name of a Pennsylvania Quaker in Mrs. Centlivre’s comedy, “A Bold
Stroke for a Wife.” Being about to visit London to attend the quarterly
meeting of his sect, his friend, Aminadab Holdfast, sends a letter of
recommendation and introduction to another Quaker, Obadiah Prim, a
rigid and stern man, who is guardian of Anne Lovely, a young lady worth
£30,000. Colonel Feignwell, another character in the same play, who is
enamoured of Miss Lovely and her handsome fortune, availing himself
of an accidental discovery of Holdfast’s letter and of its contents,
succeeds in passing himself off on Prim as his expected visitor. The
real Simon Pure, calling at Prim’s house, is treated as an impostor,
and is obliged to depart in order to hunt up witnesses who can testify
to his identity. Meantime Feignwell succeeds in getting from Prim a
written and unconditional consent to his marriage with Anne. No sooner
has he obtained possession of the document, than Simon Pure reappears
with his witnesses, and Prim discovers the trick that has been put upon
him.
345. What was the origin of the phrase “To catch a Tartar”?
An Irish soldier, in a battle against the Turks, shouted to his
commanding officer that he had caught a Tartar. “Bring him along,
then,” said the general. “But he won’t come.” “Then come along
yourself.” “Arrah! an’ so I would, but he won’t let me,” answered
Paddy. Hence arose the saying “To catch a Tartar,” meaning to be
outdone.
346. Which is the oldest street in New England?
Leyden Street, in Plymouth, Mass. It is so called in memory of the
Dutch city where the Pilgrim Fathers had stopped for a season.
347. What was the origin of the phrase “To haul over the coals”?
One method of extorting money from the Jews, by the kings or barons,
was at one time to haul them over the coals of a slow fire, until they
yielded to their demands; hence this phrase, meaning to scold, to take
to task.
348. Which is the “Maiden Town”?
Edinburgh is so styled from a monkish fable or tradition that it was
once the residence of the daughters of Pictish kings, who were sent to
this stronghold for protection in times of war and trouble.
349. What was the “War of the Roses”?
This name is given to the civil war which raged in England from the
reign of Henry VI. to that of Henry VII. (1452–1486), on account of the
badges or emblems of the parties to the strife,--that of the house of
York being a white rose, and that of the house of Lancaster a red rose.
350. Which was the first American bird taken to England?
The turkey. When John Cabot returned from his discovery of the American
continent, he took two of these birds and three savages as his booty.
351. What was the origin of “$”?
There are several theories for the origin of the sign of the American
dollar:--
1. That it is a combination of U. S., the initials of the United States.
2. That it is a modification of the figure 8, the dollar being formerly
called a “_piece of eight_,” and designated by the symbol 8/8.
3. That it is derived from a representation of the “Pillars of
Hercules,” consisting of two pillars connected with a scroll. The old
Spanish coins containing this were called “_pillar dollars_.”
4. That it is a combination of H. S., the mark of the Roman money unit.
5. That it is a combination of P. and S. from the Spanish _peso duro_,
signifying _hard dollar_. In Spanish accounts _peso_ is contracted by
writing the S over the P, and placing it after the sum.
352. By whom was the Northeast Passage discovered?
By Prof. Adolph Eric Nordenskjold, a Swedish explorer, who left
Gothenburg, Sweden, July 4, 1878, in command of the _Vega_, and
arrived in Japan in July, 1879, after lying locked up in the ice about
nine months. There were peculiarly favorable conditions which enabled
him to do what others have so often failed to do, but it is something
of a triumph to have in any case achieved a work so hazardous and
remarkable, and Prof. Nordenskjold can enjoy a distinction which he has
fairly and honorably won.
353. What kind of goblets were formerly considered as preservatives
against poison?
Goblets made of rhinoceros horns were formerly held in high estimation
as preservatives against poison. The kings of India were accustomed to
have their wine served up in these goblets, as they imagined that if
any poison were introduced into the cup, the liquid would boil over and
betray its presence.
354. What was the origin of the phrase “To have a bone to pick with
one”?
A Sicilian father, at the marriage of his daughter, after the feast
gave the bridegroom a bone, saying, “Pick this bone, for you have
undertaken a much harder task.” Hence arose, it is said, the above
phrase, meaning to have an unpleasant affair to settle.
355. What was the origin of the phrase “To throw dust in one’s eyes”?
“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?
The term “Hoosiers,” as applied to the citizens of Indiana, is derived
either from _husher_, a term synonymous throughout the West with
bully or rough, as many of the early settlers were bullies and men of
great physical strength, or from the rough exclamation of these people
when one knocked at a door, “Who’s yere?”
