TO INCORPORATE A VILLAGE. THOMASBORO, Ill., May 6, 1880. Let me know how many voters or how many inhab itants are necessary to incorporate a town.

A READER.

a popu

Answer.-Whenever any area of contiguous territory, not exceeding two square miles, shall haye resident therein lation of at least 300 inhabitants, and which territory is not included .within the limits of any incorporated town, village, or city, the same may become incorporated as a village. Any thirty legal voters resident within the limits of such proposed village may petition the County Judge to cause the question to be submitted to the legal voters of proposed village whether they will organize a village. If the territory shall be situated in more than one county, then the petition shall be addressed to the Judge of the County Court where most of the territory is situated. The petition shall contain a description of the lands intended to be embraced in the village, the number of inhabitants resident therein, and the name of such proposed village.

PRESIDENT'S CABINET.

ALEDO, Mercer Co., Ill., April 28, 1880. Give through your paper the names of the members of the President's Cabinet. A CONSTANT READER. Answer.-In answer to above, and one or two other inquiries, we give below the President's Cabinet:

Secretary of State-William M. Evarts.
Secretary of the Treasury-John Sherman.
Secretery of War-Alex. Ramsay.
Secretary of the Navy-R. W. Thompson.
Secretary of the Interior-Carl Schurz.
Postmaster General-Daniel M. Key.
Attorney General-Charles Devens.

BILL OF ATTAINDER AND EX-POST FACTO LAW.
PLOWBOY, Kan., April 15, 1880.
1. Please explain the "bill of attainder and ex-post
facto law" of our constitution? 2. Is the reverse side
of our national seal ever used, it so, when? 3. Is
there a standing appropriation from the National
Treasury, or from the funds of the Smithsonian Insti-
tution, from which school districts may obtain money
to start a library?
C. A. COREY.

Answer.-1. A bill of attainder is an act of the Legislature by which the punishment of death is inflicted upon a person for some crime, without any trial. An ex-post facto law is literally a law made after an act is done, or which has effect upon an act after it is done. But it here means a law that makes punishable as a crime an act which was not criminal when done. A law is also an ex-post facto law that increases the punishment of a crime after it has been committed. The passing of both of the above is prohibited. 2. There is no evidence that it was ever made, though a design for it was drawn. 3. We have never heard of such a fund.

KIRKE WHITE.

IONE, April 15, 1880. Please give biographical sketch of White Kirke. F. LEININGER. Answer.-Henry Kirke White, an English poet, was born at Nottingham in 1785. Having early distinguished himself in the modern languages, music, and the natural sciences, he made many contributions to the Monthly Mirror and other literary magazines. In 1803 he published a collection of poems, which, although severely criticised by the reviewers, was kindly received

friend. Having about this time received deep religious impressions, he entered St. John's College, to fit himself for the ministry. His delicate constitution proved insufficient for the severe mental strain imposed upon it, and in 1806 he died.

CONGRESS AND THE MASONIC ENCAMPMENT. WILTON CENTER, April 20, 1880. 1. What religion is it you spoke of sometime ago as being a universal religion, that covers all other relig ions? 2. Has Congress a right to appropriate money for the encampment of the Knights Templar that are to meet in Chicago in August? A. WRIGHT.

Answer.-1. We spoke of the Evangelical Alliance, which is an association composed of prominent men of nearly all the Christian churches. The object of the association is to advance the cause of Christianity in all countries irrespective of creeds. It is not a religions sect, but an association of Christian leaders. 2. Congress did not appropriate money to the coming Masonic encampment, but voted them the use of army tents.

DIVISION OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

GREENCASTLE, Sullivan County, Mo. 1. Can you inform me whether persons who are voters, but not landholders, can vote for the division of a school district? 2. Can one district attach a part of another district to their boundary without the consent of that district? E. L. JAMISON.

Answer.-All persons who are voters by the laws of Missouri, at general elections, are voters on such questions at school elections. 2. There appears to be two answers to this question, varied by the conditions. Chief Clerk R. F. Stevenson says, "Under section 7,023 of our law, lines cannot be changed without consent of a majority of the voters of each district interested, voting at the annual meeting. Under section 7,027 a case is presented where the lines may be changed without consent of the voters." See pages 19 and 26 of the "Counselor," by some authority.

"THE BOYS."

MONMOUTH, April 15, 1880. Who is meant in Dr. O. W. Holmes' poem entitled "The Boys," by the "Doctor," "Judge," "Speaker," "Mr. Mayor," "Member of Congress," "Reverend," "The Justice," "Squire," and "The Laughing Boy." RENA GIDDINGS.

