davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1916-05-07

h. ~ .ho poos..,t ..,.n,;ec axn.ai
80 -. act;,e nart In ar
,.;.;.N - ,am.r;nr ,ha ,N.ir In
:. nnn.o;a,i,a rafarence to the scien
.;a nas,,i,s raoordad Nv bia di.t;n
snisbed associats he eynlains. For
-; - -. IN the nrasent vol,
nme confn.d mySsIf almost entirely.
20 a narra,iya ~ tbs Incidents of our
io,r,a,H and a dascrintiop Of the nlaces
u,hich No ,,is;,ad tooether As all of
our n,rtr we either worId-trayeiers
eSn,arers or mon NJ science they had
very many interests in common. Sub
jects of discourse. therefore. in which
all were interested were never lack
ing" delightful comradere prevail
ed throughout the expedition, which
Dr. Zahm left at Ctiarity
Evening star., 1916-05-07

into red oxide. 1t is used in barometers
to ascertain the weight of the atmos-
phere, and it is used in thermometers
to determine the temperature of the
air. having come into use for that pur-
pose because of it's responsibility" and
the extent of its range between the
freezing and the boiling points, Prep
aration& Of mercury are among the
most powerful poisons and disinfect-
ants.
One of the old uses of mercury was
in the ''silvering" or backing of mir
rors. 1t is interesting to note that the
mirrors used by the ancients, and more
especially by the Etruscans. were thin
pieces of polished bronze. The Greeks
and Romans used pieces OF highly poll
ished metal for mirrors and in the mid
die ages in England these mirrors were
used by people of wealth. 1t was in
Venice that the art of making glass
mirrors seems to have come into being
at an uncertain time. They backed
pieces of glass with an amalgam of
quicksilver and tin. This process of
"silvering" mirrors is not employed as
much as formerly. The process now
used for backing glass so that it
shall become a mirror Is to heat 1t to
about 100 degrees and pour over 1t a
solution Of nitrate of silver, ammonia
and caustic soda dissolved in water
and mixed with solution of sugar,
vinegar and water. The silver is pre-
cipitated in a thin coat and is then
given a protective covering of shellac
or copal varnish. Still another method
is to apply to the glass solution of
bichloride of platinum precipitated
with oil of lavender.
Because of It's affinity for many other
metals. mercury is used for the recov-
cry of gold and silver and everybody
knows that it is used in mechanical
levels. All the mining and engineering
work depending on the use of dynamite
and blasting powders would have to
stop II there were no mercury out of
which to make illuminate Of mercury
caps and -detonators.
Evening star., 1916-05-07
Scientific Discovery Made by a
Cat.

NNH HILE the cat has often served the
wv purposes of science. it has gener-
ally been not to her own comfort, and
frequently with the loss of her life. One
cat in Australia. however. proved her
usefulness in the advancement of hu-
man knowledge without being COM
PEELED to sacrifice herself on the altar
of science.
This cat belonged to a member of an
expedition into the interior of Austria
liza. One day it brought to it's master a
strange little animal which it had cap
tured among the rocks. The man hand
ed the animal over to the anthrcpolo-
gist of the party, who saw at once that
pussy had made an important dtscov-
cry. The animal she had caught was a
new and apparently rare species Of the
tribe of insect-eating marsupials be-
longing to the great family of which
the giant kangaroo is the most con-
spicuous representative.
Evening star., 1916-05-07
INDUSTRY
HARD EIET BY THE WAR

I'M HE lead pencil industry Is an
other which claims to be hard
hit by the war. There is little
danger that the pencil will become ex-
tinct even though the war should be
much prolonged, but there is danger
that the style of pencil to which Amer
leans have been accustomed may be
changed. Much of the trouble lies in a
scarcity of dyes.
The dyes which have been used by
American pencil manufacturers have
come from Germany, but none of these
has come over for some time, and the
prospect is that none will come until the
end of the war. Various reports are
made from time to time that American
dye manufacturers are bestirring them
selves to produce the dyes so urgently
needed In many industries, but still the
pencil manufacturers are making loud
laments that their industry is threat
ened.
An important use of German dyes
in pencil making is in giving the COL
ored and vanished finish to the pencil
1t Is said that the dyes that make these
coloringS are now to be had in such
small quantities that prices have soar
ed and pencil makers often are una BILE
to obtain what they want at any price;
that within recent months the supply
of these dyes has practically stopped,
and that which dealers had on hand,
when the war began has been ex-
exhausted.
The price of the dyes rose to three
and four times their cost before the
war, and the complaint has recently
been made by pencil makers that they
cannot now obtain the colors in suf-
ficient quantities at any price. There
is not much danger that the production
of those very cheap pencils whose
wood is scarcely sandpapered will
be interfered with. but in the mat
ter of the better grade pencil it is sa id
the present rate of production Is so
far below what 1t should be that manu-
facturers are three months behind their
orders owing to the shortage of mate
rials.
The copying pencil, or the ''indelible,"
Is in a serious dilemma. The dye en-
tering into the lead of the indelible
pencil, and which gives to it its pecu-
liar properties. is methyl violet, an
aniline product made almost exclusive
ly in Germany, and which since the
war has practically ceased to be i'm
ported. with the result that the output
of copying pencils has fallen almost to
nothing. The price of these copying
pencils has risen far above normal.
There has been a belief that methyl
violet could not be made in the United
States, because a certain kind of water
containing a natural alkali. and which
was, 1t is said, to be found only in
Germany, is indispensable in the max
Evening star., 1916-05-07
Kings in Old Clothes.

