Chapter 2

He absolutely declines to regard Mr. Cooper's letter, which was published in the papers before it reached him, as a reply to his official communication.

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Prince Henry of Orleans has arrived safely at the court of Menelik of Abyssinia, and has been received by him.

Menelik is described by Prince Henry as an intelligent, good-humored man, of about forty years of age. His skin is dark, but not nearly so black as has been stated.

The Prince found him an agreeable person, much interested in foreign affairs, and he asked so many intelligent questions about the government of foreign countries that his visitor was astonished. This savage monarch knew all about the struggle between Japan and China, and realized the immense progress the Japanese had made since the war.

Menelik questioned the Prince about the French President, and seemed fully acquainted with everything concerning him. He had also heard of the Prince's voyages, and was extremely interested in his Chinese trip, asking many questions about the way the people lived in China, their manufactures and their food.

This information is particularly interesting when we realize that Menelik is the king of a savage nation. There are no schools or books in his country, no manufactories or railroads,--indeed, little civilization of any kind.

In the heart of the wilderness this man has made himself familiar with the doings of the outer world, and has made his power felt among the great nations.

The friendship of this savage is necessary to the great Powers of Europe, and he is well aware of this fact, and is striving to make his knowledge of practical value for the advancement of his people.

It is toward Africa that the Powers of Europe are turning their attention at the present day. England, France, Germany, and Italy are all seeking to plant colonies there, and gather its riches for themselves.

For years the various countries have had their way in Africa and have pursued their conquests practically unchecked.

The few savage tribes that have resisted have been mastered with more or less difficulty, and the country has been settled by the conquerors.

No nation had been met with that was strong enough to check the onward march of Europe, until Menelik, Negus of Abyssinia, defeated the Italians at the battle of Adowa, and showed Europe that he, at least, intended to bring the conquerors to terms.

Since this battle all the nations interested in Africa have been seeking the friendship of this swarthy monarch.

England finds it necessary to make a friend of him, lest in her wars with the Mahdi's followers, in the Soudan, she have Menelik also against her.

France and Italy both need the alliance of this powerful king, else they will not be able to maintain the colonies they have already established.

Most of the African rulers have been won over with presents of beads and gaudy ornaments, but Menelik belongs to a different class. He has studied and tried to fathom the intricacies of European government, and if he gives his friendship to the nations that are suing for it, it will be in exchange for benefits much more substantial than the Europeans have been accustomed to give.

* * * * *

Steady progress has been made with the Tariff Bill, and it is expected that it will be passed within a very few days.

An attempt has been made to put a provision against Trusts in the bill.

The proposed clause would make it unlawful for people to combine together to restrain free competition or to increase the market price of materials. All materials unfairly increased in price are to be forfeited to the United States, and it is to be the duty of the Attorney-General to enforce all laws against Trusts, and to do all in his power to suppress them.

It is thought that it will be difficult to add this clause to the bill, but every effort will be made to accomplish it.

Mr. Sherman expressed himself very strongly on the subject of Trusts the other day.

He said that in his belief the question of Trusts was the most important one before the nation to-day.

He said that the Trust Law was not strong enough in its present form, and that he was in favor of making all combinations that restrained trade unlawful.

He declared that even if the effect of Trusts was to lower prices, he considered them injurious to the public good, because they prevented competition and drove the smaller men out of business.

The Tobacco Trust trial has resulted in a disagreement of the jury.

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A wonderful diving-bell is being tried in the Great Lakes.

We described the method of using diving-bells in a previous number, but this new invention is built on an entirely different plan, and can accomplish results never before dreamed of.

The kind formerly made could not withstand the pressure of the water at any very great depth. No machine had been invented capable of bearing this strain until the new Smith bell was tried.

This bell has worked successfully in two hundred feet of water, and it is claimed can withstand the pressure at a much greater depth.

The most remarkable thing about the bell is that it can move about under the water, instead of merely being let down to remain in one place like an ordinary diving-bell.

Attached to its cage are four long arms, which can be moved about at will by the persons in the bell.

With the aid of these arms the huge machine can move from place to place like a great spider.

The arms can also be drawn together like pincers, and made to grip objects and carry them up to the surface.

The interior of the bell is lighted by electricity. Outside it carries a large headlight, which enables those in the bell to see around them for a distance of a hundred feet.

Experiments have been made in the Great Lakes with this bell, and its first practical work has been to locate the exact position of the steamer _Pewabic_, which was wrecked in Lake Michigan thirty-two years ago.

Many attempts have been made to find this steamer because she was laden with a cargo of copper ingots, and had besides a large sum of money on board, the two together amounting to about $140,000.

