change
the vinegar. In about three days the white part of the shell may be cut
away with the sharp point of your knife; but remember that your knife
must be very sharp. Now remove all the inside of the egg, and place the
shell to one side until the interior is perfectly dry. Having cut a
slender stick of pine for the mast, put some little chips of bees-wax
into the egg-shell; then put in about as much shot as you think your
boat will require for ballast--probably the third of a tea-spoonful will
be sufficient. This done, hold the shell in boiling water (end down)
till the wax is melted; then put in your mast through the small hole in
the top of the shell; remove the shell from the hot water, and hold it
upright in cold water till the wax has perfectly hardened. By looking at
Fig. 3 you will see clearly what I mean.

I must now stop one minute to tell you that there are two patterns of
the Manes Life-Boat made--that of which I have given you a picture is
one; another, which is thought to be an improvement, is made with a cork
fender round it. This is the kind I propose you shall make.

[Illustration: Fig. 4.

THE TOY LIFE-BOAT.]

Get a large, fine cork, and from it cut with your sharp knife two
parings, and whittle them neatly into a shape like the pieces forming
the band A A, Fig. 4. Now take some white of egg, and stick the pieces
of cork round the egg-shell, as represented in the picture of the Toy
Life-Boat. You can tie the pieces of cork on, to make them more secure,
with thread wrapped round and round them.

You will now cut a piece of thick, tough brown paper to make the door of
your life-boat, and fasten one side of it to the shell with white of
egg; attach a thread to it to hold it in position when you wish to close
it, as you will see represented in the picture of the Toy Life-Boat.

Now take your black paint and paint the whole thing over, hoist your
flag, "Lost," and you will have as pretty a little toy as heart could
desire.

Put one or two big bugs inside, shut up the trap-door, and set your
craft adrift in a tub of water or in a pond, and see how gallantly it
will float.

CAPTAIN CORN.

Captain Corn, in the garden,
Straight and strong and tall,
No matter how high his neighbors grow,
He overtops them all.
With silken plume and bright green cloak,
He really cuts a dash;
But when he marries Lima Bean,
He'll lose his rank--I think it's mean--
And be plain Succo