Many letters come to the editor of this column asking advice in regard to the purchase of a camera, style, price, etc., and a short talk on the subject may not come amiss to the members of the club.

There are so many makes of cameras, each with a seemingly equal claim to merit, that the would-be purchaser—unless he has had some experience in photography—is often at a loss what sort of an instrument to select. To simplify the description we will divide the cameras into four classes: 1. The tiny snap-shot. 2. The hand camera. 3. The hand and view camera combined. 4. The view camera.

If one has had no previous experience in taking pictures, and simply wishes to make pictorial reminders of his summer outings, the tiny snap-shot-camera, which makes pictures about the size of a silver dollar, is a most satisfactory investment. This camera carries a spool of film long enough for twelve pictures, which is easily and quickly changed for fresh film. The lens has what is called a universal focus, so that there is no focussing. All that one has to do to make a picture is to point the camera at the object and press the shutter spring. The result is sometimes very good and sometimes very amusing, according to the skill with which the instrument is managed. Some of these miniature pictures are perfect in detail, and such pictures may be enlarged four or five times their diameter with slight expense. Even if one owns a larger camera one of these pocket-cameras is a desirable addition to one's outfit. This snap-shot camera costs from $3 to $5.

No. 2. The hand camera may be bought anywhere from $8 to $50. The size of the picture made varies from the small 3¼ by 4¼ to the 5 by 7. The camera which takes a 4 by 5 picture is the most convenient and the most satisfactory size. These cameras are made with an interchangeable arrangement, so that one may use either plates or films. For general work the plates are less trouble to handle, and the fact that one can carry only eight to ten plates in the camera leads one to be more careful in making pictures. Films are more convenient to carry on a journey, for the weight of film enough for one hundred pictures is not equal to eight plates. A good 4 by 5 hand camera may be bought for $12.

No. 3. The hand and view camera combined is one of the best cameras for all-round work. A 4 by 5 camera fitted with double swing-back, rising and falling front, and a rapid rectilinear lens may be bought for $20. The object of the swing-back is to adjust the plate so that it may be parallel with the object to be photographed.

No. 4. The view camera is one made specially for out-of-door work, and is the style used by professionals who make a specialty of landscape views. The camera and lens are bought separately, and one may have several lenses for the same camera. Most of the view cameras fold up compactly, so that a 5 by 8 camera, three double plate-holders, two or three lenses, and a focussing-cloth may be carried in a case about twelve inches square and five and a half inches wide.

A wise young woman understands
That Ivory Soap is best to use
For outing flannels, sunburned hands,
Light summer gowns and tennis shoes.

Copyright, 1896, by The Procter & Gamble Co., Cin'ti.