Harper's Young People, January 13, 1880 An Illustrated Weekly
Chapter 4
=Flower-Pots for Rooms.=--Fill a pot with coarse moss of any kind, in the same manner as it would be filled with earth, and place a cutting or a seed in this moss: it will succeed admirably, especially with plants destined to ornament a drawing-room. In such a situation plants grown in moss will thrive better than in garden mould, and possess the very great advantage of not causing dirt by the earth washing out of them when watered. The explanation of the practice seems to be this: that moss rammed into a pot, and subjected to continual watering, is soon brought into a state of decomposition, when it becomes a very pure vegetable mould; and it is well known that very pure vegetable mould is the most proper of all materials for the growth of almost all kinds of plants. The moss would also not retain more moisture than precisely the quantity best adapted to the absorbent powers of the root--a condition which can scarcely be obtained with any certainty by the use of earth.
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=The Advantages of Foreign Tongues.=--In the _Letters of Charles Dickens_, recently published, occurs this pleasant child's story: "I heard of a little fellow the other day whose mamma had been telling him that a French governess was coming over to him from Paris, and had been expatiating on the blessings and advantages of having foreign tongues. After leaning his plump little cheek against the window glass in a dreary little way for some minutes, he looked round, and inquired in a general way, and not as if it had any special application, whether she didn't think 'that the tower of Babel was a great mistake altogether.'"
VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON TERRITORY.
Mamma takes the _Bazar_, papa the _Weekly_ and _Magazine_. I have the first and second numbers of _Young People_. I like it very much, but I like "The Brave Swiss Boy" the best. I am ten years old. I saw in your letter to us that you wanted us to write to your paper. I think it must have been very funny to come across the plains in a wagon. I came across from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin (where I was born), in the cars, and not in the long trains of wagons.
Oro Brown read "Two Ways of Putting It," from the first number of _Young People_, in school last Friday.
The pets I have are gray and Maltese kittens. I did once have a chicken that would come and eat wheat out of my hand, and fly into my arms.
JULIA B.
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I live a little way from Scranton, Pennsylvania, and a friend takes _Harper's Young People_ for me. I have had a great deal of fun trying to draw a pig with my eyes shut. It is very funny to sit down with your eyes shut and try to feed another person with a spoon.
DAISY.
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MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK.
I wanted to write to you, and tell you how much I liked your nice paper. I like the story of "The Brave Swiss Boy" best. I live with my grandpa and grandma, who are very good to me, and I love them very much. Please print this, and oblige
HARRY W. T.
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Pretty communications are received from Frederick B., Brooklyn, New York; Perkins S., New York city; Annie L., New London, Connecticut; Mary E. R., Albany, New York; Mabel L., New York city; and Lottie S. B., Boston, Massachusetts.
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A. M. S.--As it may interest other young readers, we print the whole list of portraits on the United States postage-stamps in use at present, as well as the one you require: One cent, Franklin; two cent, Jackson; three cent, Washington; five cent, General Taylor; six cent, Lincoln; seven cent, Stanton; ten cent, Jefferson; twelve cent, Clay; fifteen cent, Webster; twenty-four cent, Scott; thirty cent, Hamilton; ninety cent, Commodore O. H. Perry.
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BESSIE G.--Your "Bran Pudding" is excellent, but it came too late for use. We shall reserve it for next Christmas, as it is good enough to keep.
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Correct answers to Christmas Puzzle in No. 8 are received from Charlie G. G., Gussie L., Birdie C., J. N. D., Fred A. O., Herbert W. B., Emily J. M., Nina B. F., Willie C., Herbert H., Isabella C. Van B., and William W. F. The answer will be published in our next number.
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The following easy puzzles from very young readers are offered for other very young readers to solve:
No. 1.
WORD SQUARE.
My first is a battle. My second is a girl's name. My third is not cooked.
K. S. (nine years old).
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No. 2.
ENIGMA.
My first is in stove, but not in coal. My second is in pit, but not in hole. My third is in rod, but not in pole. My fourth is in bear, and also in mole. My fifth is in head, but not in scroll. My sixth is in steal, and also in stole. If you can not guess this, you are not witty, For my whole is found in every city.
C. G. (eleven years old).
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No. 3.
NUMERICAL CHARADE.
I am a word of 10 letters. My 1, 2, 3, 4 is a kind of labor. My 8, 9, 10 is a weight. My 6, 5, 7 is what a boy of a certain race is often called. My whole was a great man.
R. D. C.
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No. 4.
NUMERICAL CHARADE.
I am a word of 6 letters. My 1, 5, 2 is a noun. My 3, 4, 5 is a biped. My 6, 1, 2 is a verb. My whole is a city in Europe.