1rHERE is a clothes dealer in Lon
u don who for years has made it. his
speciality to purchase snowy costumes
and discarded military and official uni
forms for disposal in the orient and
Africa.
1t is said that even the retiring lord
mayors of London have become. al
most by official tradition. this dealers
customers, and that the cooked hat.
gold-laced coat and knee breeches that
have formed an inspiring feature of
the famous pageants in the lord may
ors' professions are, as like as not. the
next year to delight the eyes Of dark
est Africa upon the proud person OF
sbme native.
Some amusing comments have been
made by this dealer with reference to
the eagerness with which the native In
the interior of Africa takes over this
discarded finery. He states that at
the bazaars where his goods are pur-
Evening star., 1916-05-07
Hard On the Stacker.

-DWARD MARSHALL. the author
ii and war correspondent, said in
London:
After my experience on the tor
pedoed Sussex 7 can sympathize with
the English hatred of the Stacker.
THE Stacker gets it good and hard
in England nowadays. One of these
stacking chaps boarded a train the
other evening that was crowded with
muddy, unshaven soldiers just back
on five-day furlough from the
trenches.
The Stacker was in evening dress
silk socks. pumps. brilliantined hair
and dainty white gloves. There were
no seats. so he took hold of strap.
AS he stood there strap hanging the
Tommies studied him thoughtfully.
Finally one of them got up. touched
him on the elbow politely, and said:
Have my seat. miss"
Evening star., 1916-05-07

chased he has seen blacks solemnly
walking around with waistcoats but
toned behind instead of before and
even men wearing womens costumes.
Big fellows have been seen in clothes
so small that one could not ina agine
how they got into them nor how they
could get out unless the stitching gave
way.
1t is related that the Prince de Join
vile. when off the Gaboon coast. once
received on his ship an official visit
from two chiefs. father and son, who
must have been customers of the Lon
don dealer mentioned. Each owned for
ceremonial purposes military uni
form.
That of the father was an English
generals. while that of the son was
hussar's. It's intricate cut, numerous
buttons, straps and buckles. together
with the painfully small size OF the
uniform. proved too much for him. He
imploring help, and relief party of
delighted midshipmen was sent to dress
him and bring him aboard.
They obeyed orders. but with the
mischievousness of youth. They so
frightened every fastening of the ma
tive's already overnight attire that the
poor fellow was nearly bursting with
combined pride and suffocation when,
he arrived. Every one agreed that he
could never be got out of his unwonted
cutting him out.
1t appears that no manner of wear
ing a complete costume ever equals
in effect some of the savages' COM
bina tons of unrelated items. One ven-
cradle African chieftain received his
European guests with an antiquated
evening shoulder cape of pink fiowered
satin and spangles. worn about his
waist as an apron, while his white
wool was martially crowned with
military helmet.
Still another conducted important
negotiations with an exploring party
woman's large Gainsborough hat.
pair of cavalry boots and a necklace
Of the glistening tin ornaments used
to decorate Christmas trees.
Evening star., 1916-05-07


