Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-23
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

@. Where is the largest bell in the
world?-C. n. L.
A. The Bourbon at Moscow Cathe-
| dral. The Great Bourbon, soon to be
installed in the Victory Tower OF the
Parliament Buildings at Ottawa, On
tario, is the second largest in the
world and the largest on this CONT
nent. 1t weighs 10 tons. The upper
rim Of the Great Bourbon Is encircled
with maple leaves and bears the in
scription in English and in French:
'"This carlton was installed by the
authority Of Parliament to commemo-
rate the peace of 1918 and to keep in
remembrance the service and sacrifice
of Canada in the Great War. Ammo
Domini MCMXXVI." Entirely encir-
cling the lower rim Is the text, GLORY
to God in the highest, and on earth
peace, good will towards men. st.
Luke's Gospel, chapter ii. verse Ia"
O. Where is the Little Brown Church
in the Wildwood?-R. A. G.
A. We have had varying inforn1a-
ton on this. One authority states
that it is located at Nashua, Iowa.
Another says that what is now known
as the Little Brown Church in the
Wildwood" or the Little Brown
| Church in the Vale" is an undenomina-
tional church of the air. This apparent
ly means the service which is conduct.
ed in the Hotel Sherman studio OF
Radio Station WIS, Chicago, every
Sunday evening from to O'CLOCK.
central standard time. The service
has been broadcast regularly from
WIS for several years. 1t Is In
charge of Anthony Wons, lay pastor
@. What kind of apparatus was
used to raise and lower the dra"
bridges and portcullises Of medieval
times?-T. c.. NJ.
A. The portcullis was hung so as to
slide up and down in grooves with
counterbalances. They were made or
strong framed grating Of oaks. the
| lower points shod with iron. Some
times they were made entirely of
metal The drawbridge was raised
by chains and CONFERENCE.-The attached
to levers projecting from the wall at
a proper distance above it. The levers
were elevated by heavy weights at
tached to their inner eXtremities, the
wlall forming the tulcrum.
@. Why do so many Jewish names
consist in part of the terms "gold."
SILVER" etc. ?-D. D. M.
A. Until about the Middle Ages the
majority of Jews had no surnames.
In Austria an order of 1887 compelled
the resident Jews to adopt surnames.
Their choice was restricted and the
names taken were mainly biblical.
Similar DEGREES were issued by Ma
poleon July 20, 1903. and other Euro
pean countries. This naturally led to
the creation Of many artificial sur
names, designating characteristics of
the individuals, their trades, habits.
etc.
Q. What is the width of the Detroit
River?-W. L. d.
A. The width of the Detroit River
at its head is about q Of mile; at its
mouth, about 81 miles.
Q. What city in this country has
the largest union railway station?-
M. d. H.
A. The Chicago Union Station Is
the largest in the United States.
@. Is it possible for a sailboat or
an iceboat to travel at greater rate
of speed than the wind Is blowing?-
| A. L.
A. If the helm of the boat does not
run directly with the wind, but at an
angle to it, say of 80 degrees. the sails
can be so trimmed as to give a com
ponent Of velocity at right angles tC