HE atmosphere, the vapor of the sphere, is that transparent, elastic, and invisible fluid which encompasses the earth on all sides to the height of about forty-five miles. It revolves with the earth round its axis, and is carried with it in its orbit or course round the sun. The existence of this fluid is essential not only to animal, but also to vegetable life. Where it is very rare, as on the tops of lofty mountains, respiration or breathing is found to be very difficult; and it is known that if an animal be placed within the exhausted receiver of an air-pump, it will immediately die.

Without an atmosphere there would be neither rain nor dews to refresh and fertilize the earth. It decomposes and dissipates the mephitic or infectious vapors which are continually exhaling from the earth; and it is the grand agent which, by tempering the extremes of heat and cold, renders every clime habitable to man. It is to its reflecting and. refracting powers that we owe the morning and the evening twilight, and the general diffusion of the sun's light over the whole heavens. If it were divested of these powers, instead of the gradual approach of night which prepares the world for the change, the transition from the brightness of day to the darkness of midnight would be instantaneous. And it is entirely owing to the reflective powers of the atmosphere that the sun is enabled to light up the heavens. For if his rays were not reflected and diffused through the heavens, only that part of the sky in which he appears would be enlightened, while in every other direction the sky would be as dark as midnight, and the stars would be visible at noonday.

REFLECTION-TWILIGHT.

In the morning, when the sun is eighteen degrees below the horizon, his rays pass over our heads into the higher regions of the atmosphere, from which they are reflected toward the earth. The day is then said to dawn; and the light continues to increase till the sun appears above the horizon. In the evening, in like manner, we have light from the sun till after he has sunk eighteen degrees below the horizon. This light, which grows fainter and fainter till it is lost in the darkness of night, is called twilight.

REFRACTION.

The density of the atmosphere increases in proportion to its proximity to the earth; for the nearer any portion of the atmosphere is to the earth, the more it is compressed by the parts which lie above it; just as if a quantity of wool were piled up upon a floor, those flakes which are lower would be more pressed, and therefore heavier or denser than the flakes or layers which are above them. Hence, when the rays of `light enter the atmosphere, they are refracted or bent toward the earth, or the eye of the observer, in a curved line.

WEIGHT OF THE ATMOSPHERE. Compared with the more solid parts of the earth the at mosphere is exceedingly light; but as a whole it presses upon the earth's surface with an amazing weight. The mercury in a barometer is supported by the weight of the atmosphere; and by this instrument it appears that a column of the atmo sphere of any given diameter, from its highest boundary down to the level of the sea, is equal in weight to a column of mer cury of the same diameter of the height of thirty inches. It also appears (and upon this principle the common pump is constructed) that a column of the atmosphere is equal in weight to a column of water having the same base, thirty-two feet high. Hence it follows that the whole atmosphere would be equal in weight to a stratum of mercury covering the earth to the depth of thirty inches; or to an ocean of water surrounding it to the depth of thirty-two feet; or to a globe of lead sixty miles in diameter. It has also been calculated that the pressure of the atmosphere upon every square inch of the earth's surface is equal to a weight of about fifteen pounds; and consequently the pressure which it exerts upon an ordinary-sized man, the surface of whose body amounts to about fifteen square feet, will be 32,505 pounds, or in other words, upwards of fourteen tons! This pressure, which we do not even feel, would crush and destroy us were it not equal in every part, and counterbalanced by the spring or elasticity of the air within us.

EVAPORATION-CLOUDS-RAIN-DEWSNOW-HAIL.

That process by which water is raised in vapors by the agency of the sun and air from seas, lakes, rivers, and moist places of the earth, is called evaporation. These vapors being specifically lighter than the air which is near the earth's

surface, ascend in it till they reach a stratum of their own weight, when they remain stationary. As long as they are blended and united with the air, or, as is said, are held in solution by it, they continue invisible, just as salt when dissolved in water is invisible. But when the air becomes saturated by the accession of fresh vapors, or when its dissolving power is diminished by a decrease of temperature, they are condensed, and the watery particles of which they are composed become visible, either in the form of clouds or mists floating through, or suspended in the atmosphere,—or in that of rain, hail, or snow, falling to the ground.

