News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1915-02-17

| Query and NNkA
| Reply, - .lez,ey1 s
! Department
How did the name Mrs. erundy come
to be used as a symbol of society world
gossip or town talk? Was there such
a person?
The name appeared for the first time
in a play entitled, Speed the Plough"
( by Thomas Morton, an English dram
atist Q764-1S3S). The play was pro-
duced in 1888, and one of the charac-
tiers, Dame Ashfeld, continually refers
to what her neighbor, Mrs. Grundy,
will say about this or that. Mrs. Grun-
dy does not appear in the play, but is
kind of Mrs. Harris to Dame Ash
field.
(1) Did the custom of wearing wigs
and gowns by judges ever prevail in
this country? ~ Does it still prevail
in England? ~ What is the death
cap?
The custom originated in England at
quite an early day and probably pre-
vailed in this country in colonial times,
though we do not recall any mention
of the fact The justices of the United
| States supreme court always wear a
long black silk robe when on the
| bench, and judges of some state courts
| also wear robes. All judges in England
| when on the bench wear loose robe
and wig. The lord chancellor when in
| the house of lords and sitting on APP
peals wears black silk gown with
train over q black cloth court suit and
what is called a full bottomed wig.
The cap is part Of the judicial uniform,
but is usually carried in the hand and
only worn when judge is passing
sentence of death.
What is meant by blind pool in
stock dealings?
1t is when several individuals, firms
or corporations place their interests in
particular investment or transaction
in the hands and control of one of the
number to manage for the rest of a
stated period. according to the terms
of the original agreement
What is the law in regard to an
American eXpatriating himself?
1t provides that any American citi-
zen shall be deemed to have eXpatriat-
ed himself when he has been natural
lied in any foreign state in conformity
with its laws, or when he has taken an
oath of allegiance to any foreign state.
When any naturalized citizen shall
have resided for two years in the for
eign state from which he came or for
five years in any other foreign state it
shall be presumed that he has ceased
to be an American citizen, and the
place Of his general abode shall be
deemed his place of residence during
said years, provided, however, that
such presumption may be overcomeson
the presentation of satisfactory evil
dence to a diplomatic or consular off,
Ger of the United States, under such
rules and regulations as the depart
ment of state may prescribe. And pro-
vided also that no American citizen
shall be allowed to eXpatriate himself
when his country is at war.
Were there any towns or cities set
on fire by beIIiserents in the war be-
tween the north and the south?
In the fall of 1864 incendiaries, sup
posed to be Confederate plotters, set
fire to the Astor House, Fifth avenue,
st. James, st. Nicholas and Metropol-
itan hotels, several smaller hostelries
and Barnum's museum, in New York.
About the same time Chambersburg,
Pa, was burned by Confederate raid
ers. Near the end of the war Rich
mond, Va, and Columbia, S. c., were
mysteriously set on fire during their
occupancy by Federal soldiers.
Please name last treaty of peace to
which the United States was a party,
as beIligerent.
Treaty Of peace between United.
States and Spain signed at Paris Dec.
10, 1898.
Can you give a sketch of the German
personal traits as known to
the intimates of his private life, to
those who see him in unguarded mo-
ments?
An Englishwoman who was attached
TO the palace household for many years
wrote as follows: Men often change
for the better or sometimes for the
worse when they retire from the pub
lie eye, but the emperor is much the
same everywhere; he has no special
reserves Of character for domestic con-
only. AT home he inspires
much the same charm that he does
abroad and sometimes the same irrita-
ton. Unexpected people, whimsical
people. are necessarily alternately irri-
tating and charming, just as their
moods happen to please or displease