All attempts had, however, been unsuccessful until the Smith bell was used. The steamer was found lying in one hundred and sixty feet of water.

To prove the truth of the find, portions of the wreck were brought to the surface.

The success in Lake Michigan has determined the owner of the diving-bell to try and raise the North German Lloyd steamer _Elbe_, which was wrecked off the coast of England in 1895.

The owners of the _Elbe_ have already spent about fifty thousand dollars in efforts to recover their vessel.

The position of the ship was located by divers, who, at a depth of one hundred and seventy-one feet, found the upper works of the steamer. These men, however, declare that it is utterly impossible to raise the ship.

The _Elbe_ had a valuable cargo and a large amount of gold on board. The owners of the diving-bell are determined to make the effort to raise her and secure for themselves the immense reward offered.

They intend to remove the cargo first and then raise the hull, if it is possible to do so.

They are very hopeful of success, and say that the task does not appear to them any more difficult than the raising of the cargo of the _Pewabic_ which latter task they are sure of accomplishing.

* * * * *

On the 24th of June there was a celebration in Halifax, Nova Scotia, of the four hundredth anniversary of the discovery of the mainland of America.

A tablet was placed in the Parliament building in honor of John Cabot, who four hundred years ago sailed from Bristol, England, and finally reached the shores of Newfoundland.

An endeavor was made to make the celebration a general one throughout Canada and the United States, but this was found to be impracticable. Cabot's voyage could not be made of the same importance as that of Columbus.

The foundation-stone of a monument to Cabot was laid in his native town of Bristol on the same day that the celebration took place in Halifax.

* * * * *

Lieutenant Peary has started on another Polar expedition, and feels hopeful that this time he will be able to reach the Pole.

His plans for his trip are much the same as those of Dr. Nansen; that is to say, he will establish little colonies of Eskimos at certain distances along his route, leaving supplies with each colony, which he can fall back on in case of need.

He intends to keep up a constant communication with these settlements by means of dogs and sledges, so that he will not be entirely cut off from the world as previous explorers have been.

Lieutenant Peary has obtained five years' leave of absence from the Navy Department. He will therefore have plenty of time for his experiment. He says that if he fails the first time he will keep on trying until he succeeds in reaching the Pole.

There is a story that one of the men who expect to go north with Lieutenant Peary has a scheme for reaching the Pole on a bicycle.

This seems to be the strangest use thus far suggested for the bicycle.

Mr. Lee, who is the inventor of this novel plan, was with Lieutenant Peary on his last trip.

He says that there are miles and miles of smooth surface in the Polar regions that could easily be covered on a wheel.

According to his statement the water freezes smoothly, and the salt crystals that form on the top of the ice make the surface like a gravelled path, and there is consequently no danger that the wheel would slip.

He says that where the snow covers the ice it is pounded so hard by the winds that the crust is quite solid enough to bear the weight of a man.

In his opinion a wheelman would find no difficulty in travelling over it.

He thinks wheeling to the Pole is the simplest and most practical plan that has yet been proposed.

If he goes with Lieutenant Peary, Mr. Lee declares that he will take his wheel along with him and make the experiment. He thinks that a man could wheel to the Pole and back from the north of Greenland in one week.

The great difficulty in the way of his scheme is that it would not be safe for one man to make the trip alone.

He thinks that at least half a dozen ought to start together. In those far northern lands the fewer white men there are in a party the better its chance of success, because they require so much more food than the Eskimos, and it has to be of a more dainty character. Where provisions are so scarce, this is a serious consideration.

Mr. Lee says that the present pneumatic tires would not be of the slightest use, as rubber cracks and splits with the extreme cold. He has a plan for a new kind of tire that could withstand the climate.

* * * * *

We saw an account the other day of a new sport for the wheel, which is being indulged in by the cyclists of England and France.

It is called bicycle duelling, and consists of fighting mock duels on the wheel.

It is said by those who have witnessed it to be a very interesting sport.

The contestants are masked; use foils with buttons on the points, and fight according to the strict rules of fencing. The game is won by touching the adversary over the heart with the sheathed point of the foil.

In fencing, a man has to keep his eye closely on his adversary, and dares not allow his attention to be distracted for a moment. It is therefore absolutely necessary that those who engage in a bicycle duel should be expert riders.

The mimic battle begins by the two riders circling slowly round each other, waiting for an opportunity to dash in and strike a blow.

This circling continues for a few moments until one darts forward--the foils clash, and the aggressor passes swiftly on, only to turn and recommence the circling until he sees another opportunity.

They fight in this way, back and forth, round and round, until the final touch is given; then the cyclist who is touched is obliged to dismount, as a sign that he has been defeated.