Answer.-Dr. Holmes delivered the poem referred to above at the twenty-fifth anniversary of his classmates in Havard College. In the poem he addresses his classmates, many of whom had risen into public prominence as judges, doctors, Congressmen, mayors, etc., as if they were all boys of 20, just leaving college, as they had done twenty-five years before.

FORMS OF SALUTATION. PARSONS, Kan., April 19, 1880. What are the principal forms of salutation in use in the various nations of the earth? J. W. JAEN. Answer. Of the many forms of salutation, the custom of shaking hands is the most common among civilized nations. It undoubtedly comes from remote barbarism, when two men. meeting gave each other their weapon hands, as a security against treachery or sudden attack. On the European continent it is usual for men who are intimate friends to kiss one another, but this custom prevails only among ladies in this country and Great Britain. In the greater portion of Germany it is an act of politess to kiss the hand of a lady; but this privilege is allowed in Italy only to near relatives, while in Russia it is extended to kissing the fore

head. In the East and among the Slavic nations the character of salutations is quite different. The custom of throwing one's self upon the ground and kissing the feet of the monarch prevails among the Persians. In China an inferior upon horseback meeting & superior dismounts and waits till the latter has passed. In Japan the inferior removes his sandals when meeting his superior, crosses his hands by placing the right hand in the left sleeve, and with a slow rocking motion of his body, cries out, "Augh! Augh!" (Do not hurt me.) In Siam the inferior throws himself upon the ground before his superior, the latter sends forward one of his slaves to see whether the former has been eating anything, or carries with him any smell at all offensive. If he does, he is immediately kicked out without ceremony, but if not the attendant raises him up. In Ceylon the inferior on meeting a superior throws himself upon the ground. repeating the name and dignity of the latter, who appears to take little notice of the prostrate form as he passes it. Among some tribes of the American Indian the custom is to salute by rubbing noses together. This form is also common in the Friendly and Society Islands, where it is returned by each taking the hand of the other and rubbing it upon his own nose and mouth. The Moors of Morocco ride at full speed toward a stranger, as if they intended to run him down and, on arriving near, suddenly stop and fire a pistol over his head. In the Pelew Islands the inhabitants grasp either the hand or foot of the one they wish to salute, and rub their face against it. The Arabians shake hands six or eight times, but, if persons of distinction, they embrace and kiss several times, also kissing their own hand. Yemen persons of rank permit their fingers to be kissed, after a long refusal. In Turkey it is the custom to place the hands upon the breast, and bow to the person saluted. They are perhaps the most affectionate in Burmah, fancy the following: A gentleman meets a lady or another gentleman and applies his mouth and nose closely to their cheek and draws in the breath strongly, as if smelling a delightful perfume with both mouth and nose. Hence, instead of saying, "Give me a kiss," a Burmahan would say, "Give me a smell."

COMPULSORY EDUCATION.

DECATUR, Iowa. In what States are compulsory school laws enforced? Have they increased the per cent of attendance and decreased the per cent of ignorance, and to what extent? Has the per cent of crime been diminished? Where can I get statistics on the above ques*tions? A READER. Answer.-The States of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and several other States have adopted compulsory education laws, but only in Connecticut and the larger cities of New York and Boston, and possibly a few others, have any provisions been made to enforce the law. Here officers are appointed to see that all children of the required age attend school a certain portion of the year, and the effect has been manifest in an increased school attendance. In Wisconsin, where the law was only passed about two years ago, although no measures have been adopted by the State to enforce the law, except voluntary comoffered by neighbors, many superintendents report that

plaints

county

its

existence has had a wholesome effect in compelling an increased attendance in the common schools. The effect of compulsory education in the United States, owing to the above reasons, cannot be great outside of the State of Connerticut and the cities of New York and Boston. It being left in the other States for neighbors to enter complaint against each other, very few of them are sufficiently interested in the public welfare to incur the displeasure and anger of their neighbors. At the last meeting of the National Teachers' Association, at Lake Chautauqua, a committee of eminent educators was appointed to investigate exactly the points covered by our inquirer. This committee will make a full report at the next meeting in July at the same place, and if "Reader," and all those interested in compulsory education, will watch our educational columns, they will find this report duly given in full.

POSITION OF THE GULF STREAM.

