The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-03-01
The March Magazines.

matter, profusely illustrated with sixtynine en-
cravings.
At the outset we are initiated into the myS
tories of Life on BDr,la Man-ot-W AZ" by Com
mander William Gibson, who. in spirited
and somewhat poetic style, follows the ship
from its going into commission through the
characteristic features of its cruise, which are
also effectively represented in illustrations.
Then we s;lunlcr along the Elbe' with Jul
Mus Henri Browne, giving our attention main
ly to that remarkable and romantic region
known rs the Saxon Switzerland, between Aus
sig and Dresden, and to the noteworthy features
of the latter city-the capital of SaXony. Mr..
Brownies article is beautifully illustrated.
From SaXony we are transferred 10 Baltimore
in the last century, as shown by Aunt Eve, Il
coored centenarian, who, in the hands of her
intcrviewer," Mr. Frank B. Mayer. becomes II
very graphic historian. Her characteristic
narrative receives an additional interest from
Mr. Mayors admirable drawings.
Then, from the pen of the Rev William +.
Ward, we have Il very instructive paper, emit
tied sour Debt to Cadmus,' being history of
the formation of the alphabet, profusely illus
trated.
The new scientific work by Flammarion, on
the Atmosphere furnishes the materials and
illustrations for Mr. Conants entertaining
paper, Earth and Air'-tull OF curious in
formation concerning Ia fata inorganic, sand
columns, the Proyencal rain of blood, locust
and beetle showers, the freaks Of lightning, and
other atmospherical phenomena.
Mrs. p w. r. Yer Planck, in her graphic
sketch, "A Birthnyht Ball" takes Us to the
Swedish capital of former days when the
late king Charles Nv, was alive, and gives a
brilliant picture of the festivities Of the court
on the occasion of the kings birthday.
Other articles are one by +. b. Hough, on
Constitutional Limitations; one by 5. Conant,
on Newspapers and Editors; a Simpicton,'
by Chas Reade, is continued; rs are old
Kensington," and The New Magdaen; with
stories, poetry, editorials, Easy Chair &c.
The following are clips from Along the
Elbe," by Juuius Henry Browne
DRESDEN PoRC EI.AIS.-The celebrated porce.
lain Of SaXonv bears the name OF, though it is
not made in Dresden, but at the town OF Mcis-
sen on the Elbc fifteen miles below the capital
Not to go there is palpabe neglect of the
tourists obligation The porcelain manutac-
tory is in the Old Castle once the residence Of
the Saxon princes 1t is an imposing editice,
and, from its lofty position on the bank OF the
river, looks remarkably picturesque II a dis
lance and not much less so on close inspection.
Its appearance is assisted by the Cathedral hard
by, q handsome Gothic structure with u graceful
open.work spirs
The earth from which the porcelain i, made
is obtained from Aue an insignificant, village
twelve miles from Zwickau The process, OF
preparing and baking the clay is slow. diff.
cult and complicated The mixture. or biscuit,
is composed principally Of kaolin and ground
feldspar. The materials are reduced to very
fine powder, and stirred together with water in
cisterns, the surplu, water being pressed out
81, -;
other methods When the biscuit is of the con
sistency of dough, it is thoroughly worked
over by beating, kneading and treading, and is
then put away moist for a year or more to un
dergO the moulding procesS,'which increases
its Elasticity. The better kind OF porcelain i,
formed in moulds of gypsum, and the incest
skill and care are needed to fashion thc vessel,
as well as in the glazing and baking. good
deal of the ware is unavoidably spoiled, sucl
precise handling does it require: but the art
sans employed in its manufacture have had
| years of training and experience. and haze i'll
| herited their trade, a. is the case with the Brus
| sells lace.makcrs and Amsterdam dialnond-cut
| ters 1t is said that the excellence Of porcelain
depends on locality and atmosphere: that MI
! merOuS efforts to manufacture The Dresden
| china elsewhere, witt! exactly the same mate
| rial and the same workmcn have failed agai!
and again There was always something lack
| ing-something almost inacfinablc, bat sill
something. Whether it is that the artisan
are accustomed to Il certain routine and subjec
to subtle influences Of surrounding, which the.
can not change without dctriment 80 the pro
duct of their hands, is an open question; BIZ
that skilled labor not unirequently follows III
same mysterious law governing the removal o
plants has been shown by repeated cXper
ments. The manufacture OF porcelain has beef
for generations the most profitable industry 4
the neighborhoOd Of Dresden, and is likely I