are materials or ingredients called for, which are somewhat expensive,
and some of the experiments require a good deal of time and patience.
But these are the exceptions, for nearly all the experiments described
in the article can be performed by any careful and intelligent boy or
girl of fourteen or fifteen, in a short time and at a very small cost.

Of course, in getting up a little "Parlor Magic Entertainment" it will
not be necessary to try all the experiments described. Choose such as
you think you can perform without fail, and which will be likely to
interest the company you expect. Be careful not to try to do too many
things in one evening, and, if possible, make each experiment in
private, before you attempt to show your friends how it is done. This
will not be necessary in every case, but if you make an experiment, for
the first time, before company, be sure that you know exactly what you
are going to do and how it ought to be done.

One more thing, the most important of all, we would impress on the mind
of every reader of ST. NICHOLAS who tries any of these experiments, and
that is the necessity for great care in handling and disposing of the
chemical ingredients which may be used. Some of these, although
perfectly harmless, when used as directed, are very injurious, if
tasted, or even smelt very closely; and although the performer may
himself be very prudent and careful with his materials and apparatus, he
must not give the slightest opportunity to young children, or indeed any
one who has not studied up the subject, to handle his chemicals.

With careful attention to the directions given in the article, a
pleasant evening entertainment may easily be had, and if an occasional
failure should take place, both the performer and the company should
remember that an _experiment_ is only a trial, and cannot be expected
always to succeed.

* * * * *

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I went over to my uncle's one Saturday lately, to
tea, and had baked beans. He never eats vinegar on them, excepting
some made in January, 1851, when 40 gallons were frozen in 53 quart
bottles. He told me there was no other such vinegar in the United
States, and if I could hear of any one who has some prepared like
it, and as old, he would give me as handsome a doll as I wanted. My
object is to ask you to please publish my letter, and I may receive
the doll, which I want very much