The interest shown in magic-lantern work by many of our readers leads us to propose the following plan for an exchange of lantern slides: Any subscriber may send their name and address and a list giving the subjects of three slides, of which the owner will send duplicates in exchange for other slides desired by him. These addresses and lists will be published as received, and those interested can then correspond directly with those having slides which they desire. In addition, anyone may send in a list of slides wanted, but the latter lists will be limited to not over five in any single month. The subjects for exchange should be those most likely to interest the largest number.

To present the matter so that readers may obtain a correct idea of the slides, we will offer the following monthly prizes for photographs of the most interesting subjects which the competitors have for exchange:

First prize, Premiums given for three new subscriptions.

Second prize, Premiums given for two new subscriptions.

Third prize, Premium given for one new subscription.

In awarding the prizes, the subjects of the slides, the excellence of the photographs and resulting slides will all be considered. For that rea-san, we reserve the right to request competitors to send slides when the rendering of an award may require it. This department will be confined strictly to an exchange of slides, and sales of slides will bar those engaging in it from the publication of their lists.

The approach of the holidays and the near advent of another year is usually the occasion for forming new resolutions for improvemeut in some way best known to ourselves, and we, like our readers, have certain thoughts in this line. We hope to make this magazine of greater interest and value than in the past, and most earnestly request suggestions regarding subjects of interest, which will be utilized in the preparation of articles, so far as it is possible to do so. In turn, we hope our readers are utilizing the information and directions presented in the successive numbers to some practical purpose, thereby increasing their fund of knowledge and experience, which cannot prove other than of direct value, even if the way of it may not at the time be evident. It is the acquiring of a large stock of miscellaneous informa-tion on many subjects which distinguishes the ingenious and skilled mechanic from the ordinary workman, and makes the former in demand when the latter can find no opening. To help those who would help themselves is one of the chief aims of this magazine.

Mr. Heit, a French inventor, has recently patented a compass which automatically registers minute by minute. The compass card is fixed on a steel pivot. which rests on a fixed agate, instead of having at its center an agate resting on a fixed steel point. The fixed agate is immersed in a drop of mercury, which serves as a condnctor for the electric current that causes the movements of registering.