Volume XVII. With 1276 Pages and about 1200 Illustrations. 4to, Cloth,

Ornamental, $3.50.

It is doubtful if any other book issued at this holiday season contains so many stories for young readers as this volume.--_San Francisco Chronicle._

The book is one which is sure to delight all the children.--_Detroit Free Press._

A pronounced success as an educational means of great value.--_Pittsburg Chronicle-Telegraph._

One of the best periodicals for children ever published.--_Philadelphia Ledger._

Naval Actions of the War of 1812

By JAMES BARNES. With 21 Full-page Illustrations by CARLTON T. CHAPMAN, printed in color, and 12 Reproductions of Medals. 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, Deckel Edges and Gilt Top, $4.50.

Unquestionably both the most lifelike and the most artistic renderings of these encounters ever attempted.--_Boston Journal._

Brimful of adventure, hardihood, and patriotism.--_Philadelphia Ledger._

The Dwarfs' Tailor

And Other Fairy Tales. Collected by ZOE DANA UNDERHILL. With 12 Illustrations. Post 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.75.

The twenty-two tales form a cosmopolitan array that cannot fail to delight young readers.--_Chicago Tribune._

Fascinating for old and young.--_Boston Traveller._

A Virginia Cavalier

A Story of the Youth of George Washington. By MOLLY ELLIOT SEAWELL. Illustrated. Post 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.50.

Warmly commended to all young American readers.--_Chicago Inter-Ocean._

An absorbing tale.--_Philadelphia Bulletin._

Rick Dale

A Story of the Northwest Coast. By KIRK MUNROE. Illustrated by W. A. ROGERS. Post 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.25.

Lively and exciting, and has, incidentally, much first-hand information about the far Northwest.--_Outlook_, N. Y.

Capital story of adventure.--_Philadelphia Evening Bulletin._

* * * * *

HARPER & BROTHERS, Publishers, New York

What All Ought to Read.

A member living in the South asks for a list of books that persons of all ages ought to read in order to begin further reading--books that ought to be read, no matter in what direction a later taste might lead.

Here is a list prepared last year to fit this very question. It was prepared by some one well qualified for the task:

_Tales from Shakespeare_, by Charles and Mary Lamb. Sir Walter Scott's _Ivanhoe_, _Lady of the Lake_, and _Marmion_. Tennyson's _Idyls of the King_. Macaulay's _History of England_. Higginson's _Young Folks' History of the United States_. Thackeray's _The Virginians_. Walter Besant's _For Faith and Freedom_. Dickens's _Tale of Two Cities_. _Brave Little Holland, and what She taught Us_, by W. E. Griffis. Lew. Wallace's _Ben-Hur_. _Bible Characters_, by Charles Reade. _Recreations in Botany_, by Caroline A. Creevey. _The History of a Mouthful of Bread_, by Jean Macé. Laboulaye's _Fairy-Tales_. _Life and Letters of Louisa M. Alcott_. _John Halifax, Gentleman_, by Mrs. Craik. Longfellow's _Evangeline_. Irving's _Life of Washington_. Whittier's _Snow-Bound_. Hawthorne's _House of Seven Gables_ and _Tanglewood Tales_. Fenimore Cooper's _Leatherstocking Tales_ and _Last of the Mohicans_. Amelia E. Barr's _Bow of Orange Ribbon_. Alexander Johnston's _American Politics_.

How many of these have you read? And why may not a Chapter take up this list?

* * * * *

A Call for Charity.

The storm of September 29 caused such disaster at Fort White that I have decided to write to you, through the columns of HARPER'S ROUND TABLE, and ask you to send ten cents to Mrs. E. G. Persons, Fort White, Florida. It will be distributed among the storm sufferers of that place, which was almost totally wrecked. Only three dwelling-houses were left standing. The turpentine-men were ruined, as nearly all the turpentine-trees were blown down. I hope that you will all respond liberally and quickly, for what is a very small sum to one person will mean a great deal to the storm sufferers.

ALBERT H. ROBERTS, K.R.T. ANITA, FLA.

