79 
1883.] Sun-spottery , 
of this matter is surmise, but the conclusion of legitimate 
deduction, arrived at by stridt observation and computation 
on the part of the leading meteorologists of the day. On 
the other hand, eledtric storms are calculated to disturb the 
recent enterprise in eledtro-magnetic cables, lighting, and 
locomotion, that has so fair a promise, while the question of 
spots or no spots will be brought to our very homes in the 
eledtric light. 
That other phenomena that affedt the well-being of man- 
kind may safely be attributed to the sun, the following frag- 
ment of a chronicle of the eruptions of Vesuvius and Etna, 
the result of some considerable research, will demonstrate : 
— In 1766 sun-spots were at a minimum, and Etna was in 
eruption, and the next year Vesuvius. In 1769 sun-spots 
were at a maximum, and Vesuvius erupted during the space 
of three years. In 1775 sun-spots were at a minimum, and 
an eruption of Vesuvius that commenced in 1773 terminated 
in 1776. In 1778 sun-spots were at a maximum, and there 
was an eruption of Vesuvius for two years, followed by an 
eruption of Etna for two years. In 1784 sun-spots were at 
a minimum. The previous year Vesuvius and Etna were 
both in eruption, the activity of Vesuvius lasting for three 
years. In 1788 sun-spots were at a maximum, and the pre- 
vious year Vesuvius and Etna were both in eruption, the 
period of activity lasting three or eight years. In 1798 sun- 
spots were at a minimum, and Etna was in eruption for 
about five years. In 1804 sun-spots were at a maximum, 
and Vesuvius was in eruption. The succeeding year both 
Vesuvius and Etna were adtive. In 1810 sun-spots were at 
a minimum, and the previous year both Vesuvius and Etna 
were adtive, the adtivity of Vesuvius continuing for two 
years, and being followed by an outbreak on the part of 
Etna. In 1816 sun-spots were at a maximum, and Vesuvius 
was in eruption during two years, and afterwards Etna was 
in eruption during the space of one year. In 1823 sun-spots 
were at a minimum, and Vesuvius had been erupting during 
two years. In 1828 sun-spots were at a maximum, and 
Vesuvius was adtive. In 1833 sun-spots were at a minimum, 
and there was a corresponding adtivity for six years on the 
part of Vesuvius, while Etna was in adtivity the year pre- 
vious. In 1838 sun-spots were at a maximum, and Vesuvius 
and Etna were both adtive. In 1842 they were at a mini- 
mum, and Etna was adtive. In 1847 sun-spots were at a 
maximum, and there had been eruptions of Vesuvius for 
three years previous ; the first year Etna was also erupting.. 
This period was succeeded by a slight eruption on the part 