QUASQUETON, Ga., April 17, 1880. I have heard it said that the Gulf Stream had changed its channel from the Banks of Newfoundland to several hundred miles further east, and that was the reason of our mild winters of late. Is this report true? and, if so, what effect would it produce on the climate? H.C. GRISWOLD.

Answer. As the position of the main flow of the currents is determined partly by the trend of the continents, their courses may have been different in former times from what they are now, provided the continents, or large portions of them, were sufficiently submerged. We think there has been no perceptible change in the flow of the Gulf Stream during man's knowledge of it. Geological research proves that it has not always been, however, in exactly its present channel.

EARLY REAPERS-LETITIA E. LANDON. 1. Where and when was the first reaping machine used in this country? 2. Give a short sketch of Miss Landon. E. M.

Answer.-1. The names of Adams, of New York; Ten Eyck, of New Jersey, and Lane, of Maine, are among the earliest connected with the inventions of harvesters in the United States. In 1833 Obed Hussey, of Cincinnati, patented a machine, to which he applied saw-toothed cutters and guards, and was at once put into practical operation. In 1837, July 12, a public exhibition of its operation occurred, under the Board of Trustees of the Maryiand Agricultural Society for the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and it gave great satisfaction. The machine during the same season cut in a satisfactory manner 180 acres of oats and barley on one farm in Maryland. In 1834 the McCormick reaper was invented. The practical use of selfrakes dates from the invention of W. H. Seymour, of New York, in 1851. Among the names of prominent inventors of improvements in mowers and harvesters are Manny, Wood, Ketchum, and Haines. 2. Letitia Elizabeth Landon, a popular English poet, was born in a suburb of London in 1802. She began to write verse at the early age of 13, and in 1820 became a contributor to the Literary Gazette under the signature of "L. E. L." These poetical efforts procured for her an extensive reputation and enabled her to support herself. The "Troubadours" and "Penance" are probably her best-known poems. Her writings are mostly of the sentimental and romantic character. In 1838 she married George Maclean, Governor of Cape Coast

Castle, Africa, where she went to reside. Her death, which occurred in 1839, is ascribed to prussic acid, which she was in the habit of taking as a medicine.

EUGENE ARAM.

RED OAK, Iowa, April 13, 1880. 1. Who was Eugene Aram? Please give a brief his tory. 2. Is the expense of dredging the harbor of Chicago paid by the government or by the city. E. P. HALL. Answer.-1. Eugene Aram was remarkable for his talents and acquirements, as well as his untimely end; was born in 1704, in Yorkshire, Eng. His father was a gardener, and while acting as his assistant, he studied mathematics and gave some attention to the languages. On marrying, he became a schoolmaster, and pursued his course of study with such diligence and success as to obtain a good knowledge of the Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Chaldee, Arabic, Welsh, and Irish languages. In 1759 he was tried for the murder of Daniel Clark, a shoemaker, of Knaresborough, and found guilty. At the time of trial he made an elaborate and able defense, but after his condemnation he confessed his guilt. the night before his execution he made an attempt to commit sucide by opening the veins of his arms, but he was discovered before he had bled to death, and the sentence of the law was carried into effect. The story of Eugene Aram forms the subject of one of Bulwer's novels. 2. Both contribute to the expense.

DIVISION FENCES.

On

ROCHESTER, Minn., April 19, 1880. 1. Please answer in the "Curiosity Shop" what is the law in regard to partition fences? Would a man be compelled to build a fence that would be of no use to him, if the case was carried to the highest court? 2. In your market reports, if a commodity is quoted one week and left out the next, is it supposed that the prices remain unchanged? M. L. DIBBLE.

Answer.-1. The law in Illinois reads: "Where two or more persons shall have lands adjoining, each of them shall make and maintain a just proportion of the division fence between them, except the owner of either of the adjoining lands shall choose to let such land lie open." The interpretation of the law is that in that case the land may be used as a common by the other party or parties. 2. Yes; it is done to give additional room to news. The markets are always inserted if there has been any change in them.

