SOME NEW FICTION

THE VOYAGE OF THE RATTLETRAP

By Hayden Carruth, Author of "The Adventures of Jones." Illustrated by H. M. Wilder. 16mo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.25.

This is the story of three boy chums and of their cruise across the Dakotas in a "prairie-schooner." Mr. Carruth has a genial humor in the telling of ordinary happenings that is irresistible, and he even manages to impart a great deal of useful information as he goes along. The author tells us very pleasantly some things about this big slice of Uncle Sam's territory.

THE LAST RECRUIT OF CLARE'S

Being Passages from the Memoirs of Anthony Dillon, Chevalier of St. Louis, and Late Colonel of Clare's Regiment in the Service of France. By S. R. Keightley, Author of "The Crimson Sign," "The Cavaliers," etc. With 4 Illustrations. Post 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.50.

This is a romance not of love, but of daring adventure, and so well worked as to be profoundly interesting.—Chicago Inter-Ocean.

Cleverly told, and enchain the reader's attention immediately, holding him captive to the last page.—Brooklyn Standard-Union.

A series of vivid pictures of the life of a soldier who was also a gentleman.—N. Y. Press.

IN THE OLD HERRICK HOUSE

And Other Stories. By Ellen Douglas Deland, Author of "Oakleigh." Illustrated. Post 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.50.

Made up of tales of girl life, very earnest, pure, and interesting.—Boston Traveller.

Delightful in their naturalness.... These amusing and simply-told little stories.—Philadelphia Bulletin.

Will especially interest girl readers. They are pure, fresh, and wholesome.—Chicago Inter-Ocean.

HARPER & BROTHERS, Publishers, New York

The Weight of those Four Weights.

The man who dropped a 40-pound article and broke it into 4 scale-weights excited the Table's curiosity. It was a singular fall. The 4 pieces weighed 1, 3, 9, and 27 pounds respectively. To get 2 pounds he puts the 3-pound weight on one side, and the 1-pound one on the other, and has a 2-pound balance on the 3-pound side. If he has occasion to weigh 35 pounds he puts the 27-pound weight and the 9-pound weight on one side, and the 1-pound weight on the other. We have tested these and a few other weights. Our correspondent says any number of pounds from 1 to 40 can be weighed with these weights.

From a Bright British Lad.

In my last letter I told you about some of the sights of India, where I lived till I was twelve; but now that I am in England, I will tell you something about the town in which I live. Bedford has over 40,000 inhabitants, and is a very clean town. There is a beautifully laid out park containing forty acres, in which there is a pretty lake with two shrub-covered islands on which swans and ducks make their nests.

It is intersected with paths and carriage-drives, and is resorted to by cyclists of both sexes. There are two very fine statues in Bedford. One is that of John Bunyan, who was born not far from this town, at a place called Elstow, where may be seen the moot-house or church where he used to preach, and also the remains of his house. In a church named after John Bunyan there is an arm-chair supposed to have belonged to him.

The other statue is that of John Howard, the great philanthropist. It was erected two years ago. The River Ouse runs through this town. In summer it is alive with boats and steam-launches. I am an active collector of stamps, and would like to exchange some Indian and other stamps for those of other countries, with any boy or girl who has any to exchange. I will also exchange crests, coins, and curios for stamps. If any boy or girl would care to correspond about India or England, I would answer every letter, as I love letter-writing. I go to the Bedford Modern School, in which are over 600 boys. Your faithful reader,

Ernest C. Groves. Belhaven, 33 Foster-Hill Road, Bedford.

From Among Mississippi Pines.

I was interested in your article on "Working a Turpentine Orchard," because I live in the Long Leaf Yellow Pine region, with turpentine orchards all about us. All summer we see wagons loaded with "crude" passing. If the Table would like to hear more about the process of manufacturing spirits of turpentine and resin, I will write again.

Herbert Shear. Chicora, Miss.

Please tell us about the process.

The World of Amateur Journals.

The Jester of recent date has some clever pictures bringing an old joke up to the bicycle age. A man elopes with the daughter, the steed being not saddle-horses as of old, but a tandem bicycle. The father, from an upper window does not shoot or holler, or get down and ride after the fleeing couple on his fastest horse. Instead he fires some tacks out of his gun. The tires are punctured, and the daughter returns humiliated.

The Corresponding Chapter, of which Charles Turnbull, of Hartford, Conn., is president, Arthur F. Kraus is vice-president, and Edward F. Daas, 1717 Cherry Street, Milwaukee, Wis., is secretary and treasurer, expects soon to have an official newspaper organ. The Chapter is prospering. It wants members, especially in foreign countries.

F. E. Maynard, 420 Angell Street, Providence, R. I., wants to receive sample copies of amateur papers.

Homer C. Bright, treasurer of the Columbine Chapter of Denver, Col., sends word to the Table that the old Columbine is doing well after a reorganization, and has started the publication of the Columbine Jester, which is neat and bright. Its editor is Homer C. Bright, and his address is 314 West Fourth Avenue. He asks us some questions about copyright, and whether he may take anything out of other papers, provided he gives credit. In answer to the first: It is scarcely necessary to copyright an amateur paper. The cost is $1 each issue. Ask the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C., for printed instructions. In reply to the question about clipping items: Yes, take extracts from anything you find in any other publication, unless there is a notice accompanying the article expressly forbidding it. You would not, however, take the entire article without first getting consent from the publisher. This you can, in the case of an amateur paper, probably secure for the asking.

