1881.) as a man. There is a very curious disease in some parts of the country which has no name in the medical books, but with which some young me; rowing cautiously up to it, I found it to be a blue heron,-a I do not know just what to call it, Perhaps large bird with long neck and legs. It can reach its head up as high people are frequently afflicted. These birds frequent our Sounds during the warm sumbut it seems to be closely related to "Sunday headache." mer months. Mr. Heron had been looking for his dinner, and had got it might be named "Going-to-school Debility." It has some very himself into trouble. A large clam had opened its mouth wide to peculiar characteristics. It is never known to occur on Saturday, nor in vacation, unless some very unpleasant duty is on hand. The first symptom is a very grave expression of countenance, and a solemn remark about "feeling miserable," usually followed up by About the "I really do not feel able to go to school this morning." middle of the forenoon a marked change for the better usually takes place, unless school has two sessions, in which case no improvement appears until afternoon. The appetite is good, especially for The patient is often able any little dainties which may be offered. to read, or to hear others read, some interesting story, or perhaps to work a little on some pleasant fancy-work, but the bare suggestion of any more arduous employment is almost certain to produce a relapse. get the fresh air. Mr. Heron soon discovered it, and thought it would make him a nice dinner. So, without asking if it was agree I should like to mention privately to the mothers of these afflicted ones, that going to bed in a dark room, and a strict diet of watergruel, has been known to produce a complete cure in a short time. Seriously, my young friends, this may be the beginning of something which can grow into frightful proportions. Almost every physician can tell you that persons have carried on a long system of deception, until at last they have deceived themselves as well as their friends. These unfortunates begin at first by making the most of all their little aches and pains, and from that go on to pretending that they are worse than they really are, because they like the attention and sympathy which an invalid receives, until they are ashamed to take back anything which they have said, and, at last, sometimes they really produce in themselves that which was at first only imaginary. If you find that you have formed even the small beginnings of this habit, try to think as little as possible about your own feelings, and turn your attention to the real trials of other people. But the clam did not like to be served in that manner, so, closing its mouth quickly, it had Mr. Heron a prisoner. able, he stuck his bill into the clam. "The bird tried all sorts of ways to get clear, twisting his long Heron soon neck in knots and pulling hard; but it was of no use. became tired out, and, as the tide was rising over the flats, I expect he thought he was a lost heron. "I helped him out of his trouble by rowing up to him and breaking the clam, thus setting him free from his unpleasant situation. As soon as he found himself at liberty he tried to fly, but he was too tired. Looking at me, he nodded his head two or three times, as though in gratitude for my services; and then he walked slowly LONNIE WARE (11 years). away to the shore."-Good-bye, GRACIA DECKER.-Holland is an independent kingdom, and William III. is its present ruler. DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I should like to write to those particularly interested in the "Letter-box" about a natural curiosity in our city, New Haven, Connecticut,-consisting of a large horse-chestnut tree, One half of this tree bears blossoms in a garden on Water street. one year, and the other half the season following, alternately. If any one can account for this freak of nature, I should be pleased to know the explanation.