Chapter M: B. J., Union Hill, Ill.—1. The direct cable from Ireland to Rye

Beach, N. H., is 3,060 miles in length. 2. The length of the Union and Central Pacific Railroad, extending from Omaha to San Francisco, is 1,916 miles.

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R. Hancock, Columbus, Wis.—Andrew Johnson was impeached, but not convicted. See definition of impeach in Webster’s unabridged dictionary.

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Samuel Adams, Chicago—Francis Hanford was killed by Alexander Sullivan in this city, Aug. 7, 1876, about 7 o’clock in the evening.

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U. W. G., Union, Iowa—At the Battle of Cold Harbor, General Meade ordered some of the troops to advance; but they by common consent refused to obey.

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S. B., Oconee, Ill.—Illinois has had three State constitutions, including the one now in force. The first went into force in 1818: the second in 1848, and the third in 1870.

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W. H., Brockport, N. Y.—A painting may be copyrighted by sending to the Librarian of Congress a full description of the work, together with $1, the price of recording the application and issuing the certificate.

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Subscriber, Verdon, Neb.—By a Joint resolution of Congress, adopted Dec. 29, 1845, Texas was declared to be admitted to the Union.

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Edith Allen, Milwaukee, Wis.—The highest mountain in the Philippine Islands is 4,531 feet higher than Mount Washington, N. H. It is a volcano, named Alpi, and has been ascended recently and found to be 10,824 feet high.

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S. N. W.. Deep River, Iowa—Read verse 49 of the thirty-first chapter of Genesis and the marginal note, and you and she will understand the beautiful appropriateness of Mizpah on an engagement ring.

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Lizzie J. Clark, Lawrenceburg, Tenn.—The nightingale proper is a migratory bird, common to Northern Africa, Western Asia, and the greater part of Europe. The European nightingale spends the winter in Northern Africa. It may be said to be a native of all the regions above named, although its hatching places are in Europe. Your other question will be answered elsewhere.

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George E. White, Englewood—There is more silver in a trade dollar than in the standard United States silver dollar, but it is at a discount in business dealings because it is not a legal tender for debt. Congress has the constitutional authority to declare what coins are a legal tender and what are not. In this case it has outlawed the trade dollar; whether wisely and justly or not is a matter in dispute.

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Lillie G. Hendee, Sandwich, Ill.—1. There is a snake with a straight horn on the end of its tail, which, when in rapid motion, looks like a revolving hoop. It is found in Southern Illinois and Missouri, and the country east and south of the same. It is popularly known as the hoop snake. 2. Naturalists are generally agreed that the worms seen after showers do not fall from the clouds; they are not fully agreed as to the proper explanation of their sudden appearance at such times. For further particulars address Professor Forbes, curator of the Laboratory of Natural History, Normal, Ill.

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