with a ruler. A scuffle
ensued in the attempt to wrench off the lid of the desk, during all of
which the Austrian member continued to speak, it being utterly
impossible to hear one word of what he was saying, because of the uproar
made by the rest of these dignified lawgivers.

[Illustration: THE START OF THE ANDREE BALLOON.]

The haughty Hungarians have naturally become highly indignant over this
conduct, and there have been stormy times in the Hungarian Parliament.

Francis Kossuth, a son of Louis Kossuth, the famous Hungarian patriot,
is a member of the Lower House of the Hungarian Parliament. He created a
sensation by demanding that Hungary should cut herself free from Austria
and once more become an independent kingdom, as Austria did not seem to
desire the renewal of the compact.

Baron Banffy, the Hungarian Premier, at once replied that the union of
Austria and Hungary was complete, and a separation was impossible, and
even were it not so, he could not contemplate the idea of turning
Austria's troubles to the advantage of Hungary.

While the Austrian Parliament behaves in such a scandalous manner, no
business can be transacted, and the matters of vital importance to the
welfare of the country have to be laid aside because of the disorderly
conduct of the Parliament.

The Emperor, Francis Joseph, is so disgusted with the way in which the
deputies are abusing the privilege of helping to govern their country,
that he threatens to suspend the constitution and act without the
Parliament.

At present, it being a limited monarchy, he can only make laws by the
will and consent of the people.

There is, however, a clause in the Austrian Constitution, an emergency
clause, known as Article XIV., which in case of need gives the Emperor
the right to suspend the constitution and act on his own
responsibility.

The necessity of coming to a decision on the Hungarian question has
become so great that the ministers are of the opinion that the Emperor
will have to use this privilege. The Minister of Finance therefore
uttered a warning to the members of the Parliament, telling them that
they had better not drive the Government too far, as there was the
gravest danger of the Emperor insisting upon exercising this right.

The latest despatches say that the published reports give but a slight
idea of the grave trouble that is underlying this matter. It is feared
that a revolution may be the result, and that martial law wil