"Inquisitive."—The kinds of matches now in common use are of comparatively recent origin. The earlier kinds consisted of thin pine splinters, about six inches long, tipped with sulphur. They were lighted by applying the end to tinder ignited by the old-fashioned flint and steel. After the discovery of phosphorus, in 1677, a readier means of lighting them was invented. The interior of a small bottle or vial was coated with oxide of phosphorus, and kept tightly corked, except when a light was wanted, when a match tipped with sulphur was dipped in, and immediately took fire. Other methods, equally clumsy, were also employed to obtain a light.
The first friction matches, called lucifers, were invented in 1829. They were tipped with an inflammable paste, and ignited by being drawn between folds of sand-paper. They were made in the shape of a comb (a form still in use), and broken off when required. When these matches were introduced into this country, they were called locofoco, perhaps from the Italian word fuoco, meaning fire. It was not until 1834 that phosphorus was employed in the composition of the substance with which matches are tipped.
The number of matches consumed every year is enormous. Ninety-five per cent. of all the phosphorus made is employed in their manufacture. More than three hundred tons of this substance are fabricated every year in Europe, and as one pound of phosphorus will make one million of matches, an estimate of the number manufactured may easily be made by those of our little readers who have a fondness for calculation.
Many people are still living who can remember when every night, winter and summer, the coals were carefully raked together and covered up, so that they would keep alive until morning. If by chance they died out, fire could only be obtained by means of flint, steel, and tinder, unless live coals could be borrowed from a near neighbor.
To Chrisie Burdick B.—Last Tuesday morning the mail brought to me a little gift to aid Toby Tyler in reaching his uncle. God bless the generous little heart that prompted the deed, and may some kind hand ever smooth the rough places in her journey through life!
I would like to have her full name and address. Will she kindly send it to me through Young People?
With many thanks, in the name of Toby Tyler, I remain, sincerely,
James Otis.