Sir Robert Dunkan Milne, Esqr., San Francisco—Dear Sir: I read your article: “Ten thousand years in the ice” in the Argonaut of the 14 january, and while it has made the greatest sensation in our country I take the liberty to beg you, will you be so kind, to answer me, what is the truth of this matter?
I shall be happy, sir, when you will honor me with an answer, and thanking for your kindness, I’m your very obliged
Sigmonde Barany.
The next letter showed that his Austro-Hungarian majesty’s officers have literary taste. It read thus:
[Original.]
Kronstadt (Transylvania, Austria), 20th February.
To the Argonaut, belletrist. newspaper, San Francisco, California: I should feel very much obliged to you, if you were kind enough to give me some accounts about the truth and fact of the most interesting tale, which contained the last number of your excellent paper (dated from the 14th of January)—“ten thousand years in ice,” by Sir Robert Dunkan Milne. Looking forward to your kind answer,
I am yours thankfully,
A. Kyd, lieutenant in the 2d regmt of the Hussars.
The next letter is signed by one of a family whose name is famous in Austria: