The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-10-08
QUERY ANSWERS.
Interesting Information on Many
Subjects.

NUDIt'ttNs
I would like 10 know which nation,
Norway or sweden. stands FIRST IN titera-
turc and learning?
This IS not easily answered, and de-
ponds somewhat on how one looks at
The matter. The old Morse was the speech
- the entire Scandinavian peninsula I'M
III the eleventh century, and out Of the
ancient dialects the modern Swedish h7s
been formed and changes I'm the lam
euoce have followed I'm every fCentury
Prof willard Fiske. of Cornell Uni
versity ~ v, is authority for the state
mont that Norway can not be said to
have had a distinct literature until after
her union with Sweden. But there is
long list of eminent names connected with
the language and literature Of Norway.
There is little doubt. however that SWe-
den IN its general educational influence
AZ home and In the world al large Is the
stronger. and yet their influence and
work react upon and encourage each
other.
In connection with the interest in the
will OF the late Cornelius Vanderbilt, Will
YOU please TO say what taxes his estate
must pay?
This estate probably ranges in value
between Ss5.0O0.OoO and $l50OoOO00. Assum-
ing that IL viii amount 10 100000 90. and
will pay an inheritance tax 90 New York
state of 81. 000N0. Of which ] per cent. or
$1,000 will 20 to Controller Bird S. Coler
TO compensate him for the cost OF c0llec-
lion. Another tax upon the estate Will be
collected by the collector Of internal
revenue as a war tax, and will be paid
into the treasury OF the United States.
The law provides / )r United States war
revenue tax Of IA per cent. on requests
Of 100000 or more to children of the
tcstator. IL per cent. on legacies 10
ucphews and nieces. and Is per cent. on
requests 10 others than blood relations.
II the estate is 500 10000. therefore, the
government tax will be at least S2.5OOOoo,
30 that to the State and the nation $3.0O0-
90 will be paid before the property Is di-
vidcd. The sum that will actually be
,.aid may reach sL00O.OOOas the state col
lects per cent. on collateral requests.
VIII YOU please 10 say something I'm
your weekly column on the present poll
IDEAL conditions m Ireland
Since Mr.. Gladstcncs death there has
been little 20 say along this line until
recently, but we would cali attention 20
tho organization Of the United Irish
lea que under the leadership of William
Brien. 10 Is new association which
be- political supporters of Mr. Dillon
Hfr. Redmond and Mr. Hcaly are join
ne as practical instrument for put
ns an end 10 dissensions and joal-
sizes. and the league f. quietly work
u- 10 bring unity out OF d.scord I'm
irish politics. There IS "a gene Al Ell
fort for better roads for the prove
mtnt Of local business, for The benefit
of the artisans I'm the towns and the
aborers and small farmers In the
country. The interest taken in local
government since The passage OF the
Salisbury ministry's reform act is
noticeable. County government in Ire
and has passed out of the hands OF the
Iarge landowners and IS now controlled
bv the tenant farmers. laborers and ar
flsans. and the nationahsts are now
responsible for local administration ard
taxation in all counties except those OF
the northern belt.
Please 10 tell me how long the Trans
vaaal Republic fought before for hide
pendence7
On April p 1877. the Transvaal was an
neXed by the British Government, against
WI en- in DECEMBER l>>J tn Boers took
up arIns. and a treaty Of peace was sign
cd March p. 1881
what VIII be the horsepower neces-
sary for the producing OF light for the
Paris exposition
AZ the Paris exposition OF 1853 the mo-
tive power was only $50 horsepower: IN
1867 626 horsepower; m 1873. $3.50 horse
power in 1850. $500 horsepower: In 1900
# is thought that 2Oo0o horsepower may
be needed.
want 20 know % which Is the Oldest
college IN the United States. and CD
which IS the oder. Yale or Princeton?
Harvard University is the oldest insti-
ton 90 learning N ne United states.
aud dates from October .. 1895 Yale's
charter IS dated October 9. 1901. and
Prlnceton's first charter was obtained IN
li40
Does Germany subsidize any steam
snip lines,
Yes. she has done so for several years
and Is now banning 20 enlarge this Gus
tom 20 include steamships 10 ply regular
~ between Germany and both the east
and west coasts OF Africa. Germsny's
trade with Cape Colony and the Trans
vaai has been materially increasing. and
she plans 10 favor It's continued increase.
Please 20 rive data in brief concerning
the Olympia?
olympia. Date 1892: Admiral Dewsy's