* * * * *

Working a Turpentine Orchard.

Our national Department of Agriculture gathers facts in relation to forestry as well as to farming, and publishes them for the use of any one who wishes them. It has just issued some interesting facts about pine-trees, of the variety from which turpentine is obtained.

"Work in a turpentine orchard is started in the early part of the winter, with the cutting of the boxes. Trees of full growth, according to their circumference, receive from two to four boxes.

"The boxes are cut from eight to twelve inches above the base of the tree, seven inches deep and slanting from the outside to the interior. In the adult trees they are fourteen inches in the greatest diameter, and four inches in the greatest width, with a capacity of about three pints. In the mean time the ground is laid bare around the tree for a breadth of two and a half to three feet, and all combustible material loose on the ground is raked into heaps to be burned, in order to protect the trees from the danger of catching fire during the conflagrations, which are frequently started in the pine forests by design or carelessness. The employment of fire for the protection of turpentine orchards against the same element necessarily involves the total destruction of the smaller tree growth, and if allowed to spread without control beyond the proper limit often carries ruin to the adjoining forests.

"During the early days of spring the turpentine begins to flow, and chipping is begun, as the work of washing the trees is called, by which the surface of the trees above the box is laid bare beyond the youngest layers of the wood to a depth of about an inch from the outside of the bark. The removal of the bark and of the outermost layers of the wood--the "chipping" or "hacking"--is done with a peculiar tool, the "hacker," a strong knife with a curved edge fastened to the end of a handle bearing on its lower end an iron ball of about four pounds in weight, to give increased force to the stroke inflicted upon the tree, and thus to lighten the labor of chipping. As soon as the scarified surface ceases to discharge turpentine freely, fresh incisions are made with the hacker. The chipping is repeated every week from March to October or November, extending generally through a period of thirty-two weeks, and the weight of the chip is increased about one and one-half to two inches every month. The rosin which accumulates in the boxes is dipped into a pail with a flat trowel-shaped dipper, and is then transferred to a barrel for transportation to the still."

* * * * *

Queer Complication of Territory.

Kings and presidents send ambassadors to the capitals of other countries, as you know. The residence of these ambassadors is, in law, not a part of the country in whose capital they are located, but a part of the country from which comes the ambassador residing there at the moment. For instance, the residence of the American Ambassador to France is in Paris, but at law it is not French but United States territory. A novel incident grew out of this legal fiction recently.

The Japanese Embassy in Berlin is not German, but Japan territory, of course. The embassy owns a parrot. The parrot got out of its cage and took lodgement in a neighboring tree--a tree in Germany, not in Japan. A Japanese servant remaining in Japan levelled a hose at the parrot, with the aim of dislodging him. It chanced that beneath the tree there sat, at the time, a German resident of wealth. The water that dislodged the parrot drenched him and ruined his clothes. He sued for damages, and got $4--a compromise sum, because the inflictor of the damage was a resident of Japan, had not left his own country, and could not be dragged into a German police court.

* * * * *

A Lake without Water.

Central Australia is only now becoming known, as is Central Africa. An explorer tells the following about a wonderful "lake":

"We came, just at dusk, to the top of a sand hill, and saw Lake Amadeus lying at our feet. It was a strange sight. The bed of the lake was here only some three-quarters of a mile wide, but east and west it stretched away to the horizon, widening out, especially westwards, into a vast sheet many miles across. There was not a speck of water, only a dead level surface of white salt standing out against the rich after-glow on the west and the dull sky to the east, whilst north and south it was hemmed in by low hills covered with dark scrub."

* * * * *

To Amateur Paper Publishers.

Will publishers of amateur newspapers send sample copies to A. R. Abbott, 38 Franklin Street, Northampton, Massachusetts?

* * * * *

A Query in Natural History.

