Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-02
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

1888, was the most remarkable ever
recorded.
Q. Has diet any effect on the singing
voice?-W. w.
A. Musical America says, "only in
SO far as it affects the health generally"
Q. How long was the first wall
around the city of Jerusalem?-S. w. ].
A. There is much controversy as to
the exact dimensions of the ancient
wall of Jerusalem. The modern wall,
which followed as closely as possible the
ancient wall, had circuit Of 2la miles,
with an average height of IS feet, with
IS towers and 8 gates Zone of which was
walled up).
g; How old is cosima wagner7-
| A. Cosina Wagner will be 90 If she
lives until Christmas day.
@. When new officers are elected In
social organizations who installs them?
RI. E. K.
A. It is becoming increasingly popu-
lar in social organizations to have NOM
mated what is known as the officer of
! the day, whose duty it shall be to pre-
| side over the transfer of business from
an old to new administration and to
| conduct the necessary inaugural cere-
monies. Where this plan is not fol-
lowed, it is customary for the outgoing
president to transfer the tokens of his
authority to the new president and for
the new president then to proceed to
inaugurate the other officers.
Q. When were bacteria discovered?-
w. r. M.
A. Their discovery might be traced
to the middle Of the seventeenth cen
fury, at which time Antony Van Leeu-
wenhoek. a Holland lens grinder, In
vented the microscope. In 1888 he re-
| ported the presence of minute organ
isms to the Royal Society of London.
@. What is the origin of the loving
| cup?-P. j.
A. To the custom of drinking healths
Is traced the origin of the loving cup.
Edward the Martyr, who came to the
throne of England in CTS, was hunting
| March 10, 978 in Dorset Forest.
Nearby was Corfe Castle, the home Of
Elfrida. The King rode, unattended. to
her castle, was greeted affectionately by
the Queen. and engaged in converse
ton with her. The Queen invited Ed
ward to dismount. He refused. The
! Queen then, with her own hands. Of
fered Edward cup Of wine. and while
| he was drinking caused him to be
stabbed in the back. Edward died Of
his wounds. This event. We are led to
| believe, gave rise to form Of health
drinking. Throughout England it was
customary to pass one large cup at par
ties or dinners. Each person to receive
the cup rose and drank from 1t. The
man beside him rose also as his pledge"
to protect him from being stabbed in
the back, as was the Martyr Edward"
This was known as drinking health.
| The cup which went the rounds Of the
table came to be known as the loving
cup.
@. May any one make copies Of the
paintings of VelasqueZ at the Museo del
Prado in Madrid and bring the copies
back to the United States?-M. S.
A. The Spanish embassy says that
one will encounter no difficulty in the
carrying out of his desire to make copies
of the paintings of the Museo del Prado,
since he has only to state his request to
the museum as matter of form when
he presents himself there. In like
manner he will experience no trouble
in taking out of Spain any such copies
and other canvases which he may have
painted.
@. How much does it cost the Gov
eminent to put boy through
Annapolis?-W. B.
A. It costs between S11 900 and Sl2-
900 to graduate midshipman from the
Naval Academy.