Evening star., 1940-05-21
Answers
To Questions
BY Frederic J. Hdskt1.

A reader can get the anstper TO anp
questions OF fact by writsng Tbs Ere-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred.
eric J. Hdskin, director, Washington.
d. c. Please tnclose stamp for reply.
@. What is the largest diamond ever
discovered in this country?-H. X. 8.
A. Science Digest says that the largest
diamond found In the United States was
uncovered by laborer in 1855 at Nam
chester, on the James River, opposite
Richmond, Va. It weighed "A carats.
half Of which was lost in cutting.
Q. When did Calvin Coolidge say II
do not choose to run"?-A. L.
A. On August 2, 1927, at his summer
White House in the Black Hills Of South
Dakota, President Coolidge said, IT do
not choose to run for President IN 1927
@. How large was the Graf spee9-
J.E.
A. The Graf Spec was = lo,ooo-ton
pocket battleship.
@. Which is larger, Houston or Dallas.
Tex.?-A. S.
A. On January /, 1888, the population
OF Houston, Tex, was estimated at $780,.
600 and that Of Dallas at 100000.
@. What was the mischianza?-M.
T. H.
A. The Mischianza (also spelled
Meschianza) was the complimentary fes-
tival given to Gen. Howe by the British
soldiers in Philadelphia May ls, 177s.
before his departure for England. The
name Mischianza Qtalian for "medleyD
was chosen because of the variety of the
entertainment. The fete included an
elaborate regatta, a tournament, a ban.
quet and ball arranged by Maj John
Andre. The spectacle was an over
powering demonstration of the artistic
resources of the British camp.
O. Under what circumstances was the
hymn Rock of Ages" composed?-G. S.
A. According to Julians Dictionary
OF Hymnology,' the hymn was probably
written about ITS by Augustus Topladv.
Walking along an English coast town.
near the sea, he was caught in terrific
storm which threatened to dash him over
the cliff. He found refuge in the side Of
the wall in great cleft rock and com.
posed the hymn, which has proved one
OF the best loved of all time.
@. When were the first Boys camps
established?-F. T. D.
A. Porter Sergents Summer Camp
Guide" says: Charitable and social or
ganizations early took up the summer
camp idea. Life's Fresh Air Fund since
1887 has provided short farm vacations
for boys and girls But the Y. M. C. A,
boasts the Oldest existing camp. It's
Camp Dudley has been on its present site
since 1891, although Sumner Dudley had
taken boys camping as early as 1885,"
@. Who plays the part Of Horace in
the radio program big Sister"?-R. EFT.
A. The role is played by Oscar Polk, a
well-known Negro actor.
@. Please give the origin of the express
sion Tell 1t to the marines"-L. M. ],
A. Pepys' Diary records that Charles
II said: Mr.. Pepys, from the very nature
OF their calling, no class of our subjects
can have so wide knowledge of seas
and lands as the officers and men OF our
royal maritime regiment. Henceforth,
whenever we cast doubt upon tale that
lacketh likelihood We will tell It to the
marines. If they believe it, 1t is safe to
say 1t is true" The tale that had tested
the Kings credulity was one about flying
fish, which his colonel of marines assured
him was true
@. When did Harry K. Thaw marry
Evelyn Nesbit?-E. A.
A. They were married in Pittsburgh
on April S, 1905.
Q. What is the life span of a goldfish1
IT. w.
A. Goldfish may live as long as 30
years.
Q. Please give examples Of hackneyed.
stereotyped and trite expressions,-H.
T. s.
A. These adjectives apply to idioms
and expressions which repeated use has
made ineffective; as the fair sex, the
light fantastic toe, fit as a fiddle, sadder
but wiser, sigh of relief, last but not
least, wended their way, doomed to de-
struction, intestinal fortitude, favor with
a selection and herculian efforts.
@. Where was John Nicholas limerick.
associate of John Jacob Astor, buried?-
D. M.
A. John Nicholas limerick died on De.
cember 16, 1916, and was buried at Ebern
Church in New York City.
@. What officials are empowered to call
out the National Guards?-V. L.
A. Either the President of the United
States or the Governor of State has
the power to call out the National
Guard.
@. How long have artificial legs been
used?-J. H.. M
A. In the museum of the Royal COL
lege Of Surgeons in London there is an
artificial leg exhumed from tomb at
Capu, Italy, in the year 800 BIC.
@. What was the st. Valentines Day
massacre?-T. C.
A. On February IA, 1929, seven Chi
cago gangsters, members of the George
Bugs) Moran gang, were trapped In q
on "a Uo nv, NorfI, N1ork s&rnn% hxr