Chapter 4

I am ten years old, and am visiting my grandma. She lives by the sea-shore. We had a hard snow-storm the other day, and the tide came nearly up to the seats of our boat-house, and the next day it was away down to the eel-grass. My aunt teaches school in the village, and the tide was up to the railroad track, so she had to ride home. What makes the tide so high and then so low? Grandma says the day it was so high the wind was east, and the next day it was west, and it blew very hard.

BERTHA A. F.

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BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

I could not tell you how happy YOUNG PEOPLE makes my brother and me. We can not wait for the week to go by. We haven't any pets except our little brother Maxwell, who is three years old. He is so funny and full of mischief that we would rather have him than all the other pets in the world. He talks as funny as the baby that wanted Daisy to come back, but my brother Jimmie and I can always understand every word he says, even when mamma can not. He is almost three years old.

PAUL S.

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JAMAICA PLAIN, MASSACHUSETTS.

I am nine years old. I have a cat. She is three years old. There is a strange cat comes in our cellar. I gave her some milk, and she would not drink it. She runs away from me. I have a tool-box, and have been making some easels to-day.

ARTHUR N. B.

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SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

There are a great many coal mines near where I live. Six little girls, including myself, went down in one of them once with the superintendent, who explained to us how they mined coal. We girls each took a miner's pick and knocked off a piece of coal, so that we could say we had mined some ourselves. I take YOUNG PEOPLE, and I like it ever so much.

M. H. A.

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PROVINCETOWN, MASSACHUSETTS.

I have a cunning little kitten, and its name is Pinafore. It will eat ice-cream as fast as I can give it to it. We have had lots of snow here, and I go out sliding 'most all the time when I am not in school.

ABBIE C. PUTNAM.

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LEWISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

When I read Harry P. H.'s letter about his kitten that eats peanuts, I thought I would tell you about a dog I know. His name is Sport, and he lives at my grandfather's farm, not far from here. As soon as he sees me he runs toward me, and wags his tail, and jumps up and down. He follows me everywhere. I give him corn and apples to eat, and he jumps to take them from my fingers. When he is very hungry he will always eat corn and apples. Do all dogs like such things?

W. A. LEWIS.

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FORT PREBLE, PORTLAND, MAINE.

I live in a fort by the sea-shore. Our post takes HARPER'S WEEKLY, and I read the YOUNG PEOPLE, which comes with it. We have splendid boating and fishing. We catch cod-fish, mackerel, cunners, and lobsters. We catch the lobsters in nets. I have two pet pigeons, and two kittens exactly alike. Their names are Spunk and Pluck. Spunk will run up my knee when I hold out a piece of meat.

CAMPBELL P. HAMILTON.

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WEST TROY, NEW YORK.

I would like to know what to do with my parrot. He talks, sings, and whistles very nice, but he picks his feathers all out, and looks almost naked. I had a canary, but it died two years ago. It was almost twenty years old. Can any little boy or girl tell me what to do for my parrot?

NELLIE R.

* * * * *

H. L. MURRAY.--A big, strong Newfoundland dog will be the best to harness in your little carriage. Newfoundland dogs are very wise and gentle, and, if treated kindly, are easily trained.

* * * * *

CHARLEY D. M.--The trouble with your fish probably comes from the want of air in the water. If you will make a reed or elder-bush squirt-gun, closing the lower end, and making a number of small holes near the bottom, you can use it for forcing air into the tank. This will make the water "alive," and your fish will flourish. It will be well also to put two or three fresh-water crabs and snails and a little vegetation into the tank.

* * * * *

T. H. KNOX.--An owl, or an owl's head, would make a good badge for your literary society. You can buy very pretty owls' heads under glass, arranged to wear as a scarf-pin. They are not expensive. Or if you wish something original, a small gold eagle's quill would be appropriate.

* * * * *

FRED C. S.--The United States government has never offered to purchase cancelled stamps.

* * * * *

I. U.--Sheep have front teeth, or nippers, only on the lower jaw, the upper having instead a firm fibrous pad. There are eight of these nippers in a full-grown sheep. There are six grinders, or back teeth, on each side of both the upper and lower jaws.

* * * * *

EDITH J. P.--You will find information about gold-fish in YOUNG PEOPLE No. 6.

* * * * *

ZELLA T.--The origin of April-fools' Day is unknown. It is observed as a season of practical jokes in nearly every country. Even the Hindoos have a festival terminating on the 31st of March, during which they aim to send their friends on all manner of absurd errands, and enjoy a laugh at their disappointment. In Italy and France the victims of practical jokes of the 1st of April are called "April-fish."

* * * * *

B. H. T.--If you wish to keep the skin of your greyhound very soft and delicate, feed it on bread and milk, sugar, cake, crackers, and dainty food of any kind. It will eat meat fast enough, if you allow it to do so, and a little beef, cut very fine, will make it stronger and do it good. Always give it plenty of fresh water.

