The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-27
HOUSTON POST LETTER BOX

sonal interest only will not be answered. No
| business or personal addresses Will be given.
All correspondence should he addressed TO
The Letter Box care Houston Post. Owing to
the large number OF questions received. an
swers can not always be given promptly1
| Arc lightning rods any protection against
| lightning, according to the best scientific au-
thority? WHY.
Lightning rods serve rather to prevent the
occurrence than TO ward OFF the effects OF n
flash Of lightning. When conductor charged
With electricity is brought near to another
conductor connected with the earth, 1t in
erces on IT charge of the opposite kind OF
electricity. The result is an attractive force
which tends to bring the conductors nearer
to one another. and to augment the electric
DEF sity on their opposed surfaces When the
density is sufficiently great there is rupture
OF tho dielectrc (air) between the conductors.
and the dsirptiyc discharge takes place as
an electric spark. II one of the conductors
have projecting points or angles. the electric
density is usually much greater at such
places than over the rest OF the suifuce.
Suppose one of the conductors to be thun
dercloud tho other the surface Of the earth
the discharge will usually take place between
the places of greatest surface density: and
1t will in general be the more gradual az
these are mere pointed. AMI Of less capacity.
Hence Franklin's idea of furnishing buildings
and other prominent objects with projecting
metal spike well connected with the ground.
tor the purpose of preventing lightning
discharge by substituting sor it what is prac-
tically continuous electric current. The
theory is scientifically correct.
anthem of the following countries: United
States of America, England German EN-
pre- Russia, Mexico. Spain and France?
R.W.J.
The national anthem of England is Of
course 'Gcd Save the Queen" which is not
only the undisputed expression of British 10y
atty. but has been adopted by other countries
as well, In the United States. is Amer
ioa;" by the German Empire. Hell der i'm
siegerkranz;" by Bavaria, "lIeil Unsern
KONG, He'll" by Switzerland, "Rufst du.
mein Vaterland?" BY Brunswick, Norway,
sayony. Prussia, Wurtemburg, Hanover.
Weimar, in their respective languages. In !
our own country, besides America" which |
is not reilly an American National air, the |
choice lies between Hail Columbian and |
the "Star-spangled Banner" but the popular
verdict has never decided it. The French |
hymn is the "Marseillaise," which has nc
rival in popularity, although the song Par
tant pour la Syrie'' has also the dignity of a
national air. The words of the German song.
Hell der i'm Siegerkranz" We're set to tho
melody OF God Save the King" in 1890 A
more truly national German air is was ist
des Deutschen Vaterand?' (What is the
Germans FatherandO During the Franco
frussian war the Watch on the Rhine"
written In 1910 by Max schneckenburger and
set to music by Carl Wilhelm In 1854, was SO
POPULAR as to become national air. The
Russian national anthem is God Save the
Noble Gear" The following is fl ee trans
alton of the Spanish national hymn:
Spread the tidings afar to the nations,
Let them learn from the freedom of Spain
'or the laws are the peoples salvation,
And our king as their servant shall reign"
Can the officers or soldiers OF the army.
hu uoes the same apply to the officers and
ailors of the navy? CR
During the civil war the officers and SOL :
iers from the different States were permitted
vote in the general elections, and, as
uring active service they could not be spared
rom the field, in several cases polling booths
we're opened that the soldiers Of the reyi- ,
lents from different States might cast their
otes, to be sent homo and counted The Ee
ivil war. however, exhibited an unprecedent- I
situation. such as is not likely to occur In !
his country again, and as the condition.
REVEALING during war are materially diff q
srent from those in times of peace, most of I
ne States have met this question by ex- +
a
tates army from participation in elections t
nd even in the few States that have en-
nted directly prohibitory statute on the
inject common custom has forbidden both .
'ldiers and sailors from voting These pro- il
ipitiohs ny the States were brought about by Il
ie TACT that at Brooklyn. Philadelphia and
an francisco much feeling was caused on o
ore imam one occasion by the manipulation =,
the navy yard votes by one party or an !,
nor ana SO strong was the impression that
10 army ana navy should have no partc,pa- p
Oh Whatever in any election that 1t led to p
70 direct prohibitions already mentioned. OF
m
p'u rie ,si Lincoln at any time during
e w oier TO buy the slaves Of the SOUTH W
so. What was the amount offered. n,
II. A, Bethea. m
In March, 1862. Mr. Lincoln urged congress :.
mshe provision for compromising such
ates as should arrange for the gradual I
naneIpation of their slaves; and also sup-
stod that the negroes thus freed should bs
ioni1ed out of the country. The border
a'es did not favor the idea and it was be- VI
wed by the Federal congress to require 70.
uNh money, so that nothing definite was
ne NO offer TO pay for the slaves was 49,
or submitted TO the Confederacy. AT the
called peace conference three years Inter in
only conditions on which Lincoln would
courage any hope Tor peace were the 4bso-
% submission OF the South her Immediate an
turn 10 the Union, and the complete aboli- w
N OF slavery. 10 compensation whatever
ing suggested for the loss of property thus sv
tailed.
v nat relationship does tho i7yal family NJ tn
eAt tritain bear 10 those o.c Russia and ..C
ninarA. both by birth and ma. rage?
-, ARE. w
Ihe Prince OF Wales, Albert Edward. mar. :
inc Princess Alexandra, eldest laughter
al -. r. l H..