Answer.-It is a custom confined to the Eastern countries. and notably to the city of London, in which city it simply consists in this: When the corporation have decided to confer the honor upon any distinguished individual, he is notified in the old-foshioned way, by the City Chamberlain, to appear in the common hall before the city fathers on a certain date, where he is inet by the Mayor and the Councilors. The City Chamberlain then informs him that the city has decided to confer upon him the rights of a free citizen, and makes an address, usually applauditory of the special service or merit of the individual. He is then handed a small slip of parchment,

him forever, the right to live and trade within the city, without having to pay a tax on the goods as they are brought through the gates. It exempts them from military and naval service, and tolls and duties throughout the United Kingdom. It insures to his children the care of the Chamberlain, who, in case they are left orphans, takes charge of their property and administers it in their interests until they arrive at years of maturity. The parchment bears the seal and signature of the Lord Mayor and Chamberlain, and is generally ornamented with ribbons and illuminated. It is always inclosed in a long. thin gold box, and is intended, of course, as an heirloom. The freedom of the city of Dublin. we believe, includes essentially the

en

same privileges. The gold casket in which the freedom of the city is given, is often very beautiful and costly. The one given General Grant by the city of London was of the cinque-cento style, oblong, the corners mounted by American eagles, and beautifully decorated. On the reverse side is a view of the trance to the Guild Hall, with an appropriate inscription. At the ends are two figures, also in gold, finely modeled and chased, representing the city of London and the United States, and bearing their respective shields, in enamel. At the corners are double columns, laurel-wreathed with corn and cotton, and on the cover a cornucopia, emblematic of the fertility and prosperity of the United States. The rose, shamrock, and thistle are also introduced. The cover is surmounted by the arms of the city of London. The casket is supported by American eagles, modeled and chased in gold, the whole standing on a velvet plinth, decorated with stars and stripes. The casket in which the freedom of Dublin was given Captain Potter was of handsome dogwood.

THE JESUITS. FREDERICKSBURG, Iowa, April 10, 1880. Tell us something about the Jesuits. ELLA D. HOWE. Answer.-They are a religious order under the Roman Catholic Church, founded by IgnatiusLayola and established by Pope Paul III. in 1540. The priestly office was conferred upon them in full as regards their power, but not with all its duties and restrictions. Their dress and manners were very similar to the people of the world, and they partook freely of its sociability.. Only men of decided talents and rare energy were able to reach the highest ranks, and their moral training was perfect. They were under the command of a general, who sometimes worked with the Pope and sometimes not, and so perfect was the management that the Jesuits exercised great influence in the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries, At the celebra-tion of their first centennial jubilee, there were 13,112 in members thirty-two provinces; at the time of its suppression another century later, there 22,589 members, and nearly 1,000 colleges and seminaries. On July 21, 1773, a papal bull dissolved the whole order, and their property was confiscated, but in most countries they received annuities and were permitted to live as private persons. Pope Pius VII. restored the entire order

were

guarantees to the holder and his children after

then the Jesuits have acquired considerable

power, especially as missionaries, but their character is entirely changed. Science was once its weapon, now it appeals to ignorance. Pope Pius IX. was a friend to them, and they did all in their power to increase his dominions and strength, but the present Pope is opposed to them. Last year his seclusion in the Vatican was said to be on account of his fear of assassination by them. They are again growing into disfavor, and the government of France has decreed that they must leave that country how in a few months.

DEGREES-JOHN C. FREMONT.

KILBOURN CITY, Wis., April 20, 1880. 1. Give lengths of a degree in statute miles on the following parallels: North latitude 20 degrees, 30 degrees, 40 degrees, 50 degrees. Am unable to secure the exact distance. 2. Give a sketch of the life of Colonel J. C. Fremont. L. A. MURRAY.

In

Answer.-1. The length of a degree of longitude is at the equator 69.16 statute miles; at latitude 20 degrees, 65.015 miles; at latitude 30 degrees, 59.944; at 40 degrees, 53.053 miles, and at 50 degrees, 44.342 miles. 2. John C. Fremont, the "Pathfinder" of the Rocky Mountains, was born at Savannah, Ga., in 1813. He became the professor in mathematics in the navy about 1835, but he soon resigned that position, and joined an exploring party to visit the upper portion of the Mississippi Valley. 1841 he took charge of a United States topographical party to visit the Rocky Mountains. His observations were confined to the South Pase; in the following year he returned to Washington and published a book on his travels. In 1843 he made another tour of the mountains, through to California, making many improvements to the geography of the country. In 1845 he conducted a third expedition to explore the Sierra Nevada, California, etc. He was attacked by Mexicans near Monterey in March, 1846, and defending himself with so much bravery that he was appointed a Lieutenant Colonel, and appointed Governor of California by Commodore Stockton, whose authority was disputed by General Kearney. Fremont refused to recognize Kearney, and was arrested and court-martialed for disobedience. The President pardoned him, but he declined to receive it, and threw up his commission. In 1848 he attempted another expedition, at his own expense, which proved very disastrous, on account of the guide's losing his way. Settling in California in 1849, he was elected Senator, and shortly after made other explorations, and received gold medals from the King of Prussia and Royal Geographical Society of London. In 1856 he was nominated for President by the Republican party. He was defeated, though he made a good run. Fremont served with credit during the fore part of the war, but, being appointed to serve under General Pope, his junior in rank, he threw up his commission. He is at present Governor of Arizona.

