The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 1, No. 60, December 30, 1897 | Page 2

descending currents of gases.
Sun-spots are generally found in the neighborhood of the sun's equator,
and last from a few hours to a few months.
The presence of these spots has enabled scientists to prove that the sun,
like the earth, revolves on its axis.
The last period of activity for sun-spots was in 1893, and, according to
the eleven-year theory, there should be few, if any, at this time. Prof.
Garret P. Serviss, however, tells us that at times during the quiet period
of the sun, large spots like the present one will appear on its surface,
and after assuming immense proportions, vanish.
The present phenomenon appears to be about one hundred thousand
miles in length, and some people insist that they can see it gradually
detaching itself from the sun and forming itself into a new world.
This is regarded as a hoax by scientific men who understand such
matters.
It is hard to prove exactly whether the present great sun-spot is a large
hole in the surface of the sun, or a large mass of the body of the sun
which is about to be detached from it; but in all such matters it is wiser
to take the most practical and least sensational view. Similar
phenomena to that which is now interesting us have been observed
before, and so, until we have proof to the contrary, it is more sensible
to believe it is a sun-spot than to listen to sensational tales of a new
world running wild through space.
Sun-spots were first observed about 1610 by Galileo, so they have been

known long enough for us to believe that they are not new worlds about
to be flung into space.
Galileo was the great Italian astronomer who invented the telescope.
The chances are that the present sun-spot may give us an opportunity of
seeing a fine aurora. In 1892, when the last large spot was visible, there
was a notable aurora. The light rays reached so far south that to the
people in New York it appeared like the reflection on the sky from a
great fire.
* * * * *
Francis Kossuth's effort to get the Austro-Hungarian bill delayed has
not been successful.
You remember he tried to get the bill referred to a certain committee.
His motion was defeated by a large majority.
This looks rather promising for the bill which Baron Banffy is trying to
get through the House, and which, you remember, is to prolong the
contract between the two nations for another year; at the same time, the
best friends of the measure are doubtful if it will be possible to pass it.
The mass of the Hungarian people are in sympathy with Kossuth, and
would be glad if Hungary could regain her freedom. It is therefore
supposed that when the bill comes up for a final hearing, Kossuth will
use all his fiery eloquence to dissuade the people from passing it, and
that it will be defeated.
Persons who are able to look at both sides of the question are of
opinion that separation would be a great misfortune for both countries.
Austro-Hungary is now a great and powerful kingdom, holding a
position in Europe which enables her to preserve the balance of peace
in the eastern portion of that troubled continent.
With Austria and Hungary divided into two small kingdoms with

separate aims and interests, Turkey could not be held in check any
longer, and the Russians, who are so full of ambition for power in the
East, could do pretty much as they pleased.
The Hungarians are supposed to be a very wide-awake people, and able
to comprehend the true meaning of a political situation. It is therefore
supposed that in the present crisis they are not striving so much for
freedom, which would be a disadvantage to them, as for the supremacy
in the two kingdoms.
This idea is outlined by Kossuth in a speech made by him the other day,
in which he said: "We want a separate army and separate treasury. The
King of Hungary should be Emperor of Austria as a sort of extra
occupation. Vienna (the capital of Austria) is already a suburb of
Budapest (the capital of Hungary), and in time Austria will become a
collection of provinces attached to Hungary."
* * * * *
Rioting still continues in Prague. The troops are patrolling the street,
and special guards have been stationed at the places where outbreaks
are feared.
Numbers of arrests have been made, and it is said that the prisons are so
full that it has been found necessary to take no note of the smaller
offenders, and only hold those persons who are accused of serious
crimes.
In Vienna there has been a demonstration, unfriendly to both
Hungarians