[We solicit questions of interest to the readers of THE
CHAUTAUQUAN to be answered in this department. Our space
does not always allow us to answer as rapidly as questions
reach us. Any relevant question will receive an answer in
its turn.]
Q. Why do fogs often rise, if, as Professor Reynolds positively and
repeatedly asserts, cloud particles are all _descending_? Is not a
fog composed of cloud particles, and if so, how can it rise if “cloud
particles _do not float_ but are _all descending through the air_?”
A. It is a mistake to say that fogs rise. A fog is a body of aqueous
vapor in the atmosphere and is formed in several ways. When the air is
cooler than the earth the moisture in it is partially condensed and
thus rendered visible. In this way is formed a large class of fogs and
also of clouds, the only difference between the two being in their
height. When the condensation takes place near the surface of the earth
fog is the result. Another class of fogs is formed by the moist air
radiating its heat downward to a comparatively cold body of water,
earth or air. The moist air coming into contact with the cold body
becomes greatly reduced in temperature and after depositing a heavy
dew, lies still in the valleys over the whole surface of the ground.
To this body of cold air the atmosphere above radiates heat and when
the temperature is reduced to the dew-point the aqueous vapor begins to
condense as fog.
Q. Will you be kind enough to tell me in the Editor’s Table, whether
the second volume of Timayenis’ “History of Greece” is included in any
part of the course?
A. The list of books required for the C. L. S. C. course will be found
on page 172 of THE CHAUTAUQUAN for Dec.
Q. In the November magazine you recommend Tony’s Classical Atlas. Will
you please tell us where to procure it?
A. A misprint in the November number made the word Long’s read Tony’s.
It should have been Long’s Classical Atlas. It is published by Sheldon
& Co., New York. This answers at least twenty similar inquiries. We are
sorry that the misprint occurred.
Q. What is the meaning of the terms “Platonic love,” and “Platonic
friendship”?
A. Spiritual love between persons of opposite sexes. The friendship
of man and woman without mixture of what is usually called love. This
affection was strongly advocated by Plato, and hence its distinctive
name.
Q. What is the proper pronunciation of the name of the author of the
“History of Greece,” Timayenis?
A. Tim-a-en´-is.
Q. Will THE CHAUTAUQUAN please tell me how to pronounce Chautauqua?
A. Shaw-taw´-quaw.
Q. Which is the correct title to use in addressing a business letter to
a young unmarried lady, Dear Miss, or Dear Madam?
A. Madam is a title used in reference to an elderly or married woman;
Miss is applied to an unmarried lady. Therefore we would say Dear Miss
in preference to Dear Madam, or we would simply address the lady by
name, as Miss A. C. Smith, without further preliminaries.
Q. Of what nationality is Prof. Timayenis?
A. He is a Greek.
Q. What is the pronunciation of the words Byzantium, geyser?
A. Bĭ-zan´shĭ-um. Gī´-ser.
Q. Is there a C. L. S. C. circle in Brooklyn?
A. There are several local circles in Brooklyn. F. E. Hurst, 66 St.
John’s Place, is secretary of one; F. S. Holmes, 455 Macon Street, is
president of another.
Q. Will you please give a list of the Memorial Days for this year?
A. A list of the Memorial Days will be found on page 175 of THE
CHAUTAUQUAN for December.
Q. What is the nature of Madame Tussaud’s famous gallery in London, of
which we see mention in writings of travelers?
A. This exhibition consists of a very interesting collection of wax
figures, representing ancient and modern famous characters. It also
includes a number of memorials of Napoleon I, his traveling carriage,
captured by the Prussians at Zenappe, and bought by Madame Tussaud for
2500_l_, and many other interesting relics. Another feature of the
exhibition is the Chamber of Horrors, containing casts and portraits
of executed criminals, the guillotine which decapitated Louis XVI and
Marie Antoinette, and other articles of the same ghastly nature.
Q. When did the national observance of Thanksgiving Day begin in this
country?
A. The occasional observance of a day of thanksgiving commenced in
New England in 1621, and the official appointment of such a day was
confined mainly to the New England States until it became a national
institution during the Revolution. After the general thanksgiving for
peace, in 1784, there was no national appointment until 1789, when
President Washington, by request of Congress, recommended a day of
thanksgiving for the adoption of the Constitution. During the civil
war President Lincoln issued proclamations for thanksgiving in 1862,
1863 and 1864, and since that time such a proclamation has been issued
annually by the president as well as by the governors of the states.
Q. Does the C. L. S. C. contemplate helping persons who do not attend
the Chautauqua Assembly? If so, what are the terms and conditions of
membership?
A. Yes. For information in regard to membership consult CHAUTAUQUAN for
December, page 172, or address Miss K. F. Kimball, Plainfield, N. J.
Q. Who is the most reliable French author of the “Life of Napoleon
Bonaparte”?
A. There are a great many Histories of Napoleon and many that are
reliable. We would recommend “Histoire Napolĕon” by Elias Regnault,
in four volumes, also “Histoire du Consulat et de l’Empire,” by Louis
Adolphe Thiers, in twenty volumes.
Q. What is the correct pronunciation of Dana, Teutonic?
A. Dā´-nă. Too-ton´-ic.
Q. What Dictionary of the Bible would you recommend at a cost between
$2.50 to $6.00 and by whom published? What do you think of Dr. Schaff’s?
A. We would recommend any work by Dr. Schaff, who is among the first in
Biblical scholarship. We would also recommend Smith’s Bible Dictionary
costing about $3.50, to be had of any book dealer.
Q. Where can the Chautauqua songs be obtained?
A. Write Rev. J. H. Vincent, D. D.
Q. At what time and by whom was the Apostles’ Creed composed, and when
was it introduced into public worship?
A. It is said by many writers of the Roman Catholic Church that this
creed was composed by the Apostles themselves, who agreed upon it as a
rule of faith, and as a mark of distinction by which they would know
friends from foes. According to an ancient tradition each Apostle
contributed one sentence, and a writer by the name of Augustine
pretends to tell us which article was contributed by each Apostle. It
is now generally admitted that the creed in its present form is not
of later date than the fourth century, but it is almost impossible to
ascertain its authorship. It was first introduced into public worship
in the Greek Church at Antioch, and afterward into the Roman Church
in the eleventh century, and passed into the service of the Church of
England at the Reformation. It is used in the baptismal confession in
the Greek, Roman, English, Reformed, Lutheran, Methodist Episcopal, and
Protestant Episcopal Churches, and no other than Apostles’ Creed is
used in baptism by any church.