" THE LAND QUESTION. [14833.-"THE old and well-established union of British landlords,' says your respected correspondent, "A Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society,' ""exists only in the imagination of your correspondent, Pioneer.'" It would perhaps, be well if this statement could be borne out by more pertinent facts than those given by the gentleman here mentioned. In letter 14707, p. 575, an attempt is made to prove that no monopoly of British landlords can possibly exist, because your correspondent has twice within the last few years been outbidden in the auction-room for land which he wished to buy-in one of the cases mentioned, after be had with his own lips" offered one-third more than the value set upon it by two professional land agents. After such experience as this I am surprised that the gentleman does not see that the fortunate or unfortunate purchaser (it matters little which), by the depth of his purse, or from determined resolve, Bonopolised to himself a 16 acre plot of land which "F. R. A. S." wished to buy. In this transaction it is not difficult to understand the difference between a purchase of any given quantity of "mutton, pairs of trousers, four-wheeled cabs, or tea," and the purchase of a limited and untransport able article like land. I hope that after a little reflection your correspondent will be able to see that it is not "childish nonsense to talk of a monopoly in land in another sense than that which exists in a monopoly of the things mentioned by him, all of which are marketable and transportable articles, the supply of which depends upon the demand, and may be increased a handredfold in proportion to the same. But, in respect to land, it is quite obvious that, however great the demand, the supply continues unchanged, clearly proving that the comparisons made have no practical bearing upon the question at issue. But over and above the advantage of permanent bmitation of the article, which every owner of landed property possesses in the nature of the possession, there are the antiquated and grim binding acts of the legislature in favour of owners of the soil, feudal astome in direct opposition to progress and public claims, and the worship which many pay to the owners of broad acres, gives a security to the individual possessed of the smallest quantity of land which no past privilege of monopoly at any time was able to confer upon any particular trader or company. We have been so long accustomed to look upon individual ownership of land as the only and just order of things that the mere mention of any other ystem, however equitable and impartial it may be, is sure to call forth the latent intolerance of humanity in such a way that those who dare to anggest a change for the good of all are sure to be branded as revolutionists, socialists, or communists, who want to destroy established order, and bring about general anarchy, confusion, and “ruin." I need scarcely remind your correspondent that our landowners are our law-makers, both in the upper and lower houses. With the titled aristocrats and the majority of the people's representatives the landed interest (which simply means self-interest) is paramount. I know of no other better established or older union than that of "British landlords." The union of the clergy or the secular interest of the Church is nowhere when compared with the union of our landed aristocracy. The clergy know this, and they dread the power that would willingly sacrifice them to preserve themselves. But if an established religion be a human institution that has become annecessary and ought to be no longer tolerated, such an established and unlimited individual ownership in land is something which more urgently demands the attention of the legislature, and ought to be the greater political and economic question of the day. and all at once, £240 is demanded for the same area, for while one was an enormous feeder the other is houses for artisans. Pioneer. SUBSTANCES. Essex. 14835.-REFERRING to letter 14748, p. 601, THE HOUSE FLY. from " Carbon," I may say the Editor has received [14834.]-THE parent fly is very careful in select-a communication from me in which there is given a ing a locality neither too wet nor too dry for her fall account of the identification of brucine. It is eggs, and by the clever use of her ovipositor places there stated that the addition of strong HNO3 gives them side by side as nicely as if she had bands. The the bright red colour spoken of, but it is also there act occupies about a quarter of an hour. While stated that strong H,SO, gives a red or rose colour performing it the fly may be approached very closely without giving the degree of redness. I cannot without exhibiting alarm, as she appears almost un- therefore modify the statement made en page 581 of conscious. The eggs are unlike the eggs of birds, the ENGLISH MECHANIC. In letter 14277, page 192, for while birds have a brittle shell the envelope of May 3, you will find, in the fifteenth line from the insect's eggs is of a leathery nature and contains no end, the full and anelliptical statement you have lime. They will stand a great deal of rough usage made, but an intelligent reader like yourself would without cracking or bursting. There is a very great supply the H2SO, ellipsis. In letter 14692, page 551, variety of shape in the eggs of insects, some being please read to which strong H.SO, has been added very curious and beautifully marked, but the egg after strychnine. This test can be satisfactorily of the fly is perfectly plain and unadorned. It is performed by putting the end of a glass rod that has white in colour, and rather long for its diameter, been dipped in potassic bichromate into strychnine with rounded ends. It is 1-20th of an inch in to which strong H2SO4 has been added. When the length and 1-90th in thickness. As soon as