escaped, but
this new invention brings them also into line.

[Illustration: NONPAREIL]

If it proves a success the glaring announcements of the bill-boards, which
annoy us by day, may be repeated in the sky at night; and the romantic,
peaceful heavens will be dotted all over with "H.O. is the Best;" and the
obnoxious "Yellow Kid," with a hideous electric toe, will parade among the
stars undaunted and unchecked.

This fruit-cutter seems to be a very clever invention.

As you can see from the sketch, it opens like a pair of scissors. Its
blades are very sharp, and as it cuts the fruit, the blades pierce right
through the flesh until they meet the pit in the center. The curves in the
blade catch the stone and hold it fast, while the points and heels of the
blades overlap until they have cut entirely through the flesh.

[Illustration]

This invention should save a vast amount of time, and be a boon to the
good housekeepers who put up preserves, not to mention the young folks of
the household who are called in to help.

* * * * *

This sketch shows a folding crate for transporting or housing bicycles.

It is a very ingenious affair, folding tightly up when not in use, and
taking up very little more room than an umbrella.

Opened, it looks like an ordinary crate--only made of iron instead of
wood.

It has a baseboard to which hinges are attached, and if desired it can
stand against the wall to hold the bicycle when not in use.

[Illustration]

For packing and transporting it is joined by straps, and would seem to be
a very useful invention.

G.H.R.

LETTERS FROM OUR YOUNG FRIENDS.

DEAR EDITOR:

I am a subscriber to THE GREAT ROUND WORLD, and read it with
great interest every week. In No. 13 of THE GREAT ROUND WORLD,
you published a picture of the iron statue of King Arthur by
Fischer. Last summer we stopped for a short time in Innsbruck,
and I saw the said statue in the Cathedral of that city.

There was one thing which puzzled me considerably and I know
that you will be willing to explain it. Why was the fleur-de-lis
placed on the shield supplied to the statue? I can't see what
possible connection Arthur could have had with France, for I
always thought that the fleur-de-lis was not borne by any
British sovereign until after the hundred years' war was begun.