Dolls' houses and furniture, railways, boats and other vehicles offer endless possibilities of original and attractive design, and mechanical toys, whether driven by wind, water, elastic or the works of an old clock, offer an equally wide field for invention. At a later age girls will no doubt be ambitious to devise useful articles for the home, while boys may become interested in engineering and electrical models, optical toys, etc.; the deftness of hand, acquaintance with elementary principles, and self-confidence acquired through the simple work which we have described, should stand them in good stead.
Self-reliance and ingenuity are valuable assets with which to start upon the more serious tasks of life, and if our hints on toy-making contribute in any way to the development of these qualities this book will not have been written in vain.
Transcriber's Note:
Punctuation and spelling were made consistent when a predominant preference was found in this book; otherwise they were not changed.
Simple typographical and spelling errors were corrected.
P. 99 added "or" between "bridges," & "picture". Seemed to make more sense than "and" which could also have been used.
P. 182 Figs 346 and 347 are so intertwined that it would be not only difficult to separate them but also would leave unsightly gaps.
P. 188 Figs 357, 358, and 359 are so intertwined that it would be not only difficult to separate them but also would leave unsightly gaps.