Other boys and girls are gathering illustrated papers, periodicals, and books to be forwarded to the soldiers and sailors. You can help in this way. EDITOR OF THE GREAT ROUND WORLD. In your issue of April 21st, you speak of the Russian officer Milutine having said that no Christian had ever succeeded in entering and leaving Mecca before his doing so. Sir Richard Burton distinctly states that he was the first man ever to accomplish this feat, as you will see by his book. Who is correct? Very truly yours, J. T. If you read the account again, you will see that Milutine is quoted as having said that he had heard that no Christian had previously gone to Mecca and returned safely. It is true that Burton did precede Milutine. EDITOR. * * * * * New Books "Manipulation of the Microscope," Edward Bausch (Rochester: Bausch & Lomb Optical Co.). At this season of the year, when so many of our readers are interested in the study of botany and other nature work, the use of the microscope enters largely into their work--and yet how few people really understand this most useful instrument. The writer of this admirable little book very sensibly assumes that his readers are anxious to learn the subject from its simplest form to the more complex details, and he has therefore made a thoroughly useful book. Few people realize the delight of using a microscope intelligently, nor do they grasp the true value of even the simple pocket forms of this invaluable little instrument. If they did properly appreciate the microscope, every boy would carry a two or three loop lens, and find it as useful almost as the indispensable jackknife. The wonders of field, forest, and seashore are not thoroughly appreciated unless the microscope is used--_intelligently_. [Illustration: SPANISH TORPEDO-BOAT DESTROYER, "FUROR."] * * * * * Current History * * * * * In our last number we give a review of the first month of the war. In glancing over the news, it is extremely interesting to contrast the losses of Spain with those of the United States. In the campaign off Cuba, we have had less than thirty men killed and wounded, whereas the Spaniards have lost several hundreds; they have had many of their fortifications destroyed, and have suffered great damage in other ways--by the capture of vessels, etc. In the far East, Spain's fleet was destroyed, and many men killed and wounded; against this was a loss on our part of one man killed and six wounded, and approximately no damage to our vessels.