Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1838-04-26
MlSCEL | AEE0 US.

= Sin WILLIAM HERscHEL. This emf
hent astronomer was born at Hanover in
1880. His father was musician. At the
age Of IA he was placed in the band of the
Hanover regiment of guards About the
year l75S he proceeded with detach-
nent of his regiment to England. accom-
panied by bis father, who, after short stay
returned to his native country leaving his
s,n in England. For several years he OBJ
tanned subsistence by his musical talents,
devoting his leisure hours to the study of the
English and Italian languages; he also
made s5me progress in the Greek and Lat
in s The bent OF his inclination during this
period, was however, principally directed
to mathematics aud astronomy. and fire.
quently after harrassing day of IA or 16
hours occupied in his professional ayoca-
tons, he would seek relaxation, if such it
might be termed, in extending his knowI-
sdgein. his favorito pursuits
Having III the course Of extensive read
ing made some discoveries which awaken"
cd his curiosity, he commissioned a friend
in London 70 procure him telescope OF
large dimensions, but he price being above
his limited means he resolved to construct
one himself. After innumerable disappoint-
,nents, he completed a five feet Newtonian
reflector. The success Of his first attempt
encouraged him to fresh efforts, and in
short time he made telescopes from seven
TO twenty feet. Asa proof of his persever-
ance, it is SAID, that in perfeCting the OBJ
jeat mirror for his seven feet instrument.
he finished two hundred before he produced
one that satisfactorily answered his purpose.
las his love for the study of astronomy
increased he gradually lessened bis profess
sional ENGAGEMENTS. and in 1873 he COM
mcnced a regular review of the heavens,
star by star! In the course Of eighteen
months observation he remarked that star
which had been recorded by former astrono-
mcrs as "a fixed star. was gradually chang
ing its position; and after much attention
he was enabled to ascertain that it was an
undiscovered planet. He commune ated
the fact to the Royal Society, who elected
him d fellow, and decreedhim their annual
gold medal. This great discovery was
made OH the 18th Of March, 1881, and be-
slowed on that great planet the name of
Georgsum -Sidus, in compliment to the
king, who in'consequcnce of his merit set
tledon him a handsoine salary, which ena-
bled him to relinquish his professional &C.
cupations and devote himself wholly to the
study of astronomy.
He shortly afterwards fixed his perma-
nent residence at Slough, near Windsor,
where in the hope Of facilitating and extern
ding his researches, he undertook 10 con-
struct telescope of forty feet, which was
completed in the year 1857. With the aid
of this Aponderons instrument, assisted by
otherso a more manageable size, he con-
tnued to enrich the stores Of astronomica al
science. In these researches he was ma
teriaIly assisted by his sister, Miss Caro-
line Herschel. who was equally devoted TO
the study which has inmoltalized her
brother.
In 1893 he announced the discovery of a
volcanic mountain in the moon, and four
years afterwards communicated the account
Of two other volcanoes in that orb, which
appeared in the state Of eruption. Show
ing these apparent eruptions at one time to
gentleman, the latter exclaimed, that he
not only saw the fire but the smoke.
twill be impossible in sketch like the
present, and perhaps also superAuous, to
detail the many important discoveries
which have been made By this great astrono.
mer; they are well known to the scientific
world. BY his labors he is justly eS;eemed
as the most celebrated man of his age. Va
rious public bodies testified their respect
for his talents, and his sovereign conferred
upon him the honor ofknighthood
Sir William died on the Odd of August,
1922, leaving behind him an unblemished
reputationsin private life. His name will
descend to, posterity as one oftbe greatest
astronomers Of the age IN which he lived
THE COAST OF MAINE.