he most
accurate chronometer that can be produced. Instead of three feet, I make it
thirty-nine inches and the decimal necessary, say two-tenths from the
centre of support to the centre of the bullet. I then get a pendulum which
vibrates to second exactly, from the point of suspension to the point of
oscillation. I hang it by a pin, and I there have a chronometer of the
greatest possible accuracy; and I can employ it for taking portraits of
one, two, three, or four seconds: it will vibrate for a minute.
Consequently I have a mode of levelling my camera with the greatest
accuracy, a measure of time, and a measure of distance; and all at a cost
considerably under one penny."

_Antiquarian Photographic Club._--This association for the interchange of
photographic views of objects of antiquarian interest, has now nearly
attained the number of members to which it is proposed to limit it. For the
few remaining vacancies preference will be given, for obvious reasons, to
parties resident in varied localities. Any gentlemen or ladies desirous to
join the club, may send their names, with specimens of their skill, to the
_Honorary Secretary_, care of Mr. Bell, 186. Fleet Street. The amount of
the annual subscription is not yet fixed, but as all that can be required
will be to meet the expenses incident to the receipt and interchange of the
photographs, it must necessarily be very limited.

{463}

* * * * *

Replies to Minor Queries.

_Erroneous Forms of Speech: Mangel Wurzel_ (Vol. vii., p. 329.).--Against
the dictum of E. G. R., I beg insertion of the following quotation from the
_Agricultural Gazette_, March 4, 1848, p. 166.:

"Mangold wurzel is simply the German of _beet-root_. 'Mangel wurzel,'
on the other hand, is one founded on an idea, which, though absurd, did
not the less effectually answer the object of those who introduced the
plant. 'Scarcity root,' or 'Famine root,' made a good heading to an
advertisement."

And Rham, _Dictionary of the Farm_, p. 62.:

"The German name is 'Mangold wurzel,' or 'Mangold root;' but it is
sometimes pronounced 'Mangel wurzel,' which means _scarcity root_; and,
by a strange translation, it is called in French _racine d'abondance_,
as well as _racine de disette_. The name of field-beet is much more
appropriate."

I hope E. G. R. will, however, not insist on classing those who say and
write "mangold" with those