-Truly, your interested friend, TRANSLATION OF "LE MARCHAND DE Coco." TRANSLATIONS of the illustrated French piece, "Le Marchand de Coco," printed in the July number, have been received from all parts of the United States, from Canada, from Great Britain, and even from France. We here print that translation which, all things considered, seems to us to be the best: THE VENDER OF LIQUORICE-WATER. My dear little friends, do you know what is this young man so oddly equipped? He is a vender of liquorice-water, that delicious drink made of liquorice-root ground up in iced water. In Paris, one sees them everywhere, these venders, with the fine silvered bouquet of their fountains gleaming like an oriflamb above their heads. They walk about in the Champs Elysées, in the garden of the Tuileries, in the streets, everywhere where children are to be found, or even older persons, for thirst comes to everybody; and when it is very warm [weather], they make famous receipts. One hears them crying with their penetrating voice: "A la fraiche!" ["Cold drink!" "boisson" understood.] "Who 'll drink! Here's good liquorice-water! Treat yourselves, ladies-treat yourselves!" And, after these deafening appeals to customers, they ring the silvered bell which they carry in the left-hand. This ringing makes the fortune of the dealer in liquorice-water; it makes so much noise that one must needs pay attention to it, and this is always a good thing in business. Besides, the fountain is so fine, who could resist it? The effect of the crimson velvet which enwraps the cylinders is heightened by the coppered This makes the rims, and by the bouquet glistening in the sun. whole affair visible from afar to the thirsty. Then, too, it costs only one cent a glass! One of the braces which hold the fountain on the vender's back is pierced with holes, on the breast, to receive the goblets in which he serves his stock-in-trade. Everything in the outfit glistens, the goblets are silvered as well as the bell, and the bouquet and the two faucets that pass under the left arm, one of which gives liquoricewater, and the other water for rinsing the goblets. He uses a corner of his linen apron, dazzling with whiteness and cleanness, for wiping his glasses. And still this apron is never soiled; one sees in it always the folds made by the laundress's iron. Our vender of liquoricewater in the engraving is shod with large peasant's-sabots, but this part of the costume is not strictly the rule, as all the rest is. In former times a fine plumed helmet covered the head of the fountain-carrier, but nowadays a plain workman's-cap takes its place. Who would not be a vender of liquorice-water? What a fine Occupation! To always walk about in the sunshine, and cry, in the hearing of thirsty little children: "A la fraiche! ["Cold drink!" L. G. STONE. "boisson" understood.] Who wants to drink?" LILLIAN Á. PECK (13 years). WE commend to all our readers the good advice which is given this month in the paper on "How to be taken care of," and we are glad to add to it here a few words by the same author which may well be read in connection with the article: LIST OF THOSE WHO SENT TRANSLATIONS. Anthony Peter Paul Murphy. FROM SCOTLAND: Leigh Hunter Nixon. FROM FRANCE: Julia Appleton Fuller- Dycie WardenLester Bradner, Jr.-Daisy Hodge. FROM THE UNITED STATES: L. G. Stone- Chas. D. RhodesIsabel Houghton Smith-Camille P. Giraud-Helen M. DrennanAnna F. Burnett- Lina Beatrice Post-Carrie Lou Carter-E. H. Blanton-A. H. W.-Ellen A. Slidell- Robert B. Cone- Fannie E. Kachline-Susie A. Kachline- Gertrude Colles- Rosalie Carroll - Bessie L. Cary-Arthur A. Moon-John Wright Wroth- Alice T. Cole-Cornelia Bell- Nellie E. Haines- Mattie W. Packard-H. G. Tombler, Jr.-Arabella Ward- Frederic Tudor, Jr.