From Germany we have received a most interesting little publication for our girls, and also a most valuable chart which will interest their elders.
"Fuer fleissige Kinderhaende. Anleitung und Muster fuer Bekleidung einer Puppe. Von Julie Lutz, Lehrerin der Frauenarbeitsschule, Heilbronn," is the title of the former. We hope to see an English edition of this some time soon, for many of our readers may not find German so easy to understand. However, even though this has the directions in German, it will be very much appreciated by all.
It consists of a good strong portfolio, or case, containing a number of patterns for doll clothes, printed on heavy strong paper, so that they may be cut out and used over and over again. Each pattern is in a strong envelope, so that it may be kept separate, and on each envelope is a picture of the garment, to aid in putting it together. With the pattern is a pamphlet giving (in German) full and careful directions.
The chart is the 1897 edition of Dr. Berghaus' celebrated "Chart of the World," published by Justus Perthes, Gotha. Size is about 40×62 inches, mounted on linen, and folded in a case; or as a wall-map with rollers.
In Europe, this chart is to be found in almost every railroad or steamship office, as well as in schools, business offices, and private houses, where it is used for general reference. Besides being the latest and most complete map of the world, with the very latest information as to boundaries, it contains ocean currents, direction of trade-winds, steamship and sailing vessel routes, coaling-stations, and railroads (even the new trans-Siberian railroad, about which we wrote in a recent number) of all countries; and much other valuable information.
The _Maine_ affair is still the most important item of current history.
The Board of Inquiry has returned to Havana and is still carrying on its investigation, and until this body makes an official report to the United States Government, we should, as Captain Sigsbee telegraphed the night of the explosion, suspend judgment.
There has been no way of ascertaining the results of the Board's inquiries. The testimony of eye-witnesses of the disaster, sailors and divers, was heard on board the _Mangrove_, anchored near the wreck. A number of photographs of the _Maine_ have been taken under water, by a man employed by the Board. These photographs are deemed very important, as the Board can get a much clearer idea of the position of the débris than they could from the descriptions of the divers. The belief is widely entertained that the Board will report that the disaster was caused by an explosion from the outside. How the two countries will act after such a report is delivered, can only be surmised. Of course, Spain will make her own thorough investigation; the divers have already been permitted to examine the wreck to a certain extent. It is very hard to believe that the Spanish Government had anything to do with the explosion. Individuals, acting for themselves and not in touch with the Government, probably "assassinated" the boat--if she was "assassinated." In that case, the United States can with justice claim an indemnity.