An important part of the duties of a pilgrim to Lassa, the centre of Lamaism, is penance. Among the lighter forms of penance is turning a wheel called Tchu-Kor, “revolving prayer.” This devotional machine is usually a sort of barrel, moving upon an axis and inscribed all over with Buddhistic petitions. The worshipper sets it going, and it turns prayers for his benefit, while he pursues some more mundane occupation.
215. What Presidents were born in Virginia?
Thus far seven of our Presidents have been natives of Virginia, viz.:—
Washington, born in Westmoreland County, Feb. 22, 1732; Jefferson, born at Shadwell, Albemarle County, April 2, 1743; Madison, born at King George, March 16, 1751; Monroe, born in Westmoreland County, April 28, 1758; Harrison, born at Berkeley, Charles City County, Feb. 9, 1773; Tyler, born in Charles City County, March 29, 1790; Taylor, born in Orange County, Sept. 24, 1784.
216. Which is the only monarchy on the Western Continent?
The government of Brazil is a mild form of a constitutional and hereditary monarchy. The laws of succession are the same as in England. The Emperor Dom Pedro II., of the house of Bragança, and the Empress, a sister of the king of Naples, are universally beloved and respected for their intellectual and moral endowments, and their affectionate interest in the welfare of their subjects.
217. What becomes of all the greenbacks and banknotes after they have served their few years of usefulness?
They go to the government. After about three years of service they are pretty well worn, and are taken to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and placed in a machine containing immense knives, which chop the notes into fragments. Three officers of the Treasury Department are stationed to watch the destruction of the notes. No one else is allowed to be present except the officials and the men who run the machine. They are compelled to remain in the room until each separate note is destroyed. They must account afterwards to the Redemption Bureau for each note, and should one become lost or mislaid and afterwards find its way into circulation, the result would be the immediate discharge of the three who daily have in their custody millions of dollars of notes and bonds. The shreds are reduced to pulp, and then moulded into figures of birds and animals and sold as mementos to visitors. Often it will happen that one little object will be composed of what was once $1,000,000 worth of money.
218. What sort of mound has been raised to the memory of Kosciusko?
Near Cracow there is a mound of earth one hundred and fifty feet high, which was raised to the memory of the Polish patriot, Thaddeus Kosciusko, by the people, earth being brought for this purpose from every great battlefield of Europe on which Polish blood had been shed. From a fanciful resemblance in shape to this tumulus, the loftiest known mountain in Australia has received the name of Mount Kosciusko.