Chapter 2

The millions of dollars that are lying in the Sub-Treasury in New York represent, therefore, millions of dollars in bills, or silver certificates, that are in use and for which the Treasurer must be able to give solid money at any time he is asked.

A country becomes bankrupt when it cannot redeem its paper money in coin.

That is the condition of Spain and Cuba at this moment.

In Cuba General Weyler has ordered a large amount of paper money issued. The banks have been obliged to obey him; but as every one knows that no coin has been deposited in the Treasury to make the paper notes good, people do not care to take them.

General Weyler says that Spain will make the notes good at the end of the war; but as no one believes him, the paper money has steadily fallen in value.

Falling in value, you must understand, means that the merchant will not give a dollar's worth of goods in exchange for a dollar note.

In Cuba the merchants began by giving but ninety cents' worth of goods for the dollar; but as the war has continued and the poverty of Spain has become plainer, they have given less and less, until now they will only give thirty cents' worth of goods in exchange for the paper dollar.

During the late war in the South, the Confederates issued paper money, which they promised to redeem as soon as the war was over, but for which they had no coin to deposit.

Toward the close of the war, when the Southern cause had become hopeless, and the people feared the paper money might never be redeemed, $150 Confederate money often had to be paid to get a pair of shoes soled, and twenty-five to fifty paper dollars were demanded in exchange for a loaf of bread.

Of course the United States did not redeem this money when the war was over, the promise to redeem it having been made by the Confederate States; and so the thousands of dollars of Confederate money did not really have any value.

Those who had grumbled at paying such large sums to get their boots soled got the best of the bargain, for they had something to show for their money, while those who held the bills had really nothing but a handful of waste paper.

No coin had been deposited in the Treasury for the bills that were issued, and so they had no value whatever.

You can see how very necessary it is that we should have vaults bulging with money if our business is to go on satisfactorily.

* * * * *

The school-ship _St. Mary's_ has just started off for her summer cruise.

This school-ship is kept by the City of New York for the purpose of teaching boys how to become sailors.

The vessel is under the control of the Board of Education, and only boys of the best character are received on board.

If by chance a bad boy finds his way on to the _St. Mary's_, he is dismissed the moment his evil ways show themselves.

The youths who are admitted to the school must be between the ages of sixteen and twenty, and they must show a very decided taste for a sailor's life.

The course of instruction takes two years, and during that time each boy must pay $30 for the cost of his uniform and bedding.

In the winter the ship lies alongside the pier at the foot of Twenty-eighth Street and East River, and there the boys are taught the art of navigation and all the seamanship they can learn before they go to sea.

As soon as the spring sets in, the _St. Mary's_ is towed over to a suitable harbor in Long Island, and there the boys are thoroughly drilled in the furling and unfurling of sails, and in all the practical knowledge that will enable them to handle the ship when she puts to sea.

When all is ready, she starts off on a cruise which lasts till Fall, and returns to her pier in October.

Arrived in dock, the graduation exercises are held; and the graduates are assigned to such ships of the merchant navy as are in need of them.

This year there are eighty-nine scholars on board the _St. Mary's_. It is the intention of Lieutenant-Commander Reeder, who is in command of the vessel, to sail across the Atlantic to Fayal, Lisbon, Gibraltar, and Madeira, before he brings his ship back to winter quarters.

It is said that the young sailors who are turned out of this nautical school are in great demand, and have no difficulty in finding good berths as soon as they have graduated.

* * * * *

A new torpedo-boat, the _Holland_, has just been launched at Elizabethport, N.J.

There has been a good deal of mystery all winter about the building of this boat.

Some said she was being built for Cuba; others that Spain had bought her.

No one was allowed to enter the yard where she was building, and the strictest secrecy was kept as to her make and shape.

At last she has been completed and launched, but the inventor, Mr. Holland, refuses to allow any one to look at his boat until he is quite satisfied that she is perfect.

He claims for her that she can be navigated as well under water as above it, and that she will ride on the surface of the waters, or plunge beneath them, at the will of her master.

The _Holland_ is a gunboat, and will be armed with three kinds of guns: one to fire on the surface of the water, a submarine gun to use under the water, and torpedo tubes.

In attacking a vessel, the _Holland_ is intended to fire her surface-guns, and as soon as she has done such damage as she can with them, to sink down under the water. She is then to make for the enemy's vessel with her best speed, and when within a short distance of the foe, is to rise to the surface to take aim; and then, sinking again, to discharge her torpedoes.