Though there appears to be an endless variety in the figures of the clouds, yet they are found to assume regular and systematic forms, which has led to their classification into cirrus, cumulus, and stratus, with their combinations, cirro-cumulus, cirro-stratus, etc. The cirrus clouds are those of the least density, and consequently of the greatest elevation. The term in Latin signifies curled or frizzled hair; also fringed or fibrous. The cumulus are those convex and conical masses which are formed in the lower regions of the atmosphere. The term in Latin means piled or heaped up. The stratus is a widely extended sheet of clouds often reaching to the earth. It is properly the cloud of the night. The term in Latin signifies spread or extended. To these may be added the nimbus or rain cloud.

Clouds extending to, or in contact with, the earth, are called mists or fogs. They are produced by a certain degree of chillness in the lower stratum of the atmosphere;* and in the warmer regions of the earth, they either vanish before the sun, or rise higher into the air as clouds. In cold climates, particularly in the polar regions, they are very frequent; and in some places, as off the coasts of Newfoundland, they are almost continual. This renders navigation very dangerous in those seas, particularly during the season of the icebergs.

To the vapors which fall from the atmosphere in the form of rain, hail, and snow, the earth is indebted for its springs, brooks, and rivers, which, flowing into the sea, restore to it. the waters formerly drawn from it by evaporation. Hence we see that a constant circulation of water is carried on, for the benefit of mankind, between the earth and the sky. The water that is raised by evaporation from the sea is purified in the air, and distributed over the earth by the clouds for the purpose of vegetation; and it is still further prepared for the use of men and animals, by being impregnated with the mineral particles which it meets with in filtering through the earth before it makes its appearance again in the form of springs. Rain water, though the purest kind of water, is from that very circumstance too insipid for drinking.

RAIN-DEW-SNOW-HAIL.

In the warm regions of the earth evaporation is most abundant; and so, as we should expect, is the quantity of rain.

That is, when the lower stratum of the atmosphere is cooler than the land or the water over which it rests. The temperature of the surface of the sea in those parts of the world is greater than that of the air which is over it, because when the upper stratum of water is cooled, it descends, being heavier, and its place is supplied by warmer water from below. But the high temperature of the waters brought by the Gulf Stream is the chief cause of the fogs in this part of the Atlantic.

In the torrid zone the annual average quantity of rain has beer computed to be about one hundred inches, while in the north temperate zone it is little more than thirty inches, that is, less than one-third. By inches of rain is meant the depth which rain falling upon a square inch of surface would acquire supposing none of it to be absorbed by the ground.*

In the torrid zone, the temperature ranges within compara tively small limits; and the phenomena of the atmosphere occur from year to year with a regular and uniform succession unknown in this part of the world. The winds are either permanent or periodical; and the rains regularly descend at a certain season of the year, and never at any other. In fact, the only divisions of the year in those regions are the dry and rainy seasons. In the northern half of the torrid zone it is the rainy season, when the sun is north of the equator; and the dry season, when the sun is south of the equator. And in the southern half of the torrid zone, the seasons, in like manner, depend upon the place of the sun. Wherever the sun is vertical or overhead, the rains and clouds are almost constant, because the atmosphere is not able to contain all the vapors which are raised by the increased heat; and thus we see that a provision has been made for protecting the earth from the perpendicular rays of the sun.

Generally speaking, in all parts of the world, mountains and elevated regions are more subject to rain than plains and level countries in the same latitude; and the same may be said of places near the sea, as islands and coasts, when compared with places remote from the sea (as the interior of a country) though under the same parallel. The reason is ob vious; the mountains intercept the clouds and bring them down in rain; and thus they are often almost all brought down before they are carried over countries very remote from the sea; so that the nearer a place is to the sea, from which the vapors arise, the more frequently is its atmosphere saturated with them; and, of course, the more likely it is to receive a large portion of them in rain.

