Evening star., 1940-03-25
Huskin's Answers
To Readers Questions
By Frederic J. Hdsktn.


question OF fact by tcrtttng The Ere-
ming Star Information Bureau. Fred
eric J. Hdskin. director. Washington,
D. c. Please inclose stamp for reply.
@. What language is spoken the most
rapidly?-D. j. s.
A. Science Digest says: "A philologist
who has been investigating the speed
at which various languages are spoken
reports that French is the most rapid
language in the world-with $50 syuables
minute. Japanese comes next With $40
syllables per minute and then German
with $50. English is, comparatively, a
slow drawl with only 22O syllables
minute"
@. How many people in the United
States use electricity?-J. E. NJ
A. According to the Electric Division
Of the Department Of Commerce. elec-
trio light customers, as of December,
1899. totaled 2s,750,000 for all classes of
service.
@. For whom Is Mount Rushmore In
South Dakota named?-W. B.
A. The site of the great national me-
mortal is named IN honor of Charles E.
Rushmore, New York mining engineer.
@. What kind Of piano is used in the
White House?-I. B. T.
A. There are two Steinway grand
pianos in the White House.
@. Please give the names of some IA
nous swords in literature.-M. M. r.
A. A few Of the most noteworthy are
as follows: Joyeuse, one of Charlemagne's
swords; Philippan, the sword of Antony;
Gram, one of the swords of Seigfried;
Excalibur, the sword of King Arthur;
Glorious, divers sword; Curtana, the
blunted sword of Edward the Confessor;
Colada, the Cid's sword; Arondight, the
sword Of Launcelot of the Lake, and
Zuf1agar, Ais sword.
@. When was our national debt the
highest previous to this administration?
M. S.
A. The public debt of the United
States was at its peak on August 81, 1919,
when 1t amounted to 6,5e6 701, ,s4s.
@. Has there been frost at Frostproof,
Fla, this winter?-H. T. P.
A. The United States Weather Bureau
says that during January, 1910, Frost
proof reported minimum temperatures
of % degrees on both January % and 20.
Frost is observed at this place nearly
every winter.
@. Who are the members of the For
eign Advisory Committee of the Book-of-
the-Month Club?-C. N.
| A. This committee consists of H. G.
Wells Andre Maurois and Thomas Mann.
@. Did Andrew Jackson bequeath the
Hermitage to his adopted son?-S L. M.
A. Andrew Jackson left the Hermitage
| to his adopted son, Andrew Jackson, jr
Unfortunately he had bad luck in man
aging it and finally was forced to sell it
| to the State in 1885, He removed to
Mississippi, but later was asked to re-
turn to the Hermitage as its custodian
| In April, 1865, while hunting, he shot
himself accidentally and died the next
day.
@. Please give some information about
the tragic voyage Of Richard Halliburton,
the writer.-L. j.
A. Richard Halliburton and his crew
left Hong Kong in Chinese Junk, Sea
Dragon, on March 4, 1899. Navigators
believe that Halliburton and his crew of
| IA died somewhere east of Midway Is
| 1oyoH v1hoy, bai i,,y obj t,,
typhoon. Nineteen days out of Hong
Kong he reported squall. No other
message was ever received. On October
4, 1899, a jury hearing suit involving
Halliburtons insurance decided the junk
went down in a typhoon carrying Mr.
Halliburton to his death on March %
or a.
@. Why is self-indulgent person re-
ferred to as a Sybarite?-T. B.
A. The inhabitants Of Sybaris, in South
Italy. were proverbial for their luxurious
living and self-indulgence. tale is told
by Seneca Of a Sybarite who could not
rest comfortably because a rose leaf
doubled under him.
| @. Who was the captain of Napoleon
Bonaparte's bodyguard?-E. C. L.
| A. Gen. Duroc, Due de Friul, was
made grand marshal of the palace by
Napoleon in 1904 This office included
constant attendance on Napoleon and
responsibility for his safety. Duroc, with
Caulaincourt, master of the horse, al
ways accompanied the Emperor on his
rides or drives and at other times re-
manned near and subject to call
@. How many destitute men are cared
for at st. Christopher's Inn at Garrison,
! N. Y.?-D. M.
A. The Franciscan Friars of the Atone
ment at Garymoor Monastery since Its
establishment in 1899 have cared for
several hundred thousand men of all
creeds, conditions and professions. The
men who apply for help are asked only
two questions by the Brothers Christo-
pher: Their names and the name Of a
relative to be notified in the event of
sickness or death. Within the past 10
years 100000 free meals and nearly
100000 lodgings have been provided for
the destitute. These men are given work
at the monastery during their stay and
each receives the equivalent of 10 cents a
day IN tobacco or CANDY in addition tn