and when we consider that the earth is a body 25,000 miles in circumference, the ability to detect so slight a variation is a great tribute to the accuracy of science. The moon has recently been the object of renewed scrutiny, and almost a revolution has been effected in the heretofore popular view that the earth's satellite is an absolutely dead and inert body. Professor William H. Pickering, of the Harvard Observatory, has shown that changes take place on the face of the moon which, to say the least of them, are strangely suggestive not only of the play of mechanical energies, but also of the existence of life, probably in the form of vegetation. During the total eclipse of the moon in October last, Professor Pickering satisfied himself that the whitish patch visible around a little crater-like depression in the great plain called the Mare Serenitatis, or Sea of Serenity, was distinctly enlarged, while the face of the moon was covered by the cool shadow of the earth, and this, he argues, could only have resulted from the deposition of snow or hoar frost, caused probably by vapors issuing from the crater. fessor Pickering has shown other reasons for thinking that there are places on the moon where volcanic activity is as great as anywhere upon the earth. Pro We reproduce a wonderful photograph of a very rugged portion of the moon, including the great craters, or ring mountains, known as Theophilus, Cyrillus and Catharina, made with the huge Yerkes telescope by Mr. Ritchey. In connection with this, attention may be called to the other photograph here shown, also made by Mr. Ritchey, with the same instrument, of a strange nebula in the constellation Cygnus. These photographs in themselves constitute an advance. They are, in many respects, the finest ever taken of any object in the heavens, and they were made by a new method of Mr. Ritchey's invention. Instead of using a separate photographic object glass, he simply introduced in the great telescope a screen of yellowish glass, the effect of which was to cut out the rays of light inimical to photography. The results are better than any hitherto attained. One other investigation within the solar system must be mentioned, that relating to the curious asteroid Eros, discovered a few years ago, and which at times approaches the earth nearer than any other heavenly body except the moon. Eros is the object of most careful study because, on account of its close approaches, It offers a means of measuring actual distances in the Solar System more accurately than has hitherto been possible. From the known distance of Eros that of the sun and all the other planets can be deduced. Another peculiarity of Eros is its surprising changes of light, which lead to the supposition that it is not a globular body, but an irregularly shaped mass, and this fact, in turn, revives the theory that the asteroids are all fragments of a greater planet which was blown to pieces many ages ago. If they did not originate in that way, any other explanation of their origin must prove almost equally interesting. Beyond our little system astronomy, reaching out into fathomless space, grasps many strange and wonderful things. Perhaps the most significant of recent, and as yet uncompleted, discoveries in the stellar heavens, is indicated in the photograph, above referred to, of a most singular nebula in the constellation Cygnus. It is hardly too much to say that the discovery of such objects as this have dumbfounded even astronomers. Photography possesses an almost magical power of detecting things which the eye cannot fully see even when aided by the greatest telescopes. This is particularly true of the nebulae, which apparently consist of matter in a very tenuous, gaseous or dust-like state, and many of which seem to be undergoing transformation into suns and worlds. But some of the photographs tecently made at the Yerkes and the Lick observatories have presented us with objects so nearly inexplicable in shape that they can hardly be fitted into any existing theory of the nebular origin of the stars. Just what these things are it is hard to say. Their enormous, almost incredible, size, and the wonderful way in which they are scattered over, or among, or perhaps in some cases behind. the stars, like glimmering backgrounds, serve to confound the beholder and to make him hesitate in drawing any conclusions concerning them. Some of them might be likened to vast filmy, half-luminous jelly fishes floating among the star points that glitter in the ocean of space. Many others, however, possess a definite shape, which seems clearly to indicate motion about centres of attraction. But the shape revealed is usually that of a spiral, and this is inconsistent with the Daplacean conception of a series of circular or elliptical rings surrounding a central mass and capable of being condensed into planets. There is no more promising field of future exploration in astronomy than that