Some time ago, under the above heading, a caterpillar was described which is commonly called saddle-back or slug caterpillar. Naturalists know it by the euphonious title of _Sibine stimulea_, which tells us that the tufts of bristles have nettlelike powers of irritation. The name slug caterpillar is given it because, the abdominal legs being absent, it moves with a smooth, gliding, snail-like motion. It feeds on many plants and trees, such as corn, rose, cherry, pear, and apple. After spending some weeks feeding on the leaves, it spins a brown cocoon, nearly spherical, surrounded by a loose silken web, and about July 1 a small moth emerges.

It resembles those small moths commonly designated as "millers." The wings, which spread about one and one-half inches, are of a beautiful rich brown color, with a dark streak on the fore wings, near which are three whitish spots. Although nature has furnished the caterpillar with a protective armor of poisonous bristles, yet it does not seem to me to merit the epithet "hideous creature."

C. W. B. EAST ORANGE, N. J.

* * * * *

Questions and Answers.

Henry Osborn asks what causes Indian-summer weather, and why it is so called. Neither is quite clear, dear Sir Henry. In Canada it is known as St. Martin's summer. Why we call it Indian summer we have been unable to find out. Can any one tell us? By early American colonists it was thought that the haze was real smoke wafted from fires started by the Indians in anticipation of winter.--A Pennsylvania member asks how commercial pop-corn is made so excellent, when he has so much difficulty in getting his corn to pop well. The reasons are several. One is practice, which makes perfect. Another is good tools. Coal is poor stuff to pop corn over. Get coke. That is better because it stays hot, and does not die down as coal does. For popping corn in large quantities regular furnaces lined with fire-brick are provided, and there are huge wire baskets that are handled crane fashion. Some hold a bushel of corn when popped. Pop-corn parties are said to be more common than usual this autumn.

Gardner W. Millet asks when rifles were invented, and when metallic ammunition, all ready for use, was first used. He also asks about breech-loading guns and magazine-rifles. The earliest breech-loaders were used in 1537, but during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries they were common. They were also crude. At Kuisyingen, in 1636, only seven shots were fired by soldiers in eight hours. The flintlock was of Spanish origin, and came in about 1630. William, Prince of Orange, brought it to England in 1688. Rifles are quite old, having been used in Germany in the eighteenth century--early part. The Furguson, a breech loading rifle, was used by American patriots during the Revolution. The civil war brought into use the metallic ammunition, all ready for loading on the instant, though there were many breech-loading rifles in use before that day. The magazine-guns were invented in 1835, but not much used till thirty years later. The rifle used by the United States weighs eight pounds and twelve ounces, has a 0.3 calibre, and five rounds of ammunition.

"C. G. A." is informed that Mrs. Augusta J. Evans, the author, is still living, we believe, in Mobile, Alabama. A granddaughter is also a resident of Mobile, named Mrs. Gaillard, formerly Miss Wilson.--Jay F. Hammond asks if a barrel is used for a post-office at Cape of Good Hope, as is said to be used at the Strait of Magellan. We think not. The extremity of Africa is quite unlike the extremity of South America. Perhaps some South African reader can tell us more.--Edwy L. Taylor: The Camera Club Competitions close February 15. The reference to an earlier closing was an error.--Edward C. Wood: Your game may be copyrighted, but unless it be a mechanical contrivance, or a part of such, and that new, it cannot be patented. The cost of a copyright is fifty cents, with a further fifty cents for a transcript, while a patent costs upwards of $100. We can find no record of the firm you mention. To copyright your game mail two copies addressed to the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C., give your full name and address, state the purpose of sending, and enclose $1. Nothing else is required. To make the copyright effective you must conspicuously place on every copy the words "Copyright, 1896, by Edward C. Wood, Philadelphia."--C. B. M.: Apply to Samuel French & Son, Dramatic Publishers, New York, and state just what you want. They will reply at once, giving list, if you mention the ROUND TABLE.

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.

HINTS ON RETOUCHING.

II.--SPOTS AND SCRATCHES.

It often happens that there are spots on a negative--caused by specks of dust on the plate, air-bubbles in the developer, or unlucky scratches in the handling--which if not covered in some way make a black spot on the silver paper, and mar the beauty of what would otherwise be a fine picture. With a little practice one can learn to fill up these defects so that they will be scarcely noticeable in the print.

