Evening star., 1901-12-21
Mechanical Wonders to Be Seen in
the Big Shops.
AUTOMOBILES ARE ALL THE RAGE
Miniature Railways Complete in
Every Detail.
INGENIOUS AND LIFELIKE
Written for The Evening Star.

Written for The Evening Star.
Fashions in toys change every year par
ticularly in mechanical toys, and the de-
mards of the younger element for intricate
arrangements becomes more and more ex-
acting. Toy makers and designers en-
deaVor to keep pace with the advancement
in the mechanical field, and reproduce in
miniature many novelties that are still
commanding the attention of the world Of
fashion.
This explains the prominence that is
given automobiles by the toy-makers this
year. So much attention has been given
the subject that in all the large shops and
in the department stores of the big cities
the vehicles presented include perfect mod
els OF standard machines. One of these is
an exact reproduction of famous racing
machine Of French pattern, so perfect in
details that the American representative
failed to detect the slightest inaccuracy in
oeslgn or construction. This so-called toy
Is equipped with rubber tires electric head
lghfs. air whistles, gongs and speed-indi-
Gators, and these are all used during opera
tfon IN order to rheighten the realistic ef-
rect. 10 carry the Illusion further figure
mas been introduced to represent the driver
bearing striking resemblance to one of
the most celebrated chauffeurs of France
VINO Is Well known among enthusiasts in
nave become familiar to the reading public
through newspaper and magazine por-
traits Other well-known patterns have been
copled for runabouts. cabs and coaches,
anu Ior delivery wagons, mail carts, en-
gines and fire trucks. Some of these are
operated by clock-work, but the most pop
ular form OF propulsion is electricity
small motors are built on the axles and
current Is supplied from batteries under
the seat.
Always Popular.
judging from the prominence given loco
motives. cars and other parts of railway
equipment, It Is evident that the steam en-
sine continues to offer the same fascina-
tfon for boys, and that the loyalty of this
following Is mistaken by the counter-at-
fractions offered In other Departments,
Th1s devotion Is recognized and repaii nv
uTslsHers. Inc Old crude engine that was
aaoWed TO run across the parlor CARPET or
the dining table for the amusement of the
last generation has long since been dis
carded for the more pretentious locomotive
coplea aIte1- modern patterns. which is op-
erated on a track substantially laid. Some
or these engines pull trains of half a dozen
cars at high rate of speed. Improvement
Is shown In the entire equipment Including
rolling stock, track and accessories
creative and constructive genius IS af-
Iorded a splendid opportunity for develop
ment In this field. Everything Is at hand
that is necessary for the building of
SoAiAPAoeS iodu- lie Tracks are substantial
enough to carry trains at a high rate of
speed, across bridges, through tunnels and
up steep grades, passing through minia-
ture cities, where street crossings. switch
ing and signaling systems are employed
and every detail of practical railroadine is
clearly copied. Terminal facilities are fur
nished in elaborate passenger stations
Irelght depots, round houses, turn tables
and sidings.
Everything Complete.
The starting of one Of these trains from
station is announced by the ringing Of
bells, blowing Of whistles putting of steam
engines and all the other Accomplishments
Of noise and confusion so dear to the aver
age boy. As the train passes through the
cities" along the route the gates at street
crossings are lowered and raised, signals
are flashed from the switching tower and
the warning given as the bridge crossing a
miniature stream Is approached. This Is
all accomplished by electricity, the engine
is operated by batteries and the glow in lhe
hre box OF the engine is furnished by
small incandescent lamp in red globe
. Opportunity Is also offered for showing
manufacturing plants, machine shops and
other equipments along the line. The i'm
provements in this line are more in the ma
ture of development of old ideas than in the
introduction of new features.
Dealers claim that higher state of per-
fection has been attained this year in me-
chanfcal toys than was ever before at
tempted. The most perfect specimens in this
class of work are imported from Germany
and France, where skilled labor can be pro-
cured cheaply and In abundance.
Give . Whole Show.
The most conspicuous example of me-
chanical skill in the design and construc-
tion Of toys was displayed at a New York
shop last week. before being delivered to a
prominent family for which 1t was ordered.
It consisted Of a number of pieces, each two
or three feet high. The figures were SO life
like and natural in their movements as to
excite wonder and adpiration. These fig
ures were made In Germany, and they con-
tanned the finest mechanism that the most
skilled workmen In the land of toys could
produce. These pieces, 1t should be ex-
planned, are not intended for the amuse-
ments Of children. but for the entertain
ment Of their elders. They will be utilized
in parlor performances. and. with the aid
of graphophone. will constitute an en-
Joyable as we'll as novel evenings enter
tainment.
There are several pieces in the collec-
tion representing musical performers, in
cluding a colored banjo player and violin
soloists. and in each the movements of the
player correctly represents the action
which would accompany the production of
the selection by a human being. The atti-
tude Of these figures during the perform
ances Is marvelously correct in every par
ticular. In the case OF the violinists this
is especially uOtlcedDits the graceful mo-
tion in handling the bow, the position and
inclination of the head; every detail In
fact, displaying familiarity with and mas
terry of the subject.
There are several figures Of fancy dane
ers, ballet girls and contortionists. Here,
too, there is sn opportunity for displaying
great skill in the reproduction of graceful
attitudes. The dancing girls are models of
perfection in the poetry motion, keeping
time to the selection played by the music
boxes that form part Of each set.
These are merely auxiliaries, the star per-
formers being acrobats. tumblers and Jug
glers. The first member is a balancing
artist" This gentleman introduces him.
self with a profound bow, then slowly ball
ances himself between two chairs, grasping
the top of each. This accomplished he
gradually puts all his weight on his left
hand and with his right raises the other
chair slowly until he extends 1t at arms
length. when he pauses, holding the chair
in midair. then lowering it he resumes his
original position. and with another bow ac-
knowledges the applause which his per-
formance Is reasonably expected to elicit.
Wonderfully Realistic.
When the sensation produced by this
amazing performance has subsided a trio
dressed like clowns is introduced. Two of