which concerns the nebulae, and in this American astronomers are ahead of all others. But a few of the fascinating problems before us have been mentioned; enough, however, to show that astronomy in 1903 is likely to hold the attention of mankind. Austria= Hungary. Capital: The imperial and royal family of Austria descends from Rudolf von Hapsburg, a German Count, who was born in 1218, and who was elected Emperor of Germany in 1273. The last representative of the male line was Emperor Karl VI., who died in 1740. His daughter, in 1736, became the wife of Duke Franz of Lorraine and Tuscany, who, as Kaiser Franz I. of Germany became the founder of the new house of Hapsburg-Lorraine. The present Emperor, Franz Josef I., was born August 18, 1830, and is the son of Archduke Franz Karl, the second son of the late Emperor Franz I. of Austria and Archduchess Sophie, Princess of Bavaria. After the abdication of his uncle, Ferdinand I. of Austria, and the renunciation of the crown by his father he was proclaimed Emperor of Austria Dec, 2, 1848. On Jan, 8, 1867, he was crowned King of Hungary. Franz Josef was married April 24, 1854, to Elizabeth, daughter of Duke Maximilian of Bavaria. was born December 24, 1837, and was assassinated at Geneva September 10, 1898. Their issue was: She "Princess Stephanie, widow of Crown Prince Rudolph, was remarried to Count Elemer Lonyay March 22 1900. THE MINISTRY FOR THE WHOLE MONARCHY. HEIR PRESUMPTIVE.-The heir presumptive to the throne is Archduke Franz Ferdinand, who succeeded to the right of succession on the death of his father, Archduke Karl Ludwig, the brother of the Emperor, 1896. The Archduke mother being Princess Annunciata, ando II. of Naples. On July 1, Countess Sophie Choteh, having re dren to succeed to the thrones of The Ministry is constituted as Ministry for Austria.-Presi of the Interior, Dr. Ernest von fence. Count Zeno von Welser Ritter von Wittck; Minister of Jus of Public Worship and Instruction, of Finance, Dr. H. Ritter Bohm von Baron Call zu Rosenburg; Minister and without portfolio, Dr. Anton Pietak. Ministry for Hungary.-Presi Szell; Minister of Finance. Dr. Lad Defence. General Baron Geza Fejer anuel Szechenyi; Minister of the of Education and Public Worship, of Justice, Dr. Alexander Plosz; Alexander de Hegedus; Minister of any, and Minister for Croatia and was born December 18, 1863, his dent of the Council and Minister dent of the Council, Coloman de islaus Lukacs; Minister of National vary; Minister ad latus, Count EmInterior, Coloman de Szell; Minister Dr. Julius de Wlassics: Minister Minister of Industry and Commerce, Agriculture, Dr. Ignatius de DarSlavonia, Ervin de Cseb. Empire and the Kingdom of Hunto form a constitutional monarchy eration is renewable every ten and 1887, but not in 1897, the prescommon ruler. The two States are eign affairs, military and naval ance. The Turkish provinces of THE NATION.-The Austrian gary unite under the treaty of 1867 known as Austria-Hungary. The fed years, and was so renewed in 1877 ent tie being the personal one of the independent, but act jointly in for affairs and affairs of common fin Bosnia and Herzegovina are also included in the administration, although not formally incorporated. Religious liberty is enjoyed in both countries. Although the Church and the State are independent, the Emperor must be a Roman Catholic. This religion largely predominates, in Austria over 75 per cent and in Hungary over 50 per cent of the population belonging to this church. Emperor of Austria. Public instruction in Hungary is compulsory for children from six to twelve years, with repetitive courses from twelve to sixteen years. Law provides courses for apprentices, and provides for infant instruction in kindergartens maintained in each commune or parish. The State maintains three universities. The same general scheme holds in Austria, except that compulsory attendance usually ends with the fourteenth year, and there are eight State universities. In Austria the Department of Justice includes the Supreme Court and Court of Cassation, 9 higher provincial, 71 provincial district and 940 county courts. In Hungary there is a Royal and a Supreme Court, 12 Royal Tables (appeal), 76 county, 457 district courts and 15 jury courts for press offences. Finance. Common expenses of the monarchy are borne jointly, Hungary paying 34.4 per cent. The floating debt is guaranteed by joint bills. Hungary pays yearly on account of previous debt 30,312,920 florins. Lying in the heart of Europe, the monarchy has a strongly fortified frontier, while Pola, the chief naval port, is most strongly protected. The navy, while small, is highly efficient. Productions are chiefly grain, beet root and wine, in which latter Austria-Hungary comes next to France, Italy and Spain. The States share great mineral wealth and large exports of gold, silver and iron. Manufacture is nearly confined to Austria, which exports ironware, woollens, cottons and linens, Bohemian glass and Vienna and Pilsner beer. LIECHTENSTEIN.