Photo.—The medium mentioned in “Photographine” is sold with the apparatus for the art.
A. M. B.—To acquire the art of painting on glass or china, you might be taken as an apprentice at various firms, such as that of Mr. Cameron, 69, Wigmore-street, Cavendish-square. W.; or the Messrs. Powell, of the Whitefriars Glass Company, Whitefriars-street, E.C. This company receives ladies, who work in a separate room for six hours daily, and four on Saturdays. The Messrs. Simpson and Messrs. Mortlock likewise employ ladies. The average earnings are from £60 to £70 per annum for the lower branches of art, and as much as £100 for the higher.
Bull Finch.—We must refer you to the answer above given to “A. M. B.” You will find plenty of designs for tile and china painting in the volumes of the G. O. P. You need not look further.
Would-be Professional.—Certainly, a livelihood could be made out of wood engraving, but then you should have more than one qualification for it. Practical skill, persevering industry, good sight, a firm, steady, yet delicate touch, and natural artistic taste. The work has the advantage of being home work, and needs little outlay—a good set of tools, and the boxwood blocks purchased as required. A skilled engraver can earn from £3 upwards a week. If you study at the South London Technical Art School, 122 and 124, Kennington Park-road, you will have £3 to pay per annum for fees, half-yearly and in advance. When you have acquired the art, illustrate some popular work or picture initial letters for articles, and little end sketches for the same, and take them to publishers as specimens. You might obtain advice at the central office of the City and Guilds of London Institute, Gresham College, London, E.C. The director and secretary is Philip Magnus, Esq.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Young Inquirer.—1. Yes, there is such a thing as a “singing flame,” and it is not like a singing kettle nor a windy gaspipe, and is as great a wonder as the fabulous “singing tree,” had that been real. A very delicate jet of flame, introduced through a small pipe into a narrow glass tube of a foot long, will respond to the singing of any one note, if set in tune to it. Professor Tyndall says, “With a little practice, one is able to command a flame to sing and to stop singing, while it strictly obeys the injunction. When the proper pitch has been ascertained the experiment is sure to succeed; and, from a distance of twenty or thirty feet, the flame when sung to is caused to sing responsively. If it do not respond, it is because it has not been spoken to in the proper tone; but a note of somewhat higher pitch causes it to stretch its tongue and sing vigorously.” 2. The 1st of April, 1869, was a Thursday.
Faith, Hope, and Charity.—See “Practical Hints About the Growth of the Hair,” in our part for July, 1885. The name Thames is derived from the Attic word Tamh, signifying “quiet,” the Saxon Temese, the Latin Tamesis. Possibly the latter may contain the origin of the name Isis, as given to the river at Oxford.
Eileen.—Yes, Ireland was anciently called Insula Sacra, so Festus Airenus affirmed; but it must be noted that this author wrote in the fourth century, and this was before St. Patrick established Christianity there. Also, the name given to Ireland was not exclusively a distinctive one, for the Isle of Samothrace was also entitled the Sacred Isle. Another name for Ireland was Muic Innis, or Isle of Muc, Muc being the name applied to the divinity as worshipped by them, and signified “sacred.” Beautiful as much of the country is, any visitor would be struck with the appropriate selection of the latter name (according to its English sound and meaning) after seeing the filthy surroundings and habits of the natives, the pigs, poultry, and human kind wallowing together within the same mud walls, and by preference!
Zearn.—A butler has the care of the wine cellar, decants the wine, and serves it at table. He places the chief dish on the table, or carves it at the side table, and his place is behind his master’s chair, while the footman (if one) stands behind his mistress. The butler also stands behind the footman when the latter opens the hall door to visitors. The servant, improperly called a butler, who holds a single-handed place combines the duties of both butler and footman, with the exception of the care of the wine cellar, unless in exceptional cases of special trust.
A Reader.—The initials R.S.V.P. are those of the French phrase Répondez, s’il vous plaît, “Answer, if you please.” Painting in oils is much easier than in water-colours, as mistakes can be rectified and improvements made.