* * * * *

SADIE E. P.--The saw-fish (_Pristis antiquorum_) is most plentiful in tropical seas, although a few species are found in the arctic regions. Its weapon is a flat prolongation of the head, and has on either edge hard tooth-like projections. One species is found all along our coast, from New England to Florida. It has no other common name.

* * * * *

GORDON C.--Your theory that the peeking and the scolding noise made by a canary are simply to show its affection for its friends, and really a sign of pleasure, is very pretty, but we are not sure it is right. It is true that a canary will not often act in that way when approached by a stranger, for a new voice frightens it, and makes it shrink into a corner of its cage, but it will show a great deal of fight, and peck vigorously, when disturbed by a familiar finger. But either way, if it is loving or enraged, a canary is always the same dear downy little pet, and deserves the tenderest care and affectionate treatment.

* * * * *

A. H. SPEAR.--Peter Minuit--more correctly Minnewit--was born at Wesel, Holland, some time during the later part of the sixteenth century. He was appointed third Director-General of New Netherland in 1625--Cornelis May having been the first and William Verhulst the second--and arrived at Manhattan the following May. To him belongs the honor of having purchased Manhattan Island from the Indians, as up to this period (1626) the Dutch had possessed it only by right of occupation. Minuit opened negotiations with the native proprietors, and purchased the entire island for the Dutch West India Company "for the value of sixty guilders"--about twenty-four dollars of our present currency. He died at Fort Christiana, Delaware, in 1641.

* * * * *

A. L. W., Washington Territory, sends a neat "Wiggle," which we are sorry came too late to be printed.

* * * * *

DORSEY COATE.--Many thanks for your pretty valentine.

* * * * *

MARY N. C., Cuba.--The beautiful little moth which flew on your table while you were writing, and which you inclose, resembles the _Deiopeia bella_, which lives on the mouse-ear of our Northern fields. The size and markings are precisely the same, but the cross-bars on the fore-wings of the Northern moth are buff, while those of its Cuban cousin are delicate pink.

* * * * *

ANNA M. M., AND AGNES AND WILLIE, Scotland.--We are very glad to learn from your neatly written letters that little folks in Scotland derive so much pleasure from reading the "American stories in YOUNG PEOPLE."

* * * * *

Pretty favors are acknowledged from Frederick Helzel, Nicholas P. G., Tillie F. Weishampel, George H. F., John B. Maxwell, F. L. W., Eddie S., Randall Goodnough, E. G. B., Carrie L. Holman, Jay H. Maltby, Lollie E. W., Mamie Evans, S. G. McKnight, Bennie B. H., L. S. R., Willie B. M., T. S. March, F. V. Griffin, Alfred Opdyke, Henry R. C., J. B. Tanner, George N. M., M. H. V., Mary B. R., Florence E. I., Carrie Pelham, Flora, Ross, and Sallie, Freddie Haggerty.

* * * * *

Correct answers to puzzles received from Paul Sterling, G. J. D., Birdie A. Randolph, Mabel Lowell, Abby H. Vail, Laura B. Wallis, Chester Fernald, William F. B., Nena Crommelin, Amy S. Turner, Willie H. Spiller, Maggie M. Mather, Georgie M. Hollenbeck, S. V. B., Lillie M. Jones. John R. Glen, Mary M. Smith, M. Willie, J. Rector, J. M. Wolfe, N. L. Collamor, E. S. May, Harry C. M., "Phoenix," Belle F., Maud Miller, Chesly B. H., S. Birdie Dorman, Philip P. Cruger, Dorsey E. C., B. F. H., "Hartley."

* * * * *

No. 1.

ENIGMA.

My first is in cistern, but not in well. My second is in write, but not in spell. My third is in note, but not in bill. My fourth is in factory, not in mill. My fifth is in window, but not in door. My sixth is in ceiling, not in floor. My seventh is in wrong, but not in right. My eighth is in dark, but not in light. My ninth is in true, but not in false. My tenth is in slide, but not in waltz. My whole is a large city in the United States.

W. F. C.

* * * * *

No. 2.

GEOGRAPHICAL DOUBLE ACROSTIC.

An island off the coast of Massachusetts. A city in Ireland. A city in Cochin China. A river in New York State. A city in Italy. One of the United States. A river in the Northwestern United States. A city in Kentucky. A lake in North America. Answer--a city in the United States, and the State of which it is the capital.

SADIE (twelve years).

* * * * *

No. 3.

ENIGMA.

My first is in carriage, but not in gig. My second is in false, but not in wig. My third is in laughter, but not in mirth. My fourth is in girdle, but not in girth. My fifth is in sad, but not in merry. My sixth is in pear, and also in cherry. My whole lies under-ground.