This pastime is particularly popular in France, where fencing forms a part of every young man's education.

* * * * *

We have had several inquiries about the George Junior Republic at Freeville, and are pleased to say that the young citizens are being received there in as large numbers as the funds will permit.

It might interest our readers to know that any one sending $15 to Mr. A.G. Agnew, Treasurer of the George Junior Republic, 7 Nassau Street, New York, can give a ten-weeks' holiday to one poor little lad of the streets.

It is a very small amount of money to do so much good with, and it is to be hoped that people who have $15 to spare will send it to the Junior Republic to help the good work along.

G.H. ROSENFELD.

INVENTION AND DISCOVERY.

RECORDING THERMOMETER.--This is a very interesting little machine, especially so at this time of year when the temperature is a constant subject for thought.

It is a recording thermometer, and consists of a thermometer and a recording disk. By means of cleverly arranged mechanism the rise and fall of the mercury is used as the motor power, and registers the changes in temperature on an indicator card. Other simple mechanism works a rotary drum by which this indicator card is carried.

PENCIL SHARPENER.--This is another helpful little contrivance, a pencil sharpener. There are already numberless things of the kind, some of which answer for a time, some not at all, and all being made for the purpose of sharpening the pencil to a kind of regulation point. For my own part I have always preferred a good sharp knife, or the simple reason that I could then make exactly the kind of point suited to the work to be done. The purpose of the new pencil sharpener is evidently the same. This contrivance is a small and handy block for holding the pencil in position for the knife, and has a cutting guide which will be a joy to people who are awkward in using the knife.

COLORED PHOTOGRAPHY.--The State Department has received a specimen from Paris of Mr. Villedieu Chassaigne's work in colored photography.

The claim made by Mr. Chassaigne is that he can photograph objects in their exact colors.

The coloring process is applied after the picture has been developed and the print made.

A colorless liquid is then applied to the print, and after that it is washed again in blue, green, and red liquids. After each application the print is wiped dry. The various parts of the picture choose their original colors, and the result is an exact representation of the object photographed.

Several pictures have been brought over by Mr. Anthony, of New York. Among them were several portraits in which the flesh tints and the colors of the clothing were beautifully rendered. A view of the _Jardin d'Acclimatation_ in Paris showed a group of storks, the red coloring of their legs and beaks being distinctly visible.

The liquids which produce these results are to be put on the market on July 1st.

It is but fair to say that there are some doubts as to the success of this process.

A Chassaigne photograph was sent to the State Department, which persons who have seen it claim is a very crude affair, and cannot be pronounced a success, as it only resembles a very poorly tinted photograph.

These persons declare that the Chassaigne photographs are not nearly as fine as those of Kurz, of New York. These latter are obtained by making three negatives of a subject--one which photographs only the yellows, one the reds, and the third the blues in a picture.

By carefully printing the three negatives, one on the top of the other, excellent colored pictures can be produced.

KITCHEN CABINET.--A new cabinet for the kitchen has been designed which is a very handy thing for use.

It is arranged to contain all the sugars and spices and various nice things that are required in cooking.

On one side is a large receptacle for coffee, with a mill fixed half-way down, so the coffee is not only stored, but is always ready for grinding.

On the other side is another bin for flour, which is provided with a sifter.

By turning a handle the flour falls to the drawer at the bottom, sifted and ready for use.

There are handy drawers for sugars and tea, and at the bottom a large place for bread.

A clock is fixed into the top of the cabinet, and completes the very useful little case.

G.H.R.

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* * * * *

THE GREAT ROUND WORLD NATURAL HISTORY STORIES.

A Series of True Stories

BY JULIA TRUITT BISHOP.

Attractively Illustrated by Barnes.

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These stories will be issued in parts. Price, 10 cents each. Subscription price (12 numbers), $1.00. Part 1. issued as supplement to GREAT ROUND WORLD NO. 20.

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=Author's Preface.=

The stories published in this little volume have been issued from time to time in the Philadelphia _Times_, and it is at the request of many readers that they now greet the world in more enduring form. They have been written as occasion suggested, during several years; and they commemorate to me many of the friends I have known and loved in the animal world. "Shep" and "Dr. Jim," "Abdallah" and "Brownie," "Little Dryad" and "Peek-a-Boo." I have been fast friends with every one, and have watched them with such loving interest that I knew all their ways and could almost read their thoughts. I send them on to other lovers of dumb animals, hoping that the stories of these friends of mine will carry pleasure to young and old.