hE h'e'''oti"i eN"''i'iol. Vi
ings by the late John w AleXan-
q der. which opened in the Cor
cor,,n c.aI,.r,, Of Art vestardav is one
s;s,,,a -, 49, a.-
of the most notable displays OF the sea-
son. if not of many seasons 1t COM
nrisss ,nnroximate1v ff,v nictures the
- -
majority or "hlch nave oeeh tent ID!
the leading art museums and privat q
,o,,o,.o
The Metropolitan Museum, New York,
which rarely makes loans. has made an
- :: ,. .;,
exception III this instance anu No'' '"-
uted the portrait of Walt Whitman,
which was painted by Mr.. Alexander in
,ha aar1,, aiah,;as hn. s,ard. tod,y , g
the early elshties. out stahds tooa! as
one of his most successful works-one
of tho s,rea, nortraits of modern times
- .
from the museum Oh FINE Arts, bos-
ton has come lisa bella, or the Pot of
pi,- instrumentation, of Ea.,s. vel,
A'"7'-' an NC - -
remembered poem, subtle, decorative,
ch.r,c,eris,;c
'iia "o
Ihe pennsylvania Academy OF the
Fine Arts has lent The Quiet Hour"
, . =;
Which throusn reprouuctloh is one ol
the pest Know OF an MI ALEXANDER
paintings ana one Oh 'he MOST charm
ing.
The museum OF the Rhode Island
School of Design at Providence con-
tributes The Blue Bowl, an extremely
decorative composition. while from
Wheaton College has come the lovely
portrait of Mrs. Wheaton, portrait
which in charm and subtlety is COM
para BILE with the world-famous por-
trait nv Whistler of his mother
Private collectors and the artists FAM
flv have been no less generous so in this
exhibition are included the beautiful
portrait of Mrs Alexander seated on a
balcony, which has the style and dis
Evening star., 1916-05-07

Arts closed for the summer, journeyed
TO Munich and then to Polling. At the
last place there was quite colony of
American artists-Walter ShirIaw, Cur
rier, Joseph DE Camp and Ross Tur
ner. II was there that Mr.. Alexander
first began to paint. Later he Joined
Frank Duveneck in Florence, and had
the good luck to meet Whistler in
Venice. an acquaintance which ripen-
ed into a warm and lifelong friendship.
All this time Mr.. Alexander had been
sending drawings home to the Harpers
and Century and thus earned enough to
pay his expenses. He returned to the
United States in 1881. and after trying
his luck as a painter in Pittsburgh with
poor success, settled down in New York,
taking a studio on the corner of 4th
avenue and 14th street. The summer of
Evening star., 1916-05-07

whatever but individual preferences %
He likes snovels where something hap
pens" He -confesses to liking for the
happy ending of novels. 1T is only a
very exceptional story which I will
read if He does not marry Her. I
am not defending this attitude. L am
only stating it The entire chapter
is refreshing. Its effect is an invita-
ence in our general judgment Of books
in place of the common affectatfon that
stamps our decisions in this matter.
SHIPS. BY Bernard Nadal Baker. as
sisted by ]. Frederick Essary. Bal
timore: John Murphy Company.
Mr.. Baker, in order to present the
marine to readers in an easily available
form, has sifted legislative records.
press reports and the deliberations of
commercial bodies. to get at the pure
substance of the matter. This he has
embodied in the snug volume at hand.
In a broad general sketch the writer
defines the conditions that have made
our merchant marine critical and ur-
gent subject at the present moment.
Going back from this point he outlines
in haSty review the rise of the mer-
chant marine in the United States and
it's effect as an element of national de-
velopment. He gathers up the causes
underlying its later diSorGaniZation
and final decline to its present negli-
gible status. In a crisp halfpage he in
dicateS the menace of the situation as
it exists today. Then looking toward
the future Mr.. Baker discusses this
subject with the insight of knowledge
and the outlook of the practical man.
IL III r,tN nf
cial expansion and national defense he
counts off the points of advantage that
make recrudescence of our merchant
men a duty so imperative as to admit
of no argument among those VINO are
responsible to the nation for con-
Siderahle mart of its we'll being and
Evening star., 1916-05-07
".


1884 he spent in Spain and Morocco; the
summer of 1856 he also passed abroad,
being comm issioned to do certain work
for the Century company. 1t was that
summer that he did the portraits of
Robert Louis Stevenson. Thomas Hardy.
Alphonse Daudet Austin Dobson and
George Bancroft.
In 1887 Mr.. Alexander married Eliza
beth Alexander, whose charming por-
trait is in the present exhibition. For
three years they lived in New York.
Then, because the artist was not in
good health. they went abroad expect
ing to remain for two years. but not re-
turning for eleven. These were years
rich in experience and friendships. 1t
is said that few Americans have more
happily taken their place in the social
and artistic life of foreign city. There
Evening star., 1916-05-07

