Eva G.—We do not know that stamps have anything which can be called a language, like the language of flowers. They are conveniences invented to help the correspondence of the world along. At a glance you perceive that it would not be possible for all the people who write letters to pay money for them, because that would cause a great deal of delay. We place a stamp on the corner of the letter, and that represents the money which was spent for the stamp. The money goes to the government to pay the expenses of the postal service.
As to your little verse, we could easily translate it for you, but prefer to let you do it for yourself, partly because, if you are studying French, it will be a pleasant exercise, and partly, too, because this Post-office Box is meant for young people who read English, and we have not room for any other language in its crowded columns. Now haven't we "taken notice of your little letter"?
Eddy A.—The Barometer.—About two hundred years ago an Italian named Torricelli was making some experiments to find out why fluids would rise up in tubes when the air was drawn out. He filled a glass tube thirty-three inches long, and open at one end, with mercury, and then he put his finger over it to keep the mercury in, turned it bottom upward into a bowl of mercury, and took away his finger. As mercury is very heavy, it would seem as though it would have run out of the tube into the bowl, but it did not; it fell a little way, and remained stationary in the tube. He found that it rose and fell with the changes of the weather, being affected by the pressure of the outside air. All the barometers that have been made since Torricelli have been on his plan. It may give you a hint for the one you think of making.
E. C.—Washington's Salary.—General Washington received no salary either as Commander-in-Chief or as President of the United States. But he kept a very careful account of all his expenses, and they were paid by Congress.
Inquirer.—Secretary Blaine and the other cabinet officers receive a salary of $8000 per year.