A Glimpse of Newfoundland.
The chief fisheries in which the public of St. John's are interested are the cod, seal, salmon, and herring. These afford labor to the people of the principal city of Newfoundland. Quite a few people are engaged in the manufacture of the different kinds of gear used in taking fish, such as lines, twines, nets, and cordage, also boats and tackle. The cod season lasts longest. The seal fishery is the most valuable. Salmon and herring are not much caught. The principal merchants of St. John's are engaged in exporting fish. Times are very bad here.
B. Bowering.
St. John's, Newfoundland.
This Department is conducted in the interest of Girls and Young Women, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject so far as possible. Correspondents should address Editor.
The secret of being at ease wherever you are is a very simple one. It is only this—Do not think about yourself. Bashfulness, awkwardness, and clumsiness are caused by what we call self-consciousness, and as soon as we entirely forget ourselves these pass away. A girl who writes to me complains that she is so tall for her age that she cannot help being awkward. "The moment I enter a room," she says, "I look about to see if any other girl is as tall as I am, and I am always the tallest—a perfect bean-pole. Then I fancy that everybody is sorry for me, and I cannot fix my attention on anything which is going on. It makes me quite wretched. What shall I do?"
In the first place, my dear, your height, if you carry yourself well and hold your head up, is a great advantage. Far from being a thing to regret, it is something to be glad of.
Tall, or short, fat, and dumpy, or thin and pale, let the young girl never think of this when she meets her friends. Instead, let her try her very best to make the rest happy. If there is a girl in the room who is a stranger, or who seems not to be having a pleasant time, single her out and entertain her. Your hostess will be pleased with this sort of unobtrusive help, if it is kindly given.
A summer or two ago I happened to be paying a visit in a country house where there were a half-dozen young guests. Among them were several lovely girls from the South. I noticed that these girls had each some useful social accomplishment. One played very sweetly, and she was always ready to go to the piano and to play accompaniments for the violinist of the house party, as well as to give us her dreamy nocturnes and slow sonorous marches when we asked for them. Another sang, and she needed no urging when there was a wish to hear songs. Still another played chess, and lent herself to be partner to any one who wished that diversion. It was beautiful to watch the sweet unconscious way in which these girls entertained the rest, never putting themselves forward, but always to be depended on when it was a question of how to pass an evening delightfully.
These are the days of out-door enjoyment, and my girls are playing golf and tennis, and riding their wheels, and spending some portion of every day in healthful exercise. Perhaps some of you like work out-of-doors as well as play, and if there is a garden where you can dig and plant seeds and watch flowers grow, or you have a poultry-yard with chickens and hens, or your talent for the practical leads you to raise vegetables—radishes, pease, and lettuce which grow for you will taste as no common market vegetables can. Keep in the sunshine, girls. Sunshine means brightness and bloom for every one of you.
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.
One mail brought me two letters suggesting the formation of an exchange society by the readers of the Round Table. Harold C. Day, Upland Farm, Harrison, Westchester Co., N. Y., and Willis H. Kerr, Bellevue, Neb., both say they would like to hear from any one interested. Other correspondents have suggested the same thing at other times, and asked my opinion on the plan. I regret to say it is not favorable. I have had some experience of exchange societies, and have come to the conclusion that it is feasible only when some capable man is at the head of the scheme who is willing to give his time and experience to the plan, and that all sales are for cash only. All the larger societies already have exchange circuits, and experience shows that common stamps are not exchanged, and that valuable stamps must always be sent by registered mail or by express, which is a considerable expense. The Dresden International Society sends out books of stamps every year worth many thousands of dollars; the leading society in New York has sent out five circuits this year, aggregating about $2000 on each circuit. The first circuit was completed a month ago. Stamps to the value of $1200 were taken. The second circuit will be about the same. Almost all other societies have similar plans.
Their method is quite simple. 1. All members who wish to contribute stamps for exchange purchase a small blank book from the manager (Price 10c.). 2. These books, filled with stamps, are sent to the manager, and when he has a sufficient number they are done up in a package and sent out to the first name on the circuit. 3. This person looks over the books, picks out what he wants, sends a list of what he has taken to the manager, with P.O. money-order for the amount. 4. He then sends the books to the second name on the list, etc. 5. After the books have gone through the entire list the last man returns them to the manager, who returns the unsold stamps to their owners, and sends the cash (less commission) to those members whose stamps were sold.
Some members buy very little and sell very much, others sell very little and buy much. Before the books are sent out the manager examines them, removes counterfeits, etc. Each man who takes out a stamp puts in its place a "control" stamp with his number on it. These control stamps are bought of the manager, and he only knows who has sold and who has bought.
It is expensive and troublesome. A much better plan is the old-fashioned one of "swapping" stamps with one's comrades and friends.
H. B.—Your piece is a "Hard Money" token, not a coin. It has no money value, but is very interesting.
L. K. Babcock.—See answer to H. B.
A. Ulmer.—The 6c. Hawaii, 1864 issue, is catalogued as worth 25c.
Philatus.
TO BICYCLISTS:
There is no better chain lubricant than Ivory Soap; it is a cleanly application and perfect for this use.
Copyrighted, 1896, by The Procter & Gamble Co., Cin'ti.
The coolness is refreshing; the roots and herbs invigorating; the two together animating. You get the right combination in HIRES Rootbeer.
Made only by The Charles E. Hires Co., Philadelphia.
A 25c. package makes 5 gallons. Sold everywhere.
THE
BALTIMOREAN PRINTING-PRESS
has earned more money for boys than all other presses in the market. Boys, don't idle away your time when you can buy a self-inking printing-press, type, and complete outfit for $5.00. Write for particulars, there is money in it for you.
THE J. F. W. DORMAN CO.,
Baltimore, Md., U.S.A.