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=WILLIAM BEVERLEY HARISON,= =3 & 5 West 18th Street.=

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=KLEMMS'= =RELIEF PRACTICE MAPS.=

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=LIST OF MAPS.=

Small size, 9-1/2 x 11 { Plain, 5 cents each. { With Waterproofed surface 10 " "

Europe, Asia, Africa; North America, South America, East Central States, New England, Middle Atlantic States, South Atlantic States, Palestine, Australia.

Large size, 10 x 15 { Plain, 10 cents each. { With Waterproofed Surface, 15 " "

United States, British Isles, Roman Empire, Western Europe, North America, South America, Asia.

(POSTAGE ON SINGLE MAPS, 5 CENTS.)

* * * * *

"I would advise =Sunday-school teachers= to use, in connection with the lessons of 1897, =Klemm's Relief Map of the Roman Empire=. Every scholar who can draw should have a copy of it. Being blank, it can be beautifully colored: waters, blue; mountains, brown; valleys, green; deserts, yellow; cities marked with pin-holes; and the journeys of Paul can be traced upon it."--MRS. WILBUR F. CRAFTS, _President International Union of Primary Sabbath-School Teachers of the United States_.

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=DESCRIPTION OF THE MAPS.=

These maps are made in two forms, both with beautifully executed relief (embossed)--the cheaper ones of plain stiff paper similar to drawing paper (these are to be substituted for and used as outline map blanks), the others covered with a durable waterproof surface, that can be quickly cleaned with a damp sponge, adapted to receive a succession of markings and cleansings. Oceans, lakes, and rivers, as well as land, appear in the same color, white, so as to facilitate the use of the map as a =_geographical slate_=.

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=WILLIAM BEVERLEY HARISON _3 & 5 W. 18th St. ··· New York City_=

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=How the United States Has Grown=

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Several years ago a modest little volume called "The Evolution of an Empire" set forth, with a lucidity that was as remarkable as its brevity, the beginnings and growth of Germany; its author, Mary Platt Parmele, has since followed the same methods in treating France and England, and now brings out a fourth volume in the noteworthy series, a somewhat larger book, called in full, "The Evolution of an Empire: A Brief Historical Sketch of the United States," published, as were the others, by William Beverley Harison (New York). In an interesting preface Mrs. Parmele boldly explains her chief intention, which is to disclose, in so vivid a light that he who runs may read, the fundamental causes and their resulting events which have formed and are still shaping our life. She places the study of history upon a moral basis, as it shows "the great lines of tendency which make for righteousness and justice and human freedom." "To comprehend is higher than to remember," is her text, and she adds some valuable advice to the teacher of children: "With the growing complexity of life and events it is becoming an impossible task for the memory to carry the increasing burden of details; and even if it succeeds in performing this feat, it is at the expense of a clear and intelligent comprehension of the meaning of the whole. We may succeed in reducing the mental structure to a mere storehouse. But if in achieving this the mind has lost the power to grasp, and to combine, its acquisitions have been dearly purchased."

Mindful of Huxley's definition of culture, that it "must consist of criticism and comparison," Mrs. Parmele sweeps away all secondary details, all the less important incidents, and proceeds to her narrative of Columbus's discovery, the colonial period, the founding of our Republic, and its subsequent life down to the present year, with the simple directness of a dramatist; there is no halting in her impetuous relation; it is infused throughout with the same degree of philosophical ardor, and one follows as one does a wonder tale the rapid sequence of events, tracing with an awakened interest the national issues, which, presented in this new, concise, imaginative way, take on a fresh, an enchanting charm. Nothing could be clearer to the mind of a child eager to know the reason of things, nor to that of a grown person, fatigued by the jostling memories of both important and useless events, than this return to the fundamental, the philosophical, the moral causes which underlie the life of the Republic. The tortuous channels by which the currents bore us into the war of 1812 are described with such surprising simplicity that one almost fails to realize how admirable a piece of condensation the single chapter is; and the annexation of Texas is told with equal precision. The earliest traces of our present policies, such as the Monroe Doctrine, the protective tariff and free-silver issues, are explained so clearly and impartially that the author's brevity helps rather than mars the effect upon the mind.

"The history of America should be an inspiration, not a task. It ought to be known in its grand, simple lines by every child in the nation. Let it be so acquired first in its utmost brevity, then enlarged, and enlarged, and again, gradually approaching to a nearer view of the multiplicity of detail. Pleased at finding new truths which fit precisely into those already familiar, there will be no difficulty in keeping alive the interest, nor in remembering. It will be grafting on to the living, not on to the dead." This is good advice, and Mrs. Parmele proves it may make good reading as well.--_Republican_, Springfield, Mass.

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A Good Agent Wanted In Every Town for "The Great Round World"

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=To any one sending us 2 new subscribers=