
Address all communications for this department to the President of the A. A.,
MR. HARLAN H. BALLARD,
Principal of Lenox Academy, Lenox, Mass.
The names of those who send solutions are printed in the third number after that in which the puzzles appear. Answers should be addressed toSt. Nicholas"Riddle-box," care ofThe Century Co., 33 East Seventeenth St., New York City.
Answers To Puzzles in the February Numberwere received, too late for acknowledgment in the May number, from E. Muriel Grundy, England, 9—No name, Warrington, England, 9—A. H. Jameson, Accrington, England, 1—Francis W. Islip, Leicester, England, 10—
Answers to All the Puzzles in the March Numberwere received, beforeMarch20, from "Clifford and Coco"—Maud E. Palmer—Paul Reese—Maud and Bessie—Xylo—Madge and the "Dominie"—No name—Quincy—Sallie Viles—"Pepper and Maria"—"Baby, Bobby, and Booby"—J. P. B.—"San Anselmo Valley"—Josie Martin—Dwight Merrill—"Blithedale"—"Betsy Trotwood"—May and Philip—Philip and Bobbie Faulkner—"Savoir et Sagesse"—Bertha Gerhard—Nellie and Reggie—"Mohawk Valley"—"Shumway Hen and Chickens"—"R. U. Pert"—B. H.—Lulu May—"B. L. Z. Bub, No. 2"—"Frying-pan"—Francis W. Islip—Hazel and Laurel—M. Margaret and E. Muriel Grundy—"Young England"—
Answers to Puzzles in the March Numberwere received, beforeMarch20, from W. Young, 2—E. Routh, 1—Blanche and Fred, 8—E. H. Rossiter, 1—G. Roome, 1—D. Dean, 1—B. B., 1—F. C. Barber, 2—"The Crew," 1—J. R. Smith, 1—A. and B. Knox, 8—G. Gardner, 1—V. F. Hunt, 1—F. Althans, 1—Nanki-Pooh, 2—R. E. Olwine, 2—"Dazee," 3—G. M. Bond, 1—J. A. Bonsted, 1—F. and M. Mellen, 1—W. W. Q., 1—J. J. E., 1—M. L. Hayward, 1—R. L. Foering, 1—A. G. and E. B. Converse, 1—J. H. Laycock, 1—W. H. Stuart, 1—N. McK., 1—L. Simmons, 1—B. B. Witherspoon, 2—Hilda and Laura, 1—E. L. Du Puy, 1—Mollie Ludlow, 8—"Damon and Pythias," 1—"Tweedledum and Tweedledee," 4—E. De B. Wickersham, 3—M. E. Breed, 1—Howard and Nickie, 2—F. E. Bond, 1—Agnes E. Grunsbine, 2—"Tourmaline," 2—W. K. Cornwell, 3—Ned Mitchell, 3—"February and June," 8—M. G. Fiero, 3—W. R. M., 8—J. Moses, 1—Edith Neil and Mamma, 8—S. and F. Guttman, 5—G. T. Hughes, 2—Lizinka C. B., 1—L. Reeves, 6—Francesca and Co., 8—E. C. Bliss, 1—S. Hubbell, 3—Mamie R., 7—J. R. Holme, Jr., 1—L. A. Hosford, 1—Walter La Bar, 8—Eleanor, Maude and Louise Peart, 5—Two Cousins, 8—Dash, 8—Harry A. Bull, 6—F. M. Wickes, 3—Becky and Floy, 2—Emma St. C. Whitney, 4—Fannie and Louise, 6—N. L. Howes, 2—"Zemie and Felice," 6—"Anonymous," 2—C. D. Mason, 2—Fred T. Pierce, 4—J. H. Miller, 1—L. H. Adams, 1—Effie K. Talboys, 6—E. H. Seward, 6—A. W. Lindsay, 6—A. and E. Pendleton, 8—C. S. Seaver and A. M. Young, 8—Lucia C. Bradley, 8—"Jack Spratt," 4—"Theo. Ther," 8—Annette Fiske, 8—C. and H. Condit, 8—Belle and Bertha Murdock, 7—"Jabberwock," 8—T. Gutman, 4—R. Lloyd, 6—L. Rice, 1—L. L. Lee, 1—Morris, 1—Lillie, Olive, and Ida G., 6—Aunt C. Avis, and G. S. Davenport, 7—J. A. Keeler, 3—Jessie D., 8—Oscar and Rosa, 4—A. R. Pabst, 3—H. B. Weil, 2—B. T. Dixon, 1—"Sairy Gamp and Betsy Prig," 8—Jo and I, 8—Alice Crawford, 1—No Name, Norfolk, 7—Mamma and Pearl, 4—C. Holbrook, 1—Mamma and Fanny, 8—Seb and Barn, 8—Pygro,—One Little Maid, 1—E. Rossiter, 1—M. L. G., 6—F. D., 6—Daisy and Mabel, 8—"Dolly Varden," 4—No name, Warrington, 5.
1. The name of a large country. 2. The central part of an amphitheater. 3. Tidy. 4. An insect. 5. Two-thirds of a bird. 6. A vowel.
"SAMBO."
ACROSS: 1. A vessel with one mast. 2. A musical instrument. 3. A fungus growth found on rye. 4. Serving to inspire fear. 5. Of a yellowish red color.
DOWNWARD: 1. In yesterday. 2. An exclamation. 3. Mineral. 4. An imaginary monster. 5. Serving-boys. 6. A girl's name. 7. A common, whitish metal. 8. A boy's nickname. 9. In yesterday.
H. H. D.