- Daniel T. Killeen- Pauline Cooper- Adelaide Cole- Mary Grey- Lucy Eleanor Wollaston-Lunette E. Lamprey-Josephine Barnard Mitchell- Edna Moffett- Harriet B. Sternfeld- Agnes Garrison - Clara Reed Anthony-Susie Andrews Rice- Effie Hart - Hattie H. Parsons- Mary Chase-M. N. Lamb-Marie Tudor-Jessie Claire McDonald-Annie Lapham-Walter B. Clark-Lizzie J. Stewart-- Annie Armstrong Williamson-Mary M. Wilkins- Alice Austen-Addah GerdesHarriet Duane Oxholm- Edith King Latham-Alice Bradbury- Frances Pepper- Kittie S. Davis- Metta Victor -Julia G. Pleasants-Gertrude H. Carlton- Nellie C. Chase-Laura A. Jones-Daisey Studley-Tillie Blumenthal-Henrietta Marie-Blanche Hartog- Mary H. Hays-Edrie Allen Hull-Joseph B. Bourne- Laura D. Sprague- Virginia Eliza Thompson- Mary June Woodward-Edith Merriam- Fannie Mignonne WoodworthLucy A. Putnam- Bessie Daniels-Gertrude A. MilesT. Newbold Morris-Eugenie M. Jelicoeur- Ella W. Bray-Anna Belfield Smith-Annie Rothery-Lizzie Loyd Fanni Blandy Lewes- Bessie Danforth- Margaret Lewis Morgan-Mollie Weston-Annie H. Mills- Annie G. Rathburn-Mary Woolson-M. Eva Cleaveland-Ida Coon Evans-Grace Minugh Whittemore-Robert Thomas PalmerJeannie Ursula Dufree- Jessie Rogers-Anna Perkins SladeMathilde Weil-Jacob H. G. Lazelle- Kate Colt- Cornelia McKay- A. Thebault Rivailles-Anna B. Thomas-Will P. Hum phreys, Jr.-Nathalie D. Clough-Adelaide C. Hearne - Lucy S. Conant-Carrie R. Prentis-Mary Young Shearer- Vio F. Kinney Ada E. Tapley-Mary Blanchard Hobart-Mary B. Gallaher -Henry Champlin White-Aurelia Harwood- Lizzie Newland Hasbrouck-Carrie A. Maynard- Minnie A. J. McIntyre- Carita T. Clark-Julia R. Collins- Mary M. Brownson- Julia LatimerDora Schmid-Maude Peebles-Marie L. Cheesman- Maude W. Mallory- Annie Grozelier. DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I think some of the little readers of the "Letter-box" would like to know how AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION.-SEVENTH REPORT. In response to repeated requests, we shall publish, in connection with our A. A. reports, a few addresses of those who may have specimens for exchange. Let it be understood, however, that such requests for exchanges can not appear in print earlier than two or three months after they are sent in. If, for instance, any one wishes to exchange drawings of snow-crystals for specimens of wood, the request should be sent us about three months before the time for snow, that it may appear in the magazine at the proper season. It is necessary to remind you that in every case you must write your full address very plainly, both when you write to us and when you communicate with one another. This is a good time to say that I have been extremely pleased by the general excellence of the hundreds of letters which have been sent me by the boys and girls of the A. A. They are, as a rule, well written, carefully spelled and punctuated, and accurately addressed. Of the whole number, only one, I believe, has come without an inclosed address, and few, especially of late, without the inclosed envelope and stamp for reply. This speaks well for our members, and letters thus carefully composed and written are among the best results of our society work. To write a good letter is no small accomplishment. Some time ago, several of you suggested a badge, and a mention of it was made in ST. NICHOLAS, with the request that each member would express his or her opinion of it, and offer suggestions for a design. But responses have been received from so few,-only half a dozen -that it seems that most of us do not feel any need of such a mark of distinction, and nothing more will be done about it at present, unless a decided and general desire should be shown for it in the course of the next month or two. Among the best of the designs hitherto received are a fern-leaf, a butterfly, and a simple monogram in gold. There is a wish in some quarters for a general meeting of representatives of the Association, to be held in some central place. This suggestion came too late to be considered this year, but it may be well to bear it in mind against the coming summer. It does not seem very practicable as I look at it now,-for our members are so young and so widely scattered,-but it might be that enough repre sentatives from various Chapters could meet during the summer to give an additional impetus to the progress of the society. The motion for such a general meeting comes from a Baltimore Chapter (I cannot give the name of the mover, as I am writing on a mountain-top many miles away from my letter-file), and if there are any to second the motion, it can do no harm to hear from