LETTERS FROM OUR YOUNG FRIENDS.
Dear Editor:
I am a subscriber to The Great Round World, and read it with great interest every week. In No. 13 of The Great Round World, you published a picture of the iron statue of King Arthur by Fischer. Last summer we stopped for a short time in Innsbruck, and I saw the said statue in the Cathedral of that city.
There was one thing which puzzled me considerably and I know that you will be willing to explain it. Why was the fleur-de-lis placed on the shield supplied to the statue? I can't see what possible connection Arthur could have had with France, for I always thought that the fleur-de-lis was not borne by any British sovereign until after the hundred years' war was begun. Since King Arthur is supposed to have lived in the fifth or sixth century it seems strange to me that he should have been supplied with a shield bearing a device of a so much later period. Since I know nothing of heraldry, I have been much puzzled by this, and would be very grateful for an explanation. I should like to mention three books which I enjoyed so much when I read them that I am sure they would be appreciated by many. They are Miss Yonge's "Dove in the Eagle's Nest," and a "Chaplet of Pearls," and the "Caged Lion."
Wishing The Great Round World continued success,
I remain your devoted reader,
Katherine P.
New York City, May 26, 1897.
My Dear Katherine:
In reference to your question about the fleur-de-lis on King Arthur's shield.
It can have no heraldic meaning whatever, because armorial bearings were not in use in England until long after the Norman Conquest.
The kings and the great barons chose certain devices for their seals; but the same device was not used by the members of a family, nor was it handed from father to son, until armorial bearings came into use.
The use of the fleur-de-lis is not of French origin.
It was used as an ornament on the sceptres, seals, and robes, not only of the French kings, but of Greek, Roman, German, Spanish, and English kings, and was a symbol employed by many noble families in various parts of Europe.
Particular symbols have in all ages been assumed by various families of mankind, civilized and uncivilized, but they have nothing whatever to do with heraldry.
King Arthur was a legendary person, and his story is sung alike by the bards of Wales and the minstrels of France.
According to the Welsh legends he was born in Wales, and went over to Brittany in France, where he fought some of his famous battles.
According to the Breton (French) legends, he was the son of one of the early Britons who fled to France at the time of the Saxons. He was born in Brittany, and with the help of the Bretons went back to England and wrested his kingdom from the Saxon's hands.
The reason for the fleur-de-lis on the shield may therefore be that the sculptor chose to pin his faith to the Breton legend of the hero, and therefore placed the symbol of France on the shield. Editor.
The State of Montana has just adopted The Great Round World for use in all its public schools.
Dear Mr. Editor:
I am very much interested about Crete and Cuba, and I always want to see what The Great Round World says about them.
I was interested about Princess Charlotte of Belgium. I hope you will tell us more about her.
I hope that Cuba will gain her liberty, and that Crete will free herself from the rule of Turkey.
I think that King George of Greece is a very nice man, and I hope that he will keep the Powers from interfering with Greece.
The kindergarten for the blind is in Jamaica Plain, very near us, and last week I went to an exhibition there.
Sometimes I visit the kindergarten, and I have often seen the girls knitting and sewing.
Our teacher, Miss Cushman, takes The Great Round World. She lends it to the girls who do not take it, and they find out about Crete and Greece. We are studying about the Eastern Question, and your magazine helps us to find what we want. Do you know any more about the big python that was found in Florida, or was it just taken to the Smithsonian Institute?
Will you please send me a "Who? When? What?" Chart?
Your devoted reader,
Fanny R.H. (aged 12.)
Brookline, Mass.., April 28th, 1897.
Dear Fanny:
Many thanks for your kind letter. We have heard nothing further about the python. We understood that it was to be stuffed for the Institute.
Editor.
Dear Editor:
Will you please publish an account of the phonographic graphophone—its invention, when, and by whom? We have recently had a concert by this wonderful invention, and I am requested to get all the information I can from whatever source I can. The Great Round World, which is read every morning in our schoolroom, is so much appreciated by all that I am sure my schoolmates will be pleased to see your reply. I shall be glad to get this information as early as possible.
Very respectfully,
Lucy F.
Brent, Ga., April 28th, 1897.
My Dear Lucy:
The graphophone is an improved phonograph, the cylinder being of hard rubber instead of wax.
The phonograph was invented by Thomas A. Edison in 1877, and improved by him about 1889.
It operates by means of a thin diaphragm set in vibration by the voice or any other sound. It bears a stylus which records the vibration, on a rotating, wax-coated cylinder, in a faint wavy line.
This line is sufficient, however, to guide the stylus over the same course again, and agitate the diaphragm into reproducing waves of sound, similar to those originally recorded.
The Editor is very much obliged to Dallas S. for his pleasant letter. Editor.
In reply to Mrs. C.H. Parkhurst, we suggest that a letter of inquiry to Mr. Ford will be the speediest way to ascertain where the combination tool can be procured. Editor.