The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-03
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

nitely to AK the date OF the song "Reu-
ben, Reuben, I'VE been thinking" I will
say that Il was borrowed from the min
streis, the same as everything else OF
value. to add to the farce comedies that
fiourished some time ago, with all the
minstrel items to prop up their 20 called
funny situations. Carncross and Dixey's
Ministries sang Reuben and Rachel" a
pair Of Quaker lovers as far back as
1s63.64, with the lines:
Father Abraham. I've been thinking
OF the many men you need.
Yes. I know. but We must get them.
30 the rebels will take heed"
In this version topical lines relating to
civil war incidents were introduced. The
same song was also called "Cncle Abe
and Sister Ruth" sung to the same mel.
ody or air. do not trust to defective
memory. but have the programmes with
date. That stops all argument. As another
proof I will mention that the melody Of
Reuben, Reuben. I've Been Thinking
10 over a hundred years old. II Is the
air Of "Biily Taylor" an old time nautical
ditty.
BILLY Taylor was q gay young fellow.
full or run ana tulI OF 9lee
And his heart Il did diskiver
To a lady fair and free"
This song Is introduced in a ourletta
by J. b. Blackstone called billy Taylor"
performed at the Adelphia Theatre. Lon
don. November 20, 1929. You may find It
In Cumberland's editions Of plays. The
same melody IL in the comic opera OF
"Blliee Taylor" produced In New York in
isSi.s2. Ask any old Englshman to sing
BILLY Taylor" and you will recognize
Reuben. Reuben. I've Been Thinking"
and my programmes Of is63-64 will show
the Quaker lovers singing the same song
under several titles. but always to the
same air and subject. slightly changed 10
suit local illusions. FRANK DrMoNr.
What Is the source Of cardar,om and
what are its uses? L. b. MASTERS.
A. a condiment Il Is Of rare employ.
ment in Occidental cookery. but In the
Orient II plays a large part, for in the
colder climates spices are exotic and few
understand the important function they
perform in the processes OF digestion. The
cardamom 10 q product of the East In.
dies. the underground stalk and the seed
Of plant allied with the ginger The
trade name Of Maiabar cardamom de
notes the chips Of the underground stalk
The cardamom seeds are classed In com
merce as shorts short.longs and long
longs Cardamom seeds have a medcna
value as a carminative. In use for con
diment purposes cardamom pairs will
asafetida. for the two ingredients are sci
dom used apart. and asafetlda always re
? Quires cardAmom to bring out It's eff
cheney the two are among the most es
, scntial ingredients of curry and of IN
true chutney. The lack OF cardamom an
asafetida 10 largely responsible for tn
fact that the American condiments fail @
appeal to the gastronome. for there
an unpleasant rawness Of flavor abou
the tomato. which forms the base OF ca,
sups and chill sauce.
What In, or are, the Chiltern Hundred
used, ! believe. solely in the British Pa
lament to designate . discredted men
Der? J. r. r.
There II no smack Of discredit about II
Chiltern Hundreds. II Is no more. than
fiction OF law. In the constitution Of Il
House Of Commons no provision has bee
made by which member can resg
This accords with the theory that a men
Der entirely apart from the vote of h
constituents Is summoned by warrant
his sovereign and may not decline q
duty There is "A provision that al
member who accepts position of hon'
and profit" under the Crown vacates
seat. The Chiltern Hundreds are thr
villages In Buckinghamshire. Stoke. Bur
ham and Desborough. The Steward OF &
Chiltern Hundreds was an officer OF t
Crown appointed to protect the villag
from the masterless men who Issued fro
the beech forests to pllage the farm
The office is in the patronage OF the Cha
ck cellor Of the Exchequer and pays saia
Of 20 shillings and fees. \ retiring mel
Der accepts this stewardship. the
sh,llings profit automatically vacates
seat. then he resigns the stewardship a
the way Is open for the next member W
wishes to leave Parliament. An ent'
taining volume on the history OF the CT
tern Hundreds and the Parliaments
custom has been written by Foster 'L'
don. lssO.
A long time ago--ls19 or 1880
poem appeared IA THE SUNDAY SIN CIR
tied to Helen Barron Rostwick In
en-. Free Religious Index" Can you tell
who she Was and of what denominat
this Free Religious Index VAS The 20
- began:
when human being dies,
Seeming scarce so good wise.
Scarce so high In scale OF mind,
As the horse he left behind,
10! We cry the heeting spirit
Doth a newer garb inherit
Through eternity doth soar
Growing-greatening evermore
cannot quote accurately beyond
line. although I recall the sense OF
remaining lines. Their intlmation Is
>. animals have souls AS we'll as men.
cent for the above appearance In
SUN / have not encountered any proc
,,or NJ the author ].
The only record OF her work app
lin connection with the publication
Little Dandelion" In Burton Stevens
!, "Home Book Of Verse" II gives the
ue of her birth as 1926. The theme cite
the foregoing extract IL based on
sage In the railroads.&c. book Of Fec
astes.