DEW.

That moisture which in warm and dry weather, after sunset, is insensibly precipitated from the atmosphere upon the surface of the earth, is called dew. In the warm regions of the earth, particularly in tracts of country destitute of rain, the dews are exceedingly heavy; and it need scarcely be observed that they are of the greatest use in refreshing the earth and promoting vegetation.

When the dew which falls upon the earth is frozen by the cold, it is called hoar-frost. But mildew is not of atmos pheric origin.

*The instrument for measuring the depth of rain is called a pluviometer or rain-gauge.

It is only in the temperate zones that the four seasons are known, From the sixtieth degree of latitude to the poles only two seasons take place, a long and severe winter, and a short, warm, but ineffectual sum. mer; and within the tropics, it may be said to be perpetual summer.

The rain does not fall during the night, nor till about the middle of the dav. and it ceases in four or five hours.

How to arrange a Fancy Fair-Amusements-Refreshment Stall-Flower Stall-Live Stock Stall-Poor People's Stall.

HE IDEA OF ORGANIZING A FANCY FAIR, on the occasion of subscribing to any charitable institution has become a great feature of the present age. It affords opportunities to many idle people of pleasantly exerting themselves, discovers and brings forward obscure talents, promotes intercourse and amusement, and frequently insures most advantageous returns.

How to Get up a Fair.-The purpose for which the funds realized are intended should be clearly stated and circulated among all who are wanted to take part in conducting the bazaar, and every means should be employed to secure profitable assistance in the enterprise. A committee of ladies should be formed, and their decisions, when duly weighed and approved, carefully carried out. To them belongs the onus of providing the field of operations and appointing the workers therein.

The two most popular stalls are always the refreshment-stall and the flower-stall. The holders of these must be chosen with much care, or but in

different results will ensue.

The latter require special talent for artistic decoration and arrangement, the former for quickness, skill, and neatness. The other stalls are apportioned to such ladies as are willing to undertake them.

A suitable room must now be hired. One long, large room, with smaller ones opening into it, is the best. These latter are used for exhibitions, conjuring rooms, cloak-rooms, etc. School-rooms are just the kind of room required, and are frequently lent for this purpose.

How to Arrange a Fair. The room must be made to look as artistic and inviting as possible. If evergreens can be easily and inexpensively procured to festoon the walls and wreathe pillars, they look very handsome. The effect can be enhanced by the introduction of natural or artificial flowers.

Sometimes flags and banners are arranged singly or in groups on the walls. They look very well Appropriate mottoes worked on perforated cardboard with shaded wools, or of grouped autumn leaves, or of wadding frosted with glass-powder, add much to the appearance.

The center of the room may be arranged to form a rockery, through which, if practicable, a waterpipe may be conducted, having a jet fixed to the upper end. This serves to keep the plants from withering, and is very cool and refreshing to the assembly. Ferns, geraniums, mosses, and almost any flowers save those with a very powerful odor, may be employed for

this purpose; and when the pots are concealed by means of virgin cork a very pretty effect can be produced.

A very easily-made ornament consists of an ordinary wooden bucket covered with fir-cones, nutshells, short bits of wood, etc. When these have been firmly glued on, varnish the whole with mahogany varnish, or gild it with gold paint. A row of cones placed round the top stands up as an edge. Now get some of the large hedge-ferns and place them in the bucket, concealing the earth by means of moss. If a hole has been made in the bottom of the bucket, the ferns I will take no harm. A few such buckets, placed in nooks and corners where they will not inconvenience any one, will look very well. The ferns and buckets can be offered for sale also, to be taken away at the close of the bazaar.