F. C.
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No. 5.
ENIGMA.
My first is in cold, but not in hot. My second is in pan, but not in pot. My third is in nap, but not in sleep. My fourth is in sold, but not in keep. My fifth is in flute, but not in drum. My sixth is in example, but not in sum. My whole is useful in the dark.
M. L.
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No. 6.
DOUBLE ACROSTIC.
A girl's name. A measure. A fine net. A girl's name. A verb. An explanation. The answer is two cities of the United States.
M. L.
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No. 7.
RIDDLE.
Decline ice-cream.
M. L.
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No. 8.
NUMERICAL CHARADE.
I am composed of 18 letters. My 17, 18, 9 is the Latin name of an animal. My 16, 10, 4, 13, 8 is a young animal. My 14, 11 is a prefix. My 6, 2, 12, 7 is a word applied to old clothes. My 1, 5, 3 is a pronoun. My 15 is a vowel. A good many little folks like my whole very much.
M. E. R.
Answers to the above puzzles will be given in _Young People_ No. 15.
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FRAGRANT
SOZODONT
Is a composition of the purest and choicest ingredients of the vegetable kingdom. It cleanses, beautifies, and preserves the =TEETH=, hardens and invigorates the gums, and cools and refreshes the mouth. Every ingredient of this =Balsamic= dentifrice has a beneficial effect on the =Teeth and Gums=. =Impure Breath=, caused by neglected teeth, catarrh, tobacco, or spirits, is not only neutralized, but rendered fragrant, by the daily use of =SOZODONT=. It is as harmless as water, and has been indorsed by the most scientific men of the day. Sold by druggists.
=PLAYS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE=, with Songs and Choruses, adapted for Private Theatricals. With the Music and necessary directions for getting them up. Sent on receipt of 30 cents, by HAPPY HOURS COMPANY, No. 5 Beekman Street, New York. Send your address for a Catalogue of Tableaux, Charades, Pantomimes, Plays, Reciters, Masks, Colored Fire, &c., &c.
Old Books for Young Readers.
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Arabian Nights' Entertainments.
The Thousand and One Nights; or, The Arabian Nights' Entertainments. Translated and Arranged for Family Reading, with Explanatory Notes, by E. W. LANE. 600 Illustrations by Harvey. 2 vols., 12mo, Cloth, $3.50.
Robinson Crusoe.
The Life and Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner. By DANIEL DEFOE. With a Biographical Account of Defoe. Illustrated by Adams. Complete Edition. 12mo, Cloth, $1.50.
The Swiss Family Robinson.
The Swiss Family Robinson; or, Adventures of a Father and Mother and Four Sons on a Desert Island. Illustrated. 2 vols., 18mo, Cloth, $1.50.
The Swiss Family Robinson--Continued: being a Sequel to the Foregoing. 2 vols., 18mo, Cloth, $1.50.
Sandford and Merton.
The History of Sandford and Merton. By THOMAS DAY. 18mo, Half Bound, 75 cents.
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Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York.
HARPER & BROTHERS _will send any of the above works by mail, postage prepaid, to any part of the United States, on receipt of the price_.
_The Fairy Books._
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=THE PRINCESS IDLEWAYS.= By Mrs. W. J. HAYS. Illustrated. l6mo, Cloth, 75 cents.
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=THE CATSKILL FAIRIES.= By VIRGINIA W. JOHNSON. 8vo, Illuminated Cloth, Gilt Edges, $3.00.
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=FAIRY BOOK ILLUSTRATED.= 16mo, Cloth, $1.50.
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=PUSS-CAT MEW=, and other New Fairy Stories for my Children. By E. H. KNATCHBULL-HUGESSEN, M.P. Illustrated. 12mo, Cloth, $1.25.
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=FAIRY BOOK.= The Best Popular Fairy Stories selected and rendered anew. By the Author of "John Halifax." Illustrated. 12mo, Cloth, $1.25.
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=FAIRY TALES.= By JEAN MACE. Translated by MARY L. BOOTH. Illustrated. 12mo, Bevelled Edges, $1.75; Gilt Edges, $2.25.
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=FAIRY TALES OF ALL NATIONS.= By E. LABOULAYE. Translated by MARY L. BOOTH. Illustrated. 12mo, Cloth, Bevelled Edges, $2.00; Gilt Edges, $2.50.
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=THE LITTLE LAME PRINCE.= By the Author of "John Halifax, Gentleman." Illustrated. Square 16mo, Cloth, $1.00.
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=FOLKS AND FAIRIES.= Stories for Little Children. By LUCY CRANDALL COMFORT. Illustrated. Square 4to, Cloth, $1.00.