Take a drop or two of the retouching varnish on the end of the finger, and rub it lightly and evenly over the places which are to be retouched. Put to dry in a place free from dust; it will be dry enough in three or four hours. Place the retouching-frame on a table by a window with a good strong light, close the blind or lower the shade over the upper part of the window, and place a sheet of white paper under the frame on the table. Place the negative in the frame, and over it put a piece of opaque paper with a hole an inch or two in diameter opening over the place to be retouched. This also protects the film and shuts off all light except from the points to be treated. Now if the hole is a large one, take the brush and moisten it, and rub a little of the lampblack from the cake of water-color on it. Then with the greatest care touch the spot directly in the centre with a bit of the paint. Rinse the brush, and turning it till a fine point is obtained, work the paint carefully toward the edges of the spot, taking care that it does not touch the film but comes close to it. Let the paint dry, and if the first application has not made the spot of an equal density with the surrounding film, repeat the process. If the operation is not successful, the paint can be removed by applying a little turpentine on a soft cloth.

If the spot to be retouched is very small, or if there is a scratch on the film, take a soft pencil sharpened according to directions given in the first paper on retouching, and with very minute strokes go over the places until the required density is obtained. Sometimes it is necessary to go over the places several times before the spots appear like the film.

If a negative has sharp, harsh contrasts, they can be softened by going over them carefully with the pencil, using the softest one for this purpose, and then blending the pencil strokes with a crayon stump.

Freckles, heavy shadows under the eyes and nose, are easily removed or softened by using a needle-pointed pencil of very soft lead.

Undesirable backgrounds, or objects which have been unavoidably included in the picture, may be blocked out by using a thin solution of lampblack, and applying it to the back of the plate. A light coat obscures the background, and a thick coat blocks it out entirely.

In beginning the practice of retouching, it is wise to experiment on poor negatives, as first attempts are not always successful. Do not be discouraged if the first trial prove a failure. Remember your early experience in making negatives, and try again; for perseverance, no matter in what direction, is sure to bring its reward--success.

SIR KNIGHT WILLIAM MERRITT sends a print which shows no detail at the corners, and says that all his plates have the same fault, and asks what is the matter. The lens does not cover the plate--that is, the lens is too small for the size plate used. It may be that the diaphragm is too large, and by using a smaller diaphragm the blur showing on the edges of the picture would be corrected. The smaller the opening the more extended the sharp field of the lens; but the smaller the opening the longer must be the exposure.

SIR KNIGHT CHARLES M. TODD asks if hypo is always used for the fixing-bath without regard to the kind of developer; if a ferrotype-plate will impart a gloss to all kinds of prints except blue prints; if the whole roll of films in a pocket kodak would have to be exposed before one could develop any of the exposures; if developing solution may be used the second time if only one or two negatives have been developed in it. Hypo is always used for the fixing-bath, as it is the cheapest and safest chemical for the dissolving of the unused or unacted upon silver salts. Ferrotype-plate will not impart a gloss to a platinum, bromide, or any of the soft-tinted papers. The films in a pocket kodak should all be used before developing. There are only twelve films in a roll, and if part were taken out, one film would have to be spoiled in order to put the unused films back on the empty spool. Developer may be used the second and even the third time. Most amateurs have a bottle for old developer, and use it for starting development, as it is safer unless one knows the exact time of the exposure of the plate.

SIR KNIGHT F. ELTON MORSE, 11 and 13 Market St., Lynn, Mass., wishes to exchange landscape views with other members of the Camera Club.

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THE SONG OF THE MUSES.

What is that melody weird and wild That throbs and sobs like the wail of a child Through the quiet night so still and mild?

Behold, it is a choir feline, With tenors, altos--all told, nine; Those are the Mewses, I opine.

* * * * *

A PRACTICAL LITTLE GIRL.

"Oh, for the wings of a dove!" sang Mollie.

"What do you want with the wings of a dove, my dear?" asked her mother.

"To put on my new hat," said Mollie.

