Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-06-21
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER
THE LIGHTHOUSE IN THE SKIES !.


Instruments" there has been quietly founded here
by the Government NATIONAL OBsERvAToRy---a
very interesting stablishment--which from the
number, magnitude, costliness and splendor of the
astronomical instruments with which il is furnished,
Constructed by the most celebrated artists i'm Eu-
roPe,) and the appropriations for the buildings and
the Improvement of the beautiful square on which
il is placed does honor to the enlightened liberaly
OF Congress, and to the scientific knowledge, judg-
ment and diligence of the officers to whom the
execution Of the intentions of the Government was
committed The country is, indeed, indebted to
all the parties concerned in giving TO it this noble
institution. with which 1t is our present purpose TO
make our readers somewhat more particularly ac-
quainted. But, before proceeding to do this, it is
impossible to refrain from single reflection on the
inconsistency which often marks the course Of party
in regard to public men and measures for, whilst
President ADAMS was denounced for recommending,
In 1925, just such an institution, and Vrgina.
and all the chiyalry Of the South invoked
by the Richmond Enquirer, and other influential
prints, to rise up and oppose to the death the
monsrous proposition, here has been the very thing
executed under Ito its credit be it spoken) Demo
cratic rule and not whimper of disapproba.ion of
the act has been heard in all the land of strict con-
struction from the Potomac to the Pee Dee
REPORT Of the plan and construction Of the Depot
Of Charts and Instruments, lat Uashingtd,l,)
with description Of the Instruments, &C., made
to The Secretary Of The Nary by Lieutenant
J. M. GILLIss, printed By order Of Congress.
Although we do not profess ourselves to be capa-
bile IF fully scientific details of
report yet we have received much information
from its perusal. and altogether pleased with it,
that we shall endeavor, by brief analysis of its |
contents, to give just conception of it. Lieut..
GnLIss says in the commencement
8 In preparing this account have been influ-
enced by paragraph in report from the Council |
to the members of the Royal Astronomical Socie- |
ty, in which they state: The Council are of opin-
ion that it would tend materially to the advance
.ment Of astronomy if an accurate description of
every principal observatory could be obtained ac-
companied with ground plan and elevation of the
building, together with description of the nstru-
.ments employed, and drawings of such as are re-
markabe, either for their novelty or peculiar inter-
est. 1t is well known that there are several in
sruments In constant use on the continent and
much approved by astronomers, which have not
yet been seen In this country; and some in this
country, which not sufficiently known abroad.
encourage every attempt to promote this species of
information by publishing IN their memoirs the ac-
counts which they may from time to time receive
on this subject, and the drawings with which they
may be accompanied. 1t is only by such mutu-
al change Of information, that nations can expect
to benefit by their intercourse with each other y
The Secretary of the Navy in September, 1912,
directed Lieutenant Gilss to visit the principal
Northern cities for the purpose of obtaining nfor-
Mo htoh ctn Al
essentials of depot of charts and instruments
within the expenditure of the sum appropriated by
Congress, say $4,000. Professors Bache Bart
lett, Bond, Hassler, Paine, Patterson, and Walker
were consulted, and Mr.. Gilisss return TO
Washington the Department ordered the drauphting
Of plans under his direction These plans having
received the sanction of the Department they were
taken 10 Europe and presented to several of the
most distinguished among the English and CONT
mental astronomers for such suggestions as their
greater experience might have found advisable and
the model for the building finally adopted embraces
all the improvements upon the original plan recon-
mended by them.
The Depot was located by the President of the
United States University Square, in the city of
Washington. Ii lies on the north bank of the Po-
tomas, in the southwest part of the city, and the
entire ground appropriated contains about nineteen
acres. The site of the building is ninety-fve feet
ABOVE OfuiudIy Ndtcr anu mas north
horizontal range of and quarter mile and
south range of eight miles. The hill on which it
stands is of gravel formation, with surface stra
tum of dry brittle clay, through which water filters
almost as freely through gravel. long and very
minute account is given of the construction Of the
building, respecting which we would only observe
that every Precauuon appears to have been taken
TO obtain solid foundation, not only for the exte
rior walls but also for the massey piers which sup
port the astronomical instruments, and to secure
strength and durability TO the whole building, as
well as to adapt it TO its intended purposes
" 1t being evident" says the report, /" from the
action of Congress- that il was intended to estab
lish NaUal Observatory in connexon with the
Depot of Charts and instruments, il became an
object Of great importance to obtain instruments
of such character IN the various departments of
astronomy, terrestrial magnetism and meteor
oiogy as would render the most efficient service
during the largest portion Of Time To this end,
eminent advice was sought, and list prepared for
the approval of the Secretary Of the Navy, which,
regarding their ultimate usefulness as paramount,
still kept economy in view. The list embraced,
LIST. chromatic refractor I'd. Meridian transit |:
Sd. Prime vertical transit; 4th Mural circle !:
5th Comet searcher 9th. Magnetic instruments !:
7th Meteorological instruments sth Books
10 these, which were directed to be purchased
were to be added the instruments and books al
ready IN the possession Of the depot"
Previous to describing the various instruments
now in the Observatory, Mr.. G.. gives very into.
resting account of Frauenhofcr, who caused in the