[Illustration:  THE SALON OF 1887.—­A LECTURE IN THE DISPENSARY AT LA SALPETRIERE.—­Painted by M. Andre Brouillet.—­M.  Dochy.  Engraver.]

[Illustration:  A CLINICAL LECTURE AT “LA SALPETRIERE.”]

We reproduce the picture of Mr. Andre Brouillet, which was in the Salon of 1887; and that the subject may be better understood, we give the accompanying sketch and description.  This picture is very interesting, not only from an artistic point of view, but also as a representation of students and spectators of all ages admirably grouped around a great master of science when most interested in his work.  We borrow from Matin-Salon Mr. Goetschy’s explanation of the picture: 

“The hall in which the lesson is given is lighted by two large windows opening on one of the courts of the hospital.  The Professor stands at the right of the picture, his head uncovered, one hand close to his body and the other extended slightly in a gesture which is familiar to him, his audience being before him.  At his side is Mr. Babinski, chief of the clinic, supporting a person afflicted with hysteria.  Near the latter stands a nurse and assistant who watches every movement of the patient.  This is Mother Bottard, a good, intelligent, and devoted woman, who is well known to all those present.

“The auditors have arranged themselves at the students’ tables, some seated on the chairs and stools which furnish the room, and others standing, but all following closely the teaching of the master, and at the same time watching the subject.  The picture is full of life and motion, and yet is very exact.  The head and shoulders of the subject are beautifully and correctly drawn.  The artist has brought together many men who are well known in literature and science.”—­Le Monde Illustre.

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[NATURE.]

TO FIND THE DAY OF THE WEEK FOR ANY GIVEN DATE.

Having hit upon the following method of mentally computing the day of the week for any given date, I send it you in the hope that it may interest some of your readers.  I am not a rapid computer myself, and as I find my average time for doing any such question is about 20 seconds, I have little doubt that a rapid computer would not need 15.

Take the given date in 4 portions, viz., the number of centuries, the number of years over, the month, the day of the month.

Compute the following 4 items, adding each, when found, to the total of the previous items.  When an item or total exceeds 7, divide by 7, and keep the remainder only.

The Century Item.—­For old style (which ended September 2, 1752) subtract from 18.  For new style (which began September 14) divide by 4, take overplus from 3, multiply remainder by 2.

The Year Item.—­Add together the number of dozens, the overplus, and the number of 4’s in the overplus.