MISCELLANEOUS.
J. L.—If it be merely weakness of the eyes, bathing frequently in a weak solution of vinegar and cold water will be found strengthening; a change of employment, writing being less trying than reading, and knitting and coarse crochet-work than plain sewing. When the eyes are tired and ache, change your occupation at once; set the house or drawers or books in order; take a turn in the garden, or a walk out of doors, and look at distant objects. Read our "New Doctor's" Medical answers on these subjects.
Chinese White.—We regret we have not space to give you the long list of printers and publishers for which you ask.
Miss M. Carley.—Married or unmarried you may wear a mourning ring wherever you find it will fit the best.
A. B. C.—For getting rid of the pest of little red ants that infest cupboards, we have recommended the use of a solution of alum, but we have just been advised to employ it hot. The right proportions are as follows:—Take two pounds of alum, dissolve it in two or three quarts of boiling water, and let it stand on the fire until the alum has disappeared; then apply it with a brush, while nearly boiling, to every joint and crevice in your closets, wooden bedsteads, pantry shelves, and also to those in the floor, and of the skirting boards and wainscotes. When you have your ceilings whitewashed, add plenty of alum to the lime, and when your house paint is washed, use cool alum water, which is obnoxious to cockroaches. Sugar barrels and boxes may be kept free from ants by the simple plan of drawing a wide chalk band round the edge of the receptacle, taking care that the band be unbroken, or else the vermin will cross over the broken line.
Star-gazer.—The largest telescope, at present existing, is that at the Lick Observatory, having an object glass of thirty-six inches diameter. Next follows that at Pulkova, Russia, having a glass of thirty inches. The next below that is at the University of Virginia, of twenty-six inches. Harvard possesses the fourth in size, with a twenty-four inch glass; and the fifth is that of Princeton College. That of Yerkes, the latest of the celebrated productions at Cambridge, Mass., is rated at forty inches in diameter. But all the American Telescopes, even the last-named, are eclipsed by the forthcoming monster of Paris, exceeding even the Lick by eleven inches. It will be 186 feet in length, and on view, ready for use, in 1900, at the proposed Exposition. The image is to be received on a level mirror, 75 inches in diameter.
Daisy.—Do not be misled by the advertisements, offering high wages to female emigrants, as domestic servants at Johannesburg and the Transvaal. A government "caution" has been issued.
Robert.—You seem to be getting on very well with your class of boys, and to manage them satisfactorily. We can only suggest that you should select a book for them occasionally, out of which you might read, such as Dr. Smiles' Self-Help, and also that you relate to them something about brave and noble men like General Gordon and many others. A boys' magazine will sometimes help you to think of topics, such as the Boy's Own Paper. You might get a penny number now and then.
Curiosity.—Why not take Cottage Gardening, published weekly by Cassell & Co., price ½d. There are plenty of small manuals which you will find advertised in it.
John Dory.—There will be another eclipse of the moon this year, which will be total, and visible at Greenwich on December 27th; but of the sun, the two that are due will be invisible at Greenwich. There have been three each, of the sun and moon, this year. The first record of a solar eclipse is to be found in Chinese history, and took place about 2169 B.C., in the reign of Shingkang, when the unfortunate astronomers, Ho and Hi, were put to death for not having predicted the phenomenon. The famous eclipse, predicted by Thales of Miletus, and which (according to Herodotus) interrupted the battle between the Medes and Lydians, occurred on May, 28th, 585 B.C.; Sir G. B. Airy is our authority for the date; as also for those of Xerxes, B.C. 478, and Agathocles, B.C. 310. These are the earliest of which we have authentic records.
A New Reader.—The mirror glass used in painting is silver-plated and bevelled. The latter makes the work look richer. The glass need not be new, but it must be thoroughly cleaned, either with spirits of turpentine and a chamois leather, or covered with wet whiting and rubbed away with the leather when dry. Then polish well, and leave quite clear. The tracing on the mirror is done from a design with red carbonised paper, and then retraced with a reed pen and lithographic ink to fix it for painting. The colours used are the ordinary tube colours employed in oil painting.
Fluffie and Busy Bee.—Recipes for rock, a cream toffee, will be found in vol. xvii., page 695, and also in vol. xviii.
Priscilla.—At a double wedding the two brides go up the aisle with their father, or brother if no father be living, one on each arm. The bridesmaids follow, the elder sisters going first. The bridegrooms may wear white or pale grey gloves.