nception of the capacities of the
violin in three years. This secret, which Paganini himself
declared he possessed, was never given to the world.

Many compositions have been ascribed to Paganini which are mere
imitations. The few genuine ones contain many grotesque turns
which make them all the more fascinating. Whatever may have been
the faults and weaknesses of the man, as a composer Paganini was a
star among his contemporaries. "As a composer Paganini stands very
high. His works are rich in invention, genial, and show a mastery
of the scientific part of the art."

VINCENT V. M. BEEDE.

Prizes for Short Stories.

HARPER'S ROUND TABLE offers five prizes for the best stories of
adventure written by a Knight or Lady of the Round Table. Stories must
contain at least five hundred and not over fifteen hundred words, actual
count. The incident must be a probable one, and the story well told,
both in sequence of events and language employed. As far as practicable,
type-write the story, but this is not made a condition. At the top of
the first page place your name, age, and address in full, the number of
words in your story, and say where you saw this offer. Do not roll your
manuscript. Use paper about 5 by 8 inches in size, fold it or send flat.

Prepay postage and enclose return postage. Address it not later than
December 25, 1895, to HARPER'S ROUND TABLE, New York, and put in the
left-hand corner of the envelope the words "Story Competition." No story
may be sent by you that is not wholly original with you, and none may be
submitted that has ever been submitted in any other contest. One person
may not submit more than one story. Criticism by grown persons is
permissible. The prizes are $25 each to the three best, provided there
are three good stories. If there are not three good stories, the prizes
will not be awarded. We shall not award a prize to and print a poor
story, even if it chance to be the best received by us in this
competition. One of the stories, either a prize one or otherwise, as we
may elect, is to be used in the Pen-drawing Contest, and printed, if
good, with its prize illustration.

Prizes for Nonsense Verses

Nonsense verses are ridiculous jingles--the more ridiculous the better.
They may be four, six, or eight lines. Five prizes are offered by
HARPER'S ROUND TABLE for the best--that is, for the most ridiculous.
Each prize is: Fifty e