There must have been a roving drop in the blood of the New Hampshire boy, for after the war he could not contentedly settle down and enjoy life at home, but started off on a journey with a scientific object. Organizing an expedition to establish a telegraph line through southern Asia, he entered on the life of a traveller, with all the hardships and the pleasures which combine to make such a life interesting and full of excitement. On sledges in Siberia, in palanquins in India, up and down rivers in China, wherever his fancy or business led him. Colonel Knox travelled, and wrote books about his experiences. The Emperor of Siam was so pleased with the story of _Boy Travellers_ in his country that he conferred on the author the "Order of the White Elephant," a great distinction, which Colonel Knox was the first American to receive. Colonel Knox was very practical, not specially imaginative, a clear-sighted, straight-forward man, noted for common-sense and energy. As the boys whom he has so often entertained turn the pages of their favorite volumes, they cannot do better than remember that the man who wrote them was in every throb of the pulse an American, simple-hearted, patriotic, and sincere. He loved his country, he studied other countries, and he spent his life in doing honestly and manfully whatever his hand found to do. A good example for us all. Some Interesting Questions. Last year I bought three of the dancing or jumping beans, which were then a great novelty. With them came a circular describing them and their habits, which, unfortunately, I have thrown away. However, it was to the effect that the beans were hollow shells which were found on some tree or shrub in Mexico. Each shell contained a small white worm, which would live, the circular said, about six months. If one of the beans was placed on the palm of the hand, or on a slightly warmed surface, it would begin to move around in little jerks or jumps which were caused by the worm inside. One theory was that if the shell remains stationary in its native home something will destroy it. The worm has no desire to leave the shell. If a hole is bored in it he will straightway patch it up, and if removed from the shell entirely he will try to cover himself up, but cannot make a new shell.