-The principality of Liechtenstein, lying between the Rhine and the Province of Tyrol, practically forms part of the empire. Incorporated by no treaty, the hereditary Prince nominally reigns, but the direction of affairs is by an elective commission at Vienna. There is no public debt, and its inhabitants pay no direct taxes and are exempt from military service. The reigning family of Liechenstein traces its descent to the twelfth century. In 1608 its barons became Princes of Liechtenstein, and the principality as it now exists has been established since 1719. The present Prince, John II., was born October 5, 1840, and succeeded his father, Prince Aloyse, November 12, 1858. THE AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN DEPENDENCIES. Liechtenstein.. Bosnia and Herzegovona. Dependencies. Totals 9,434 1,568,092 Trans-Continental Road' Proposed by Cyclists and Automobilists. 65 Area. Sq. M. Population. | Revenues. Expenditures. $167,426 9,552,257 Automobiles America and Drawn by George M. Schell, Chairman L. A. W. National Touring Committee: The Years of experiment preceded the introduction SAMUEL M. BUTLER, joyment to those who are able to employ it for pleasure purposes alone, but a valuable adjunct to the facilities of business enterprises which require quick delivery of merchandise or rapid movement of superintending officials from point to point of territory covered by their operations. It is to the pleasure seeker that is due the impetus which has led to the development of the automobile up to its present degree of excellence; and it is from this class of people that invention and business enterprise derive as yet by far the greater stimulus in continued improvement and production. Already an immense number of self-propelling carriages is in use in every portion of the civilized world, including many powerful racing machines, but vastly many more adapted to and used for the purposes of touring, pleasure-riding and the ordinary running about for which the family horses and vehicles are employed. Many physicians have adopted them with satisfactory results; and in the broad field of general utility they are making their way rapidly into use as public conveyances, delivery wagons and even portation of heavy goods. of the machine along strict gone so far that steam fected upon the automo put into the equipment of of the most progressive France is to be cred the prevailing interest in manufacturers in that some excellent forms of the motor tricycle, the England was hampered by peded progress until the comotives act in 1896, been done in that country. as trucks for the transIn fact, the development ly utilitarian lines has fire engines have been perbile plan, and have been fire departments in several American cities. ited with the inception of the automobile, and the country have originated the new vehicle, including voiturette and others. restrictive laws which impassage of the Light Losince which time much has quick to perceive opporturers vie with those of English demand for the biles. Germany also has siveness in this direction, man invention, being one can manufacturers, while was wise to the influence shown characteristic origout their own problems valuable ideas. M. Henri most automobilist in the the country from which immediate future is most sees the indications of this new storage battery and engineers in this country selves in the problems of M. Fournier's opinion, alin this matter about where years ago, she has made great an advance as The direction wherein France. notwithstanding we are still somewhat America has been so tunity that her manufac France in supplying the most up-to-date automo manifested much progres the Daimler motor, a Ger of the evidences. Ameri they have yielded where it of French designs, have inality, and in working have evolved new and Fournier, easily the fore world, regards America as the development of the likely to come, and he in Thomas A. Edison's in the number of young who are interesting them manufacture. Already, in though America yet stands France stood five or six in a couple of years as France made in a decade. America is really ahead of M. Fournier's opinion that in the rear, is in the manufacture of automobiles reasonable in price, and so constructed that they can be operated by people of ordinary intelligence. The French build largely to order, and do not increase their capacity in keeping with the demand. They produce special machines, powerful and costly, each a type by itself in some respects, and expensive to keep in repair, as every part which it becomes necessary to replace must be made to order. American manufacturers developing a good type, de Henri Fournier and His Racing Machine. TIT BLI.VII 248 THE AMERICAN ALMANAC, YEAR BOOK, CYCLOPEDIA AND ATLAS. vise special machinery for the production of its parts, which are interchangeable