engine. Mr. J. E. Barker who kindly acted as judge, assisted by Mr. B. Barton, presented a special prize of a slide rule to F. Vidler for his detailed drawing of an aeroplane, complete with dimensions and specifications.
The preparatory hand-work was judged by Mrs. Piper and resulted in prizes being awarded to E. Knott and E. Skinner. Models of outstanding merit were exhibited by M. Betts, wire covering machine; J. Piper, motor roundabout; P. Randall, windmill; M. Higgins, tug; J. Elbourn, llorry;F. Youens, crane, and several others.
JOTTINGS.
Paper was originally made from rag, but now wood pulp is chiefly used. Ordinary common " News " is all wood. In the first case the wood is torn into small shreds between spiked rollers and made into pulp. Unless chemically treated, the paper made from " Mechanical Pulp " turns brown quickly, to stop this the pulp is treated with " Sulphite " and becomes " Chemical Pulp," the paper retains its colour when exposed to the light. Esparto Grass is grown in Africa and is added to give the paper toughness. Various things such as size and thickness is obtained by rolling the paper with big rollers. Different gradations of surface are to be had, by rolling with hot or cold rollers.
There are 2,750,000 motor-cycles in the world. Eighty-five per of them are in Europe. Germany leads with 750,000.
A compass needle does not point to the North Pole, but to the Magnetic North, which lies 1,500 miles west of the true North Pole.
We see with our brain, not with our eyes. We see through our eyes, but the image is on the brain.
LEON NOAKES.
THE CASE OF J.B.
Taking a hurried glance round the little station at New Hythe, one could hardly imagine anyone of the travellers pacing up and down its platform entering upon such tragic circumstances as befell the " J.B.'s " that very day. Well! It fell out like this (notice I said it fell out, not one of the " J.B.'s ") that Mr. Jemson Bowsowell, and. the Very Rev. Jebudiah Blessum, were for once in their lives (and for only a short while) of the same mind, in that they were travelling to the same place-London. Do not think that this was their last journey together, for had it been so they could not have been heading for the same destination (unless one had taken the wrong turning), for Mr. Jemson Bowsowell was an actor-greatly gifted-in fact he lived by gifts, the gifts which he received ; and the Very Rev. Jebudiah Blessum was a bishop, also greatly gifted, he lived by the gifts he gave, and, of course, slightly by those he received.
Nevertheless, the two gentlemen accidentally got into the same compartment, the bishop sat in one corner, and the actor in another. The former put his attaché case-bearing the initials " J.B."-on the rack, and the latter did likewise. Each began to ponder over his special work for the evening, as the actor was taking the part of the Devil in " Faust," and the bishop was to address a large congregation on " The Devil Within."
Each attaché case was a faithful servant to its master, and carried the necessary clothes for his r61e.
Well ! It fell off. One of those cases landed itself with a thud at the Bishop's feet.
" I do, most sincerely, and most humbly crave your pardon for the atrocious conduct of my case," said the actor, and I trust you will extend to me an expression of your entire forgiveness."
"Granted all that," said the Bishop, " shake and let us be friends." (But they shook more later on).
" Victoria, Victoria " (piano), " Victoria ! " (forte), " VICTORIA ! ! " (fortissimo), chanted the porter-for it sounded like chanting to the Bishop. Whereupon he, and his travelling companion each took a case, nodded " Good-day," said they had been pleased to make each other's acquaintance and left the train.
That evening (it must have been at 7 o'clock, for there's a turn in every seven) found the Bishop confronted with a garb, that would make him appear a practical illustration of the object on which he was about to speak. What should he do? Better alter his text to " The Devil in our Midst."
And the actor, what of him? Oh ! He merely announced from the stage that some other infernal creature had his clothes, and could not take his part !
J.B.
EXTRACTS FROM OUR MODERN WRITERS.
A ZEPPELIN.
A long, gleaming cigar-like shape, with many protrusions, and with various gondolas hanging below, upon which gleaming propellers whirl. Its sides are decorated with large Black Crosses, and with many numbers. At the rear two