ere not enough, Mr. Curt W. Meyer, of the Bible
House, New York, has arranged to supply a complete set of
instruments, to suit this book of Professor Tyndall's, at a total
cost of $55, packing-case and all; the various articles being
obtainable separately at proportionate prices.

I only wish we had had such chances fifty years ago; for, if our
older friends had not made presents of such things to us,--as no
doubt many oldsters will to your young folks this coming
Christmas,--we'd have saved up our pocket money and gone ahead
alone. I know that I made all my own electrical apparatus; but
there was good fun in doing it, and it worked well, and made
splendid times for our circle of young folks on cozy winter
evenings.

I hope you will read this letter through, although it is as long as
most old men's memories.--Yours still affectionately,

GRAN'THER HORTON.

* * * * *

Jamaica, L.I.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I read Jack-in-the-Pulpit's inquiry in the
August number about the "Fiery Tears of St. Lawrence." Yesterday I
was reading a book, and in it there was an article headed "Showers
of Stars." I read it, and at the end of it was a piece which seemed
to be an answer to Jack's question. I copied word for word from the
book. Here it is:

"Another writer suggests the theory that a stream or group of
innumerable bodies, comparatively small, but of various dimensions,
is sweeping around the solar focus in an orbit, which periodically
cuts the orbit of the earth, thus explaining the actual cause of
shooting stars, aerolites, and meteoric showers."

This is all I have been able to find out, and I hope it is
correct.--Believe me to be yours very truly,

C.A.R.

C.A.R., and others who wish to know more of this subject, will find all
the latest information in "Appleton's Cyclopaedia," under the items
"Aerolite" and "Meteor," where admirably clear and condensed accounts
are given of all that is known about these bodies. C.A.R.'s extract
states the theory most generally held.

* * * * *

TABLEAUX FROM ST. NICHOLAS PICTURES.

Brooklyn, November, 1877.

DEAR OLD ST. NICHOLAS: My little sisters and my brother love you,
and so do I, for your monthly visits make our house brighter and
pleasanter to us all. I am fifteen, not y