All the windows in the room should be hung with curtains either of lace or muslin, held back by bows of ribbon. They serve to temper the light and give a cooler look to the room.

A platform, if the room has not one already, must be put up, with a piano, harp, etc., placed thereon for the amusement of the company. Programmes should be drawn up, and sold to add to the funds. An agreeable little entertainment can be provided, consisting of recitations, vocal and instrumental music; or a music-stall may be provided, at which a competent pianist shall preside, to play over new music. This will be found amusing to all present, and the music will sell readily. The piano provided must be a good one, but not too loud in tone, so that it may not interfere with what is passing in other parts of the room.

It is a fallacy to suppose that people do not require further amusement than what appertains to the fair proper. When a visitor has made the tour of the room once or twice, examined the articles, and purchased such as please her, she naturally wishes for something more to do. Raffles, etc., are very amusing, it is true, but then all cannot join in every raffle, and somehow things lose their interest when one is not part of it oneself, so to speak. It is very usual to have what is known as a "Fine Art Exhibition."

When skillfully and originally managed this is very amusing. Most people will know what this is, but for the benefit of those who have not seen ore, the following explanation may be useful:-If a small room can be spared for the purpose, so much the better, but if not, a screen placed in one corner will answer the purpose quite as well. Near this stands the keeper with a

number of catalogues, which she sells to the passers-by. She should occasionally call out some of the most attractive features of the exhibition. Behind the screen shelves must be fixed, on which the articles are placed in the order in which they are mentioned in the catalogue. The ingenuity of the keeper of the exhibition must be exercised to provide new ideas, as many of them are now well known, and unless originality is shown the interest will flag. Such articles as a ball of different shades of wool, designated in the catalogue as "A Fancy Ball," "Ruins in China ” (a broken plate), “ A Peer of Great Britain ” (a photograph of Brighton Pier), "The Belle of the Village" (a large dinner-bell), and so on, are all somewhat hackneyed now, but they give some idea of the plan to be followed.

Another amusement, especially for children, is a show called "The Zoological Gardens," or a menagerie. Another screen or room is devoted to this purpose. In the show are several clock-work toys representing various animals. These, when wound up, walk after one another along a shelf or table prepared for them. Sometimes the show is called Noah's Ark," in which case an ark is provided, into which the animals retire after promenading round the table. This is a source of great amusement to children, and shrieks of delight are frequently heard as each little animal steadily proceeds on its way. The toys can be offered for sale when the bazaar is closing, or be packed away to do duty at some future period.

Frequently one of the side rooms is set apart as a Hall of Magic, in which a conjurer with mysterious feats and witty words charms both old and young.

Of course all these amusements add greatly to the funds, and no pains should be spared to augment them. A good band is always an attraction to any assembly, and if the bazaar be held in the open air it is especially desirable.

The Refreshment-Stall may be said to be the busiest and most prominent stall in the room, and it usually proves very remunerative; the corner in which it is placed is rarely deserted. Everything should be made to look as dainty and tempting as possible. Several assistants are absolutely necessary, each presiding over a different department. One should take the urns, another the sweetmeats, a third the more substantial fare, and a fourth should be appointed exclusively to take the money and keep the accounts. This last is a most important rôle, and should not be allotted to any but the most conscientiously careful.

This stall can be rendered especially attractive by bonbonnières, which can be made in any shape, either as books or

little cases, and should be filled with sweetmeats or preserved fruit. Many useful and pretty articles may be attached to boxes of sweets, and thus sold. For boys, boxes of sweets, etc., have an especial attraction; and as there is not much for a boy in a bazaar, this feature of the refreshment-stall should not be excluded, if only for their sakes.

The Flower-Stall.-This stall is always, and deservedly, the most attractive. It looks charming indeed if only a little taste and skill be brought to bear upon it. In any large city or town, flowers form one of the most profitable features of the Fair.

