Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-10-04
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

any question by writing Every Evening
kin Director, Washington, -. 9. This
offer applies strictly 10 information. The
bureau cannot give advice on legal
not not attempt 10 settle domestic troubles
nor to under take exhaustive research
on any subject. Write your questions
plainly aud briefly Give fall name and and
for return postage. Al replies are sent
direct 70 the inquirer
q. How long did II take Noah TO
build the Arl<7
A. There is no actual data as to the
time it took Noah to build the Ark,
but Professor James Orr, editor-in-
chief OF the international Bible Fn-
cyclopedia, estimates the time at 100
years.
q. Is there any American author
of renown whose works were not pub
llshed until after his death7 r. u. y.
A. Perhaps Henry ID. Thoreau Of
Concord Mass. who died IN 1869,
comes nearest to answering this dca-
cription. He published but two books
while alive. both at his own expense.
one OF them had a moderate circula-
tion, the other almost none. All his
life he kept o journal. and all of this
has subsequently been published. 50
that his works now total about 80 vol
umes, all OF which are in print and in
demand.
q. Can a parcel sent TO France by
mail be insured2 y. J. w.
A. The Postoffice Department says
that, according 10 the latest reports
from local authorities in France
parcels sent 20 France cannot be reg.
istered or insured.
@. Can you tell me the size Of the
largest gold nuggets found in Cali
fornia7 s. r. S.
A. The National Museum says that
according to its records. the larges
California gold nugget was found II
the Monumental Claim in sierr,
County and weighed / 59s troy ounces
q. What Is the meaning and origil
Of the stripes and stars on a sailor
blouse. and why does he wear a blacl
necktie? $. G.
A. The Navy Department says tina
the three white stripes on sailor
blouse represent the three battles i
which Nelson's fleet was so notabl
engaged THAT Is, the bates Of IRA
falgar, the Nile and Copenhagen. Th
black tie was originally worn b
British sailors in memory of Nelso
at the time Of his death. The star
worn ON a sailors collar and III
stripes on an officers sleeve were ais
originally used by the British Nav
and adopted in a somewhat modife
form 10y the American Navy. The re
strips Indicate the length Of service {
!, the enlisted man.
! q. Was the American stoamshi
r Savannah. which is often cited as hay
! ing initiated transatlantic steamshi
|. service. really a sailing vessel wit
= auxiliary engines? A. A.
n A. The Navy Department says thu
= the steamship Savannah used sails {
3 we'll as engines. The actual voyal
Z from land TO land consumed % day
o but there were only IA days wht
the engines we're used.
% @. Is II true that great land'
e estates and castles in England m;
n now be bought cheap2 r. Nick.
Is A. II is true that many Of Il
= great historical English estates, whi'
ir could not have been purchased T
Ie any money before the war, may no
d be had at surprisingly low prices, b
ot cause their titled owners cannot a
ford 10 keep them. One corresponds
II says that some OF these estates mi
"a be purchased for less than II original
n cost to stock them with game. Ma
TO Of them are being bought by wealtl
e. Americans.