them. We are spending some days in a tent on the side of Greylock (sometimes called Saddle-back), the highest mountain in Massachusetts, and it may interest our ornithological friends to know that the somewhat rare nests of the snow-bird are very plenty here. The nests are built on the ground among the grass. The eggs are light and spotted with brown. They are much like those of the ordinary ground-sparrow. The snow-birds themselves are very interesting. Early in the morning, they visit us, before we rise from our hemlock bed. Peering curiously at our tent, they whir and flutter about for a time, the two white feathers in their saucy tails gleaming among the evergreens, until, gradually growing bolder, they alight on the very canvas, and scramble up its steep white sides. Some of them came yesterday morning entirely into the tent, and one little fellow actually hopped on my shoulders as I lay pretending sleep. Some weeks ago, the Appalachian Club of Boston visited Greylock and climbed to its summit, and during the ascent the botanists of the party seemed specially attracted by the ferns, which grew on every hand. Since then, a young lady of Williamstown has found here twenty-seven different species of Filices, including the large Aspidium spinulosum, and the tiny Asplenium Trichomanes. Has any one found more kinds on a single hill? It is now a year since the ST. NICHOLAS branch of the Agassiz Association was formed. During that time we have enrolled over twelve hundred members, and made a fair beginning in studying the more common natural objects. We hope before long to adopt a more systematic plan of work than was possible during the period of our organization. To this end we desire to receive a full report from each Chapter, of its present condition, and its future prospects and plans. We hope that all our members will form the habit of taking careful notes of whatever of interest they see, and we shall be glad to print from time to time such of these notes as may be sent us, if they are well done. HARLAN H. BALLARD, Lenox Academy, Lenox, Mass. My first is in town, but not in city; NUMERICAL ENIGMA. H. G. 4. I AM composed of forty-seven letters, and am a quotation from Tennyson's poem, "In Memoriam." My 31-36-44-12-36-25-38-20 is having a pleasant odor. My 249-16 is to observe narrowly. My 34-30-15-1-39-10-37-6 is a spiral motion. My 26-46-14 is recompense. My 13-28-43-19 is caution. My 47-40-32-11-35 is to glitter. My 23-46-5-4-33-41-29-17-3-2745-22 is lucrative. My 21-8-2-42 is to pull with force. My 7-371-18 is to lend. RIDDLE. CICELY. CUT off my head, and I 'm a rolling ball; GEORGE V. PUZZLE FOR YOUNG SCISSORERS. PLACE a piece of thin paper carefully over the above design, and, with a hard, sharp pencil, trace every line; then cut out the seven pieces, and fit them together so that they will form a perfect square measuring two inches on every side. EASY HOUR-GLASS. C. S. F. ALL the words described are of equal length. The third line, read downward, names a time for "peeping into the future"; the fourth line, read downward, names a church festival which immediately follows that time. ACROSS: 1. Struck with amazement. 2. In truth. 3. A narrative song. 4. The name of a great English naval commander, who was born in 1758. 5. Outer garments. 6. Dividing with a saw. 7. Mingles together. 8. An insect which is covered by a strong, horny substance. 9. An official reckoning of the inhabitants of a country. GILBERT FORRESTER. PROVERB REBUS. EASY SYNCOPATIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS. EXAMPLE: Syncopate and curtail a tree, and leave a malt liquor. ANSWER: Alder-Ale. 1. Syncopate and curtail a buffoon, and leave an animal. 2. Syncopate and curtail a coquette, and leave an evergreen tree. 3. Syncopate and curtail a fierce animal, and leave a domestic fowl. 4. Syncopate and curtail a jewel, and leave equality. 1. The hairy crest of an animal. 2. A religious ceremony, a sneeze, and series. acknowledged successor of Mohammed, over, and close at hand. 4. A South African animal, and a jacket of coarse woolen cloth. 5. A horse, an island, and an ampersand. 