280 SCIENTIFIC RECREATIONS. 



figures on the sheet of tin, and lift up the apparatus, so as to isolate it from 

 any support. You will then see one little doll extending its arms, another with 

 its silky hair standing on end, and a third, lighter than the others, leaping 

 like a clown, and displacing as he does so the two small balls of elder.-wood 

 which have been placed on each side of him. We have given an illustration 

 of the three figures performing at once (fig. 278), but they are generally used 

 separately. M. Peiffer has indeed collected every known accessory for an 

 electric machine, such as Geissler's tube, the electric carillon, etc. These 

 different experiments are all reduced to their simplest form, and, with their 

 appliances, are all contained in a cardboard box. They are placed beside 

 the electrophorus, which thus takes the place of an unwieldy electric 

 machine. M. J. Peiffer accompanies this little portable cabinet with an 



Fig. 278. M. J. Peiffer's electrophorus with dolls. 



exhaustive pamphlet, which is a valuabh guide to the young physicist in 

 studying the first principles of electricity. 



" It is easy to discover in the education of children," says M. Peiffer 

 in his preface, " how to turn their budding faculties to the best account. 

 Would you utilize them in a satisfactory manner ? Then put in their 

 hands playthings which, in an attractive form, serve to familiarize them at 

 an early age with those sciences, a knowledge of which will be at a later 

 period absolutely indispensable to them ; and they will be much more 

 amused than with ordinary commonplace toys." 



These are sensible words, in which we heartily concur. Yes ! Science 

 properly taught, and properly understood, can indeed be brought within 

 the range of children ; it should give a lasting interest to all amusements, 

 and form a part of the culture of the youthful mind, as at a later period 

 it will contribute to the perfect development of the grown man. 