361. Why is the passion flower so called?
It was named by the early Spanish settlers, who fancied it to be a
representation of our Lord’s passion.
The _leaf_ is symbolic of the spear that pierced his side.
The five _anthers_, the marks of the wounds.
The _tendrils_, the cords or whips.
The column of the _ovary_, the upright of the cross.
The _stamens_, the hammers.
The three _styles_, the nails.
The _filamentous processes_, the crown of thorns.
The _calyx_, the glory or halo.
The _white_ tint, purity.
The _blue_ tint, heaven.
It remains open for three days and typifies his three years’ ministry.
362. Which is the “Petrified City”?
Ishmonie, in Upper Egypt, is so called on account of a great number of
statues of men, women, children, and animals, which are said to be seen
there at this day, and which, according to a popular superstition, were
once animated beings, but were miraculously changed into stone in all
the various postures and attitudes which were assumed by them at the
instant of their supposed transubstantiation.
363. What was the origin of the phrase “That’s a feather in your cap”?
“A feather in your cap” is a mark of distinction. It originates with
the wild tribes of Asia and America, who add a new feather to their
head-dress for every enemy slain. A Caufir of Cabul adorns himself with
new feathers for every Mussulman killed by him. The custom was a common
one among the Lycians and other nations of antiquity, and, in fact, in
one form or another seems to be almost universal at the present time.
364. Why is the Baldwin apple so called?
The famous Baldwin apple was discovered by Col. Loammi Baldwin
(1745–1807), a distinguished citizen of Woburn, Mass. While surveying
land in Wilmington (in the same State), he observed a tree on the land
of James Butters, much frequented by woodpeckers. Curiosity led him to
examine the tree, and he found thereon apples of excellent flavor. The
next spring he took from it scions to engraft into stocks of his own.
Others in his neighborhood did the same till the apple was extensively
cultivated. Some named the apple Butters’ apple, from the locality of
the original tree; others called it Woodpecker’s apple, from the birds
which caused the discovery; but one day, at an entertainment of friends
at the house of Col. Baldwin, it was suggested that the name “Baldwin
apple,” in honor of the discoverer, was the most appropriate, and it
has since been known by his name. The original tree was destroyed by
the famous September gale in 1815.
365. Why was the White House so called?
The home of the Presidents was named in honor of the White House,
the Virginia home of Martha Washington, in New Kent County, in which
her wedding occurred. Washington had many pleasant memories of that
residence, and it was he who suggested the building of a “White House”
for the Presidents. The house is constructed of Virginia freestone,
which is excessively porous, and consequently would be very damp in the
interior, were it not for a thick coat of white lead, which is applied
about once in ten years at a great expense.
366. Who was the first woman hung in the United States?
Mary Dyer, a Quakeress. On the 27th of October, 1659, a gallows stood
on Boston Common, and three condemned Quakers, William Robinson,
Marmaduke Stevenson, and Mary Dyer, were led out to execution. They
were accompanied by the trainband, and drums were beat to drown their
testimony. The town was put under guard of thirty-six soldiers against
apprehended trouble. The woman walked between her two companions,
holding each of them by a hand. The marshal asked her, “If she was not
ashamed to walk, hand in hand, between two young men?” She replied, “It
is an hour of the greatest joy I can enjoy in this world. No eye can
see, no ear can hear, no tongue can speak, no heart can understand,
the sweet incomes and refreshings of the Spirit of the Lord which I
now enjoy.” The two men were hung and buried beneath the gallows; but
Mary Dyer, after having the noose put round her neck, was pardoned and
sent to Rhode Island. The next spring she returned. On the gallows
the second time, June 1, 1660, she was offered her life if she would
promise to keep out of Massachusetts. Her reply was, “In obedience to
the will of the Lord I came; and in his will I abide faithful to the
death.” She did so.
367. Who are the “Blue-Noses”?
This name is popularly given to the inhabitants of Nova Scotia or New
Brunswick. It is supposed to have been originally applied from the
effect upon the more prominent parts of the face of the raw easterly
winds and long-continued fogs which prevail in these provinces.
Others say that it was first applied to a particular kind of potatoes
which were extensively produced by the inhabitants, and that it was
afterwards transferred to the inhabitants themselves. Others trace its
origin to the custom among certain tribes of the aborigines of painting
the nose blue as a punishment for a crime against chastity.
368. Who was the “Handsome Englishman”?
This name was given by Turenne to the celebrated John Churchill, Duke
of Marlborough (1650–1722), who was no less distinguished for the
singular graces of his person, than for his brilliant courage, and his
consummate ability both as a soldier and a statesman.
