On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
The ordinary methods of opening letter envelopes by means I of an ivory paper cutter, a knife, or the handle of an eraser,! . is slouchy and in many cases destructive to the envelope, the j ( preservation of which is sometimes very important in settling j disputes, cither in or out of tile courts. Very methodical men I c carefully cut the end of the envelope with scissors ; but when I a the inclosed letter fills the envelope, as it frequently docs, there is danger of mutilating the letter and its contents, c: which is not comfortable in the case of a dunning letter or I t; one containing greenbacks. The engraving, however, shows t two adaptations of a simple device intended for opening letter envelopes, and useful, also, for ripping* seams in garments v and similar purposes. Fig. 1 is the device in the form of a watch key, and Fig. 2 p Hie same, forming the head of an ordinary lead pencil. The s levice is very simple : it is merely a blade, like a diminutive e: pen-knife blade, held in a sheath or handle of metal, and so b :ormod and pivoted that a light spiral spring, inside the tl sheath, keeps the blade inclosed until pressure is applied by ii ;he finger to the projecting head of the blade. This construe- h ion is plainly seen in Fig. 2. In Fig. 1 the manner of using t is exhibited. It forms an ornament to the watch guard or i neat head to the pencil, to which it is attached by a screw s liread in the socket. S( Patented by Henry Gross, Sept 8, 1868. All orders should e addressed to Gross, Lysle, Co., Tiffin, Ohio. Two large steamers, each 246 feet long, have just been des- b'. ratched from New Fork th China They are to sail on the t* JTangtse Hrer; $