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=THE ADVENTURES OF A BROWNIE=, as Told to my Child. By the Author of "John Halifax, Gentleman." Illustrated. Square 16mo, Cloth, 90 cents.
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Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York.
_Sent by mail, postage prepaid, to any part of the United States, on receipt of the price._
"_A book beyond the pale of criticism._" N. Y. DAILY GRAPHIC.
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THE Boy Travellers in the Far East.
* * * * *
ADVENTURES OF
TWO YOUTHS IN A JOURNEY
TO
JAPAN AND CHINA.
Illustrated, 8vo, Cloth, $3.00.
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A more attractive book for boys and girls can scarcely be imagined.--_N. Y. Times._
The best thing for a boy who cannot go to China and Japan is to get this book and read it.--_Philadelphia Ledger._
Juvenile literature seems to have come to a climax in this book. In literary quality and in material form it is a decided improvement on anything of the kind ever before produced in America.--_N. Y. Journal of Commerce._
One of the richest and most entertaining books for young people, both in text, illustrations, and binding, which has ever come to our table.--_Providence Press._
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Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, N. Y.
_Sent by mail, postage prepaid, to any part of the United States, on receipt of the price._
WHAT MR. DARWIN SAW
In His Voyage Round the World in the Ship "Beagle."
ADAPTED FOR YOUTHFUL READERS.
Illustrated, 8vo, Cloth, $3.00.
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A capital book on natural history for young readers.--_Hartford Courant._
A superb volume filled with maps and pictures of beasts, birds, and fishes, as well as the faces of all sorts of men, and with all this a most delightful story of real travel round the world by a very famous naturalist.--_Christian Intelligencer_, N. Y.
To the intelligent boy or girl the book will be a perfect bonanza. * * * Every statement it contains may be accepted as accurately true. * * * This book shows once more that truth is stranger than fiction.--_Philadelphia North American._
It can scarcely be opened anywhere without conveying interest and instruction.--_S. S. Times_, Phila.
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Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York.
_Sent by mail, postage prepaid, to any part of the United States, on receipt of the price._
"_A nice Gift for Children._" PITTSBURGH TELEGRAPH.
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THE PRINCESS IDLEWAYS.
A FAIRY STORY.
Illustrated, 16mo, Cloth, 75 cents.
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Written in a simple but charming manner, and illustrated by beautiful pictures, so that a youngster just past the first reading-book would appreciate every word.--_Christian Intelligencer_, N. Y.
The illustrations are worthy of special commendation. Any so airy, pretty, and full of grace, have rarely appeared in any American book for children.--_Hartford Courant._
The language in which it is told is so pure and agreeable, that parents and good bachelor uncles will find it a pleasure to read it aloud to the little ones.--_Boston Courier._
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Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, N. Y.
_Sent by mail, postage prepaid, to any part of the United States, on receipt of the price._
"_A most enchanting story for boys._" PITTSBURGH TELEGRAPH.
* * * * *
AN INVOLUNTARY VOYAGE.
By LUCIEN BIART, Author of "Adventures of a Young Naturalist."
TRANSLATED BY Mrs. CASHEL HOEY and Mr. JOHN LILLIE.
ILLUSTRATED.
l2mo, Cloth, $1.25.
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A very charming book, brimming full of adventures, and has not an uninteresting page between its covers.--_Baltimore Gazette._
A book that is at once novel and entertaining. * * * All the book is lively, and the voyagers have some adventures, the telling of which is as entertaining as any book of Jules Verne's, besides having nothing in them that is improbable or extravagant.--_Philadelphia Bulletin._
A most enchanting story for boys. * * * It is a story of adventure, and also contains much interesting and useful information.--_Pittsburgh Telegraph._
A narrative crowded with adventure, told in the lively and graphic style for which the French writers of books for boys are so noted.--_Cleveland Herald._
One of the most attractive books of the season. * * * Spirited sketches of travel and adventure on the ocean wave, among the islands and on southern coasts, fill these chapters. But the main point which gives them their highest flavor is the experience of naval warfare during our late civil conflict.--_Observer_, N. Y.
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Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, N. Y.
_Sent by mail, postage prepaid, to any part of the United States, on receipt of the price._
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A BOOK FOR EVERYBODY.
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Ninth Edition now Ready.
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=HOW TO GET STRONG, AND HOW TO STAY SO.= By WILLIAM BLAIKIE. With Illustrations. 16mo, Cloth, $1.00.
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Your book is timely. Its large circulation cannot fail to be of great public benefit.--Rev. HENRY WARD BEECHER.
