Having everything in readiness—the bottles of restrainer and accelerator where they will be at hand if needed—get the plates which are to be developed. These should be placed on a convenient shelf, or stand where they will be out of the way of liquids, but where they can be easily reached. If the plates are still in the holder, of course they do not need to be covered, as they are already shut away from the light, but if they have been removed from the holders and placed in a box, have a cover from a larger plate box to turn over the box after it is open. This will prevent fogging the plates, and is easier to adjust than the cover which fits the box.
It is a good plan to provide one's self with light wooden covers a little larger than the trays. These can be made from cigar boxes, and a little white porcelain knob, such as druggists use on small drawers, screwed on for handles. The cover for the hypo-tray should have a white band painted across it, or marked in some way by which it may be easily distinguished from the covers for the developing-trays. These covers are very convenient to place over the trays if one wishes to leave the dark room for a moment, or to open the door to admit a little fresh air. They can also be placed over a tray when the plate is first covered with the developer if the plate is extremely sensitive. A screw eye can be put in the end of the cover to hang it up by when not in use.
Having once decided on the most convenient way for arranging the materials for developing, stick to it. The task of finding and using what is needed will soon become mechanical, and the mistakes which occur from a haphazard way of arranging the developing outfit will be avoided.
In the next paper for beginners we shall suggest some home-made appliances for the dark room which have been designed by skilful amateurs for saving time, space, and money. Any of our amateurs who have improved ways of doing things are requested to send descriptions to the Camera Club. We have already several on hand, which will be published in their appropriate places. When sending a description of home-made apparatus, send a photograph with it if possible.
KING ARTHUR AND HIS KNIGHTS.
I.—UTHER PENDRAGON, THE FATHER OF ARTHUR.
Jack and Mollie had joined the Order of the Knights and Ladies of the Round Table, and had become Sir Jack and Lady Mollie in consequence. They were proud of it, too, not so much because of the titles they were thereby permitted to use, but because they knew that it was a great thing to be knightly enough to become members of a society which had high aims and lofty purposes in view. They were both sturdy little Americans, and to be known as Sir Jack and Lady Mollie did not add at all to the good opinions they had of themselves, except in so far as these honorable prefixes to their names showed that they were members in good standing of a flourishing organization.
Who the original Knights of the Round Table were and what they had done they did not know, but they set about finding out as soon as they received their membership cards, for, as Jack said, "What's the use of going into a thing without finding out all about it?" And Mollie, as usual, agreed that that was the thing to do.
So they asked their father about it, and it turned out that he knew very little more about the Knights of the original Round Table than they did. He did know that at the head of the table had sat a certain King of England, Arthur by name, who was a Knight of great prowess, but beyond this he was quite ignorant on the subject. He said, however, that he would look the matter up when he had time, and let them know whatever he might discover. And he did so, and whenever he discovered anything which he thought would interest the children, he would tell them about it.