The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-05
THE QUERY COLUMN
How Often Is Mount DiablO
Snow-Capped.
BOOKS FOR STENOGRAPHERS.
The Meaning of Uncle Sam-Why Is
the South Side of Street the
Cold Side :?

IMPROPER QUERIEs-R. W., San Jose;
Il. c., City and many others. 1t is impera-
tive that those addressing questions TO the
query editor should understand that the
column is established and kept open solely
for matters of public interest, and where
information on specific subject is not
readily obtainable by the inquirer, as for
instance in country town where there is
no public library.
A very little consideration would show
that the following inquiries can receive no
attention: o. Catch questions or series
of questions in history and geography. in
tended to see If the query editor can answer
them. His time is worth more than that.
(9 Questions which, If answered. would
cast slight or reflection on any religious
organization. 90 Questi of which the
answer would be simply an advertisement
of an actress. particular theater or even
Of a nosrum or proprietary medicine.
Three such queries were in the box this
week. (4 Questions where a prize is offered
for the answer. as in the case of missing
words and dlmecatc hing speculatiOnS adj
dressed solely to the foolish, idle and chance
loving members of the community. %
Questions of which the answers have been
given, or refused to be given, in previous
issues.
EATING CRow-Subscriber, City. This
expression, which is chiefly used by politi-
clans, is analogous to that of eating humble
pie. as the crow is VIGOROUSLY an unsavOry
bird and a filthy feeder. Two stories have
been told to account for the phrase. One is
that thrifty boarding house keeper. whose
patrons had been uukindly critical about
"hash," declared that he was tired of COM
plants, and that for MS own part he could
eat anything. II kin eat crow" he said
He was taken at his word and dish of
crow prepared for him. He got through
two bites. took third and made rush for
the back door. exclaiming, Il kin eat crow,
but hang me If banker after it," Another
story Is TO the effect that an American who
had crossed the Niagara River and been
found p0aching on the lands OF Canadian
was compelled, on peril of his life, to eat
crow which he had shot. There are several
stories, but the point Is obvious.
LEGAL CHEMIsTRY-U. r. A., City.
There are several works on legal chemistry
besides that you mention. but the best plan
for a stenographer DESTROYS OF acquiring
technical knowledge of sucn matters Is TO
gain permission TO attend inquests and in
professional capacity take down the notes
Of the technical points and then correct de-
iciencies from standard works on forensic
medicines. or even any standard general
medical work. (2) Practical knowledge
gained in open court, strengthened by cor
recting deficiencies. is worth ton OF text
books studied from page to page merely as
such. 90 1t Is impossible TO mention the
best books for a stenographer to read.
The best way to become proficient stenog-
rapher is to cut loose from all books and
systems, read the daily papers, expand the
mind and in the art itself "practice-prac-
tice-practice.
~ Al
The last total eclipse Of the sun visible in
California occurred on January l, 1889. 1t
was total at Cloverdae. The line of to-
tally was through Northern California.
Nevada, Idaho and Montan a. obliquey up
through Manitoba. The eclipse was not
total at San Francisco. only about eleven
twelfths of the suns disk being obseured.
The first contact occurred at Cloverdsle at
~ :23P.M. At IL AZ 80 T. M. the corona became
visible on the western limb In from five TO
seven seconds later the eclipse was total.
At Cloverdae the totality lasted 104 sec
onds. (2) There will not be another total
eclipse visible In the United States till 1899,
and then only In Florida.
OLD SoLDIERs--L. b., CITY. An old
soldier having an honorable discharge from
the United States army ought to have no
difficulty 10 getting into the old soldiers
home at Santa Monica, Cal. Write to the
secretary, Old Soldiers Home, Santa
Monica, Cal. There is also a vet
erans' home at YOuntvile, Napa
County. You mil ht write to the secretary
OF that institution also. IL your case is a
deserving one there will be little difficulty.
HIcCoUGH-Constant Reader, City. Hic-
| cough is u spasm Of the powerful respiratory
muscle known as the diaphragm. When
| due to over-indulgence In drink or to over
| eating the distcntion Of the stomach Is the
| obvious cause, and an emelic the equally