as we have come to know him through
his stories of the northwest He ceases
to strain after effects as one may now
and then catch him doing down in the
tropics. He knows the rugged and
simple types of the higher ATTITUDES
He is sure of their lines of thought, of
their ways of talking, of the nature
and expression of their feelings. He is
amazingly at home with every feature
of their rough surroundings. 1t is for
reasons like this that, among all of
these adventures. we enjoy the trans
criptive and believable stories of the
north somewhat better than the more
patent inventions of the south How
ever. one should have nothing but
gratitude and praise for volume con-
tanning eleven good stories, eight of
which are very particularly good
stories.
\ BOOKLOVER'S HOLIDAYS N THE
OPEN. BY Theodore Roosevelt. New
York: Charles Scribners Sons.
Washington: Woodward & 10th
rop.
Mr.. Roosevelts holidays in the open
present a wide variety of experience in
many quarters of the world. Here are
stories of hunting in Africa and in
Evening star., 1916-05-07

safety. The writer finally offers a con-
structive plan, a tentative and flexible
plan, whose object Is not only to re-
lieve the strain of the present crisis.
but to provide also for a sustained,
symmetrical, adequate development OF
this important branch of commercial
service. The study. a whole, gives
one the sum and substance of the case
of the merchant marine. Moreover. it
presents this case in the light of con-
servative, well balanced, businesslike
consideration.
HISTORY OF THE GERMAN PEOPLE.
Edited by Edward S. Ellis. AM. and
Augustus Keller. Introduction By
William r.. Shepherd. Phi. D.. pro-
fessor of history. Columbia Univer-
Historical Society.
The purpose of this publication is to
give in concise form an orderly survey
of the salient and influential points in
the development of Germany from the
first authentic records to the present
time. The work is issued in small.
handy volumes. each of which deals
with a logical unit of German history.
The first of the two volumes in hand
begins with the earliest authorized ac-
counts of these people and ends with
the close of the FrankiSh period. The
second one has to do with the Germanic
holy Roman empire, an organization
extending from the end of the Frankish
period to about the middle of the thir-
teenth century. Maps and numerous il
Illustrations supplement the text. The
two volumes promise for the completed
series an admirable outline of the es-
sentials of German development, a sub
iect of surprising importance in any
attempted explanation of the German n
people.
LINCOLN. By Anna Marie Neis. Ever
EFT. Mass. Published by the au-
thor.
The booklet in hand, published by the
author herself is a tribute to the mem
ory of Abraham Lincoln Miss Neis has
Evening star., 1916-05-07
LazineSs.
NEW YORK man-milliner believes
&, American faShipps. for Anar

NEW YORK man-milliner believes
~ in American fashions for Amer
leans.
1T is only laziness," he said, that
makes us import our fashions. Why.
when l think of our overwhelming
laziness in this important matter
am reminded of the tramp.
kin ye gimme a plate o. meat and
a hunk o. pie?' tramp asked farmer.
Yes. If you'll do some work. the
farmer answered.
"'What kind o work? said the
tramp. with yawn
"'Diggin' potatoes said the farmer.
THE tramp yawned again
"'Ye'd better git the man wot plant
ed EN- he said. He knows whar they
are"
Evening star., 1916-05-07

Mr.. Alexander came in contact with the
leading artists of the world. honors
were won. but with it all this great
artist kept his own simplicity and indi-
Viduality. Few have held themselves
more modestly than he. yet not many
have rendered so large and generous
service.
Mr.. Alexander was always giving
himself. He was keenly interested in
, the advancement of art and in warm
sympathy with every movement look
ing toward it's greater appreciation
not for the sake of art. but rather for
that of the people. Yet he was one who
always had time to listen. No young
painter ever sought his counsel in vain:
no one ever went to him for help to he
turned away without a hearing. The
list of the offices he held and his many
channels of activities is astounding.
To name only few. he was president
of the National Academy of Design.
the National Institute of Arts and Let
ters, the MacDowell Club. the School
Art League of New York he was a
director of the Metropolitan Museum.
the American Federation of Arts, the
New York Public Library besides a
member of the leading art societies and
associations in this country and in
Europe.
Yet in a catalogue of an exhibition
of his paintings recently held in Pitts
burgh. in a partial list" of his works.
more than 200 portraits and IS pictures
mural paintings. The Evolution of the
Book in the Library of Congress. in
this city, and 4S panels constituting a
series of mural decorations. The
Crowning Of Labor in the Carnegie
Institute. Pittsburgh. Such is indeed a
noble record of achievement in a life
all too short. John White Alexander
died at his home in New York on the
31st of May. 1915. at the age of fifty
eight.
ranged for and is shown in the Cor
coran Gallery under the auspices of the
American Federation of Arts, which
holds its seventh annual convention in
this month On the evening of the
18th a meeting will be held in the audi
torium of the Corcoran Gallery in COM
memoration of his life and services,
whlcn will. as far as possible, be made
national tribute to one of the nations
greatest artists. Robert w. de Forest
VIII preside at this meeting and among
the speakers will be DR.. Finley, presi-
dent of the University of the State of
New York: Edwin Fl. Blasnfield and
Charles Dana Gibson. Owing to the
limited capacity of the auditorium, ad-
| mission will only be by card
The memorial exhibition will continue
until the 22d and will be open free to
the public. according to the Corcorans S
Gallery's usual regulations.
A number of the most notable paint
lngs in this collection are to be repro
duced. by special permission in the pic
torial supplement to be issued bv The
Star next Sunday. May IA
TT HE CAPITAL CAMERA CLUB will
open its twenty-second annual ex-
hibition of pictorial photography in the
Corcoran Gallery of Art with private
view and reception Tuesday evening.
May 3. This exhibition, which Will be
displayed in the room occupied for
Evening star., 1916-05-07

