and, like the movement in a common clock, acts on the hammer, H, which strikes the bell, G. B and C are connected with the distant station by a wire, as the needle apparatus. When the operator, therefore, at that station sends a current from his battery along this wire, A will become a magnet, and attract the keeper, D; this, by means of the levers, will release the wheel, F, and the clock-work will cause the hammer to strike the bell. This will call the attention of the operator, who will return the signal and watch the movement of the needles, read the message, and send the reply in the same manner.

This is the whole mechanism of the electric telegraph, which is certainly the grandest of all modern inventions. It has been continually improved, in various ways, since it was first invented, by different scientific individuals; and there are several differently-constructed instruments in use on the different lines of railway. The wires which connect the different instruments are, in England, supported on posts, having small rings of earthenware attached to them, through which they pass. These wires are covered with zinc, and every precaution is taken to insulate them, that the electric current may not escape into the earth on its passage. On the Continent, and in the streets of London, the posts are done away with, and the wires, cased in gutta-percha, are buried in the earth. We must now state that by means of this apparatus, messages have lately been sent under the sea; so that a person in France can converse with one in England! This invention was completed in 1851, when Dover and Calais were thus connected; and the same has recently been effected with regard to Ireland. This is certainly a triumph of art, and shows us how much may be done by the united labours of scientific men; and we may remind our younger readers that, before such great works can be accomplished, the most unwearied diligence and patience must be exercised. Days and years of study, with resolution to overcome every drawback and difficulty, can alone lead to such valuable results; and if our young friends would share the glory, they must also take part in, and imitate the diligence of the great inventors of these modern wonders.

We will conclude this paper by a short,

account of the electric cable, or the wirerope, that conducts the electric current under the sea. This is formed of four distinct wires, the real conductors of the electricity; each is cased in gutta-percha, and then twisted by steam power into a cable; over this is a coating of hempen rope, which, being tarred, is again covered by another layer of the same; and, lastly, a coating of wire made into a kind of network encircles the whole; this last being galvanized, or coated with zinc, to keep it from rusting. This forms together a large, heavy, and durable cable, calculated to resist the shock of storms, and other casualties. It lies at the bottom of the sea, and therefore quite out of the reach of the many vessels which daily cross its path; and by its means daily intercourse is carried on between France and England. Such is the electric telegraph; and well worthy is it of the admiration of all; and We trust that this explanation of its various parts will make it cease to be a mystery, to even our youngest readers. But whilst we marvel at the ingenuity which has made the electric fluid subject to the will of man, we must not forget who it is that set those mighty laws which govern the lightning itself (the same fluid in its grandest and most mysterious condition). Man may turn nature's laws to his own use, and ingenuity may seem to command the ele ments; but let his talents be what they may, they are ever circumscribed by fixed rules, established by nature's Lord; and all the honour of the grandest inventions of our day is due to Him alone who divideth wisdom to every man according to the good pleasure of His will, and before whom all the grandeur of science, all the great achievements of art, are as nothing. As the poet of the "Seasons" beautifully says

"And yet was ev'ry falt'ring tongue of man,
Almighty Father! silent in thy praise,
Thy works themselves would raise a general
voice,

Even in the depths of solitary woods,
By human foot untrod, proclaim thy power,
And to the quire celestial Thee resound,
The eternal cause, support, and end of All."

THE WORK-TABLE FRIEND.

ROUND D'OYLEY.

ton, No. 8.

8 Chain, unite and work.

1st Row.-1 Dc 4 chain 8 times. 2nd Row.-1 De into space made by 4 chain of last row, 6 chain, repeat. 3rd Row.-8 long into space made by 6 chain of last row, 3 chain, repeat. 4th Row.-6 long, beginning on second long of last row, 4 chain, repeat.

5th Row.-4 long, beginning on second of 6 long in last row, 6 chain, repeat. 6th Row.-2 long, beginning on second of 4 long in last 4 chain, 1 long in space made by 6 chain of last row, 4 chain, repeat.

7th Row-1 long between 2 long of last

9th Row-16 Dc on Dc of last row, 4 chain, De on Dc, 4 chain, repeat.

10th Row-16 Dc on Dc of last row, 6 chain, Dc on Dc, 6 chain, repeat.

11th Row.-14 Dc, beginning on second of the 16 in last row, 4 chain, 1 Dc in space made by first 6 chain of last row, 4 chain, 1 Dc in next space, 4 chain, repeat.

12th Row.-12 Dc, beginning as before, 4 chain, 1 Dc in first space, 4 chain, (1 long, 3 chain, 1 long) in middle space, 4 chain' Dc in next space, 4 chain, repeat.

13th Row-10 Dc, beginning as before 4 chain, 1 Dc, with 4 chain after it in each of the two next spaces, 1 long (3 chain, 1 double long, 3 chain, 1 double long, 3

chain, 1 long) in centre space, 4 chain, 1 Dc, with 4 chain after it in each of the next 2 spaces, repeat.