hatched Editor has space to spare in bis valuable journal I the maggot at once commences to devour garbage shall supplement the identifications of strychnine and decaying rubbish, which would otherwise become already given. offensive and possibly dangerous. They thus fill a most important part in the world of life. If any one is disposed to inquire of what use are insects I should say let him take any one of the twowinged flies and he will find its larva occupied in the most useful manner in removing putrefying substances. Thus disgusting refuse becomes transformed into cleanly and beautiful inhabitants of the air. The fly does not escape the common lot of larger creatures, for it supplies food for numerous spiders and birds and fishes, while it is itself the dwellingplace of at least one parasite, in appearance a great deal like a mite. These are to be found on the under side of the fly just where the legs are inserted in the body. Every third or fourth fly, at least, is infested with them this summer, and I took sixty parasites from a single individual. The housefly's egg hatches into what is called by naturalists a maggot, which differs from a caterpillar and from a grub-both of which have at least six feet-in not being possessed of any. The word maggot is properly applied only to larva hatched from the eggs of two-winged flies, bees, and wasps. The maggot of the fly, like all other larvae, is very voracious. Its body is composed of thirteen rings, each of which has three rows of short hooks on it, which enable the creature to progress. Its head is furnished with a curious pair of crab or lobster-like jaws, which it can retract a good deal, and has also a pair of rudimentary feet. It is provided with a F. R. A. S." is mistaken when he supposes that very powerful array of muscles and also has Poteer" demands that working men should be tubes and a row of breathing apertures on each side. protected by special legislation, "and have the The head is at the smaller end of the creature. power to fix the rate at which they choose to pay Most people would probably have decided that the for anything they may be in need of, as well as the reverse was the case, and would mistake the two power of fixing the remuneration for their own marks visible at the larger end for eyes, but they labour." That any one should have arrived at such are breathing apertures similar to those in the sides, stated in reference to this monopoly of land, is the side apertures stopped by moisture, it can still conclusion as this from anything which I have only larger. When the maggot is buried in filth and guite surprising to me. There are few of the work- obtain a eupply of air from the two in the tail, ing classes-members of trades-unions-who believe which are left above the surface on purpose. that they are able to fix the remuneration for their labour, although they exercise the legitimate right of asking the highest possible price for the same. But is different with many proprietors of land, who not aly get the highest possible price for building lots at a public auction, but in many cases fix such a price upon such lots as to render the building of ouses suitable for workmen impossible. It is to such a case as this that I referred in my first letter, and I wish it to be distinctly understood that it is Bot from any reluctance on the part of some work ng men known to me to pay a fair price for a build-filth loving limbless maggot to a winged and dainty ing lot, but from inability to pay a price, for the which he was hatched the maggot passes through a "Carbon" states that he also notices that dextrine and gallic acid are classed among the substances insoluble in cold water. Now, if he will be kind enough to notice again he will find in the left-hand column, page 551, in the 23rd line exactly from the bottom, the word "dextrine," and if he glances upwards just five lines he will notice the words cold or boiling water dissolves to a greater or less extent" certain substances, amongst which are dextrine and gallic acid. And I have now a paper before me, written some time ago, which I hope to forward the editor, in which it is stated that water dissolves dextrine moderately at the ordinary temperature. And the same remarks apply to gallic acid, which follows dextrine in the same list with the words formic acid between. Cold water dissolves gallic acid sparingly, but boiling water dissolves it freely. I hope "Carbon" will be more successful in his future observations. Hugh Clements. EASY MULTIPLYING AND DIVIDING. letter 14656, p. 522, besides costing money, has the [14836.]-THE multiplying machine described in disadvantage of requiring about as much mental labour in its use as the following old method of tabulating, which requires no greater effort than that involved in multiplying by 2, and adding two rows of figures together. This is the plan: Write down the multiplier or multiplicand, multiply it by 2, and this result by 2, 25 4 8 1878-11 -- : 18780-proof. me above that which open competition would fix. and the fly have scarcely anything in common. From the above table it is easy to select the quanIn the localities to which I referred suitable build. They differ in appearance as much as a porpoise ties required either for multiplication or division, ing lote used to be readily given for £60, but now, and a pheasant. They differ as completely in ford, and add or substract them accordingly. De B. PARABOLA AS A MULTIPLICATION TABLE. [14837.]