6. "I once possessed a gardening instrument." 7. An hotel, and the goddess of hunting. 8. A large surface of ice floating in the ocean, and one who is conveyed. 9. Atmosphere, a Roman numeral, a belt, and an article. 10. The governor of Algiers, a garment, and a letter. 11. The person speaking, to be indebted, a street or road for vehicles. 12. Sick, forever, and an uproar. 13. An invocation, elevated, and a letter. 14. Part of a horse, a valuable metal, and a conveyance. 15. Raw mineral, a letter, and a musket. 16. A girl's name, to scatter seed, and a sailor. 17. Ourselves, a helmet, and not out. 18. A small valley, and to be informed of. 19. An unmarried woman, and a nymph of the Mohammedan paradise. 20. To dye, and bustle. ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN THE SEPTEMBER NUMBER. DOUBLE CROSS-WORD ENIGMA. Dryad-nymph. ABRIDGMENTS. Ruskin. 1. F-R-iend. 2. Clo-U-d. 3. S-eat. 4. K-night. 5. Fa-I-r. 6. Ki-N-d. HOUR-GLASS. Centrals: Harvest. Cross-words: J. FasHion. 2. FrAil. 3. ORb. 4. V. 5. SEa. 6. TaSte. 7. SecTion. GEOGRAPHICAL NUMERICAL ENIGMA. Great Britain. CONNECTED DIAMONDS. Centrals: Water-melon. Left-hand Diamond: 1. W. 2. LAd. 3. WaTer. 4. DEn. 5. R. Right hand Diamond: 1. M. 2. NEd. EASY PICTORIAL ENIGMA. that the full corn in the ear.' 5. N. 3. MeLon. 4. DOn. THE names of solvers are printed in the second number after that in which the puzzles appear. PICTURES showing the answer to the "Sandpiper" puzzle were sent by Fred. C. McDonald-Florence L. Kyte- Alice M. KyteJ. S. Tennant-M. L. Sargent-W. M. Hirshfeld-Nellie A. - Henry C. Brown- Earle. Colored drawings were sent by A. W. Post G. A. Post-W. S. Post - K. Post, and Regis Post. SOLUTIONS TO PUZZLES IN THE AUGUST NUMBER were received before August 20, from Nellie Slidell, 3-George W. Barnes, 5George A. Gillespie, 2- M. L. Sargent, 1-W. P. Bynum, 1-"Otter River," 6- Cambridge Livingston, 2- Gracie Smith, 7- Willie V. Draper, 2- Florence E. Pratt, all-Minnie Van Buren, 2-"Heliotrope," 2- Livingston Ham, 1- Lizzie M. Boardman, 1-"The Fairview Nursery," all-Marion T. Turner, 5" Peasblossom," 2-Fanny Fechheimer, 1-J. S. Tennant, all-Mame Henry, 2Walter O. Forde, 9-Frank L. Baldwin, 2-John Milton Gitterman and David Ansbacher, 7- Lulu G. Crabbe, 4- Otis and Elliott Brownfield, 7-Edward Vultee, all-"An English schoolboy," all- Alice Austen 7- Nanna D. Stewart, 3- Theo and Mamie, 2- Gracie H. Foster, 1-Louis B. Frankel, 2- George Macmurphy, 6-J. P. Miner, 1-Edith Beal, 4- Amelia Leroi, 5-"The Hoppers," 1Rose Raritan, 4-W. M. Hirshfeld, 1- -Joseph B. Bourne, 2-Lulu M. Brown, 9- Sallie E. Coates, 3-Nellie A., 2-Royal Cortissoz, 3 May Carman, 4- Chas. R. Fay, "Will O. Tree," 4- Frelinghuysen and Ballantine, 3-Arabella Ward, 6- Edith and Townsend McKeever, 9-Helen E. Hallock, 6- Florence Galbraith Lane, 6-Barrett Eastman, 3-Tad, 7-X. Y. Z., 6- Frank T. Thomas, 4'Partners,' 11-"A Reader," 5-Henry C. Brown all-Kate T. Wendell, 10- Katharine Robinson, 3-"Three Graces," 5- Lizzie D. Fyfer, 4-Marie M. Meinell, 2-Lalla E. Croft, 6- Bessie Taylor, 2- Phil. I. Pene, 1-Rene and Helen, 4- Valerie Frankel, 3- Clara H., 11-P. S. Clarkson, 10-Eleanor Telling, 4-Vernon Hendrix, 8- Annie H. Mills, 10- Fred. C. McDonald, 14- Lina, George A., William S., Wright, Kintzing, and Regis Post, 11- Charlie W. Power, 7- Mary and Bethel Boude, 14-- Anna and Alice, 12-Bessie C. Barney, 12-Queen Bess, 8- Ella M. Parker, 2- Engineer, 10-J. Ollie Gayley, 4- Halle and Sister Minnie, 1-H. L. P., 3-J. F. C., 3-North Star, 5-Willie T. Mandeville, 6-Stowe Phelps, 5-Freddie Thwaits, 9- Edith H. and Julia S., 4- Lulu Clarke and Nellie Caldwell, 7-Louise Williams, 3-F. J. Reynolds and S. Cosby, 4- H. and A. T., 4- Kate L. Freeland, 1- Trask, 13-Daisy Vail, 2Archie and Hugh Burns, 7-Dolly Francis, 7- Florence L. Kyte, 10-Alice M. Kyte, 9-Carol and her sisters, 9-Buttercup, 1-Mollie Weiss, 4-I. B. and H. C. B., 9- Belle and Bertie, 9- May B. Creighton and Winnie Creighton, 4-"Menagerie," 8-C. S. and W. F. S., 2-Lizzie C. Carnahan, 4-"Pops and Mankin," 3. The numerals denote the number of puzzles solved. MAR 1 |