As soon as this is done, she is to steam under the vessel, and fire her submarine gun into the unfortunate ship, which it is expected she will blow to pieces.

The _Holland_ is to be tried in New York Harbor; then, as soon as her inventor is satisfied, a public exhibition will be given of her powers.

If she can accomplish what is claimed for her, she is at once the most wonderful and the deadliest invention of modern times.

Two or three of the foreign governments are watching the _Holland_ with much interest. Mr. Holland is not known to have made any arrangements about selling her, or the patent under which she is built.

It is to be hoped that when he is finally ready to dispose of her, the United States may be fortunate enough to become her purchaser.

If we have two or three such vessels as the _Holland_ cruising near our harbors, it will simplify the problem of coast-defence very considerably.

* * * * *

On page 317, Vol. I., of THE GREAT ROUND WORLD, we spoke of the explorer who was trying to reach the North Pole in a balloon.

This gentleman, Professor Andree, had his balloon in readiness for the attempt last year.

He waited from the 23d of June till the middle of August for a favorable wind to bear him northward.

While his party was still waiting, Dr. Nansen returned from his famous expedition, in which he reached a point within two hundred miles of the Pole.

After a few more days, it was decided that it was too late in the year to attempt the aerial voyage, and so Mr. Andree had to postpone the attempt.

Not at all discouraged by his failure, he stated that he would try again the next year, and has spent the past winter making preparations for a fresh venture.

The balloon will be filled and ready for the start about the middle of June, when Mr. Andree and his companions will once more make the attempt.

The Russian Geographical Society has printed hundreds of circulars to be distributed among the natives of the lands lying around the pole, showing them by the aid of pictures what kind of an object a balloon is, and urging them to tell the nearest authorities if they see it. They are also requested, if the balloon should descend, to treat the men who are in it with the greatest kindness.

Mr. Andree is full of hope for his scheme, and expects to reach the pole. He will be spared the long journeys over the ice-fields, which all Arctic explorers have found to be the hardest part of their work.

* * * * *

The Sixth Convention of the Universal Postal Union is being held in Washington this month. Delegates from all over the world are here to attend it.

The Postal Union is a union of governments to regulate the postal business between nations.

As the correspondence of the world grew larger, and the improved means of travelling made it possible for men to journey to all parts of the earth, great trouble was found in the handling of the mail matter.

The rates for carrying letters varied for each country, and infinite work and delay was caused by the calculation made necessary thereby.

At last a few of the countries most interested in the matter formulated a Universal Postal Union, which established a fixed rate for letters sent to all countries in the Union.

This plan was first suggested at Berne, in Switzerland, in 1874.

The countries agreeing to abide by this rule styled themselves the Universal Postal Union, and made many useful laws for the transmission of mail matter.

It was the hope when the Association was started that every country in the world would join it.

In 1894 the hope was so nearly realized that all countries excepting parts of Asia and Africa had become members of the Union.

It is expected that China and Corea will ask for admission at the present meeting in Washington, and then, to quote the words of Postmaster-General Gary in opening the Congress:

"When these two countries shall have joined us, the sun in its daily circuit will not rise on a civilized people which is not included in the Postal Union."

Many subjects will be discussed during the session of the Congress. One of the most important will be that of having a Universal Postage Stamp. Stamp collectors won't like the idea, because there will only be one kind of stamp in use between all countries; it will, however, be a great benefit to people in foreign countries who would like to prepay the answers to their letters.

New York has decided to make some important changes in her mail service.

These changes have not been suggested by the Postal Congress; but if they were only in working order, they would give some of the delegates much to talk about when they return to their own countries.

The changes to be made are in the line of hastening the despatch and delivery of letters.

This is to be accomplished by means of a network of pneumatic tubes, which will be laid under the streets.

When a letter is posted at any of the sub-stations, instead of lying in the box until, the postman comes round to collect it, it will be instantly sent through the tube and deposited on the cancelling desk at the nearest station.

By this means a great deal of time will be saved; it is even said, by the persons interested in the scheme, that a letter which now takes two hours to go from Wall Street to the Grand Central Depot, can be sent by the pneumatic tubes in less than ten minutes.

The Government has given out the contract for laying the tubes, and one circuit is to be in working order by October.

It is said that the big dry-goods stores mean to make arrangements whereby they can send their small parcels by tube instead of messenger, and save a good deal of money now spent for horses and drivers.

The Pneumatic Postal system is in use in London, Berlin, and Philadelphia, and has proved a great success wherever tried.

GENIE H. ROSENFELD.

* * * * *

BOOK REVIEWS.

