46. What noted poet’s bald head caused his death?
The ancient writers are unanimous in regard to the manner of the death of Æschylus (525–456 B. C.), the father of the Greek tragic drama. An eagle, say they, mistaking the poet’s bald head for a stone, let a tortoise fall upon it to break the shell, and so fulfilled an oracle, according to which Æschylus was fated to die by a blow from heaven.
47. Who discovered the Northwest Passage?
In 1850 an expedition was sent out from England under the command of Sir Robert John Le Mesurier McClure, to whom belongs the honor of the discovery of this long-sought passage. Having passed through Behring’s Strait in August of this year, McClure’s ship, the Investigator, was ice-bound in the middle of October. A land party from the ship discovered the Northwest Passage, Oct. 26, from Mount Observation, latitude 73 degrees 30 minutes 39 seconds north; longitude 114 degrees 39 minutes west. After this discovery the party returned to the Investigator; but that vessel was not destined herself to sail homeward through the passage discovered by her commander. Three winters were spent in the ice; but in April, 1853, a relief party on board of H. M. S. Resolute appeared, having discovered McClure’s whereabouts by means of a cairn left by him in Winter Harbor. Commander McClure now resolved to abandon his ship altogether. He reached England on Sept. 28, 1854. His first reward was to receive his commission of post-captain, dated back to the day of the discovery of the Northwest Passage. Shortly afterward he received from her Majesty the honors of knighthood, and a reward of £5,000 was voted him by Parliament. Both the English and French geographical societies gave him a gold medal. A reward of £10,000 was also granted to the officers and crew of the Investigator, as a token of national approbation of the men who had discovered a Northwest Passage from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean.
48. Who was the first child born of English parents in New England?
Peregrine White, son of William White and of his wife Susanna, the first child born of English parents in New England, was born on board the Mayflower in the harbor of Cape Cod, Nov. 20, 1620. He died at Marshfield in 1704.
49. Who was the “White Lady”?
A being who, according to popular legend, appears in many of the castles of German princes and nobles, by night as well as by day, when any important event, whether joyful or sad, but particularly when the death of any member of the family is imminent. She is regarded as the ancestress of the race, shows herself always in snow-white garments, carries a bunch of keys at her side, and sometimes rocks and watches over the children at night when their nurses sleep. The earliest appearance of this apparition spoken of was in the sixteenth century, and was famous under the name of Bertha of Rosenberg (in Bohemia). In the castle of Berlin she is said to have been seen in 1628, and again in 1840 and 1850.
50. In what cities are there no elections held?
Washington and Georgetown, D. C. By the law of 1874 these municipalities were abolished, and the elective franchise suppressed throughout the District of Columbia. The district is under the control of Congress, but has no representatives; and its municipal affairs are regulated by three commissioners appointed by the President and Senate.