The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 2, No. 23, June 9, 1898 | Page 3

bound in cloth,
with a handsome design on back and sides; the copies of THE GREAT
ROUND WORLD can be inserted without mutilating them in any way,
and be kept clean and in condition for binding.
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Letters
EDITOR OF THE GREAT ROUND WORLD.
I am very much interested in the war, and would like to do something
for my country. Could you suggest something that a little girl could do?
Respectfully yours, ALMA D.
Other boys and girls are gathering illustrated papers, periodicals, and
books to be forwarded to the soldiers and sailors. You can help in this
way.
EDITOR OF THE GREAT ROUND WORLD.
In your issue of April 21st, you speak of the Russian officer Milutine
having said that no Christian had ever succeeded in entering and
leaving Mecca before his doing so. Sir Richard Burton distinctly states
that he was the first man ever to accomplish this feat, as you will see by
his book. Who is correct?
Very truly yours, J. T.
If you read the account again, you will see that Milutine is quoted as
having said that he had heard that no Christian had previously gone to
Mecca and returned safely. It is true that Burton did precede Milutine.
EDITOR.
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New Books

"Manipulation of the Microscope," Edward Bausch (Rochester: Bausch
& Lomb Optical Co.). At this season of the year, when so many of our
readers are interested in the study of botany and other nature work, the
use of the microscope enters largely into their work--and yet how few
people really understand this most useful instrument. The writer of this
admirable little book very sensibly assumes that his readers are anxious
to learn the subject from its simplest form to the more complex details,
and he has therefore made a thoroughly useful book. Few people
realize the delight of using a microscope intelligently, nor do they grasp
the true value of even the simple pocket forms of this invaluable little
instrument. If they did properly appreciate the microscope, every boy
would carry a two or three loop lens, and find it as useful almost as the
indispensable jackknife. The wonders of field, forest, and seashore are
not thoroughly appreciated unless the microscope is used--intelligently.
[Illustration: SPANISH TORPEDO-BOAT DESTROYER, "FUROR."]
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Current History
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In our last number we give a review of the first month of the war. In
glancing over the news, it is extremely interesting to contrast the losses
of Spain with those of the United States. In the campaign off Cuba, we
have had less than thirty men killed and wounded, whereas the
Spaniards have lost several hundreds; they have had many of their
fortifications destroyed, and have suffered great damage in other
ways--by the capture of vessels, etc. In the far East, Spain's fleet was
destroyed, and many men killed and wounded; against this was a loss
on our part of one man killed and six wounded, and approximately no
damage to our vessels.
The escape of the Oregon is considered another victory for us, as
during that trip of about fifteen thousand miles she might easily have
been intercepted and destroyed had she not been splendidly handled.
Her run of four thousand miles between San Francisco and Callao

(cal-ye-ä-o) is the longest ever made by a battle-ship without stop, and
in the latter part of her trip, on one long stretch, she averaged over
fifteen knots, a wonderful speed at the end of a trip of over ten
thousand miles--for a vessel's bottom becomes very foul with barnacles,
seaweed, etc., which greatly retard its passage through the water.
It is reported that, while coaling at Rio, a number of dynamite-bombs
were smuggled into the coal, but fortunately they were discovered by
the sailors.
[Footnote: Authority for pronunciation of proper names: Century
Dictionary.]
* * * * *
Action in reference to neutrality has been taken by Russia, Greece,
Venezuela, the Netherlands, and Canada. The declaration of neutrality
by Venezuela is of special importance, as Spain's fleet would have
found Venezuelean ports of inestimable value as places of refuge and
for the purpose of coaling. Venezuela expresses her position in the one
sentence: "The Republic will observe the strictest neutrality during the
contest." No statement is made, however, as to what will be considered
contraband.
The Dutch proclamation of neutrality, in addition to the usual forms,
especially cautions the citizens of the Netherlands against becoming
connected in any way with privateering; and the Dutch vessels are also
required to respect the blockade; in reference to coal, the Dutch
regulation is that only enough shall be sold to permit Spanish or
American vessels to reach the nearest port of their country.
The Russian proclamation