We have received a new history of Victoria, written for children; this has been sent to one of our readers, and an account will appear soon. The book is published by Frederick Warne & Co.

We have also received from Ginn & Co., Boston, a copy of the "Finch Primer." This is another one of those bright little books for our small brothers and sisters; it has colored illustrations, and is very attractive.

"Every reader of this page knows Mrs. Julia Truitt Bishop, of New Orleans, whose stories have given them rare pleasure for the past seven or eight years. But they do not know that Mrs. Bishop is the 'Dallas,' whose delightful sketches of animal life have attracted so much attention. Newspaper articles are necessarily somewhat ephemeral, except to those that are wise enough to cut them out and give them long life in a scrap-book; but Mrs. Bishop's animal stories are so true to nature, so real, so full of the kindly feeling that dwells deep down in an animal lover's heart, that we are glad to see them in the more durable form of a little hook.

"She has collected most of those that have been published here, and William Beverley Harison, of New York, has brought them out in a series of neat pamphlets, under the title of 'The Great Round World Natural History Stories.' These sketches need no commendation from us; you know what they are, for you have felt their gentle influence in inculcating a love for the faithful and affectionate dumb creatures that depend upon us for comfort and protection. A general distribution of these little books among young people would do incalculable good, and it would give their readers great pleasure, at the same time."--_Philadelphia (Pa.) Times,_ May 16th, 1897.

The following list of interesting books was forwarded to us by a kind young friend. EDITOR.

DEAR EDITOR:

I like THE GREAT ROUND WORLD very much.

I will name some books, so that others may read them. "Timothy's Quest" and "A Summer in a Cañon" are very pretty stories by Kate Douglas Wiggin.

"The Mysterious Island," "Abandoned," and "The Secret of the Island" are a set of books by Jules Verne. "The Fir Country," "Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea," and "In Search of the Castaways" are all by him.

"A New Alice in the Old Wonderland" is by Anna M. Richards, Jr. From an affectionate reader,

ANNA H. NEW YORK, April 17th, 1897.

INVENTION AND DISCOVERY.

POCKET PROTECTOR.--This is an invention that should recommend itself as much to girls as to boys.

It is a guard of rubber or other suitable material, which is laid inside the pocket, and fitted with ribs and a spring which close the mouth of the pocket at all times.

For the side pockets of coats it would seem to be a most desirable invention, and for the pockets of skirts it seems the thing that we have been looking for.

Every young girl knows how inconvenient it is to have no pocket in her gown, and she also knows how strongly the dressmakers protest against putting one in, because it is sure to gape open and look ugly.

With the self-closing protector the pocket would always be kept closed, and if ladies can only persuade their dressmakers to use this new invention, there is no reason why they should not once more have the comfort and luxury of pockets in their gowns.

DEVICE FOR PLACING OR REMOVING PICTURE-HOOKS.

The spring-time, when half the world is moving, and the other half house-cleaning, seems a very happy time for introducing the above invention.

It is an arrangement attached to a long pole, and it is to be used to place or remove picture-hooks and pictures.

The hooks are caught and held firmly by the two arms which project from the device. They can then be lifted off the moulding without difficulty.

In the same manner the arms can be slipped under the wires of pictures, which can thus be easily taken down.

This lifter will save many a climb of the step-ladder, besides doing the work of hanging and removing pictures in one-half the time.

There is a new machine made for sharpening scissors.

The blades to be sharpened are passed through an opening in the side of the machine, and are brought in contact with a bar, which is made of emery or other sharpening material.

The bar is adjusted with springs which move back and forth with the pressure of the blade, in such manner that a very fine edge can be put on the metal to be sharpened. G.H.R.

LETTERS FROM OUR YOUNG FRIENDS.

DEAR EDITOR:

Mother and I have been reading THE GREAT ROUND WORLD all winter and have enjoyed it so much. I think it is a very valuable little magazine, you make everything seem so interesting. Halifax is rather a quaint city. It is noted for its beautiful scenery, fine harbor, park, and public gardens. It is an ideal place to spend the hot summer months in, and American tourists are learning more about us every year. A little girl visiting here from Boston last summer was asked one morning if she should like to go to the green market and see the Indians make and sell their baskets. She hesitated a moment, then said, "Well, if they are not wild Indians I would." I think strangers have an idea that the inhabitants of Halifax are nearly all Indians (we rarely see one except market days), that our noses are really blue in color, that our houses are covered with codfish-skins, and that our only article of diet is fish. This seems all very amusing to us. We are going to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee here next month. One feature of the celebration will be a grand Military Tournament. I saw one last year, and it _was_ grand. At the close there was a mimic battle between the British and the Arabs; it was very exciting. I was so interested that I said to my sister, "The Arabs fight just as well as the British," forgetting for a minute that they were all British. I think the American flag prettier than the flag of any other nation. There is a lovely story running through _St. Nicholas_, now. It is called "Miss Nina Barrow." It ought to delight every girl reader. Hoping I am not taking up too much of your valuable time with my letter, and wishing THE GREAT ROUND WORLD much success, I remain,

