zinc, and other metals in
combination with certain chemicals are used to produce the brilliant
stars which are thrown out by rockets as they explode. Although there is
great beauty in many of the combinations of wheels and stars arranged on
frames, in the troops of fiery pigeons flying back and forth, and in the
wonderful presentations of sea-fights, buildings, and other devices to
be seen at every grand pyrotechnic display, there is nothing so majestic
as the rockets and bombs which rush upward to the sky, and, bursting,
fill the air with showers of golden serpents, floating stars of
brilliant, changing hues, and cascades of silver and gold rain.

* * * * *

R. S. A.--The schooner yacht differs from the sloop only in rig,
consequently an article on schooner yachts would be but little else than
a repetition of that on sloops.

* * * * *

C. A. SAVAGE.--The reason given you as the cause of low water is no
doubt correct. If you can take note of the back-water above the mills,
you will probably find the increase sufficient to balance the decrease
below. The low water is especially noticeable during the present summer,
when the long-continued drought of the early part of the season has
dried up many of the small streams and springs which usually contribute
to the volume of water in the river.

* * * * *

ED.--A descriptive list of the publications of Messrs. Harper & Brothers
will be sent, postage free, to any address in the United States, on the
receipt of nine cents.

* * * * *

D. D. LEE.--You will find some useful suggestions concerning catamarans
in _The Canoe and the Flying Proa_, by W. L. Alden, a volume of
"Harper's Half-hour Series."

* * * * *

DAISY G.--No article on silk-worms has been published in HARPER'S BAZAR,
but there was an interesting paper in HARPER'S MAGAZINE on that subject,
to which reference was made in Post-office Box No. 44.

* * * * *

ALEXINA N., CARL S. H., HELEN R. F., AND OTHERS.--Write directly to the
correspondents with whom you desire to make exchange.

* * * * *

Favors are acknowledged from Fannie W. B., Louie, Frank W., Winnie S.
Gibbs, Miriam Hill, G. Y. M., Mary B. Reed, Clyde Marsh, Howard
Starrett, Edwin F. Edgett, S. Birdie D., P. T. C., Amelia M. Smi