369. What great general was fired at fifteen times and yet escaped
unhurt?
In the battle of Monongahela, July 9, 1755, an Indian chief with his
braves especially singled Washington out. Four balls passed through
his clothes and two horses were shot under him, yet he was not harmed.
Fifteen years later, Washington made an expedition to the Western
country with Dr. Craik, an intimate friend, and a party of woodsmen,
for the purpose of exploring wild lands. While near the junction of
the Great Kanawha and Ohio Rivers, the old Indian chief came a “long
way” to see the man at whom he had fired a rifle fifteen times without
hitting him, adding that “he was then persuaded that the youthful hero
was under the special guardianship of the Great Spirit, and immediately
ceased to fire at him.” He was now come “to pay homage to the man,
who was the particular favorite of Heaven, and who could never die in
battle.”
370. What was the origin of “bigot”?
This word is of uncertain and disputed etymology. There are several
theories of its origin.
1. That it was first applied to the Normans from the oath uttered by
Rollo, the first Duke of Normandy, who was obliged to kiss the foot of
his father-in-law, Charles the Foolish, in return for the province of
Neustria. When told by his companions what he must do, he exclaimed,
“_Ne se, Bigot_” (Not so, by God): the king and the court
mockingly called him _Bigoth_, whence the Normans were called
_Bigothi_.
2. That it is from bigot, an old Norman word, signifying as much as
_De par dieu_, or our _for God’s sake_, and signifying a
hypocrite, or one that seemeth much more holy than he is.
3. That it is a corruption of Visigotha, in which the fierce and
intolerant Arianism of the Visigoth conqueror of Spain is handed down
to infamy. The word _bigos_ occurs in an old French romance, cited
by Roquefort, in the sense of a barbarous people.
4. That it is from the Low Latin _Begutta_, one of the appellations of
the nuns called _Beguines_, who, without having taken monastic vows,
were united for purposes of devotion and charity, and lived together in
houses called _beguinages_.
5. That it is derived from the Italian _bigotto_, or _bighiotto_, a
devotee, a hypocrite.
6. That it is from the Spanish _bigote_, a whisker, _hombre de
bigote_ being a man of spirit.
371. Who was the “Beautiful Rope-maker”?
This sobriquet was given to Louise Labè (1526–1566), a French poetess,
who married Ennemond Perrin, a rope manufacturer. She wrote in three
different languages. She was distinguished for her extraordinary
courage at the siege of Perpignan.
372. What was the origin of the expression “A Sardonic smile”?
Some derive it from the Greek σαιρειν, to grin like a dog; but the
second and more probable derivation is that it is from a herb growing
in the island of Sardinia (Greek Σαρδω). This herb, the _Ranunculus
sceleratus_, has, when eaten, a contractile power on the muscles of
the body, and particularly those of the face, so that those affected by
it seem to laugh. It was an old belief that those who eat it would die
laughing, hence Homer first, and others after him, call laughter which
conceals some noxious design Sardonican. This same plant has a caustic
power, so that if the fresh-pulled leaves are laid on the skin, they
produce pustules, as if caused by fire.
373. Who was the first circumnavigator of the globe?
Ferdinand Magellan, though he did not survive to return home with
his ship, well deserves the title of the “first circumnavigator.”
He discovered the strait, which now bears his name, Oct. 20, 1520,
the day dedicated in the Catholic calendar to St. Ursula and her
eleven thousand virgins, hence he called it “The Strait of the Eleven
Thousand Virgins.” The strait was passed Nov. 28; and though he had
not quite reached the Spice Islands when he fell in conflict with the
people of the isle of Mactan, April 27, 1521, his task was virtually
accomplished, as he had before been as far east as the Spice Islands.
The expedition, reduced from five ships and two hundred and thirty-six
men to one vessel and eighteen men, reached San Lucar, Spain, Sept. 6,
1522, after an absence of three years lacking fourteen days, under the
guidance of Juan Sebastian del Cano. This vessel, the _Vitoria_,
was the first to make the circuit of the globe. As a reward Cano was
ennobled with the globe on his coat-of-arms, and the motto, “_Primus
circumdedisti me_.”
374. Which is the “City of Oaks”?
This name has been given to Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina,
which possesses many fine streets shaded with native oaks. These oaks
were wisely spared during the first settlement, and have since attained
a giant growth.
375. Why was Gen. Grant sometimes called “Unconditional Surrender”
Grant?
