In the future of ‘small motors,’ a future that appears an extended one, this new vacuum motor will doubtless play a not unimportant part.
A BOOK OF CLAN TARTANS.
Whether the kilt did or did not form part of the ‘garb of old Gaul’ may be left for the discussion of antiquaries, but there can be no doubt about the antiquity of tartans. As is well known, the various clans in the Scottish Highlands were distinguished from each other not only by their names, their badges, their war-cries, but also by the particular pattern and colour of the tartan which they wore. In the magnificently printed volume just issued by Messrs W. & A. K. Johnston, entitled The Tartans of the Clans of Scotland, lovers of the Highland garb will be delighted by the splendid reproduction in colours of the tartan of seventy-one clans or septs. Nothing can excel the accuracy and beauty with which the cloth, both in colour and texture, has been imitated in these plates. Each plate, moreover, is accompanied by a few notes on the clan to which the particular tartan appertains.
THE INFANT BAND OF PORT JACKSON.
There is at present lying in Port Jackson, Australia, a training-ship called the Vernon, and some of the boys who have musical ability are regularly trained in the study of music, with the view to becoming efficient musicians, and thereby able to take their place in military or orchestral bands. So small are these children, that it has been jokingly said half a dozen of them could readily be accommodated in their own big drum; whilst the grand ophicleide would afford a comfortable lodging for one or two at least! But small as they are, their playing is one of the wonders of the neighbourhood, and the delight of all who have had the good fortune to hear them. These diminutive artists execute classical music, as well as music of a lighter character, with a vigour and precision, and a finished taste and expression that are nearly incredible, and should be heard to be believed. In fact, many an ordinary military band might well take a lesson from them in the grace and point with which they play, and also in the perfect tune and delicacy of tone of all their instruments—virtues that are not common to boys’ bands; extreme roughness, want of tune and tone, and total absence of grace or expression, being the usual failings of juvenile players. That the Vernon band is carefully taught, and trained with the utmost care and skill, there can be little doubt; and great credit is due to the directors and commander of the vessel, which, apart from the unrivalled band, is a model as regards drill, discipline, order, and cleanliness. The Vernon is maintained entirely at the cost of the state, not by private subscriptions, donations, or rates.
DAIRY EXPERIMENTS.
Lord Vernon, who was last year President of the British Dairy Farmers’ Association, made a proposal for the institution of experiments, with the object of solving the following questions: (1) What is the smallest quantity of food upon which stall-fed cattle can be successfully and economically kept? (2) To what extent does a further supply of food repay its cost in the enhanced value of the milk? (3) What relation should the constituents of the food have to each other to produce milk, butter, and cheese? It was suggested that these experiments should be carried out under the superintendence of a Committee of the British Dairy Farmers’ Association; and Lord Vernon, who undertook to provide everything necessary for their use, desired that any information obtained should be published for the benefit of those connected with dairy-farming.
DOLLY.
We were schoolfellows, Dolly and I,
At a little dame-school in the town close by;