FISH LAWS OF ILLINOIS.

SERENA, Ill., May 8, 1880. Is it unlawful to fish with a net or seine in the rivers and creeks of Illinois? If so, will you please publish the substance of the law? E. A. DOMINY.

Answer.-Persons are prohibited from taking brook trout between July 15 and the 1st day of April of the following year. During the other months of the year they can only be taken with a hook and line, all other devices being forbid

den. From Feb. 15 to June 15 it is unlawful to catch any and all fish commonly known as game: fish, except with a hook and line.

VIOLIN STRINGS.

BROOKLYN, Mo., April 23, 1880. 1. How are violin strings made, and what out of? 2. How much was Christ betrayed for in our money? 3. Who was Cleopatra. LAWRENCE CRAFT.

Answer.-1. A violin has four strings-E, A, D, and G, tuned in fifths. They are all of unwound catgut, except the G string, which is twisted round with fine wire. The impression that catgut is alone the product of the intestines of cats is an erroneous one. The strings are usually made from the intestines of sheep, but sometimes those of the horse, ass, or mule are used. They are prepared by a peculiar manner of thoroughly cleaning and drying. 2. According to the Biblical statement for "thirty pieces of silver." The best authorities say that this is equivalent to but the paltry sum of $15. 3. A queen of Egypt, celebrated for her great personal charms, her various accomplishments, and her dramatic history.

VARIETIES OF WHEAT.

SIOUX FALLS, D. T., April 18, 1880. Please tell a Farmers' Club how many kinds of wheat there is grown, and which is beardy and which smooth, naming distinctly each, and which has been the most profitable for the farmer for the last two or three years. M. SHANK.

Answer.-There is a larger number of varieties of wheat than any other cereal. In an old list we find nearly 150 varieties named as having been grown in Ohio alone. Probably a good number of these were the same varieties under different names. Often times the same variety is known by different names in various localities. There are but slight differences between many varieties, these having been produced by changes of climate, soil, or cultivation. Spring varieties can be changed into winter varieties by careful management, and the reverse is also true. We have no information as to varieties of wheat adapted to Dakota. As bearing on this point, the following list of varieties grown at the Minnesota College of Agriculture, Minneapolis, may be of interest. Bald: Lost Nation, White Fife, Defiance, Scotch Fife, Judkin, White Russian, Brooks, Saxon Fife, Australian Club. Bearded: China Tea, Golden Globe, Champlain, Eldorado, Sherman, Touzelle. Among more common varieties may be named Rio Grande, Mediterranean, and Canada Club.

THE TREE FROG. SIDNEY, Iowa, April 3, 1880. It is affirmed that the tree toad changes color. Is this true? and, if so, what explanation can be given? M. D. JOHNSON.

Answer. The color of the tree frog varies from pale ash to dark brown, with several large, irregular blotches of greenish brown, white, and granulated below, and abdomen yellowish near the thighs. The animal can change its color, apparently, by its will.

DEXTRIN.

OXFORD, Kan., April 16, 1880. Please state, through your paper, a good recipe for preparing dextrin, to be use as mucilage.

A. WHITE. Answer.-Mix a grain or two of starch with about three spoonfuls of cold water and a drop or two of sulphuric acid, and boil the mixture for a few minutes. When sufficiently boiled a drop of the solution should no longer be colored blue by iodine solution. Agitate the liquid with

SNAKES IN IRELAND.

VALPARAISO, Ind,, March 4, 1880. You know that it is a belief among the Catholic Irish that the fact that there are no toads, snakes, etc.. in "ould Erin" is owing to the banishment of these reptiles by their Saint Patrick. I presume scientists have another way of accounting for this remarkable fact of natural history. M. L. BLOWER.

Answer.-We know that such a belief is prevalent among the lower classes. Scientists affirm that there is no evidence showing that they have ever at any time existed upon the island. There are very few snakes in Great Britain. The character of the country may have something to do with it, but it is probably largely due to the fact that, being islands, but few of the species reached them.

THE COUNTRY OF SHEBA.

