“To throw dust in one’s eyes” is to mislead. The phrase arose from a Mohammedan practice of casting dust into the air for the sake of “confounding” the enemies of the faith.
356. What is the meaning of the phrase “By hook or by crook”?
It probably means “foully like a thief or holily like a bishop,” the hook being used by footpads, and the crook being the bishop’s crosier.
357. Who was the “Scourge of God”?
This title is often given to Attila, or Etzel, the famous king of the Huns, and one of the most formidable invaders of the Roman Empire. His father, Mundzuk, was succeeded by his brothers Octar and Rhuas; and on the death of Rhuas, in 434, Attila and his brother Bleda together ascended the throne. Their dominions are said to have extended from the Rhine to the frontiers of China. Attila was superstitiously reverenced by his countrymen; he was said to possess the miraculous iron sword of the Scythian god of war, and he proclaimed himself to be the man-child born at Engaddi, who was destined to rule over the whole world. At the head of an army of 700,000 men he gradually concentrated on himself the awe and fear of the whole ancient world, which ultimately expressed itself by affixing to his name the well-known epithet of the “Scourge of God.” This name was first given him, it is said, by a hermit in Gaul. In the year 453, on the night of his marriage to a beautiful Gothic maiden, called Ildiko, or Hilda, he burst a blood-vessel, and expired, to the unspeakable relief of both Europe and Asia. His body was put in a coffin of iron, over which was one of silver and a third of gold. He was buried secretly at night together with a mass of treasure and arms, and the captives who dug his grave were slaughtered by the Huns in order to conceal his tomb.
358. Who bought the first United States postage stamps ever sold?
The first postage stamps in this country were issued in accordance with an act of Congress, approved March 3, 1847. They were of five and ten cent denominations, and the date of issue was appointed as July 1, but there was a delay in the work and the time ran over a month. On the 5th of August, the Hon. Henry Shaw, of Lanesborough, Mass., the father of the late well-known Henry Shaw, Jr. (“Josh Billings”), called to see Postmaster-General Johnson on business. While there the printer came in with several sheets of the stamps. Mr. Johnson handed them to his visitor to inspect, and Mr. Shaw bought two of the stamps,—the first two ever issued. The five-cent stamp he kept as a curiosity, and the ten-cent stamp he presented to Gov. Briggs, of Massachusetts.
359. Who have been the acting Vice-Presidents of the United States during the several vacancies in that office?
William Harris Crawford, of Georgia, became Vice-President on the death of George Clinton, April 20, 1812; and after the death of Elbridge Gerry, Nov. 23, 1814, John Gaillard, of South Carolina, served as Vice-President until March 4, 1817. After the resignation of John C. Calhoun from that office on Dec. 28, 1832, it was held by Hugh Lawson White, of Tennessee, until the 4th of March, 1833. Samuel Lewis Southard, of New Jersey, and Willie Person Mangum, of North Carolina, served as Vice-Presidents during the administration of Tyler; and William Rufus King, of Alabama, served in like capacity during Fillmore’s term. During the administration of Franklin Pierce, David R. Atchison, of Missouri, and Jesse D. Bright, of Indiana, were acting Vice-Presidents. During President Johnson’s term, Lafayette Sabine Foster, of Connecticut, and Benjamin Franklin Wade, of Ohio, held the Vice-Presidency. The successor of Henry Wilson, upon his death, Nov. 22, 1875, was Thomas W. Ferry, of Michigan. When Vice-President Arthur became President, his successor was David Davis, of Illinois, who was succeeded, in turn, by George F. Edmunds, of Vermont. After the death of Vice-President Hendricks, the Senate chose John Sherman, of Ohio, as his successor.
360. Why are the “Hoosiers” so called?