some years by the Clark loan collection,
Will comprise about 400 exhibits repre-
senting at least one hundred photog-
raphers. About one-half of the eXhib-
its have been sent by ut-of-town cam
erists. The Photographic section of the
Academy of Science and Art, the Chi
cago Fellows and the Photographic So
cieties of Baltimore and Pittsburgh are
all contributing special groups, as well
as individuals in other cities.
The jury of selection this year was
composed of F.. c. Messer Richard y.
Brooke and Delaney Gill. all well
known local artists. and the standard
upheld was high. Not only excellent
but very artistic work is being done in
photography today. and some of the
best will be shown in this approaching
exhibition.
George Macdonald is president of the
club. Charles a. Baker vice president.
r. D. Beard secretary. and y. G. Watts
treasurer
Not only is the club well officered.
but il has an enthusiastic and repre-
sentative membership and an exhibition
committee which has left nothing I'M
done which might contribute to the
success of the annual showing.
This exhibition will be open to the
public from the 9Th to the 18th. in
elusive.
@N Friday evening. May IL. at the
w invitati of the Capital Camera
Club. DR.. William Simon of Catons-
willie, Md, will give an illustrated lee
ture on the practical Application of
Color Photography" in the auditorium
of the Corcoran Gallery of Art at s
o'clock. DR.. Simons is one of the earliest
students of color photography. and his
beautiful autochromeS showing the
work of a master in this difficult art.
Those who had the good fortune to
attend the lecture given here by Mr..
Beckwith last winter under the aus
pices of the Washington Society of
autochrome illustrations which he
showed of Versailles and its art treas
ures, and be glad of another opportunity
to see other work in this field.
Color photography is still in its i'm
fancy. but few things have so great
and absorbing an interest or afford
such tempting potentialities. Both
from the scientific and artistic view
points. this lecture should be of the
utmost interest Cards of invitation
have been issued. but all who are in
terested will be granted admission.
a n illustrated lecture on The Hague
6N School of Painting was given by
Mr. Brooke at the Corcoran School last
Monday afternoon. Speaking quite in
formally and as artist and instructor
to students and pupils. Mr.. Brooke
pointed out the salient characteristics
of this interesting modern school of
painting, tracing its derivation and ex-
planning in 4 measure it's comparative
V
productions of the works of the fore
most painters of this school were pass
ed in review and most delightedly COM
mented upon. LEILA MECHLIN.
Evening star., 1916-05-07
MY GUARDIAN ANGEL.
A Mothers Day Message.
BY Edward Porter.

1T OPELESS and world aweary. did
u u That I would end my struggles there and
then.
Feyer'd and sleepless. l did rail at Fate"
Forgetful O. the blame that dwelt in me.
OF prayer I had no thought. Then. suddenly,
seem'd to hear a voice calling my name;
seem d to face smiling most tenderiy.
Calm d by that voi,e and face. long years
Reless'd from earthly toll and strife,
l slept dream'd that Of old
! kneIt in childish prayer before my mother:
In simple faith and love look'd up 10 her:
Confronting. fearless. Life's Great Mystery.
Thus I awoke. to know twas but q dream
That now fac'd the Battlefield o. Life.
rose. irresolute; then /, who had not knelt
Since infancy. fell on my knees and pray'd.
With strength to struggle I arose asais,
knowing had not lost my childlike faith,
The simple faith my mother gave me- T.