Questions and Answers.
One of our questioners asks for an explanation of the treaty just signed between this nation and Great Britain, and why Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Cleveland, and so many others rejoice over it. We are exceedingly pleased to reply to a questioner so keen and intelligent. Disputes are likely at all times to arise between nations, as they are between individuals. We have long since provided for the latter, not by urging each disputant to fall to pummelling the other, but by judges and jurors, who hear testimony and make decisions on them. The world is just now entering upon that stage of progress when nations as well as individuals no longer fall into wicked war, but have judges to hear and determine for them. The treaty which you ask about provides that when, during the next five years, any differences arise between the United States and Great Britain, such disputes, with all the testimony on both sides, shall be referred to six arbitrators, three to be named by each side. If these six men fail to agree in their decision, they are to select a seventh arbitrator. The latter may be any competent person. If the seven fail to agree, the dispute is to be left to the wisdom of the King of Sweden, whose decision shall be final. The treaty has been signed by our Secretary of State and the British Minister. It is signed in duplicate, one copy being for us, and the other to be sent to London. It is not yet law, and may never become law. It is awaiting confirmation by our Senate. If it is not confirmed, it is laid away in our State Department along with many other unconfirmed treaties. The reason so many rejoice over the event is because, as Mr. Gladstone says, "it is a step of real progress." You live in a fortunate age, that sees a step so important in the uplift of mankind.
E. A. W. asks, "Does the Department of Agriculture at Washington issue a pamphlet for free distribution relating to the following things: Weather reports and records, latitude of our different cities, and rules for foretelling the weather?"
We think it does. Write the Department requesting a copy. You will get in reply either the pamphlet or information where it can be had. "What are the names of some of our largest war-ships?" The Iowa, Massachusetts, and Indiana are names of three battle-ships. Of large cruisers there are the Columbia, New York, and Minneapolis. "What are the requisites of pen-drawing for an amateur? What pens are used?" Bristol-board; drawing-ink, to be had in twenty-five-cent bottles at almost any bookseller's; and common fine-pointed steel pens.
J. G. B.: The annual wheat crop of the United States varies greatly. Last year it was 500,000,000 bushels. It is much smaller than our corn crop, which often reaches 1,600,000,000 bushels.—George E. Purdy, 66 Broadway, New York, asks if Carlos J. Neona, of Chicago, will send his correct address to him.—Ernest Routlege questions the authority which makes a Virginia plover to fly 225 miles an hour. Lord Bishop Stanley, an excellent authority, says that the highest speed attained by any bird is 180 miles an hour. This is the swift. The plover is a fast flier, and he gives its speed at 160 miles. He also says that the measuring of bird flight is quite difficult, and points out several erroneous calculations on their speed made by people who sought to test it. Possibly our correspondent, a lad, fell into one of these errors. The partridge flies, according to Bishop Stanley, about sixty miles per hour, and the eagle 140 miles. In Ireland, some years ago, a carrier-pigeon was known to make 125 miles per hour. These are special records, so to say, for the average speed of these birds is much slower. Stanley says that, in proportion to size, the bee is a faster flier than a plover, and points out how often we see bees and large flies fly along outside the window of a rapid railway car, going zigzag, but keep up without difficulty, and finally, perhaps, fly on ahead, only to return after a while for a second sojourn by your window. He gives a rule for measuring the speed of a bird's flight. If you see a bird rise from the ground, time it or count seconds until you see it pass over a fence or hedge. Then pace the distance from rising point to fence. Then you have a simple problem to find its speed per hour at that particular time. Will some one give us a morsel on this subject? It is very interesting.—Vincent V. M. Beede asks: "Can some one tell me the present whereabouts of Greuze's painting, 'The Little Dauphin,' and where a copy, in whatever form, can be obtained?"
Any questions in regard to photograph matters will be willingly answered by the Editor of this column, and we should be glad to hear from any of our club who can make helpful suggestions.