Answers and Awards in that "Land of Shades" Contest.
A very great number of people took interest in that quaint story from the "Land of Shades" about an election held in that country. The answers sent in competition for the $40 offered in prizes showed an unusually high average in penmanship, neatness, and intelligence. In deciding which answers were the correct ones some standard had to be taken. That standard was "Harper's Book of Facts." It should, however, be explained that the effort was made, when the story was written, to put in no questions on the correct answers to which there is a conflict of authorities. But these contests often bring to light conflicts heretofore unknown. It happened so in this one. The question was about the "Father of Tractarianism." The answer had in advance was Dr. E. B. Pusey. Keble and Newman were prominent, but the title, so far as could be found, had been applied only to Pusey. But several solvers in this contest found authorities for others besides Pusey. So the question was dropped, and played no part in deciding the awards. In passing judgment upon other answers exact spelling of names was not required, nor was it held essential that first names, dates, etc., be given. If the solver showed that he or she had found the correct answers, such showing was excepted. A very great number gave Wöhler as the discoverer of aluminium. Wöhler's employment of the metal was in 1827. Marggraff discovered it and used it, as a toy it is true, in 1754. A slight misunderstanding existed about the large ship recently built. Both answers given were accepted as correct—the Pennsylvania at Belfast, and the Kaiser Wilhelm I., at Glasgow. The hardest question was No. 29. About a dozen guessed it, but they missed other questions in so great number that none of them are among the prize-winners. All prize-winners failed on it. "Clouds," "snow," "sole-soul" were oftenest given, but any one can see that they poorly answer the riddle. Many gave "flamingo" as the answer to the last question but one. Others gave "blackbird." Neither was accepted, because not so good as "flicker."
Following are answers allowed: 1. John Kinzie. 2. Pompey. 3. Abraham Lincoln. 4. Constantine the Great. 5. Robert Cavalier La Salle. 6. G. Wilhelm von Leibnitz. 7. Sir Christopher Wren. 8. St. Vincent de Paul. 9. Rouget de Lisle. 10. Eric the Red. 11. Edward III. of England. 12. John C. Fremont. 13. Schouten. 14. Robert Barker. 15. Praxiteles. 16. Socrates. 17. Tarquin the Elder. 18. Joseph Hopkinson. 19. Andrew Jackson. 20. Queen Elizabeth of England. 21. Dr. E. B. Pusey. 22. Marggraff. 23. H. H. Richardson. 24. F. P. Blair. 25. Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse and Pennsylvania. 26. Helvetii. 27. Knickerbockers of New York. 28. Egyptians. 29. The green cheese of which the moon is said to be made. 30. Ink. 31. North Pole. 32. Butcher-bird or Razor-bird. 33. Jay. 34. Flicker. 35. Chattering Fly-Catcher.
One contestant answered correctly every question save two—29 and 34. His name is Archer O. Yeames, and he lives in Jamaica Plain, Mass. He is given $15 of the $40 prize-money and the highest honor of the contest. Three others tied for second honor, and $4 is given to each. Their names, mentioned in an order that gives a little the highest credit to the first, the next to the second, and so on in the order in which all ties are named, are: Raymond Tilley, Pittsburg, Pa.; Edwin F. Killin, Stevens Point, Wis.; and Mary H. Eastman, Wilmington, Del. The next in order of merit was the answer of Esther Neilson, Philadelphia, and $3 is awarded her. Two tied for fourth place, and are given $2.50 each. Both live in Pittsburg—Thomas S. Jacobs and Pearl Coyle. For fifth place the prizes decrease rapidly—more rapidly than they would had it not proved necessary to admit five instead of three contestants, since five stood exactly alike. That is, they missed the same number of questions, but not always the same questions. They are given $1 each. They are: J. Lawrence Hyde, Washington; Joseph T. England, Baltimore; Paul F. Case, Fairport, N. Y.; Elizabeth C. Drake, Chicago; and Walter Collins, Glenfield, Pa. The Messrs. Harper & Brothers, New York, will forward checks for the sums named as soon as these awards shall have had time to be read by all contestants. The desire is that winners first learn of their success in the printed announcement. To notify them by mail, by sending them money, is to favor them, in time, over other contestants. It was a hot contest. Congratulations are extended to the victors, and the losers are urged to try again. For the information of the latter it may be stated that in this contest scarcely any two were alike; all who failed missed at least five of the thirty-five questions.