The origin of this sobriquet is to be found in the following note:--
HEADQUARTERS, ARMY IN THE FIELD,
CAMP NEAR DONELSON, Feb. 16, 1862.
Gen S. B. BUCKNER,
_Confederate Army_.
_Sir_,--Yours of this date proposing armistice, and
appointment of commissioners, to settle terms of capitulation,
is just received. No terms except an unconditional and immediate
surrender can be accepted.
I propose to move immediately upon your works.
I am, sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
U. S. GRANT,
_Brig. Gen._
Gen. Buckner surrendered Fort Donelson and fifteen thousand men
the same day, and after that U. S. Grant was often said to signify
“Unconditional Surrender” Grant.
376. When, where, and by whom was the first watch made?
Watches were first made at Nuremberg, Germany, in 1477, by Peter Hele,
a clock-maker, and were accounted “a wonder of the world.” It required
nearly a year’s labor to produce the first watch. It varied nearly an
hour a day from the true time, and required winding twice a day. The
price set upon it and its fellows by the inventor was equal to $1,500
in gold at the present day. It was egg-shaped and about the size of a
goose egg, hence it was sometimes called the “Nuremberg animated egg.”
The statement made by some, that Robert, king of Scotland, had a watch
about the year 1310, is doubtless erroneous. The invention of spring
watches has been ascribed to Dr. Hooke, and by some to Huygens, about
1658; the anchor escapement was invented by Clement, in 1680; the
horizontal watch by Graham, in 1724; the repeating watch by Barlowe, in
1676; and Harrison produced his first timepiece in 1735.
377. What famous men of antiquity were killed by lice?
Lice appear to have been a great plague among the ancients, and
many persons suffered from the disease now known as _Morbus
pediculosus_, or _Phthiriasis_. Among the most famous persons
who died of this “creeping sickness” were Acastas, the son of
Pelias, Alcman the poet, Pherecydes the theologian, Callisthenes the
Olynthian, Mucius the lawyer, Eunus the fugitive, who stirred up the
slaves of Sicily to rebel against their masters, and Lucius Cornelius
Sulla, dictator of Rome, although the immediate cause of the latter’s
death was the bursting of a blood-vessel. Plutarch thus describes,
in substance, the case of Sulla. In consequence of his excesses, his
corrupted flesh at length broke out into lice. Many were employed day
and night in destroying them, but the work so multiplied under their
hands, that not only his clothes, baths, basins, but his very flesh was
polluted with that flux and contagion, they came swarming out in such
numbers. He went frequently by day into the bath to scour and cleanse
his body, but all in vain; the evil generated too rapidly and too
abundantly for any ablutions to overcome it.
378. Who was the “American Fabius”?
This sobriquet is often given to George Washington, whose military
policy resembled that of the Roman general Quintus Fabius Maximus
Verrucosus, who conducted operations against Hannibal by declining
to risk a battle in the open field, harassing him by marches,
counter-marches, and ambuscades.
379. Who were the “Seven against Thebes”?
They were the seven leaders of an expedition designed to place
Polynices on the throne of Thebes, from which he had been driven by
his brother Eteocles. Their names were Adrastus, Amphiaraus, Capaneus,
Hippomedon (Argives), Parthenopæus (an Arcadian), Polynices (a Theban),
and Tydeus (an Æolian). The expedition was a failure, as the chiefs
were arrogant and boastful, and despised signs sent by the gods.
Adrastus, who escaped by the swiftness of his horse Areion, the gift
of Hercules, was the only one saved. Ten years afterward, a second
expedition, conducted by their more pious sons, the _Epigoni_, who
acted in obedience to the will of heaven, was crowned with success.
380. Who was the “Sage of Monticello”?
Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826), third President of the United States, was
often so called from the name of his country seat in Virginia, and in
allusion to his wise statesmanship and great political sagacity.
381. What was the origin of the term “Johnnies,” as applied to the
Confederate soldiers during the late Rebellion?
This term Johnnies, or Johnny Rebs, is said to have originated in
a taunting remark addressed to a rebel picket, to the effect that
the Southern States relied on “John Bull” to help them gain their
independence, and that the picket himself was no better than a “John
Bull”; an accusation which he indignantly denied, saying that he would
“as soon be called a ‘nigger’ as a ‘Johnny Bull.’”
382. What was the “Day of Corn-sacks”?
The 3d of January, 1591, is so called, in French history, from an
attempt made by Henry IV. to surprise Paris on that day. Some of his
officers, disguised as corn dealers, with sacks on their shoulders,
endeavored to get possession of the gate St. Honore; but they were
recognized, and obliged to make a hasty retreat.
383. Who were the “Copperheads”?