-YOUR correspondent, H. G. Moberley (letter 14760, p. 628) will, with a little thought, perceive that his discovery depends upon the following property of the parabola-viz, if O be any point on its axis and POQ be a chord, then, if P M. QN be drawn as ordinates, A O (A being vertex) is a mean proportional between P M and Q N or A O2 = A MAN. This can be easily proved by drawing the tangent at P meeting the axis in T. It will readily be seen that we have also here a graphical method for the extraction of square root With the scale of 100 equal parts the root, correct to one place of decimals, can be extracted thus: Let BOC be the double ordinate at the 100 mark. Measure by the scale the number whose root is to be extracted, and at the point marked on the axis erect a perpendicular, cutting the parabola in P, Join P C, then the number marked where it cuts the axis is the square root if the decimal point be removed one to the left. With a scale of 10,000 equal parts the square of any number of 4 digits might be extracted with 2 places of decimals correct. As, however, the parabola would be rather cumbrous or the divisions somewhat small, I should suggest to those who have the necessary time and curiosity to try 1111 equal parts. Then by the same method the number marked on the axis if multiplied by 3 and the decimal point removed two places to the left would be the required root. Thus the root of any number of three digits can be obtained. I can see no practical use that could be made of this property of the parabola. Clericus. SINGULAR PROPERTY OF FIGURES. [14838.]-Perhaps the following is new to some of our readers-Place three lines composed of four figures or more below each other as in an addition sum. Then place below these 3 more lines of figures, which are found by subtracting each figure in the first three lines from 10, and placing the difference down in the same place on the last 3 lines. After having subtracted each figure separately, add up the six lines, and the total will be found.to be composed of the same number of threes as there were figures in a line, with a 0 written in the units place. An example will make plainer what I mean:Suppose we take 3 lines with 7 figures in a line thus: CONTINUOUS BRAKES-SMITH'S [14839.1-IN my various letters to the ENGLISH MECHANIC upon the very important subject of continuous brakes I have frequently pointed out that they should fulfil the conditions laid down by the Board of Trade in their circular issued upon the 30th of August, 1877, from which I make the following extracts: "1. The brakes to be efficient in stopping trains, instantaneous in their action, and capable of being applied without difficulty by engine drivers or guards. "2. In case of accident to be instantaneously selfacting. "3. The brakes to be put on and taken off with facility on the engine and every vehicle of a train. "4. The brakes to be regularly used in daily working. 5. The materials employed to be of a durable character, so as to be easily maintained and kept in order." There is no doubt that these conditions explain in a most concise manner what a continuous brake should be. Many persons, especially those who cannot make their brakes self acting in case of accident," object to the second clause, as they say "it is providing for an emergency which seldom, if ever, arises." This statement is a most erroneous one, as the recent failure of the Smith's vacuum brake upon one of the Great Northern express trains again demonstrates. It appears that on the morning of the 14th of August the Smith's vacuum brake failed upon the express due at King's-cross at 3.10 a.m. somewhere 66 Some persons have thought that if continuous brakes were adopted they would not be the use that is expected. between Peterborough and Holloway. The public heard nothing of this failure until a letter appeared in the Times of August 20th, in which a "Traveller" gave the particulars, as he says he overbeard If any one will look at the parliamentary report instructions, at Holloway, shouted to the guard to of the accidents during the year 1877, they will see mind his brake as there wis no vacuum.' At the the fallacy of such ideas. half-yearly meeting, held at King's cross on Friday, August 23rd, the chairman "hoped that this alarming state of things, in consequence of the brake failure, wil never in practice occur again," as the "drivers had printed orders to try the brake continually during the journey to see if it was in proper working order." copy the If this were the first time the vacuum brake had failed, and if it were likely to be the last, the Hollo way failure would be of very little consequence; but this is not the case, as a proof of which I following extract from an American official report:"On the 11th of November, 1876, a passenger train on the Jersey Central Railway, ronning to Communipaw Ferry, which ought to have been pulled up at the platform, dashed through the depôt almost with undiminished speed, carried away part of the goods office, crossed the ferry pier, and fell into the river. The engine driver trusted to his vacuum brake, which was not self-acting, but his apparatus failed him at the critical moment." Again, on the 4th of December last, a collision occurred between a passenger train and some coal waggons which were being shunted at the Stockport station of the Cheshire Lines Railway. The cause was the failure of Smith's vacuum brake to act, in consequence of the pin for connecting it with the engine having dropped out. Several other instances have taken place, but these two important ones will suffice to show that no brake is satisfactory whieh is not self-acting in case of is also a tell-tale upon itself. The fact that the accident. A properly constructed continuous brake driver can start and run his train, and also the gauge in front of him, is a proof that the brake is in good working order. Will not every one agree that this is absolute safety? whereas a brake, which is always liable to fail without giving warning, and requires this continual testing, is very far from safe. The following cutting from the article in Engi neering, for August 30, will, I think, be interesting to your readers "Any combination of mechanism may and must fail at times, but such