GLYNDON, Minn., April 9, 1880. What is the present name of the country in which the Queen of Sheba reigned? 2. Give the names of all Presidents who were unmarried. H. G. SNAPp.

Answer.-Sheba was the capital city of the Sabaeans in Arabia Felix. The Queen is supposed to have lived and reigned there. Its exact site is unknown. The territory of the Sabaeant lay near the Red Sea, and ran up to the borders of the desert. In the Hebrew Scriptures the region of the Sabaeans is called Seba. These tribes held for centuries the keys of the commerce between Europe and India, and Egypt and Syria. A Queen of Sheba was attracted by the fame of Solomon to visit Jerusalem (I Kings x. 1-13). 2. James Buchanan.

FIREARMS-BLACK INK.

PLAINFIELD, Ill., May 2, 1880. 1. What country is supposed to have the best firearms in the world? 2. What fluid or chemicals make a good black ink? D. D.

Answer.-1. The firearms of the world are in a state of experiment at present. A new gun has been lately adopted by the French army, and a few months ago was adopted for experiment in the regular United States army. So far this gun has given very good satisfaction, and is will be adopted by our government if it proves better than the present gun used in our army. 2. The following recipe is said to make a good black ink: Aleppo galls (bruised), 3 lbs; soft water, 112 gals.; boil in a copper vessel, and add water to make up the loss by evaporation; strain and again boil the galls with 1 gal. water for half an hour; strain and again boil, the third time with 12 gal. water; mix the liquors, and while hot add 118 lbs coarsely powdered green copperas and 1 tb gum arabic; agitate until dissolved, and strain for use. Product, three gallons fine and durable ink.

FAMINE IN CHINA. FORT WAYNE, Ind. Has there been a famine in China during the year of 1879, and to what extent did it prevail if there was any? T. W. B.

Answer.-A terrible famine prevailed throughout Northwestern China during the winter of

1878-9, in which it is supposed 2,000,000 of people died of starvation. They became so deeperate at last that they were driven to eating one another.

SERPENTS.

LITTLE SIOUX, Iowa, April 18, 1880. Will you please state whether snakes lay eggs? MRS. M. M. MORRILL. Answer.-Most snakes are oviparous, that is, bring forth their young from eggs, which the mother hides in some suitable place and leaves to be hatched by the heat of the sun and air. A very few, like the viper, are ovoviviparous, tha? is, they hatch the egg within the body, and bring forth their young alive,

TO SETTLE A CONTROVERSY.

LIBERTY CENTER, Iowa, April 23, 1880. 1. If we revise or reform our spelling, why not adopt a character for each elementary sound? 2. Where is gravitation strongest-at, above, or below the earth's surface? 3. On account of its elasticity or extension, would there be any loss of power by hitching to a rope some distance from the load? 4. How is sound produced by whistling? 5. Do teeth grow after they become serviceable? If so, why do they become loose in youth, and why suffer decay whenever the enamel is fractured? A PATRON.

Answer.-1. This is exactly what the American Spelling Reform Association propose. The new characters are formed by slightly changing the regular letters. Where Z has the sound of S, the inverted S is used. Long A is represented by a heavy front line, otherwise the letter remains the same, etc. 2. A body becomes lighter as it ascends the earth, but contrary to expectation, gravity may be and usually is less at the bottom of a mine than it is at its mouth. 3. Yes. 4. By forcing the breath through a small orifice formed by the contracted lips. 5. There are two sets of teeth in human beings. The first are shed in infancy, and give way to those of more service. These teeth when fully formed are subject to decay, but have no inherent power of reparation or growth.

NATIVITY OF SOLDIERS. SAN FRANCISCO, Cal., April 20, 1880. What was the nationality of the soldiers engaged in the last war? X. Answer.-The nationality of soldiers in the army during the great rebellion we find given as follows:

CONVICT'S PENSION.

BATTLE GROUND, Ind., May 10, 1880. We have a pensioner who has been sentenced to penitentiary for life. Does he draw his pension from the government as long as he lives, or does the gov ernment stop it at the time of his sentence? J. P. CLUTE.

Answer.-There are a number of such cases, where pensioners have been sentenced to penitentiaries, and in all of them the government continues its pension. Convicts can make out their affidavits at the prison and forward them on to the department, and receive a check for their money.

CORPS BADGES. CAIRO, M. What were the corps badges of the Army of the Po tomac? W.C. Answer.--The corps badges of the Army of the Potomac after the reorganization were as fol