aced around the cylinder. The
operator turns the crank, at the same time talking into the mouth-piece;
the membrane vibrates under the impulses of the voice, and the stylus
marks the tin-foil in a manner to correspond with the vibrations of the
membrane. When the speaking is finished the machine is set back to where
it started on the tin-foil, and by once more turning the crank precisely
the same vibrations are repeated by the machines. These vibrations
effect the air, and this again the ear, and the listener hears the same
words come forth that were talked into the instrument. The tin-foil can
be removed, and, if uninjured, the sounds can be reproduced at any
future date.

Different languages can be reproduced at once, and the instrument can be
made to talk and sing at once without confusion. Indeed, so wonderful is
this piece of mechanism, that one must see it to be convinced. Even the
tone of voice is retained; and it will sneeze, whistle, echo, cough,
sing, etc., etc.

Improvements are in progress, notably among which is an apparatus to
impel it by clock work instead of a crank. The phonograph as yet has
never come into extended use, but its utility is obvious when its
mechanism is complete; business men can use it for dictating purposes,
as it is possible to put forty thousand words on a tin-foil sheet ten
inches square.

The invention of any one of the foregoing must have made for Mr. Edison
a world-wide fame, but when it is remembered that he has already taken
out over two hundred patents, one realizes something of the fertility of
his imagination. Many other inventions are worthy of note, which have
originated at the Menlo Park labratory, but space forbids, although it
is safe to predict that more startling inventions may yet be in store
for an expectant world.

[Illustration: ANXIOUS THOUGHTS.]

[Illustration: WHY SOME SUCCEED While Others Fail.]

WHY SOME SUCCEED While Others Fail.

SUCCESS AND FAILURE.

Young man, two ways are open before you in life. One points to
degradation and want, the other, to usefulness and wealth. In the old
Grecian races one only, by any possible means, could gain the prize, but
in the momentous race of human life there is no limiting of the prize to
one. No one is debarred from competing; all may succeed, provided the
right methods are followed. Life is not a lottery. Its prizes are not
distributed by chance.

There can hardly be a greater folly, not to sa