failure, in the case of a safe railway brake, must declare itself in the most positive manner-that of pulling up the train instead of giving no sign, but implying always a state of delusive security. The question naturally arises, have the Great Northern Railway Company, as the servants of the public, the right to maintain or to extend the adoption of an arrangement which requires continual care to avoid the alarming state of things.' which the chairman of the company admits it does involve without such watchfulness ?" In the Times of Angust 23 there appeared a letter from "A Railway Director," who states that "he has been for upwards of twenty-five years a director of one of the large railways." This letter is one of the most extraordinary that I have ever read. The writer objects to continuous brakes altogether. Amongst other remarks, he says "The greatest safety the passengers can have, in his opinion, is to give the driver the most powerful hand-brake possible on his engine and tender, and also apply it to the luggage-van, which should run next the engine. Then the driver sees any obstruction in his way, and wishes for more stopping power than his band-brake will give him; he then has his final remedy of reversing his engine." Can it be possible that any one who knows anything about the practical working of a railway, can hold such opinions in the year 1878? The idea of placing the luggage-van next the engine instead of at the back of the train, is most antiquated and erroneous. It is also a proved fact that brakes upon the engine wheels have more than twice the retarding power than when the engine is reversed. It will, therefore, be seen that, after a driver has put on "his powerful hand-brake upon his engine-wheels," the "final remedy of reversing" is no use at all. I had prepared a letter to send to the Times in answer to this "director." I did not forward it, however, as the greatest authority of the day upon railway subjects, Sir Henry Tyler, in his most able letter, which appeared in the Times of August 27, completely demolished the theories of this antiquated "director," and rendered any further letters upon the subject quite unnecessary. The statement of Sir Henry Tyler applies with great force to the recent failures of non-self-acting brakes. He says, "Whatever the system employed, the brake ought to be so contrived as to apply it self, and thus give warning to the servants of the company whenever a coupling is disconnected, or whenever there is a failure in the apparatus of which it is composed. If our "Railway Director" had confined himself to a crusade against continuous brakes not fulfilling this condition, and thus liable to fail, and to lead the engine drivers into a trap and the passengers into serious risk, he would have done good service." No fewer than 32 accidents or collisions might have been prevented, or their severity lessened, if the trains had been provided with efficient brakes. When it is remembered that a very large proportion of what are now called railway "accidents," are not "really accidents at all," as they arise from preventible causes, the only wonder is that the travelling public have not before taken greater interest in this very important subject. Sept. 4. (To be continued.) C. E. 8. CONTINUOUS BRAKES UPON PILOT ENGINES. [14840.-I WAS very glad to read the remarks of "C. E. S" upon page 632 of last volume upon this subject. Most decidedly all pilot engines should be fitted with continuous brakes, and the connecting hose-pipe should be fitted at the front as well as at the back of every passenger engine. This would enable both drivers to have the control of the brake power. The leading driver is, of course, first able to see danger ahead, and, from my experience, I am certain he should be the one to instantaneously apply the continuous brake, and thus avoid the delay of calling the attention of the second driver, as in case of accident every second is of vital importance. Locomotive Engineer. SINGLE v. COUPLED ENGINES-A [14841.]-IN my letter (14377, May 24, p. 270), at the end of the 39th line, p. 270, col. 1, are these words, "then after 124 miles of moderate gradient," which should have read "24 miles," instead of "12 miles." Any one who knows the Great Northern line would see this at once, but to anybody who did not the point of the illustration would be lost and the letter appear self-contradictory. New Zealand. C. B. M. MIDLAND EXPRESSES. [14842.]-SOME of your correspondents seem to misunderstand the route run by a few of the Midland express trains at Trent. The old Midland Counties Railway was partly opened on May the 30th, 1839, and, when completed the following year, it consisted of a railway from Rugby to Derby, with a triangle at what is now Trent, and a branch to Nottingham. All the trains from Derby to Leices ter or the south ran over the direct line from the first opening of the railway till the 30th of April, 1862. On the following day, May 1st, 1862, the now Trent station was opened, and also a very sharp curve, which connected the north end of the station with the north side of the old triangle. At the same time a new triangle was constracted at the south end of the station. The Trent station was a very great convenience, as trains, by means of the various junctions, could arrive at it from all the different lines, and a very dangerous level crossing of the Erewash Valley Railway was entirely avoided. From the 1st of May, 1862, to the 30th of April, 1876, all ordinary passenger trains between Derby and the south, and vice versa, stopped at Trent, and ran vid Trent junction, Trent station, and Sawley junction. This route increases the distance by exactly 60 chains. Upon May 1st, 1876, three passenger trains per day did not enter Trent station, but ran over the old line from Sawley junction, past the Sheet Stores junction, direct to