The illustrations show two different arrangements of sea-mosses for the frame. In the first, that seen in Fig. 1, they are glued upon a background of fine white cardboard, one layer superimposed above another, until they extend forward from the card for an inch or more. Their stems are finally covered by a small, well-striped scallop-shell which has been washed clean and varnished. It is perhaps needless to add that the effect is very pretty. The “silver mosses” are best adapted for this arrangement.
The design given in Fig. 2 is quite grotesque in its appearance, and appeals rather more to the average boy’s taste than the former arrangement. Red and brown mosses are used entirely, unless the effect seems too somber, in which case a little “silver moss” may be introduced on the back to lighten it a trifle.
Tiny baskets, made of pretty scallop-shells nicely fitted together and varnished, are often filled with the coarser varieties of moss, and are very pretty; but if they are unprotected from the dust they are soon destroyed, and unless covered with a glass case or inverted thin plain glass tumbler, they hardly pay for the trouble of making.
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ANTIQUES AND HORRIBLES.
This is another of the mechanical toys which was common during my childhood. The whole affair is so simple that a small boy could make it, in a less finished form at least, and the most sullen little fellow in all the land could not fail to be amused by the grotesque procession of clowns and hobgoblins, kings and countrymen, birds and fishes and animals, whose names no naturalist could tell, and whose like was never seen on this earth before. This procession travels on and on, as long as the crank is turned. The above illustration gives some idea of a few of the many members of the band, but any boy at all ingenious, will see that he has a variety—the more grotesque and outlandish the better the effect. Fig. 2 shows a section of the machinery; the box-like covering is removed, and the frame-work exposed to view. First procure a board, a, about twenty by eight inches; next two rollers upon which the band is to turn, for you must have seen that these little images are made of thin cardboard, attached to an endless band of strong cloth. These rollers should be rather larger than broomsticks, and held in place by four uprights, c. Only two of these can be seen in the cut. A table, d e, extends between the rollers and is supported by four legs, f, which should be of sufficient length to make the top, d e, come just below the upper section of the band, g g are boards, the same width as the bottom, a, and of sufficient height to make a good foundation for the top, and to allow free passage of the procession. None of the figures should be much over three inches in height, and none should be attached to the cloth in more than one place; that is, by only one foot, as they would be unavoidably torn in passing over the rollers if more firmly fixed. The top and front are of pasteboard, and the whole exposed surface is covered with pretty wall-paper. On the right roller at the back end, fix a small crank, or handle, and the machine is started by turning this. When about to give a grand exhibition, be careful to turn in the right direction, and not set the whole procession running backward, as you might easily do if unobserving or forgetful. The images are much more amusing if painted in bright colors. Use plenty of blue, red, yellow, black, and white paint, with a touch here and there of rich green and purple; and you may perhaps almost make your audience believe that Fourth of July is here again, and they are viewing the “Antiques and Horribles” through the large end of a spy-glass.
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