There was room here for several different statements. According to some, what is now known as foolscap, had before the Commonwealth time the watermark of a King’s crown, but Cromwell, to show his dislike to everything connected with royalty, directed a fool’s cap to be put in place of the crown. Others had it that Charles II. was the first to give it the name of foolscap, the cap put on by Cromwell being intended by the Protector to represent a Cap of Liberty. One legend is good till another legend is told.
22. Have flowers ever been used as time-keepers?
This called forth answers packed with information, few girls failing to say something on the subject. Many showed that it is quite possible to so arrange flowers in a garden that approximately all the purposes of a clock will be answered. One pointed out that as long ago as the time of Pliny forty-six flowers were known to open and shut at certain hours of the day, and that this number has since been largely increased.
23. What famous relic of antiquity on its way to this country nearly found its last resting-place at the bottom of the sea?
Well answered, nearly everybody! Yes, the relic was the famous Cleopatra’s Needle, now standing on the Thames Embankment, which, when being brought from Alexandria in the latter part of 1877 to England, was nearly lost in a terrific storm.
24. Who was the famous carrier who gave rise to a proverb by always making his customers take the horse nearest the stable door?
About twenty per cent. of our competitors failed to find out that this was Thomas Hobson of Cambridge, the celebrated University carrier who died in 1630-1, and who had the honour of two epitaphs written upon him by Milton. In Addison’s Spectator, No. 509, “Tobias” is given instead of “Thomas.”