the Trent junction. At the present time there are six passenger trains per day, which run via this route-viz, the 12 noon, 3.30, and 8.30 p.m. from London, the 1 and 3.30p.m. from Manchester, and the 8.10 a.m. from Derby; It will thus be seen that there is no new line opened at Trent, but that these six trains per day run over the old direct line, the same as they used to do previously to May the 1st, 1862. Between the Spondon junction and the south end of Derby station all the through express trains ran over the Spondon curve. There is, however, s direct line from the North junction, past Chaddes den sidings, to Spondon junction. This route is used only for goods and special passenger trains. The American special express, of which a "Passenger" speaks (p. 635), would run over this route, which is 50 chains shorter than via the passenger station and Spondon curve. In my letter, giving an account of the running of one of the American special expresses (p. 245 of last volume), the distance from Liverpool to St. Pancras by the shortest Midland route should have been 219 miles, not 225 as printed. September 5th. C. E. 8. REPLIES TO QUERIES. • In their answers, Correspondents are respectfully requested to mention, in each instance, the title and number of the query asked. [33382.]- Making Bicycle Wheel Rigid (UQ)-Have the flanges made wider apart. Putting spokes in centre will do no good.-TELESCOPE TELE. [33147.]-Blacking.-I do not know, neither can find, recipe of blacking made specially for polishing over dubbing or grease; but any good blacking may be made to do so with a little care and patience. The manner of procedure is as follows, assuming the grease has been well rubbed in:-Lay the blacking on rather thickly, with only enough moisture to make it adhere; rub it well in with the blacking brush, working the brush in circles rather than backwards and forwards in straight lines, until the blacking appears almost ready to burst into a shine; then take a soft shining-brush, and polish carefully, going all over the boot, without staying too long in one place, and not rubbing too hard. Of course each successive " clean will be easier than the preceding one. Have you tried what is called, I believe, the oil blacking, which is mixed largely with oil? It is sold in tin boxes, and is acknow. ledged to be very good by those who have used it besides myself, having the merit of keeping the leather soft, and also of keeping moist for any length of time.-C. LARK. [33457.]-Frosted Watch Plates.-If "H. P." bas a lathe he can do this easily by the scratchbrush, which must revolve very quickly, and be touched with a piece of wood just about 2in. from the work.-T. B. [33536.]-Lathe Band (U.Q.).-It does not matter. Use in. band.-TELESCOPE TELE. [33570.]-Leamington Range.-In reply to "Delta "I am not a maker, but am owner of a range made on the same principle, and every new cook that I have has to be drilled into the mode necessary to successful management. I have had tons of coal wasted, and pounds' worth of repairs rendered necessary by the ignorance or disregard of the rules which are, or should be, supplied with these closed ranges. I don't understand what kind of range "Delta" has. Of course, if this be improperly set the maker is not responsible. If it be properly set then the chances are that the fault is with the cook. "Delta should observe: 1. That in these ranges the work is done by the flame heating the iron sheets forming the oven. 2. That these sheets should be cleared of all dust and soot by scraping before every baking. 3. That the course of the flame should be over the top, down the outer side, and under the bottom of the oven to the flue leading to chimney. 4. That the coal used should be small, and should never be nearer than 4in. to the top or boiling plate of the range on the side of fire next the oven, but on Opposite side may be heaped so as to fall down when alightly touched with the stirrer, and thus maintain a constant flame. 5. The quicker the draft the greater is the heat to the bottom of oven; the slower, short of smoking, the greater the heat to the boil: ing plate. 6. A large bulk of ignited coal is not necessary-only sufficient to generate a constant dame is needful 7. No part of range should ever be red-hot. 8. No cooking utensils should ever be ased that have been on open fires, and which are blackened by soot. If "Delta observes these conditions,and fails then the stove is bad in principle, or the setting is wrong. However this may be in "Delta's" case, I have over and over again seen certain parts of these ranges red-hot, and the oven at the same time insufficiently so, by bad management; and I have frequently demonstrated to the indignant cook that two bucketfuls of coarse slack properly used would do more than twice the quantity of best coal wrongly utilised. A clean oven and a moderate bat brisk fire are the secrets of success. -L. [33581.-Midland Engines.-The thirty goods engines built by Messrs. Peacock and Co., 1876, are nambered 1,192 to 1,221 and 30; goods by Neilson, 1976, are 1,222 to 1,251. I also beg to inform "Engi. neer, Derby," that 1,312 to 1,821 class were built, five in 1876, and five in 1877, and that the engines now being built at Derby, of which 1,377 is the first, are 30 in number, not 20, and they are 6-wheeled coupled shunting engines, not bogie engines, as stated.-PASSENGER. [33594]-Lathe Crank.