Charles P. Follansbee, 118 South Elliott Place, Brooklyn, N. Y., desires to receive sample copies of amateur papers. Henry Feldson asks if the Table thinks autograph-collecting or amateur journalism the better hobby. It is impossible to answer such a question in favor of one or the other. Both afford instruction, and few hobbies ought to be ridden that do not do that much for the rider. The only advice is, ride the one you take the most interest in. Frances Bragdon, 1709 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, Ill., also desires sample copies of amateur papers.

Who Can Enlighten Us?

I enclose a sketch of a button. Can you tell me what it is? The star is blue, set in a little from the white enamelled background. The belt is silver, raised up above the white background. I have quite a large collection of buttons, and would like to hear from other button collectors on the subject of exchanging specimens.

D. W. Hardin. 1003 Court Street, Saginaw, Mich.

The drawing sent shows a button 5/8 inch across, with a belt surrounding a star. The belt is fastened with a buckle.

Do You Like a Good Problem?

Here is a good mathematical question, perhaps not wholly new, but handy to have when asked to tell, off hand, something to keep up the interest and occupy the attention of the company. Frank Smith, of Cumberland, Md., says he had a good time working it out, and he hopes others will enjoy it as much.

A, B, and C went to market to sell eggs. A took ten dozen, B thirty dozen, and C fifty dozen, B and C selling, according to agreement, at the same price that A sells his. Each sells all his eggs, and each brings home $2.75. What were the eggs sold at per dozen?

A Fifteen Problem.

Is there a school in the country in which scholars never play "tic, tac, toe"? If so, will not some one who attends it write the Table? It would be interesting to know if the simple game is not universal. Charles Kingenberg suggests the making of the double crossed lines as in the game named. Then place the figures one to nine, one in a place, and using all places and figures, so that horizontally, perpendicularly, and diagonally in both ways, the sum is fifteen.

Tact of Disraeli.

A new book has just been published in which are some fresh stories about Disraeli the younger. This man was Prime Minister of England, and came later to be Earl of Beaconsfield. Beginning life under many adverse circumstances, and having racial prejudice against him, he was able not only to attain the highest honor in the kingdom open to a man not of royal blood, but to do for his sovereign services second to no Prime Minister who ever served a British queen or king.

To deal with a sovereign and a woman requires tact. Lord Beaconsfield possessed it. To a friend he said one day: "I never contradict. I never deny. But I sometimes forget." He had many enemies, and yet he triumphed over nearly all of them. "I never trouble to be avenged," he said. "When a man injures me I put his name on a slip of paper and lock it in a drawer. It is marvellous how men I have thus labelled have the knack of disappearing."

This Department is conducted in the interest of stamp and coin collectors, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on these subjects so far as possible. Correspondents should address Editor Stamp Department.

New sets of stamps are now being issued with old-time frequency. The following are those of most interest:

Salvador.—The 1896 set has been reprinted in new colors for 1897.

1 centavo, vermilion.

2 centavos, green.

3 centavos, brown.

5 centavos, orange.

10 centavos, green.

12 centavos, blue.

15 centavos, black.

20 centavos, slate.

24 centavos, yellow.

30 centavos, rose.

50 centavos, violet.

100 centavos, brown.

Registration stamps.

10 centavos, blue.

10 centavos, brown.

New return receipt stamp.

5 centavos, dark green.

Unpaid letter stamps.

1 centavo, blue.

2 centavos, blue.

3 centavos, blue.

5 centavos, blue.

10 centavos, blue.

15 centavos, blue.

25 centavos, blue.

50 centavos, blue.

Liberia.—A new set of stamps has just been issued by this country. The types of all except the 50c., which has female head in centre, and is printed in red-brown and black, are same as the old series. The 1c. is similar to the old 6c.; the 2c. to the old $1; the 5c. to the old 4c.; the 10c. to the old 8c.; the 15c. to the old 12c.; the 20c. to the old 16c.; the 25c. to the old 24c., and the 30c. to the old 32c. No higher values than 50c. will be issued hereafter. Perforated 15. Water-marked.

1 cent, violet.

2 cents, olive-bistre and black.

5 cents, magenta and black.

10 cents, yellow and dark blue.

15 cents, slate.

20 cents, vermilion.

25 cents, yellow-green.

30 cents, steel-blue.

50 cents, red-brown and black.

Zanzibar.—The Philatelic Journal of Great Britain chronicles a series of adhesives with portrait of the late Sultan, also a new provisional made by surcharging the current 1a. 6p. India "Zanzibar" in black and "2½" in red, similar to the 2a. India. Water-mark a rose. Perforated 13½ by 14.

½ anna, green, flags red.

1 anna, dark blue, flags red.

2 annas, brown-red, flags red.