It is a book of extraordinary merit in matter and style, and does you great credit as a thinker and writer.--Hon. CALVIN E. PRATT, _of the New York Supreme Bench_.
A capital little treatise. It is the very book for ministers to study.--Rev. THEODORE L. CUYLER, D.D., _in New York Evangelist_.
It is unquestionably one of the most practical and useful books on this topic which have ever been published in this country.--_N. Y. Evening Express._
We know of no man in America more capable of writing such a book, or who has a better right to do so.--_Rutland Daily Herald and Globe._
It will pay any person--whether a farmer or lawyer, laborer or idler, school-girl or housewife--to buy and read it, and follow its teachings.--_Springfield Union._
A veritable treasury of muscular common-sense.--_Charleston News and Courier._
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Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York.
_Sent by mail, postage prepaid, to any part of the United States, on receipt of the price._
THE EGG TOMBOLA.
A very amusing toy can be made out of an egg, to resemble Fig. 1 in our picture. The one from which our drawing is copied was constructed in half an hour. The way to do it is this: Get a clean, well-shaped fresh egg. With a strong needle make a hole at each end about the size of a large shot, then suck out the contents of the egg. Now you have the hollow shell. Through one of the holes drop in about half a tea-spoonful of shot and the same quantity of pellets of bees-wax or tallow. Now take a small bit of bread and work it between the fingers till it becomes a paste; with this stop up the hole at the big end of the egg. Then procure a cup of boiling water, and hold the egg in it till the wax is melted, taking care to hold it quite upright, so that all the shot will settle in the big end. This will take about five minutes. Then hold the egg in very cold water till the wax has cooled. This will take about five minutes more. You will now find that the egg will stand upright on the table, no matter in what position you may lay it down. The next thing is to paint or draw on it the figure of an old gentleman like our picture, and you have the Tombola complete. If the figure be painted with oil-colors, the Tombola can be made to perform his pranks in a basin of water.
Fig. 2 shows the interior of the egg and the position of the shot and wax.
STORIES OF DOGS.
We are sure all young people will read with pleasure the following description of a very remarkable dog which belonged to the Hon. Alexander H. Stephens. This dog, which is mentioned in the _Life of Mr. Stephens_, was a very large and fine white poodle, named Rio, a dog of unusual intelligence and affection, to which Mr. Stephens became very strongly attached. While Mr. Stephens was in Washington, Rio staid with Linton Stephens, at Sparta, Georgia, until his master returned. Mr. Stephens would usually come on during the session of Greene County court, where Linton would meet him, having Rio with him in his buggy, and the dog would then return with his master. When this had happened once or twice, the dog learned to expect him on these occasions. The cars usually arrived at about nine o'clock at night. During the evening, Rio would be extremely restless, and at the first sound of the approaching train he would rush from the hotel to the depot, and in a few seconds would know whether his master was on the train or not, for he would search for him through all the cars. He was well known to the conductors, and if the train happened to start before Rio had finished his search, they would stop to let him get out. But when his search was successful, his raptures of joy at seeing his master again were really affecting. His intelligence was so great that he seemed to understand whatever was said to him; at a word he would shut a door as gently as a careful servant might have done, or would bring a cane, hat, or umbrella. He always slept in his master's room, which he scarcely left during Mr. Stephens's attacks of illness. In a word, Mr. Stephens found in him a companion of almost human intelligence, and of unbounded affection and fidelity, and the tie between the man and the dog was strong and enduring.
"For nearly thirteen years he was," says Mr. Stephens, "my constant companion, when at home, day and night, and until he became blind, a few years ago, he always attended me wherever I went, except to Washington. You may well imagine, then, how I miss him!--miss him in the yard, in the house, in my walks; for though blind, he used to follow me about the lot wherever I went. When I was reading or writing, he was always at my feet. At night, too, his bed was the foot of my own. His beautiful white thick coat of wool was soft as silk. Who that knew him as I did could refrain from shedding a tear for poor Rio?"
Of course he was properly interred, in a coffin, in the garden, and placed in the position in which he usually slept, with his face on his fore-feet.
The smartest Newfoundland dog yet discovered lives at Haverhill, Massachusetts. He meets the newsboy at the gate every morning, and carries his master's paper into the house; that is, he did so till the other day, when his master stopped taking the paper. The next morning the dog noticing the boy passing on the other side without leaving the newspaper, went over and took the whole bundle from him, and carried them into the house. That's the kind of dog _he_ is.
Ike and Tommy know that Aunt Patty is awfully scared of Tramps, and so they rig up this figure, and knock at the door. Dreadful mean, wasn't it?
End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Young People, January 13, 1880, by Various