The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-02-04
THE WORLDS TOYS.

Characteristics of the Products of Diff
 ferent Nations.
 M. Leo Claretie's report on the toys of the world, as represented at the late Paris exhibition, is topical reading. M. Claretie is naturally most concerned with the toy products of his own coun- try. This represents some fifty million of francs per annum. Germany's out put is twenty-five per cent. better It is claimed, however, for the French that is to say, for the Paris-toy that it surpasses all others fin grace, ill light and lively aspect and in workmanship which at once proclaims its family and origin.'
 The Paris product is classed under no less than dozen categories. At the head as one might expect, stands the toy military-the sword, the Lebel, the mitrailleuse, the pistol, the trumpet and the drum. Included also in this category is the military uniform, and the kepi of the general officer, which is the only wear of youthful France.
 Next in order, but probably superior to all in importance, comes the doll. The doll manufacture is entirely in the hands of the Societe Anonyme de Fab rication Francaise des Bebes, with capital of four million francs, or one hundred and sixty thousand pounds. This company has the monopoly of the article. It runs several gigantic facto- ries, employs small army of workmen, and turns out about five million dolls every year.
 The toy animal is another branch of industry He is of three sorts-of course, from the makers, and not the zoologist's point of view. He is either painted or skin clad or "draped." To "drape" an animal you first anoint him all over with glue, and then sprinkle him with finely powdered cloth. This operation is performed by women, and materially enhances the death rate among female workers in Paris. The powdered cloth so affects the respirato- ry organs that no drapeuse can hope to retain them for much longer than twelvemonth. When an animal is to be skinned he is, if horse, fitted into calf neat If an elephant, he gets cha mics leather, and, if a camel, must re- sign himself to goat skin
 Next in importance to that of dolls is the category of toys in metal The tin soldier. the railway the tramway and the watch of infancy employ some five thousand of the Paris population; while the musical instrument, the bigo- phone, the phonograph and other de- vices for the production of cheap noise enable further section of the working classes to support life in reasonable comfort.
 The cardboard boxes, with the more or less elegant decorations, in which the toys and the confectionery of childhood are inclosed for presentation, fall into yet another category. The uses or cardboard, however, are by no means exhausted. There remain the pleasing accessories of therchilds cotiliont party. These are manufactured. it appears, out of the waste packing paper swept off the packing room floors of the big shops. The material is first steeped in tubs full of glue, and then rammed into steel moulds. It comes out in sections. The sections are gummed together, and passed on to the decorative artist, and from him to the drying room. and from there to the drawing room
 Then there is the mechanical toy something angular and spasmodic, and strikingly garbed He laughs, he reads he blows soap bubbles; he is conversa- tional, or acrobatic, as may be desired. Science has improved upon him of late. Then there is the scientific toy. If an enfant du ciecle, aged ten, does not know more than the author of his being ever knew about electrostatics, and the Rhumkorff bobbin, and the Glissier tube. it is not the scientific toys fault. The india rubber doll with the ventril- oouial squeak appears to be going out of favor, and no wonder. The childish child that was once pleased with this crude performer has gone out before him.
 The sporting toy, we learn, is entirely the product of this country and of America. It would seem to be just as much a thing apart as the Japanese doll. Another exclusive product is the Russian toy The Alliance notwith- standing, French toys are barred ad- mission to the empire of the Czar. Ger many. likewise, has taken protective measures against the introduction of