Babbitt metal is an alloy of copper, tin and antimony. It is soft and nearly white, and is used as an anti-friction metal. Isaac Babbitt, of Boston, patented the alloy in 1839, and the original alloy contained 24 parts tin, 4 parts copper and 8 antimony. The following gives a tougher metal: Tin 96 parts, copper 4 and antimony 8 parts. Lead is also added in some cases on account of its cheapness. In small amounts it is not objectionable, but the Babbitt metal that is sold in the market ready mixed usually contains a considerably larger proportion of lead than its price would indicate. The alloy is usually melted and run, while fluid, directly into the bearings, a space from an eighth to a half inch thick being left for it between the box and the shaft that is to be supported.

When the electrification of the railroads which run under ground in London is completed thetraveller will be able to traverse 60 miles under ground by electric traction without running twice over the same piece of track.

The transmission of electrical energy by wires is nowhere more perfected than through the mining districts of the West. The increasing tendency to raise the line voltage in such transmissions has enormously increased the capacity of many lines, for we find today lines in successful operation with voltages running from 40,000 to 60,000, as compared with 4000 to 6000 volts of a few years ago.

The Krupp Works, Germany, cover in area 1500 acres and daily output is 1877 tons. Alfred Krupp has built for his operatives 5500 dwellings and maintains a pension fund of $4 125,000 for their benefit.

The rolling stone may gather no moss, but it knows a heap more than the stone that remains eternally in one place; a thought that occurs to the human traveller when he realizes the broadening, educating and uplifting influence of travel upon him. The best substitute for travel is the careful reading of well-selected books and periodicals; but both reading and travel are necessary to an intelligent understanding of the world and its people.

From data recently published in connection with the present tendency in American colleges towards engineering as compared with arts it is found that, taking 18 of the leading institutions which offer courses in arts, sciences and engineering, the ratio of increase during the past four years has been but 15 per cent, even though these courses include practically all of the women students. As against this increase is set that for engineering, which is no less than 102 per cent. The figures include only regular students and seem to form one of the signs of the times.

The famous Liberty Bell was cast in England and was brought from there in 1752. While being taken from the ship it was injured, spoiling its tone, and was recast in Philadelphia in 1753. It was broken in 1835 and has remained in that condition.