The times., 1898-05-22

NOTES AND QUERIES.
What is meant by the Dry Tortugas? c. C.
The westernmost of the small islands
lying 10 the west of the southern end oE
Florida.
What is 'Parthian shot7" J.Rs
parting shot, or last remark; so cali
ed because of a battle custom Of the Par
thians, who delivered shot before fee
ing.
Did the Federal Government resort to con-
seriptiOn in the late war? NRP
IL did; have you forgotten the draft
riots in New York city?
What is meant by the Triple AIliance2 Y g.
An alliance formed in 1883 between Ger
many, Austria and Italy
We're there any negro sailors on the Mainer
There must have been some negroes on
board the Maine. though We cannot name
any. Every large vessel of our Navy has
negroes in its crew.
To whom should person apply who wishes a
position in the hospital department as a phar-
macist in the Auny2 VIII E.
He should apply to the nearest recruits
ing officer.
Did the last Democratic national convention al
Chicago abolish the two-thirds rule? ;. A. s.
No; Bryan was nominated. with the
rule in operation, on the fifth ballot.
How far can the largest guns on battleships
throw proleetiie against ship or fort with
damaging ehect7 SEVERAL
Ten 10 twelve miles. The same guns
ashore VIII carry farther, because great
er elevation can be given TO them there in
firing.
Where are the headquarters Of the Red Cross
Society 2 Who IS president, and IS il a United
States Government institution? 8 What are the
requirements for membership 4. Do members
receive a salary for work done? ). Are women
eligible to membership c. c. :
Washington. d. c. 2. The president is
Miss Clara Barton. II IS not a United
States institution. 3. Anyone can be a
member by paying the annual dues. 4.
Employees receive salaries. D Yes.
Please compare the Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse
and the Great Eastern? G.. NJ 4 N
The Great Eastern was 692 feet long. So
feet wide and had a horse power Of 2.6o0
divided between the screw, with 1900 and
the paddles. with LOCO. The Wilhelm der
Crosse is SO feet long 6S feet broad. Her
gross tonnage Is 1891 as against 1900 in
the Great Eastern, her horse power is IS
COO.
What granite is considered the best for mouu-
ueUts-lIIlueg HaFrp or
JOHN oLEsoN.
OF the three that you name. probably
the order should be: Quincy. Barre, and
Scotch, and there are many varieties Of
these. The price varies at the quarries,
as well as in the market.
Please state how many British prisoners we're
confined in the BLACK Hole Of Cslcutta?" How
many died that night from suff0cation and how
many remained alive? p. W. G.
One hundred and forty-six Of the Eng
lish prisoners were forced at the swords
point to enter the military prison called in
the slang Of the soldiers ''the black hole
This place was about eighteen feet square.
The date was June 20, 1755. the hottest
time Of the year. Only twenty-three were
taken out alive the next morning and
some OF the survivors had gone insane.
What are the salaries received by e5aPIains on
DyaIu Oulltu states NalSaA4lsl - ". "
For the first FIVE years after date OF
commission al sea 2.500. on shore duty
50, 600. on leave or waiting orders. 81 600.
After five years from date of commission,
at sea s.. 500, on shore duty 1850 on leave
OF waiting orders $500.
What are the names Of the officers in the United
States Army and Navy in their order, from Presi-
dent Mckinley down 70 high privales in the rear
ranks? p. P j.
There are several thousand officers in
the Army and several thousand more IN
the Navy. We cannot print the names
How many. colored troops are there IN the
United SIates2 y Y Y
There are two cavalry regiments and
two infantry regiments in the United
States Army the men OF which are ne
groes and the officers white The total
strength Of these regiments Is 2.4l6. They
arc the Ninth and Tenth cavalry regt-
ments and the Twenty-fourth and Twen-
ty-hfth infantry regiments
Please give a short outline Of the process by
which wire nails are made? G.. T. =
Wire nails are made by machines into
which the wire of the desired size is fed
1t is cut of at the proper length, one
end upset to form the head. the other
end tapered to form the point. The Op-
Grafton is completed instantaneously.
How far back does the practice of celebrating
Easter Day mot Sunday go, by using eggs as an
emblem? KATY
1t is impossible TO say. The use Of Eas-
ter eggs is common TO all ChrisJendOm.
and seems to be a symbolic tradition Of
the primitive Church The phenomenon
of Matching was chosen as a symbol Of
the resurrection. In the thirteenth cen
tury We read of people forming process
sions to march to the cathedraIs, where
Easter eggs were distributed.
How long has the present president Of Mexico
held the Office? j. A NJ
Diaz was elected president for the first
time in 1876 and was inaugurated on De-
cember 1 of that year. Under the con-
stitution he could not succeed himself;
so he had Manuel Gonzales made presi-
dent for four years in 1850. went travel
ing in this country and on his return was
elected a second time. succeeding Con
zales in December 1884. Then he had the
changed to let him succeed
himself, and has elected himself regu-
larly every four years since, SO has been
president uninterrUptedly since 1854.
What was the Battle of the Kegs, in American
history? W. h c.
In January. 10S while the Delaware
river was nearly free from ice some
at BOrdertown y. J. set
ahoat some kegs OF gunpOwder with ma
so arranged that it would ex-
plode the powder if the kegs should
strike or rrlb against ANYTHING They