C. L.

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No. 4.

WORD SQUARE.

First, a firm, hard substance of dull white color. Second, elliptical. Third, an iron pin. Fourth, a girl's name.

WILLIAM F. B.

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No. 5.

DIAMOND PUZZLE.

A consonant. A beverage. Bright. A part of the head. A consonant.

M. L.

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No. 6.

NUMERICAL CHARADE.

I am composed of 14 letters. My 5, 1, 7 is a kind of meat. My 11, 12, 6, 8 is dug from the earth. My 12, 4, 3 belongs to a boat. My 6, 14, 10, 4 is a girl's name. My 2, 9, 13, 8 is part of a bird. My whole was a great man.

FANNIE (10 years).

* * * * *

ANSWER TO PUZZLE PICTURE IN No. 14.

S-wine. S-tag; W-easel. G-oats. D-rill. B-ear. B-oar. M-ink. F-ox.

* * * * *

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN No. 15.

No. 1.

Guitar.

No. 2.

Z P E A Z E B R A A R T A

No. 3.

Franklin.

No. 4.

Photogen and Nycteris.

No. 5.

G ri P R u E A i R N ea R T r Y

Grant, Perry.

No. 6.

F L A W L I N E A N O N W E N T

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Address HARPER & BROTHERS, Franklin Square, N. Y.

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Send one, two, three, or five dollars for a sample box, by express, of the best Candies in America, put up elegantly and strictly pure. Refers to all Chicago. Address

C. F. GUNTHER, Confectioner, 78 MADISON STREET, CHICAGO.

=BLUME'S BEAUTIFUL BALLADS=--"Shining Curls of Gold," "Rambling o'er the Hill," "Four-Leaf Clover," "Buttercups and Daisies," "Pink Domino" Waltz, Dodworth's "Five-step," "Don't Get Weary" Galop. Each 35c., mailed. =FREDERICK BLUME, 861 Broadway.=

The Child's Book of Nature.

* * * * *

The Child's Book of Nature, for the Use of Families and Schools: intended to aid Mothers and Teachers in Training Children in the Observation of Nature. In Three Parts. Part I. Plants. Part II. Animals. Part III. Air, Water, Heat, Light, &c. By WORTHINGTON HOOKER, M.D. Illustrated. The Three Parts complete in One Volume, Small 4to, Half Leather, $1.31; or, separately, in Cloth, Part I., 53 cents; Part II., 56 cents; Part III., 56 cents.

* * * * *

A beautiful and useful work. It presents a general survey of the kingdom of nature in a manner adapted to attract the attention of the child, and at the same time to furnish him with accurate and important scientific information. While the work is well suited as a class-book for schools, its fresh and simple style cannot fail to render it a great favorite for family reading.

The Three Parts of this book can be had in separate volumes by those who desire it. This will be advisable when the book is to be used in teaching quite young children, especially in schools.

* * * * *

Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York.

_Sent by mail, postage prepaid, to any part of the United States, on receipt of the price._

CHILDREN'S

PICTURE-BOOKS.

Square 4to, about 800 pages each, beautifully printed on Tinted Paper, embellished with many Illustrations, bound in Cloth, $1.50 per volume.

The Children's Picture-Book of Sagacity of Animals.

With Sixty Illustrations by HARRISON WEIR.

The Children's Bible Picture-Book.

With Eighty Illustrations, from Designs by STEINLE, OVERBECK, VEIT, SCHNORR, &c.

The Children's Picture Fable-Book.

Containing One Hundred and Sixty Fables. With Sixty Illustrations by HARRISON WEIR.

The Children's Picture-Book of Birds.

With Sixty-one Illustrations by W. HARVEY.

The Children's Picture-Book of Quadrupeds and other Mammalia.

With Sixty-one Illustrations by W. HARVEY.

* * * * *

Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York.

_Sent by mail, postage prepaid, to any part of the United States, on receipt of the price._

BOOKS FOR YOUNG MEN.

* * * * *

Character.

Character. By SAMUEL SMILES. 12mo, Cloth, $1.00.

It is, in design and execution, more like his "Self-Help" than any of his other works. Mr. Smiles always writes pleasantly, but he writes best when he is telling anecdotes, and using them to enforce a moral that he is too wise to preach about, although he is not afraid to state it plainly. By means of it "Self-Help" at once became a standard book, and "Character" is, in its way, quite as good as "Self-Help." It is a wonderful storehouse of anecdotes and biographical illustrations.--_Examiner_, London.

* * * * *

Self-Help.

Self-Help; with Illustrations of Character, Conduct, and Perseverance. By SAMUEL SMILES. New Edition, Revised and Enlarged. 12mo, Cloth, $1.00.

