Chapter I: Preface

The design of this little work is to offer, in a convenient form, to the reading public of the country, much quaint and curious as well as interesting and instructive information in history, geography, biography, philosophy, science, philology, etc., to correct several popular fallacies, to promote accurate scholarship, and to tender an explanation of many expressions which occur in daily conversation.

Considerable time and pains have been given to the selection of the matter herein contained, and to the verification of the same. Care has been taken that no statement should be made which cannot be supported by good authority.

The information covered by the questions and answers is not generally known, even by intelligent and educated readers, and much of it has never before been published in a form accessible to the great mass of readers.

With the hope that it may prove an acceptable and _ready help_ to all intelligent readers, the author submits it to an appreciative and critical public. S. G. O. WOODSTOWN, N. J.

CONTENTS

A
PAGE

Acting Vice-Presidents of the United States 159

Adam’s beard 93

African capital named from a United States President 76

Albany Regency, The 95

Alien and Sedition Laws, The 119

Amber 3

American Fabius, The 169

American Pathfinder, The 146

American Pope of Rome, The 30

Ancient account for the origin of amber 4

Ancient city that perished through silence 5

Ancient Mariner, The 65

Ancient name of the ring-finger 22

Animal noted for its large tail 72

Antarctic Continent discovered 38

Auld Reekie 134

Author of “Curfew must not ring To-night” 59

Author of “Greenbacks” 89

Author of the name America 21

B

Balm of Gilead 126

Banshee 66

Battle fought above the clouds 89

Battle of Herrings, The 137

Battle of Spurs, The 133

Beautiful Parricide, The 23

Beautiful Rope-maker, The 165

Bible of the Greeks, The 151

Bird with neither tail nor wings 6

Birthplace of two Presidents 40

Black Hole of Calcutta 136

Black Jack 136

Blue Hen State, The 88

Blue-Noses, The 163

Boundary between United States and Canada 14

Bravest of the brave, The 33

Breeches Bible, The 130

Bridge of Sighs, The 145

Brightest star visible 62

Bug Bible, The 104

Burial place of Columbus 102

Burial place of our Presidents 105