Evening star., 1939-01-09
Answers
To Questions
By Frederic J. Hdski7,.

BY Frederic J. Hasktn.
A reader can get the ansper to any
question OF fact by ,Driting The Epe.
ming Star Information Bureau. Fred.
eric J. Hasktn, Director. Washington.
D. c. Please tnclose stamp for reply.
@. How many horse races are run In
this country?-L. s. w.
A. In 1888. approximately $4,000 races
were run.
@. What were the earliest war medals?
H. r. F.
A. Josephus in Antiquities Of the
Jews" states that in the Sd century BIC.
Jonathan, the high priest, successfully
led the Jews in battle thereby aiding
Alexander, who sent Jonathan as an
honorary reward a golden button. Later
Jonathan received another golden but
ton for similar service. The honorary
rewards were the earliest form Of medal
to commemorate war service.
@. How far above the ground should
thermometer be hung?-E. L. B.
A. 1t should be placed about feet
above the surface.
@. How many Negroes served In the
World War?-J. T. F.
A. Over $4,000 Negro soldiers partici-
pated In the World War In the United
States military forces. Nearly one-half
of that number went overseas.
@. What is the origin of the famous
thorn bush at Glastonbury Cathedral?-
A. U.
A. According to tradition the famous
thorn at Glastonbury Cathedral was
brought and planted there by Joseph of
Arimathea, and was part of the crown
of thorns which was pressed upon the
brow of Christ. According to tradition
1t blooms at Christmastime and the pos
session of a piece is said to insure good
fortune through the year. There Is also
a slip which has grown from gift from
Glastonbury, at the Cathedral of Saints
Peter and Paul, now building in Wash
ington, D. c.
@. When was Broadway in New York
City given its name?-R. T.
A. The first mention of Broadway was
in 1643 when land transfer is recorded
as located on that thoroughfare. The
name was derived from the thorough
fare being broad way in the same man.
ner that highway received its appellation.
The Romans elevated all their roads
above the adjacent land to drain off the
water, hence highway is higher and a
broadway is broader than lane.
O. How long has the greyhound been
knoWn?-J. G. K
A. From ancient Egyptian monuments
| 1t is known to have existed several
thousand years before Christ.
@. Please give some information about
the French doctor, Nostradamus, who
made many prophecies that came true
K. H. M.
| A. Nostradamus was the assumed
name of Michel de Notredame, a French
astrologer OF Jewish origin, who was
born in 1903. After studying humanity
and philosophy at Avignon, he took his
medical degree at Montpelier In 1529
He acquired great distinction by hts Ia
bors during outbreaks Of the plague. In
1855 he published book Of rhymed
| prophecies which attracted the attention
of Catherine de- Medici and in 1858 he
published an enlarged edition dedicated
to the king. The fulfillment of many of
his predictions increased his influence
and Charles TX named him physician in
ordinary.
@. What is courting mirror?-E B.
A. This was small wood-framed mir
ror, usually pine, with picture over tho
glass. 1t was conventional courting
gift in America in the 18th century.
O.. What is the worlds greatest cotton
port?-K. j. H.
A. New Orleans, La.