Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-28
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

Q. What color was originally worn
by Danish kings. queens and princes?
w. O. S.
A. Scarlet.
@. When were schools for training
teachers first established?-J. L.
A. The first genuine effort for the
professional training of teachers un-
dertaken in the world was undoubted.
ly by Jean Baptiste de la Sale at
Reims In 1881. At the beginning of
the nineteenth century the develop
ment of institutions to train teachers
took on a new life and the Prussian
system of normal schools was firmly
established. Six normal schools had
been organized In that country. II
was about this time that the subject
of preparing teachers for public
schools began to receive attention In
America.
q. Should furs ever be aired In the
sun before storing away for the Win
ter?-C. Med.
A. Furriers say that furs should al
ways be kept away from the sun
@. Is it still possible to see Sher.
wood Forest of Robin Hood fame?-
G. v. r.
A. Sherwood Forest was an ancient
forest In the west of Nottinghamshire
England. in billy district between
Nottingham and Worksop. The tract
covered about 200 square miles and
was formerly a royal forest, famous
as the scene OF the exploits Of Robin
Hood. Only a small portion of the
forest, near Rotterdam, still remains.
The rest Of the country 1t once Gov.
cred is now occupied by country seats
and private parks. and Is for the most
part bare of trees.
@. How long have the King and
Queen Of Belgium been married.
III. s. D.
A. Albert, now King of the Bel
CLANS. married the Duchess Elizabeth
OF Bavaria. October 2. 1900.
Q. Who posed for the canvas known
as "Pinkie"?-N. A.
A. The model was Mary Moulton
Barrett. later the aunt of Elizabeth
Barrett Browning. The artist Is the
famous Sir Thomas Lawrence.
Q. When was Fort Lorenzo in Pana.
ma constructed and when destroyed
c. p. G..
A. Fort Lorenzo. at the mouth of
the Chagres River, was erected by
Juan Antonelli by the order of Philip
IL or Spain. around the year 1886. 1t
was destroyed by Sir Henry John Nor
gan and his band of buccaneers about
the LIST of March. 1911.
Q. 1 have read directions recently
for washing clothing in gasoline by
means or electric washing machines.
Wouldn't this be dangerously. NJ.
A. Gasoline generates it's own spark
OF fire through friction, such as that
caused by washing in a machine, and
even though there is no other flame
produced, the machine, the cleaning
fluids and the garments are quite
capable in themselves of causing a
terrific explosion. The press records
such accidents almost daily.
Q. Are the Masons of Great Britain
projecting Masonic memorial build
ing similar to the one now building at
Alexandria, Va.?-E. T. r.
A. The foundation stone of the Ma
sonic Memorial Building to be erected
in Great Queen street, London, will
proximately FL, 900, 900 will be required
for the building, of which $500, 900 has
already been subscribed.
@. Who was the last secretary of
war Of the Confederacy?-D. r.
A. Gen. j. c. Breckenridge.
Q. Is there a playground for chill
dren built In tiers?-D. L.
A. We know Of none in actual op-
Grafton. New York is to begin the
construction Of a special sort of play
ground adapted to the peculiar con-
ditiOnS of population congestion in
that city. This playground, which is
to be six stories high, will be built in
the form of five terraces, with open
air ramps leading to each level. Al
together there will be over 100, 900
square feet of open-air play space and
about $4,000 square feet of indoor
space. 1t will contain an auditorium,
dance hall, swimming pool, gymna-
SUM and bowling alleys. while the
little children will have swings, see.
saws and other playground equip
ment.
@. Is it true that the humming
bird is found only in America? And
is it the only bird that can move back
ward when in flight? Is it enabled to
remain in a stationary position while
in the air?-F. s.
A. The humming bird Is found only
on the American continent. 1t is close
ly allied to the swift, and there are
several hundred species native from
~ Ill., A