The stall may be of a variety of forms. We have seen one in the shape of a huge basket with wreaths and festoons of ivy round the edge, the center being composed of bouquets of growing plants. In another instance it was a ship freighted with flowers. The prettiest style is a kind of grotto, formed of light woodwork entirely hidden by bark and cork. In all the nooks and crevices of the framework pots of ferns must be placed, to appear as though growing there. The flowers rise above this in the form of a tower. Baskets and ornamental flowerpots should be hung from the roof, and filled with ferns, flowers, moss, etc. Another way which has an exceedingly good effect is to have the stall arranged as a bank on which the flowers appear growing, interspersed with ferns, small shrubs, etc. Button-holes, however, find the most ready sale. Almost any gentleman will at least buy a button-hole, though he may be one of those who are perfectly dismayed at the idea of buying anything else.

It will be as well to have a zinc tray to hold the flowers, that they may be kept fresh after having been made up into tiny bouquets.

The stall-keeper, too, must be very careful to notice when any flowers begin to droop and wither. These should at once be removed and replaced by fresh ones if possible; but in any case they must not be allowed to remain, or the whole stall will look shabby.

Live-Stock Stall.-This is rather a novelty, and generally a success. The stall should be rather apart from the others, and not so much decorated, or it will prove inconvenient. A long table, on which to place the various cages and hampers, is essential. Puppies, squirrels, guinea-pigs, kittens, canaries and other birds, white mice, and a parrot previously educated in a manner appropriate to the occasion. These, and many more that will doubtless suggest themselves, will be found to sell easily. They must be carefully

tended during the time they are offered for sale. Food and water must be given when required, and no one should be allowed to tease them.

Poor People's Stall.-This stall, as its name. implies, should be devoted to those articles which are intended to be sold for giving away to the poor. Many ladies living in both town and country have not time for making garments for the poor, but are pleased to buy them when ready-made. Every kind of garment for children-nightdresses, chemises, pinafores, socks, dresses, capes, hoods, babies' caps, comforters, knitted gloves and mittens, aprons, besides garments for adults-will be readily sold. This stall cannot, of course, present the attractive appearance common to the others, but the usefulness of the articles displayed will prevent the returns being insignificant.

HOW TO PREPARE ARTICLES. Soliciting Contributions from Friends-How to Sell--Marking Prices. What can I make for the Fair? is a question that is asked by hundreds of persons every year: a question that is rarely found easy to answer. To combine salable qualities with ornamental-both being necessary in this case-is not always a simple matter. For those who have a table of their own, the difficulty is, of course, increased. They may ask their friends to contribute, but the chief onus falls on the possessor of the stall, and unless abundance of money helps them to a fair haven, there will be many contrary winds to blow them from port.

Soliciting Contributions from Friends.-As in planning a picnic one promises to provide wine, another fruit, a third sweetmeats and so on, so, in making collections for bazaars, the same system should be established; otherwise the unfor. tunate collector finds her stall covered with crewel-work, crochet, etc., as the case may be, while it is destitute of any other attraction. This would be very disheartening, for how is it possible to make the stall attractive with but one feature? The fair canvasser, therefore, must be very careful to obtain the greatest possible variety of contributions in order to insure a ready sale. One friend, perhaps, is gifted with a talent for etching. She should be asked to supply d'oyleys, combbags, brush-bags, &c. Another is a good designer. Let her trace designs on velvet, canvas, etc., for mantel-boards, sofa cushions, footstools, etc., etc. These designs may be worked by some other friend or offered for sale as they are, and will prove very acceptable to many people who wish to work their own cushions, etc., but who cannot design their patterns.

Another friend, who has a talent for flower-painting, could doubtless be induced to provide handscreens, mats, lampshades, etc., with groups of flowers painted thereon, either in silk, satin, velvet, muslin, or cardboard. Another could sup ply crewel-work, another lace, and so on.

Many clever-fingered girls are unable to aid in a charitabe purpose