14th Row.-8 Dc, beginning as before, 4 chain, 1 Dc, with 4 chain after it into all but the centre space, in which work (1 double long, 3 chain, 1 double long) 4 chain, 1 Dc, with 4 chain after into the other spaces, repeat.

15th Row. 6 Dc, beginning as before, the remainder of the row to be the same as the last. 16th Row. 4 Dc, beginning as before, the remainder of the row the same as the last, except that in the centre space work long, instead of double long stitches.

17th Row.-2 Dc, beginning as before, 5 chain, 1 Dc in every space, repeat.

This D'Oyley, if worked according to the above, will form a centre, surrounded by leaves, which must be nicely pulled out, and laid one overlapping the other. The effect is very pretty. The above directions are not suited for wool; but to work one in the latter material, proceed like our next.

grains of rice; they are brought from the West Indies, and sold by measure, or by the box, at most conchological repositories. Their Latin name is Voluta Nivea. Those who would study economy, and do not mind making a pilgrimage to East Smithfield, will often obtain them very cheaply from those miscellaneous dealers who purchase the foreign shells and curiosities brought from abroad by sailors. A pint of these shells will go a great way.

Before we can set to work the shells must be cleaned and prepared. For this purpose, the first thing to be done is, with a strong yet fine-pointed pin, to free each shell from any grit or dirt which may have. accumulated in the interior. Next, with a strong, sharp pair of scissors, a bit, of about the size of a pin's point is to be clipped off from the extreme tip of each shell, so as to leave a tiny hole there, not larger than the eye of a middle-sized sewing-needle. This is a manipulation requiring care, as, if it, is roughly done, too large an opening will be made, and the symmetry of the shell will

be destroyed. Neither should the worker stoop over the shell while clipping it, for, if the bit of shell snipped off were to fly into the eyes, it would occasion much irritation and pain. Practice will soon enable any one to clip the shells rapidly and evenly.

In order to set about rice-shell-work tidily and systematically, it will be necessary to have a dozen little square cardboard trays or boxes, about three or four inches square, and two inches deep. These can be easily made from white or coloured card-board, and should be so contrived that they may fit into one another, and all be contained in one large tray or box of similar material, and covered over by one

cover.

As the shells are cut, let them be sorted into three divisions, the small, the middlesized, and the large shells. When all are clipped, put them into three separate basins; pour over them cold water enough to cover the shells, and to stand about an inch above them. Into this water put soda and mottled soap, in the proportion of half an ounce of each to a full pint of water; the soap should be shreded. Cover the basins, and set them on a hob, or in an oven, near a good fire; stir up the whole occasionally, and let it remain until the water is scalding hot, not longer. Then rub the shells gently with the hands, and pour off that water; and having rinsed the shells, add a fresh supply of water, and put in only soap this time. Let it again stand by the fire until hot, stirring it occasionally; then again rub the shells gently between the hands, pour off the soapy water, and rinse them thoroughly with clear, cold water.

Now lay a soft, folded towel on the table; put about a table-spoonful at a time of shells on this towel, and turning another fold of it over, rub them gently, but sufficiently to free them from moisture. Have ready a silk handkerchief, and remove them to this, and polish them with it, and then transfer them to one of the boxes, and setting it on the hob, let it stand there until the shells feel warm, shaking it occasionally in order that all may be equally dried. They will now be ready for use, and ought to have a pearly, white, polished appearance.

Take notice that too much soap or soda, or too great a degree of heat in the water,

or too long a soaking, will make them look yellow; while too much heat when drying will crack them or render them brittle, and too little will leave a moisture about them which will tarnish the other parts of the work.

The next important item to the shells is the silver wire. This is bought on reels, by the ounce, and can be obtained of any of the large gold and silver bullion fringe makers and wire-drawers in the city. As "Evans's Derby Crochet Cotton" is doubtless well known to most of our readers, we will compare the different sized wires required to the different numbers of this cotton of similar size. The coarsest silver wire we ever need would be about the calibre of No. 10 "Derby Cotton;" the next about that of No. 16; and the finest about the size of No. 24 or No. 30. The two latter are those chiefly used for leaves, flowers, &c., the coarsest being generally only employed for the stem on to which the various component parts of a wreath or spray are to be grafted, or for baskets, or ornamental groups; our aim being lightness, not only of appearance but of weight, we use the thinnest wire we can, consistently with firmness.

The largest shells are chiefly used for baskets; the middle-sized and small ones for flowers and leaves. Each kind is to be contained in its own box.

Into another of the boxes cut some two or three hundred lengths of the middlesized wire, each piece measuring about two and a-half inches.

Having now made all our preparations, we will set to work, and see how all the various separate portions of the head-dress given at the commencement of this article are made, and how they are put together.

This cut shows the manner in which

every shell required for leaves or flowers must be prepared. We call it "wiring the shells." In order to effect it, the shell must be taken between the finger and thumb of the left hand, with its point towards the tip of the finger, and its opening turned upwards; then one of the two and-a-half inch lengths of wire, which we