-Balance and load your -wheel, and do not have the band too tight.TELESCOPE TELE. weakness of sight since a boy. When at school I had to wear a pair of glasses to do my lessons by gaslight, I cannot attribute it to any accident or that this has a good deal to do with the matter. I particular illness, but I am very nervous, and believe was apprenticed to joinering, but had to give it up through my sight failing me, and believe I strained my eyes a good deal before doing so. I am very fond of reading, and may have strained them further by the different spectacles I have used. I am now 25 years of age, and 3 years ago commenced to wear glasses by daylight, since which time my sight has gone so bad that I cannot now see to read without glasses, and cannot obtain a pair with which I can read for many minutes at a time. I can barely distinguish the letters in your answer with both eyes at 19in. distance, but believe I could not read it at all were the words unknown. I cannot read them with either eye singly: the print appears a little darker when the lines are perpendicular; the straight sides of the letters are then horizontal, and I see horizontal lines better than vertical. My failing seems to be great weakness of sight and inability to retain a focus from some cause which I cannot ascertain, and for which I have been unable to obtain a remedy. One oculist insists it is caused solely by strain. The last one I visited attributes it to great debility of the eyes and loss of focus. But these assertions are of no avail to me.-OPTIC. [33642.]-Harmonium.-American reeds can be put on harmoniums by filing a little notch at each end to take the screw. It is impossible to tune reeds (perfect) until they are in the instrument.-HENRI ETIENNE. [33661.] Institution for Dumb Child. I would recommend "X." to purchase Hardwicke's "Shilling Guide to the Charities." The office of the Asylum for Deaf and Damb Children is 93, Cannon-street, E.C.-S. M. [33662.]-Injectors for Steam Boiler.-See the Eclipse Injector," p. 287, last vol.—T. J. M. [33682.] Cleaning and Re-bronzing Old Lamp Stands.-Will "Jack of All Trades" please to explain, in connection with above query, what is meant by the term "glaze," what it is made of, also the lacquer ?-VIDO, Northumberland. ་ [33688.]-Phonograph.-Absence from England has prevented me from replying earlier to this and other queries. Ordinary tinplate is much too thick for the diaphragm. Ferrotype plates may be safely sent by post if packed between two small boards. Charcoal iron discs for the telephone have been frequently advertised in these columns by Mr. F. J. Cox, of 26, Ladgate-hill. With the object of dispensing alto. gother with iron diaphragms, see reply 33664, p. 559. I shall be happy to send you a piece of tinfoil if you will advertise your address.-SHELFORD BIDWELL. [33720.]-Harmonium Reeds.-Anything beyond 4 rows being out of the usual thing seen in workshops I am not able to give "T. B." scales. As to broad reeds, cela va sans dire the channels cannot be made broader; they may be made deeper and longer. Larger channels are not necessary, but reed and pallet holes should be larger to get the full advantage of the broad reeds. Esteve's reeds, 10s. to 15s. per set, at any music shop; but it is all nonsense about voicing. It is only the American reed that is voiced. The query reminds me of that of the gentleman who, because he has made a harmonium with a certain number of reeds, says he has made a Mustel organ! You must do the voicing yourself, or call some one else in to do it: but don't call the instrument a Mustel." or label it with any other maker's name.-HENRI ETIENNE. [33724.]-Hens and Eggs.-I have one cock and six hens. The cock is a fine golden-spangled Hamburg; the hens are mongrels. I have every month 15lb. of barley (1s. 6d.), 20lb. of sharps (1s. 6d.), and 8d. worth of bullock's lights, sheep's pluck, or similar flesh meat, making altogether 3s. 8d. The flesh meat is boiled and chopped fine. Every morning I give each fowl a dessert-spoonful of meat mixed with sharps and hot water, so that it forms a dough-not sticky, and in such a quantity as to give each fowl a ball 2in. in diameter. This forms their breakfast, which they get at 8 o'clock in summer, and in the winter. They get it very regular, then they get nothing till the evening, when they get a small lady's) handful of good sound barley. They have always fresh cool water at their disposal. My fowls are penned up, and consequently I supply them with green food, consisting of all kinds of offal from the children go out in a field or along the roadside, and kitchen (cabbage leaves, turnip tops, &c), or my this diet to the letter, and a few months will show cut some fresh grass with a pair of scissors. Follow its great advantages.-ANGLO-Dane. 9 [33603.]-Straight Toes.-If "C. L." will apply discussions are implied the direct applications, [33725.]-Personalities. By "personalities" in to a surgeon he will find that his toes are out of joint. or direct applicabilities, of remarks used during I had one (my right) great toe stiff for about twelve the dicussions to one or more of the party present, months, during which time I tried many remedies with the intention of provoking resentment. A without effect, until I was advised to try a "bone-person may be resentful through being beaten in setter." He was a veterinary surgeon, and soon put argument, or through having some assertion of his me right. Of course I had to be very careful with it disputed; but this does not determine that perfor a long time afterwards. It was caused by walk-sonalities have been used, and it would be wrong. ing a long distance (14 miles) in a pair of new strong fully employed in this sense. In the instance proboots. I was about the same age as "C. L."SALES. [33839]-Spectacles. - Many thanks to the gentlemen who replied to my query. In reply to Mr. Lancaster, I beg to say that I have suffered from the duced by "Nemo" it will no doubt be proved in the majority of cases, owing to the persons concerned losing their temper in the controversy, when they retire with the assumption that their opponents are guilty of using personalities, although no personal remarks with the object of causing offence have been attered. With such people the less argument entered into the better, as it is evident they cannot command their temper.