The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-21

Cyclometers, Birthdays and Centuries.
We have here two communications that
throw light on the strange fancy that the
year to be known as 1900 will be the first
OF the twentieth century. Ono Ia from
wheelmhn:
To the Eprroa OF TIE sus-.Nr; Ny way OF
reasoning makes the twentieth century begin jan l.
1900 To mo II seems Identical with q man riding
twenty centuries bicycle. The cyclist starts with
his oyclometsr at ssro-the beginning OF the Chris
an Era year /. you please. At the end Of she nr,t
mile the eyelomstsr registers ono mis-the end of
year !. A d.
This continues Just the same through all the
centuries the bicycle. and when tho oyolorneter
registers 1000 miles the cyciiss begins his ieoiss
mile, consequently ON his twentieth century.
Just 90 with time. Jan. 1. 1900. the calendar In
dicatss 1900. The 1900 years have been com pieted
jan next is the beginning OF the rear 1901. or
the twentieth century. GKo. ". CLARKE
MEcRAnosvuLE. NJ Y.
The other argues to the same effect in
connection with birthdays:
To TIE ENRON or THr sus-Str; read in your
paper with astonishmsnt that there Is any further
controversy about whom tho twentieth century be-
gins. when man writes himself I 90 years old. or.
In other words when he reaches his hundredh birth
day he has completed 100 OF his life and has
entered upon and IL in his second century. when
he writes himself lol years old he has already been
in his second century one year. and has completed
IOi years Of his life. 80 exactly. whom begin to
write 1900 years Of tho Christian Era, have oom-
plsssd 1000 ysars Of II and have entered upon and
com msnoed the twentieth century.
EEw YoRx. Dec 10. y. @. HEHTsl.
So, tho date 1900 will not denote truly
- -
ary but tho year in which we arc In now
And 1890 refers to last year. not to this
Hero We imagine is the key to the curious
calculations that begin the neY century
with the coming year.
Mn CLARKE describes the dolngs OF the
cyclometer correctly. The appearance OF
1900 ON the dial signifies that the 10oOth
mile Ii done. and that he has begun the
19o1st. Mr.. HRRTRR reckons mems years
correctly also. For reasons OF convenience
and from desire not to obtrude too pre-
cisely the measurement OF ones aga,
the custom Ia to call man as old az the
number Of years he has passed, not both
ering about the additional days. Time.
however. Is not counted ON the plan of the
oyolometer and birthday table.
On the morning Of the coming January /,
| friends will say Happy New Year r.
The newspapers will announce the "open-
ing" Of the new year. What yearp The
year to be numbered eventually on the
calendar as 1902 No. 1t will DO the year
numbered 1000. the 1oooth year, the last
year OF the nineteenth century.
New Years Day will be known as Monday
from the moment 1t begins No one will
wait until the dawn OF Tuesday before
calling New Years Day Monday. The first
month OF the new year will be known
as January from the start. People will
not wait until February has come bo-
fore they write January in their date
lines. The year also will be known lmmedi.
ately by its proper and ultimate nun.
Der, 1900. the moment 1t begins. People
will not walt until it Is over. that ia, until
1901, before they put 1900 on their letter.
heads. The date 1900 will show that we
are In the year so numbered and not
beyond 1t.
Such Is the difference between the system
OF counting by cyclometers and birthdays,
and the almanac.