The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-09
NOTES AND QUERIES.

NOTES AND QUERIES.
When was the battlcship Texas i,unchedi
T. P. H.
June 20, 1892.
When was the Erie Canal finished and .hss
was its original cost? T. r. n.
In 1925, at a cost Of 81. 500, 900.
What title is indicated by the letters tx o."
Knight OF the Garter.
! Was Aaron Burr ever tried for killing Hanil-
ton? d. H.. b.
He was indicted. but not tried.
What is meant by the Forbidden City of Pekini
A. L. NJ
The portion of the inner city. contain
ing the imperial residence.
Who was nominated for Vice President with
Douglas in 1860? l. r.
! Herscnel VespasiaH Johnson. Geor-
gian VINO had been United States Senator
from and Governor Of his State.
Who the mother Of Robert E Lcc1 D. R.
Anne Hill Carter, daughter Of Charles
Carter, Of Shirley, who resided on the
banks of the James River some twenty
miles below Richmond
What population Is necessary for the admission
of new State? 2. Where ia Sippu.s r.
There is no statutory limit g. NIppur
was sity of ancient BabylonIa, and COR
responded in location to the modern Nif-
for.
What is the coiorng substance in the litmn
paper so much used in laboratory tests? p.
1t is litmus, one of three coloring SUBJ
stances derived from certain lichens that
| grow on the rocks Of the Alps and other
| high mountains.
What was the greatest amount OF rain that
has ever fallen in one year in any part OF New
England during the last fifty years2 L. F.
! The highest recorded by the Govern
\ ment stations is-i2.2 inches, at New Lon
don, Conn.,. in 1894.
| Will you give recipe for an ink that will be
| invisible as used but that afterward will become
| visible? H.C.C.
| OF the scores of such preparations,
lemon juice seems to be the simplest To
render the writing visible, apply heat to
the paper.
"Hdt IHEIeuiefit 5ndli use WltE silver 10 MAKE
the proper background for a mirror? S. H. b.
The amalgam used on mirrors is COM
posed OF three parts quicksilver and one
part tin. but an inexperienced expert
menter is not likely to be successful In
mixing and applying it.
What causes the unsteainess in steam engines
that fywi-eels are meant to correct? SAT
A lack of constant equilibrium between
mr. n.d In Foot ors4r H.
amount of power consumed varies greatly
from time to time. and then there are
variations within the engine ITSELF
How far back do the Emperors or rulers of
China date? D.a
first ruler the first man, who. they declare,
chiseled himself out of chaos. Other
writer's are more modest. Coufucius te-
gins with 1852 B. C..
Is it within the Bankruptcy law to have a
banker adiudged an involuntary bankrupt
Yes; If he be private banker. National
banks and banks Incorporated under State
or Territorial laws are excepted.
Is there any method of making whitewash, or
OF putting it on, that it will not rub off?
FAIRBANKS.
The following method is aimed at the
result you want: Into the pail of lime
and water mixed for use. pour mixture
of half pint of -four and water that has
been thickened by the addition of little
boiling water. All should then be stirred
we'll together.
My potted ferns die though they have all the
care given to plants with which 1 am successful;
can you suggest reason! Mrs. L.
The delicacy Of the ferns is the cause
probably. II you will substitute for the
pots box whose top and sides are glass;
you'll likely be able to take pride in your
ferns. The air within the case will be
kept highly charged with moisture.
favoring condition.
How aldermen and mayors OF English cities
elected? II, II.
In London, citizens possessing the par
liamentary franchise elect twenty-six al
dermen, one to a ward. One of these is
then chosen as Lord Mayor. the voters
being liverymen, or freemen of the city
or guilds. In other cities the
mayor is chosen, with council by the
burgesses. and the council elects the
aldermen.
What are the comparative weight and value
Of gold and platinum? What is the latter used
for, and where is it found2 ~ W.
The specific gravity of gold is 1926. and
II platinum is 2I50, water being taken at
90. Pure gold is worth s20.6I an ounce,
about half as much, its price
Iarying greatly from time to time. Piati-
lum is used chiefly in dentistry iewelry.
electrical mechanisms. and in stills for the
manufacture of sulphuric acid. Russia is
he main source of supply, the Americas
md Australia furnishing a little.
What decides the apportionment Of Congress
men among the States2 .. What the cleo
orai vote in 1876? Should two candidates for
President receive the number OF votes.
would the receiving the greater popular vote
De elected? p.
An apportionment bill, for which each
ecennial census is taken as the basis. g.
'iiden. 1S4; Hayes. 1875. 3. Not nscessar-
y. In case no candidate has majority In
he Electoral College, the House OF Repre-
entatives, voting by States. chooses the
resident, voting only for the three can
idates having the highest electoral vote.
How Is the position of railway postal clerk
btained? 2. To whom shall | apply. 8. VIA.
ind OF an examination would / have to stand?
Mex
BY appointment after civil service ex-
,,,ip bo fret ctc 10 bo