and can be readily and inexpensively replaced. With less comparative cost for a good machine, the demand is fostered, the product increased, and the manufacture improved by the lessons of large experience. At the present time there are in the United States about 150 concerns engaged in the manufacture of automobiles and parts. Of these nearly fifty were represented in the successful reliability run of 500 miles, from New York to Boston and return, which took place October 9-15, 1902. In this run there were 75 starters and 68 finished. It would be impossible to accuracy the number of use in the United States. New York City alone there biles, of which fully half 600 by electricity and line. Throughout the counsteam motors are the type 5,000 is not an overestiuse. All three types have gree of perfection in this for manufacture are being type has its advantages, cates. It would appear regards electricity as greatest development in This development will when lighter storage batduced are available, and in this direction have ising results. But in adbatteries there will be the electric automobile installation of charging Until these conveniences line and steam automomost favored by tourists unfrequented roads. The racing of automo tracts many who have operate powerful ma Such contests are counten Side View of Fournier's Racer. to state with any approach, self-propelling vehicles in It is estimated that in are about 4,000 automoare driven by steam, about more than 300 by gasotry the gasoline and most largely used, and mate of the number in been brought to a high decountry, and the facilities constantly improved. Each and each has its advothat M. Henri Fournier opening the way to the automobile mechanism, go forward on that line teries than any yet proMr. Edison's experiments been attended by promdition to lighter storage needed, in order to give its full advantage, the plants in all directions. are supplied the gasobiles will naturally be who are disposed to try biles is a sport which at the means to buy and chines, designed for speed. anced by leading automo bile clubs, which have devised rules and regulations for governing them, also offering trophies and prizes to be contended for. Speed is not so great a desideratum with the average automobilist as is endurance, and what is probably the most interesting, as it certainly is the most valuable of the sports conducted under the auspices of the automobile clubs, is the long distance runs which are arranged with a view to testing this quality in all the machines. In these runs speed counts only up to a certain limit, and the points scored by a contestant are made up from those elements of safety, reliability, etc., which enter into the character of any conveyance intended for extended journeys. The Automobile Club of America. The Automobile Club of America was incorporated in 1899 under the membership corporation law of the State of New York as an organization composed in whole or in part of persons owning self-propelled pleasure vehicles for personal or private use. Its objects, as stated in the certificate of incorporation, are as follows: To furnish a means of recording the experience of members and others using motor vehicles or automobiles. To promote original investigation in the mechanical development of motor carriages by members and others. To arrange for pleasure runs and to encourage road contests of all kinds among owners of automobiles. To co-operate in securing rational leg Starters in Endurance Contest of American Automobilists. islation and rules governing and regulating the use of automobiles in city and country. To maintain the rights and privileges of all forms of self-propelled pleasure vehicles whenever and wherever such rights and privileges are menaced. To encourage the construction of good roads and the improvement of the public highways. And generally to maintain a social club devoted to the sport of automobilism throughout the country." The membership is divided into four classes, namely, "honorary." "life," "active" and "associate members." Active members are limited in number to 400, but no limit is placed upon the number of life or of associate members. Only twenty-five honorary memberships are provided for and of this number the President of the United States, the Governor of the State of New York, the Mayor of the City of New York and the Director of United States Road Inquiry are ex-officio honorary members. The present list includes, in addition to these, Lieut.-Gen. Nelson A. Miles, U. S. A.; Thomas A. Edison, Professor Elihu Thompson, Professor R. H. Thurston, of Cornell University, and the heads of seven leading automobile clubs in Europe which this club represents in this country, and which represent it abroad. These are Mr. Roger W. Wallace, K. C., chairman of the Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland, London; Baron de Zuylen de Nyevelt, president of the Automobile Club de France, |