The writings of Samuel Smiles are a valuable aid in the education of boys. His style seems to have been constructed entirely for their tastes; his topics are admirably selected, and his mode of communicating excellent lessons of enterprise, truth, and self-reliance might be called insidious and ensnaring if these words did not convey an idea which is only applicable to lessons of an opposite character and tendency taught in the same attractive style. The popularity of this book, "Self-Help," abroad has made it a powerful instrument of good, and many an English boy has risen from its perusal determined that his life will be moulded after that of some of those set before him in this volume. It was written for the youth of another country, but its wealth of instruction has been recognized by its translation into more than one European language, and it is not too much to predict for it a popularity among America boys.--_N. Y. World._

* * * * *

Thrift.

Thrift. By SAMUEL SMILES. 12mo, Cloth, $1.00.

The mechanic, farmer, apprentice, clerk, merchant, and a large circle of readers outside of these classes will find in the volume a wide range of counsel and advice, presented in perspicuous language, and marked throughout by vigorous good sense; and who, while deriving from it useful lessons for the guidance of their personal affairs, will also be imbibing valuable instruction in an important branch of political economy. We wish it could be placed in the hands of all our youth--especially those who expect to be merchants, artisans, or farmers.--_Christian Intelligencer_, N. Y.

In this useful and sensible work, which should be in the hands of all classes of readers, especially of those whose means are slender, the author does for private economy what Smith and Ricardo and Bastiat have done for national economy. * * * The one step which separates civilization from savagery--which renders civilization possible--is labor done in excess of immediate necessity. * * * To inculcate this most necessary and most homely of all virtues, we have met with no better teacher than this book.--_N. Y. World._

* * * * *

Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York.

_Sent by mail, postage prepaid, to any part of the United States, on receipt of the price._

PERPETUAL MOTION.

Tommy was only ten years of age, but still he was determined to obtain it. At last, one day, he ran into his father's office in ecstasies, and shouted, "Hurrah! Pop, I've got it!"

"Got what, my son?"

"Perpetual motion!" cried Tommy. "I've been watching it for the last half hour, and it works bully!" Then grasping "Pop" by the hand, "Come up in the garret and see it."

His father went up, and, sure enough, there was perpetual motion--that is, as long as there was any life left in the dog and that piece of roast beef hung to his tail.

THE SOAPBOXTICON, OR HOME-MADE MAGIC LANTERN.

Would you like to have a magic lantern? Very well: I will tell you how to make it. In the first place you must procure a burning-glass, such as you can get at any toy store for a few cents; or you may, perhaps, have the glass out of an old telescope. You also want a soap box (or any other kind of square box), a cigar box, and a piece of white muslin or linen as large as a pocket-handkerchief. Make a hole in the cigar box to fit your magnifying-glass, and put the glass into it. Now look at Fig. 1, and see how the cigar box is placed inside the soap box. Stretch the muslin over the opposite side of the soap box (from which, of course, you have removed the bottom), and tack it to the edges of the box. Put a lighted candle in the cigar box as represented in the illustration, and if you hold a drawing or a photograph opposite the glass in the cigar box, it will be reflected on the muslin stretched over the end of the soap box, and you have a magic lantern.

One thing more. By looking at Fig. 1 you will see that there are two bars and a cross-bar to hold the picture. These can easily be fixed, and will save you the trouble of holding the picture in your hand, and will be more steady. By carefully looking at the different drawings, you will soon see how to make one yourself.

* * * * *

=A Brave Princess.=--In one of the Sandwich Islands, in the South Seas, is a volcanic mountain with a huge lake of ever-burning fire. This was the reputed abode of the goddess Pele and her fiery companions, the worship of whom was the central superstition of the islanders. The young Princess Kapiolani was converted to Christianity through the teaching of the missionaries. Grieving for the ignorance and misery of her people, she resolved to visit the burning mountain of Kilauea, and dare the dreaded Pele to do her worst. There a priestess met her, threatened her with the displeasure of the goddess if she persisted, and prophesied that she and her followers would miserably perish. In defiance of this threat, she and her Christian followers went down to the edge of the burning lake, and, standing erect, she thus spoke: "Jehovah is my God. He kindled these fires. I fear not Pele. If I perish by the anger of Pele, then you may fear the power of Pele; but if I trust in Jehovah, and He should save me from the wrath of Pele, then you must fear and serve the Lord Jehovah."

CHARADE.

FIRST.

I am rocked in the arms of the sea, Or tossed on the flowing main; Then fold my white wings in some peaceful bay, And am bound to the earth with a chain.

SECOND.

There's a fruit with its hue of gold From the land of the tropical sun; _I_ make it a cooling draught to hold To the lips of the thirsty one.

WHOLE.

With the tread of many feet, And the changeless roll of the drum, With a deadly volley my foe to greet, Mid the flash of steel, I come.

End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Young People, March 2, 1880, by Various