riders.

The mimic battle begins by the two riders circling slowly round each
other, waiting for an opportunity to dash in and strike a blow.

This circling continues for a few moments until one darts forward--the
foils clash, and the aggressor passes swiftly on, only to turn and
recommence the circling until he sees another opportunity.

They fight in this way, back and forth, round and round, until the final
touch is given; then the cyclist who is touched is obliged to dismount,
as a sign that he has been defeated.

This pastime is particularly popular in France, where fencing forms a
part of every young man's education.

* * * * *

We have had several inquiries about the George Junior Republic at
Freeville, and are pleased to say that the young citizens are being
received there in as large numbers as the funds will permit.

It might interest our readers to know that any one sending $15 to Mr.
A.G. Agnew, Treasurer of the George Junior Republic, 7 Nassau Street,
New York, can give a ten-weeks' holiday to one poor little lad of the
streets.

It is a very small amount of money to do so much good with, and it is to
be hoped that people who have $15 to spare will send it to the Junior
Republic to help the good work along.

G.H. ROSENFELD.

INVENTION AND DISCOVERY.

RECORDING THERMOMETER.--This is a very interesting little machine,
especially so at this time of year when the temperature is a constant
subject for thought.

[Illustration: Thermometer]

It is a recording thermometer, and consists of a thermometer and a
recording disk. By means of cleverly arranged mechanism the rise and
fall of the mercury is used as the motor power, and registers the
changes in temperature on an indicator card. Other simple mechanism
works a rotary drum by which this indicator card is carried.

[Illustration: Pencil Sharpener]

PENCIL SHARPENER.--This is another helpful little contrivance, a pencil
sharpener. There are already numberless things of the kind, some of
which answer for a time, some not at all, and all being made for the
purpose of sharpening the pencil to a kind of regulation point. For my
own part I have always preferred a good sharp knife, or the simple
reason that I could then make exactly the kind of point suited to the
work to be done. The purpose of the new pencil sharpener is evidently
the same. This contrivance is