-AAMDAL. [33731.]-The Barometer as a Weather Guide. -The rules given in most old-fashioned works for the observance of the barometer are of little practical value, for various reason, which need not be discussed here. The true value of the instrument, however, lies in its indications of the cyclonic dis turbances in the atmosphere, which it is the object of the "weather charts" given in most of the daily newspapers to show; so that any person, by observing the position and direction of a cyclone upon the chart, may by reference to his own barometer predict its approach to his neighbourhood, and the consequent weather. Perhaps the following article, which I believe originally appeared in the Times, may be of some practical value to Mr. Parcell or any other readers interested in meteorology:-" The study of the weather should be an attractive one, and, after the first preliminary details are mastered, no great difficulty should be experienced in understanding how the changes in the weather are brought about. No extensive excursions need be undertaken, and no large collection of apparatus is required. The possession of a barometer, in addition to the weather chart, is, however, an advantage, as it is on the alterations of atmospherical pressure and on the distribution of pressure that the changes of weather depend. The distribution of pressure is always regular; there must be an area of high pressure, of low pressure, and an intervening space, and it is by the relations these bear to each other that the weather may be predicted. These areas of high and low pressure are drawn on a chart by connecting all places in which the mercurial column measures exactly the same height by means of a line called an isobar, the space inclosed by the isobar of lowest value being the area of low pressure or depression, while that inclosed by the isobar of greatest value is the area of high pressure or anti-cyclone. The causes of these areas, the rules which regulate their rate of motion, and the force of the wind around them, are matters at present by no means decided; but that, given certain conditions, certain results will follow is fully established, and will probably be sufficient for an ordinary study of the weather. These areas of high and low pressure, the latter of which are known as cyclones, and the former as anti-cyclones, have one element in common, which is that in the centre of each calms exist, but in their surroundings there are important differences. In the neighbourhood of the high pressure, the weather, though sometimes foggy or misty, is generally fine, and always dry, while in the neighbourhood of the low it is wet and unsettled. The winds which surround the former are light, and the latter strong and squally, and though both may be said to have a circulation around them the direction of the wind in the two cases is exactly the opposite. As the area of high pressure is slower in its movements and more gradual in its changes, its effects are more easily observed, and its influence on the weather more easily traced. The anti-cyclones may be of any size, from a small circle, embracing only a few miles, to that extending over half a continent; and though in Western Europe they are found most commonly either in the north or in the south of the district given in the chart, it is by no means a rare occurrence for the barometer to be highest over the British Isles and gradually decreasing both towards the north and south. This decrease in pressurethe steps, if the expression may be used-which occur round the area of high readings, is usually gradual and slight, while with cyclones it is commonly the reverse. This is a very important difference between the cyclone and anti-cyclone, for the force of the wind depends upon the steepness of these gradients or steps. This will account for the frequency of S.W. to S. gales as compared with N.E. or E. on our coasts, the S. wind being, as shall be seen presently, caused by cyclonic circulation. It is particularly important to remember that the wind never blows in a straight line over a large area, but always circulates round the dominant system, whether it be one of high or low pressure, the difference being that the circulation in the one case is exactly opposite to that in the other. Thus, suppose a cyclone to be lying over the north of England, westerly winds would prevail to the south of it, southerly winds to the eastward, easterly winds to the westward, while, should the conditions be changed, and the centre of low pressure become the apex of high pressure, in the west, westerly in the north, and northerly in easterly winds would prevail in the south, southerly would come under each condition, it is only necesthe east. Being sure, then, of the winds which sary to find out by which system the weather is wind to expect. It has been already said that the likely to be governed to know what direction of areas of high pressure affect, as it were, certain districts more than others, and a study of the chart will show that perhaps for weeks together the highest readings are found over Spain and the south of France, while on other occasions, more particularly in the spring, the barometer is highest over Norway and Sweden. These areas are often extremely large, and almost stationary, and appear to have the entire control of the direction of the more rapid cyclones, as, when pressure is greatest in the south, all cyclones enter our region from the Atlantic, and travel eastward, while, when it is greatest in the north, they appear over central Europe, and pass be said to be still in its infancy, and therefore the [33746.]-Shaky Writing.-Try a pen with two corner, and fix a pen to the left side by sealing or Chairs.Find some Judson's dyes the colour you TRADES. [33784.]-Brazing Small Articles.