* * * * *

HIS EXPLANATION.

"See here, Tommie," observed Tommie's teacher, "you ought to be able to spell your own name."

"I can," said Tommie.

"Then why don't you? You've written it Tomie instead of Tommie."

"Oh, as for that," said Tommie, "you told us not to waste anything, and that extra m is just a waste of ink."

* * * * *

GOING INTO A NEW LINE.

"What'll you swap off a three-cent Nicaragua '95 for, Jack?" asked Jack's uncle of the young stamp-collector.

"I won't swap it off for anything, Uncle George, but I tell you what I will do. I'll swap off my whole collection for a goat. Stamps are always the same, but goats--my--they're never the same!"

* * * * *

NOTHING WONDERFUL.

"So you don't think much of Jack the Giant-killer, eh, Bobbie?"

"NO. He was smart. But not particularly wonderful. Why, look at me! I can tire my Pa out in five minutes, and I guess _he_ could lick any giant Jack ever saw."

* * * * *

During the winter months the farmers' boys and girls have lots of fun with their parties, taffy pulls, and such enjoyments, and considerable humor can be found in their happy repartee. At one of these candy parties a guest not altogether liked by some of the girls, unfortunately sat in a saucer of maple sugar left on a chair to cool off, and his unceremonious departure was the wonder of the evening. It was rather hard on the young man, and it is doubtful whether he found anything to end his embarrassment in the note he received the next day from the daughter, saying that if the "Mr. D---- who sat in the saucer of maple sugar last night will kindly return the saucer, he will save himself further trouble."

* * * * *

AN OBJECTION.

"I hate dancing-school," said Jack. "It's lots of fun dancing, but every time I want to waltz I have to load myself up with some girl or other. Why can't they let a feller dance by himself?"

* * * * *

A SURGEON OF THE BICYCLE.

There are enterprising bicycle people in England as well as in this country. A year or more ago London was flooded with the following circular by a bicycle-repairer, which is ingenious enough in its wording to have been the product of a Yankee:

"Bicycle surgery.

"Acute and chronic cases treated with assurance of success.

"Languid tires restored to health and vigor.

"Tires blown up without pain. Wind free. No cure, no pay asked.

"We understand the anatomy, physiology, and hygiene of wheels, and homoeopathic or allopathic treatment, as individual cases require. Sure cure guaranteed.

"Testimonials:

"'My wheel had three ribs fractured, and you cured it in one treatment.'

"'My tires were suffering with a case of acute aneurism, which had been pronounced fatal by other bicycle-doctors, but you cured the disorder, and I did not lose a day of my tour.'

"Thousands of testimonials like the above sent on application.

"Dr. Blank, B.S. (Bicycle Surgeon.) No. -- Tottenham Court Road."

* * * * *

FORCE OF HABIT.

He was thoroughly a business man, and he judged everything from the point of view of weight--as was natural, since he dealt in things which were sold according to their avoirdupois. One day somebody asked him if he had any children.

"Yes," he said. "I've got 453 pounds of boys, and 236 pounds of girls."

* * * * *

A SMALL BOY'S FEET.

"If it wasn't for me my class in school wouldn't have any standing at all," said Hubert.

"Nonsense!" said his aunt. "Your mother says you are the foot of it."

"I am," said Hubert. "How could it stand if it didn't have a foot?"

* * * * *

NOT REPEATED.

"When you stepped on that gentleman's foot, Tommie, I hope you apologized?"

"Oh, yes, indeed I did," said Tommie, "and he gave me ten cents for being such a good boy."

"Did he? And what did you do then?"

"Stepped on the other and apologized again, but it didn't work."

* * * * *

A JOKE UNDER THE SEA.

"Let's get up a minstrel show," said the Shad to the Shark.

"All right," said the Shark. "I've got a splendid mouth for tambo."

"And think of my capacity for the bones, eh?" said the Shad.

And the minnows in the school that was swimming by laughed so heartily that they swam down the Shark's throat without knowing it.

End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Round Table, January 5, 1897, by Various