Yours truly, HALIFAX, N.S., May 11th, 1897. MARIE

DEAR EDITOR:

I am very much interested in the Cubans, and I hope that they will get free. I wish THE GREAT ROUND WORLD would tell more about it. We have your nice little book for our reading class. We all laughed right out when we read about the serpent down on the Florida coast, and the singing mouse. I will close now, wishing great success to THE GREAT ROUND WORLD.

DALLAS S. CORNWALL-ON-THE-HUDSON, N.Y., May 3d, 1897.

DEAR MR. EDITOR:

Having read three of your GREAT ROUND WORLD books, I now let you know how I enjoyed them. I read many interesting things about the little island of Greece, and many other things. I read one book a day, and each week I send them to a friend in the country. She enjoys them very much.

Yours truly, NEW YORK, May 4th, 1897. JESSIE B.G.

The Editor thanks Marie, Dallas S., and Jessie B.G. for their kindly and pleasant letters.

DEAR EDITOR:

I take your GREAT ROUND WORLD and like it very much. I hope Greece will win in her war with Turkey, and Cuba in her war with Spain. General Weyler must be a very cruel man to kill the wounded Cuban soldiers who are in the hospitals. I hope the wars will soon stop and the countries be at peace. I enjoy your paper very much, it having many interesting accounts in it. I am very glad that the Czar of Russia is not going to make the exiles travel on foot any more to Siberia, and I think he must be a very nice ruler. Do you think the Cubans will win? I wish THE GREAT ROUND WORLD was published twice a week, as I like it so much. Did young Prince George of Greece marry that "Holy Child," as I think she is called?

Yours truly, EVANSVILLE, MD., May 12th, 1897. NANNIE M.

DEAR NANNIE:

Thank you for your letter and kind words.

In regard to Prince George of Greece, our list of the reigning families of Europe for 1897 states that he is unmarried.

EDITOR.

* * * * *

=Revised List, with Prices, of School-Books that will be taken in Exchange for Subscriptions to "The Great Round World."=

READERS Appleton's Primer 5 " First 10 " Second 10 " Third 10 " Fourth 15 " Fifth 25 Baldwin's Classics 10 Barnes' First 10 " Second 10 " Third 15 " Fourth 20 " Fifth 25 Butler's First 5 " Second 10 " Third 15 Cyr's Primer 10 " First 10 " Second 10 " Third 15 Davis' First 5 " Second 10 " Third 15 Eggleston's Great Americans 15 Eng. Classics (Am. Bk. Co.) 10 Gilmour's Revised First 5 " " Second 10 " " Third 10 " " Fourth 20 Harper's New First 10 " " Second 10 " " Third 15 " " Fourth 20 " " Fifth 30 Hazen's First 10 " Second 10 " Third 15 " Fourth 20 " Fifth 25 " Child's First Book 10 Holmes' New First 5 " " Second 10 " " Third 15 " " Fourth 20 " " Fifth 20 Interstate First 10 " Second 10 " Third 15 King's First Book 20 " Second " 20 " Third " 20 " Fourth " 20 Lippincott's First 5 " Second 10 McGuffey's Revised Primer 5 " " First 5 " " Second 10 " " Third 15 " " Fourth 15 Monroe's New Primer 5 " " First 10 " " Second 10 " " Third 15 New Franklin Primer 5 " " First 10 " " Second 10 " " Third 15 " " Fourth 20 " " Fifth 25 New Graded First 5 " " Second 10 " " Third 15 Pollard's Revised Primer 5 " " First 8 " " Second 10 " " Third 15 Sheldon & Co.'s First 5 " Second 10 " Third 15 " Fourth 15 Stickney's New First 5 " " Second 10 " " Third 10 " " Fourth 15 " " Fifth 20 Swinton's Primer 10 " First 10 " Second 15 " Third 20 " Fourth 20 " Fifth 25 Thompson's 10 Union First 5 " Second 5 Watson's First 5 " Second 10 Werner's Primer 10