New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-04-01

loo Dock. The horizon IL GOOD, ana lnhnltely Det-
ter than could have been hoped for in the heart OF
busy Manufacturing town. A ball, similar TO that
at Greenwich, is let fall every day. except Sunday,
precisely AT / P. NJ. Greenwich time"
''1tiseyident say The distinguished Council, " thai
an Observatory furnishing time will be OF the
greatest utility ell makers OF good Chronometers,
and hinGrance 10 the vendors OF those which are
Indifferent The snip owners may 100 II they please,
enjoy an advantage hitherto belonging only TO the
Admirally,-that Of having their Chronometers tired
aud rated by 4 competent and disinterested party
previous 10 purchase an advantage which will be
thought almost nappreciable by persons fully aware
OF the dependence Of modern navigation on The
goodness OF keepers and also what Indifferent
watches now disposed OF 10 the unWary by lsno-
ran: and INSCRIPTIONS dealers
Does the reader still question the immediate prac-
iica utility OF Astronomical establishments Does ne
entertain the common notion that an observatory IS
great expensive playthipg for lew visionary
star gazing theorists Listen Tor moment 10 the
eloquent appeal OF Sir John Herschel 10 the lower
but most influential motives OF direct material IN
terest If we ask. says that distinguished Sardn,
10 What end magnificent establishments are man
lained by States and Sovereigns, furnished with
pieces of art and placed under men OF hrst-
rate talent and high minded enthusiasm, sought out
for those qualities among the foremost in the ranks
of Science If we demand cui bono for what good
g Bradley has toed or Maskelyne q Piazz
worn out his venerable age III watching the
answer is-Not TO settle mere speculative points IN
the doctrine of the Universe NOT 10 cater tor The
pride of Man by refined inquiries into the remoter
mysteries of Nature NOT 10 trace the path OF our
system through infinite space or its history through
past and future eternes These are indeed noble
ends, which far from any thought OF depre-
| ciatng,-the mind swells in their contemplation
and attaiDs in their pursuit an expansion and bar
dihood which fl il for the boidest enterprise: but
the direct practical utility of such labors Is fully
worthy of their speculative grandeur. The stars
are the landmarks of the Universe, and, amidst the
endless and complicated fluctuations of our System
seem placed by their Creator guides and records
not merely 10 elevate our minds by the contempla
ton of what is vast but TO teach us 10 direct our
actions BIZ reference TO what is immutable In His
works. II is, indeed hardly possible 10 over-appre-
ciate their value in this point o! view. Every we'll
determined star from the moment It's place Is regis
tered, becomes TO the Astronomer, the Geographer
! the Navigator, the Surveyor, point Of departure
which can never deceive or fail him-the same for
ever and ia all places-of delicacy extreme as
| 10 be n test for every instrument invented by Man,
yet equally adapted for the most ordinary pur-
| poses as available for regulating Town-Clock
as for conducting Navy 10 the lndies-as effective
for mapping down the intricacies OF petty Barony
rs for adjusting the boundaries of trans Atlantic En-
| pires. When once its place has been thoroughly
ascertained and carefully recorded the brazen circle
with which that useful work was done may moulder,
the marble pillar on It's base, and the AsTono-
mer himself survive only in the gratitude OF his pos
tery: but the record remains and transtuses all It's
own exactness into every determination that takes
il for ground giving 10 inferior instruments
nay, even temporary contrlvances and 10 the OBJ
servatons of a few weeks or days. all the precision
attained originally ct the cost OF so much time, labor
and expense.
Our readers will have perceived by notice in
our columns few days since that an attempt Is
about TO be made 10 secure City The direct and
positive advantages of large public Observatory,
and 10 wipe off the reproach which longer ndit
ference to the subject would cast upon her charac-
ter for berality intelligence ard capacity OF appre
ciatng the highest and most ennobing objects OF sci
ence. Surely, if The comparatively small and inland
City of Cincinnati can raise and support an Observ
atory OF the first rank, the great commercial City OF
New York-aboundng in wealth every dollar of
which is more nearly and directly the product of
some series of laborous sderal observations or OF
some reconcile astronomical formula than most peo
pie ever dream of-ousht to be able and willing 10
contribute at once funds sufficient 10 erect az OBJ
servatory on the grandest scale and to furnish it
with instruments that will make the pride of the
whole land and the great depot, this side OF the Al
lantc OF intelligence from the farthest boundaries OF
creation.
The preliminary steps TO this interesting and most
desirable result. have been taken by number OF
our wealthy, influential citizens at the suggestion Of
and in accordance with, the plans proposed by Dr.
Hackley, Professor of Astronomy and Mathematics
in Columbia College. II is 10 be hoped that the
project will meet with the cordial appreciation of
our citizens-and not merely their appreciation but
| their aid. For the sake of science and humanity
and municipal decency and honor, let US have
complete astronomical establishment-one a citizen
can point 10 with pride evidence of something
higher and nobler in the public mind than devotion
| to the almighty dollar