-I have fitted up a steam jet for these things, and braze them by gas flame upon a pumice bed or fire-brick.-JACK OF ALL TRADES. away to the westward. As a hypothetical case it of times.-JACK OF ALL TRADES. [33791.]-Height of Tank Wanted.-50lb. per square inch. I expect "Hydraulic " means 117ft.JACK OF ALL TRADES. [33794.1-Stone Floor.-Slack some quicklime upon the places with hot water, and smear over thick over night and take off in the morning. I think you will find this answer your purpose.-JACK OF ALL TRADES. [33808.]-The Phonograph.-1. Any one can recognise a well-known sentence, such as a nursery rhyme, without having heard it spoken. Persons accustomed to hearing the phonograph can generally understand what it says, even if it is something altogether new. This is, however, a severe test. After hav. ing heard what was spoken into the instrument, it always seems impossible that any one could fail to understand it when reproduced, so wonderfully distinct does it seem to be. 2. The paper cone strengthens the sound very considerably. 3. A tin cone does not give nearly such good results; it makes the sound harsh and metallic. 4. The record on the foil is more distinct than that made by any instrument which I have seen exhibited. 5. The style should be just so sharp as not to cut the foil. The depth of the scratch is probably about 1.50in. No close scrutiny is necessary to see the indentations; they are very conspicuous. Be sure that you have stout tinfoil and not lead. Of the two extremes it is better to have the points too blunt than too sharp. SHELFORD BIDWELL. into it, and allow it to pass through the timber by gravity. I find it penetrate very rapidly in any timber generally used for carpentry and building purposes.-JACK OF ALL TRADES. [33813.]-Impregnation for Woodwork.-Use common naphtha, same as used on railways.—TELESCOPE TELE. gum arabic I have found the best. I made all my [33817.)-Moist Water Colours.-Honey and own some 40 years ago.-JACK OF ALL TRADES. [33820.1-Damp Walls.-It is only a question of time. Where you speak of is generally where the greatest quantity of slab is thrown in with rabbish, and is likely to sweat for some time.-JACK OF ALL TRADES. [33820.]-Damp Walls.-I am sorely troubled with damp walls, and I have tried laminated lead, so unhesitatingly recommended by "Mechanical Stoker." I found the cure as bad as the disorder. The mass of damp masonry behind the metal keeps its temperature below that of the atmosphere of the room, and, as might be expected, in a damp locality, the result is frequent condensation of water upon the wall surface, rapid mildewing and destruction of the paper, and injury to any article of furnitare in its vicinity. A far better plan is to stud the walls with thin wood, leaving a space of in., or less, between the wall and the sheeting, which need not be carried quite up to the cornice. This is cheap, easily done, very effectual, and, moreover, lasting. But as course is: First, to satisfy yourself that there is no cure is better than palliation the moet advisable leakage from the roof or gutters into the body of the wall; and, second, to plaster the exterior with good Portland cement; or, if appearance is no object, to weather-slate it. This, however, means consider. able outlay.-EBLANA. [33828.]-New Forest.-Some portions of the forest are very bad-very rough riding at the best of times. You do not state to which part you wish to go.-TELESCOPE TELE. [33830.]-Black Stain on Silver Articles.Once a fortnight have them cleaned with whiting and water.-TELESCOPE TELE. [33836.]-Painting Greenhouse.-I should use white lead outside; zinc inside.-JACK OF ALL TRADES. [33841.]-Poliishing Cross-Grained Top of Box-Get some naphtha, and dissolve some shellac about lb. to pint. When dissolved allow to settle until quite clear, and pour off. Paint the top of your box with it two or three times, sandpapering it off. Finish by polishing it with French polish.-JACK OF ALL TRADES. [33812.]-Fastening Brass Union into Solid nut and union, and put together with washer of Lead Cistern.-Get a flanged long screw, with fy canvas or old moleskin, saturated in paraffin or bees. wax. Old felt hat will do, or close cloth.-JACK OF ALL TRADES. cylinder should be of brass, not wood. Of course, [33846.]-Phonograph. — 1. The ends of the it must be turned quite true after being mounted on the spindle. 2. Ferrotype plate may be easily cuf with a pair of scissors; it is a good plan to clip off number of small pieces round the edges until you get the required size.-SHELFORD BIDWELL, a The [33847.] Whitworth Scholarships "handicrafts" examinations are generally such as require an intimate practical knowledge of, together with skill in, the use of tools employed in the respective branches in which the candidate is examined. The 1878 examination in "fitting" was, to cat the end of a round wrought-iron shaft, 2in. diam., 10in. long, for about 2in. down, into a regular hexagon. and fit on that end a cast-iron washer about 4in. diam. and lin, thick, the washer to fit in any posi tion. In 1876 a square cast iron prism about 4in. long, side of square lin., was to be fitted into a box similar to the one whose section is shown in Fig. 1. For pattern-making, 1878, a small slide bracket, [33813.]-Impregnation of Woodwork.-Get a depart sketches of which are seen in Fig. 2, had to be made. barrel of petroleum oil, and mix one gallon of gas ment do not always give one of the pieces of wor or great results arising from their labour, give it up tar to three gallons of the oil, cross the ends of your stated in the prospectus. The examination in "a in disgust, and thus nullify the utility of their pre- timbers with a gouge, and up-end them, make and plane" required a frame, 16in. by 20in. onthere; vious observations. The science of meteorology may box upon the top, and pour the clear preparation 21in. by lin. Scantling, to be mortised together; a |