ar, a maximum epoch. There is no doubt that this
period has an intimate connection with our auroral displays; but I
don't think that the influence sun-spots have on light or heat is
perceptible. Whatever influence they possess would be felt alike on
the whole terrestrial globe. We have wet, dry, cold, and warm years,
but they are never general. The kind of season which prevails in one
country is often quite reversed in another perhaps in the adjacent one.
Not so with our auroral displays. They are universal on both sides of
the globe; and from pole to pole the magnetic needle trembles during
their continuance. Some authorities are of opinion that these
eleven-year cycles are subject to a larger cycle, but sun-spot
observations have not existed long enough to determine this point. For
myself, I have a great difficulty in forming an opinion. I have very
little doubt that the spots are depressions on the surface of the sun.
This is more apparent when the spot is on the limb. I have often seen
the edge very rugged and uneven when groups of large spots were about
to come round on the east side. I have communicated some of my
observations to 'The Observatory,' the monthly review of astronomy,
edited by Mr. Christie, now Astronomer Royal,[2] as well as to The
Scotsmam, and some of our local papers.[3]

"I have also taken up the observation of variable stars in a limited
portion of the heavens. That, and 'hunting for comets' is about all
the real astronomical work that an amateur can do nowadays in our
climate, with a three-inch telescope. I am greatly indebted to the
Earl of Crawford and Balcarres, who regularly sends me circulars of all
astronomical discoveries, both in this and foreign countries. I will
give an instance of the usefulness of these circulars. On the morning
of the 4th of October, 1880, a comet was discovered by Hartwig, of
Strasburg, in the constellation of Corona. He telegraphed it to
Dunecht Observatory, fifteen miles from Aberdeen. The circulars
announcing the discovery were printed and despatched by post to various
astronomers. My circular reached me by 7 P.M., and, the night being
favourable, I directed my telescope upon the part of the heavens
indicated, and found the comet almost at once--that is, within fifteen
hours of the date of its discovery at Strasburg.

"In April, 1878, a large meteor was observed in broad daylight, passing
from south to north, and falling it was supposed, abou