2½ annas, blue, flags red.

3 annas, olive-gray, flags red.

4 annas, green-black, flags red.

4½ annas, orange, flags red.

5 annas, bistre, flags red.

7½ annas, purple, flags red.

8 annas, olive-green, flags red.

1 rupee, ultramarine, flags red.

2 rupees, deep green, flags red.

China.—The Post-Office has received a set of provisional stamps issued on February 2, when China entered the Postal Union. All are surcharged, on the current Chinese postage-stamps, in Chinese, with value in English, except the $1, which is on the 3c. revenue. It is stated that the officials refuse to sell more than one set at a time, as but few were issued. All local post-offices closed on February 2.

Provisional stamps. Perforated.

½ cent on 3c., pale yellow, black surcharge.

1 cent on 1c., red, black surcharge.

2 cents on 2c., light green, black surcharge.

4 cents on 4c., rose, black surcharge.

5 cents on 5c., yellow, black surcharge.

8 cents on 6c., brown, black surcharge.

30 cents on 24c., carmine, black surcharge.

1 dollar on 3c. revenue, carmine, black surcharge.

Nicaragua.—The designs for 1897 are similar to the 1896 set with date and colors changed.

1 centavo, lilac.

2 centavos, green.

5 centavos, rose.

10 centavos, light blue.

20 centavos, light brown.

50 centavos, gray.

1 peso, slate.

2 pesos, dark carmine.

5 pesos, blue.

Unpaid letter stamps.

1 centavo, lilac.

2 centavos, lilac.

5 centavos, lilac.

10 centavos, lilac.

20 centavos, lilac.

30 centavos, lilac.

50 centavos, lilac.

J. M. Cattell.—You can get a catalogue of all postage-stamps, with illustrations of most of the types (except U.S.), for 50c. Anything beyond this is a matter of careful study. Never paste any stamps in the album. You can get one thousand of the best hinges, made of onion-skin, for 15c., from any dealer. The current U.S. stamps from low values are too common to pay for saving. The 50c., $1, $2, and $5 stamps are worth from 25 per cent. to 50 per cent. of their face value, even when used, but they must be without tear or other material blemish.

F. Severn.—Part-perforated U.S. revenue stamps are not scarce, but I advise paying any high price for single stamps in that condition. Too many perforated stamps with large margins have been faked into "part perforated." The advanced collectors, as a rule, pay extra for part-perforated revenues when in unsevered pairs only. As to the "ultramarine," they are in most cases quite scarce in this shade.

Maria C. Shatola.—I have no record of receiving any letter from you.

R. F. Bowe.—All the English stamps are water-marked. Take an unused one, or one lightly cancelled, dip it in water, and hold it so that the light shines through, and you will see the water-mark.

E. Bagg, Jun.—The English government perforates initials, etc., in stamps at the expense of the purchaser. This is done to prevent theft.

D. McLaughlin.—In the days of Queen Anne of England (1712) all English newspapers were taxed for revenue. The government put its imprint or tax on each and every paper issued. This tax was abolished June 15, 1855. Specimens are very common. They are collected to a limited degree in England.

T. A. L.—Your U.S. coins are worth three or four times their face value. The Carolus III. is a Spanish dollar no longer current, and therefore worth bullion only, as it is very common.

Philatus.

A QUEER AUDIENCE.

An India correspondent, in writing to the Boston Golden Rule, says: "The most singular audience that I ever saw gathered to listen to preaching was an audience of monkeys. I had noticed that in the back yards of the houses on the opposite side of the street there was a row of trees, the branches of which stretched out over the flat roofs. Many of these branches were beginning to bend downward toward the roofs, and the faces of some old jack monkeys peered out through the foliage. Soon some of them jumped down and came forward to see what their 'big brothers' in the street were about, as they stood gazing so intently at these white men standing around. Springing upon a parapet, they seated themselves, with their hind feet hanging over in front, and gazed with fixedness at the preacher, as they saw the people in the street doing.

"The audience in the street, standing with their backs toward that row of houses, did not notice the monkeys, and so their attention was not distracted by them.

"I had noticed that many mother monkeys had brought their babies to church with them. These little babe monkeys sat upon the knees of their mothers, while her hand was placed around them in a very human fashion; but the sermon was evidently too high for these little fellows to comprehend. Glancing up, I saw one of the little monkeys cautiously reach his hand around, and catching hold of another baby monkey's tail, give it a pull. The other little monkey struck back; but each mother monkey evidently disapproved of this levity in church, and each gave her own baby a box on the ears, as though saying: 'Sit still; don't you know how to behave in church?' The little monkeys thus reprimanded turned the most solemn faces toward the preacher, and seemed to listen intently to what he was saying. They sat demurely until the preacher finished his sermon and until he had distributed Gospels and tracts among the audience.

"Our 'celestial audience,' seeing our 'terrestrial audience' dispersing, then, and not until then, left their seats, and demurely walked back and sprang upon the branches again. There were no 'monkey capers' as they went; they were as serious as a congregation leaving a church, and sat upon the branches in a meditative mood, as though thinking over what they had heard the preacher say."