In tearing down old masonry iron bonds and clamps are often found which are as free from rust, so far as they are covered with mortar, as they were the day they left the blacksmith's hands. A French engineer met with such a phenomenon when he uncovered the anchor plates of several chain bridges which had been built about thirty years. Where the anchors were covered with the fatty lime mortar of the masonry they showed no traces of rust, but the prolongations of the anchors in empty spaces were rusted to such an extent that they were only one-third of their original thickness. It has been repeatedly observed that iron does not rust in water in which are dissolved small quantities of caustic alkalies or alkaline earths, which neutralize every trace of acid. It seems that these experiences are the basis of A. Riegelmann's (Hanau) new protection against rust. The paint that he uses contains caustic alkaline earths (baryta, strontia, etc.), so that the iron is in a condition similar to the iron anchors of the chain bridges that were embedded in lime mortar. Although a paint is not thick enough to inclose so much alkali as the masonry did that the iron was embedded in, nevertheless the alkaline action will make itself felt as long as the coating has a certain consistence. Under all circumstances, however, these new paints will be free from active acids, which is more than can be said of our iron paints hitherto in use. Besides this, the rust protector has such a composition that it could serve its intended purpose without the addition of any alkali. If experience confirms this claim, it will be an interesting step forward in the preservation of iron, and contribute to an extension in the use of iron.--_Polytechn. Notizblatt_. * * * * * [Illustration: SUGGESTIONS IN DECOTATIVE ART.--A CUPBOARD IN ITALIAN WALNUT WITH DARKER PANELING.--_From The Workshop_.] * * * * * AN ELASTIC MASS FOR CONFECTIONERS' USE. It should be made in a well glazed earthen crock; metallic vessels are not good, as the gelatine burns too easily on the sides, and dries out where it gets too hot. Nor is a water bath to be recommended for dissolving the gelatine, for the sides get too hot and dry out the gelatine. A quart of water is put in the crock and heated to boiling; it is then taken off the open fire and two pounds of the finest gelatine stirred in, a little at a time. After the gelatine is completely dissolved there is to be added eight or ten pounds (according to the quality of the gelatine) of the finest white sirup previously warmed, and constantly stirred. The mass must not boil, as it would easily burn, or turn brown and acquire a bad color.