THE COMING YEAR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1192, 6 January 1914, Page 4

THE COMING YEAR.

“OLD MOORE’S’’ PREDICTION. A melancholy series of national disasters, with little redeeming brightness, is set forth in “Old Moore’s Almanac” for 1914. Even in these enlightened times many people place a good deal of credence in this annual prognostication of gloom and trouble. The publication is the successor of the Vox Stellarum of Francis Moore, the first number of which was completed in July, 1700, and contained predictions for 1701. The death of a royal personage in the first quarter of the year is predicted as one of the events of the year in the United Kingdom. Towards the end of the year there is to be public mourning for “a death in high circles,” and a fruitless attempt will be made to shoot an unpopular Minister. To these misfortunes will be added a national stiike and the downfall of a great institution. Foreign nations will share grave misfortunes. The Turkish Empire in Europe is to be sponged off the map, a new rebellion is to break out in China, a horrible massacre of villagers is loreshadowed in Asia Minor, Italy is to experience the horrors of a great volcanic eruption, war between Germany and France will be only narrowly averted, and an international dispute in West Africa will be productive of much trouble in Europe. Among the few people who will have occasion for rejoicing in ,1914 will be the Suffragettes, who, it is said, will come into their own. The year will be a marked one among enthusiasts for women's votes, and it is predicted that in March or April a measure will be passed by which taxpaying women will be enfranchised. As a result, the appointment of females to public positions will be a marked leature of the year, particularly during the month ol December. The list of disasters is appalling —kinematograph fires, the partial destruction of a hospital, the burning down ot a Government building, mining explosions, numerous earthquakes, another volcanic eruption in Krakatoa, destructive gales, bank failures, aerial disasters, train disasters, cattle pestilences; are but a few of the alarming incidents that will occur in 1914. There is, however, one bright interlude. September Bto 12 are peculiarly favourable days for love affairs. Proposals on these days will be accepted, and marriages effected on them will turn out to be happy unions.