[Illustration:  Fig. 1 Waxed Brass Plate]

vessel.  If the plate is a small one a saucer will do for the acid solution.  Pour the acid on the plate where the paraffin has been removed and allow it time to etch.  The acid should be removed every five minutes to examine the etching.  If any places show up where the paraffin has not been entirely removed they must be cleaned so the acid will eat out the metal.  When the acid solution becomes weak new solution must be added until the proper depth is secured.  Rinse the plate in cold water, stand in a tray and heat it sufficiently to run off all the paraffin.  Polish the plate by rubbing it with a piece of flannel.

The plaque can be given a real antique finish by painting the etched part with a dull black paint.  Drill a small hole in each of the four corners, being careful not to dent the metal.  The plaque is backed with a piece of wood 3/4 in. thick, the dimensions of which should exceed those of the brass plate sufficiently to harmonize with the size of the plaque.  The wood should be painted black with the same paint used in the plaque.  Paint the heads of four thumb tacks black and use them in fastening the plaque to the board.  The finished silhouette will appear as shown in Fig. 2.  —­Contributed by John A. Hellwig, Albany, N. Y.

[Illustration:  Fig. 2 Finished Plaque]

** Aligning Automobile Headlights [217]

Automobile headlights should be set to throw the light straight ahead, not pointed down at the road at an angle.

** Telescope Stand and Holder [218]

With the ordinary small telescope it is very difficult to keep the line of sight fixed upon any particular object.  To meet the situation I constructed the

[Illustration:  Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Made of a Camera Tripod]

device illustrated herewith.  A circular piece of wood, B, 6 in. in diameter, is fastened to a common camera tripod, A, with a set screw, S. Corner irons, cc, are screwed to the circular piece.  These corner irons are also screwed to, and supported in a vertical position by the wood standard D, which is 4 in. wide and of any desired height.  To this standard is secured the wood shield-shaped piece E by the screw G upon which it turns.  A semi-circular slit is cut in the piece G, through which passes the set screw S. The telescope is secured to the piece G by means of the pipe straps FF.  Rubber bands are put around the telescope to prevent rubbing at the places where the straps enclose it.

The wood pieces were made of mahogany well rubbed with linseed oil to give them a finish.  The corner irons and set screws or bolts with thumb-nuts can be purchased at any hardware store.  The pipe straps of different sizes can be obtained from a plumber’s or gas and steam fitter’s store.  With this device, either a vertical or a horizontal motion may be secured, and, after bringing the desired object into the line of sight, the set screws will hold the telescope in position.  Anyone owning a tripod can construct this device in three or four hours’ time at a trifling cost.  In Fig. 1 is shown the side view of the holder and stand, and Fig. 2 the front view.