Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1847-06-21
THE NATIONAL OBSERVATORY.


The Union has glowing account of astronomical
Instrument called Grea, Reiracting Circle which has
iusi arrived from Munich, where it manufactured
10 the mnutes Parts, after plans and drawings furnished
BY It. NJ +. MAuRy the Superintendent the Nation,
al Observatory, ard which is Pronounced by the cee-
bra,d manufacturers to he the lest and most splendid
instrument made by them. at Isl the nion adds
"fu the purpose among other things, of nyc eating sme
Of the most interesting and delicate problems in practical
astronomy viz paraax Of the fxel stars amspherical
reflections, aid the eject of the upon the lumb
lire. We understand the duticsuIou ii amounted 10 up
wards of & $50"
Il wonld be an amusing exhibition, were the diarbes
Of the Enquirer. from 1926 1899 on The subject the
enorny Of Light houses in the Skies placed in colo
cation with this and similar notices Of III. Observatory
which hive apreafei in the Cuion. MI ADAMS was
gay Of "infecous rhetoric" and bad tasto in an official
docmsn,,and was denounced for ,lese but-fr tho
imputed latitudiraansn Of lis constitutional views, as
indicated in roconmendaon if indeed ii amounted 10
that, of the erection of Observatory The Official
Editor, then on the provincial boards. "could lay his
fe upon the clause of the Constitution which author
lied Congress to appropriate money to such an OBJ
jec and, Of COURSE filled with horror at the
ides Of such enomi,y! What Guir,s of paper were
defacod by comments this text? What wear and tear
ofungs experienced in denouncing the dangerous assump
ton of power The term eight house of the skies
: the distorted meaning given to another phrase viz:
"parayzod by the will of his constituents" sliced to
overthrow an administration, which impartial pusteriy
VIII pronounce the prest, most economical and happest
known in the annals Of the Republic.
Within Il fraction than fifteen years from the
date of Mr. ADAMS election from power the former Ed
he ,fli al al
preaching the seat of government the duties OF
his posione iule lower only than that Of Cabine,
Alnlster-hashis eye attracted by noble dome-crowned
building on emnence not far from the President maf
sion and enqurng It's name learns that it the Nato
al Observatory To his unsophstica,d mind the words
convey no definite idea. He sui sequently avals him.
self Of polite invitation to visit the establishments
lie secs Immense telescopes mural circles and every in
sumen necessary 10 render il Of the conpetest Oh
seryatoes IN the world; and finds moreover some score
gifted young Officers all busily employed in makng
aud recording observations upon the heavenly bodies
lie sorey peTploxed, and is forced TO ask himself if
this be not indeed, Light house in the skies y lie
is still more asotnded when he finds upon enquiry that
this is nota Federal Wing abOminatio but was planned
by Democratic AdininsirOn-that Of his friend Mr.
VAN BuREN-and the money. for building and iHsiru-
mems, voted by Democratic Congress. lie is some
what embarrassed, but being now Editor laureate h,
STILES all scrnpes and indit's, from time 10 time hand
paragraphs of laudation as well deserved as they
cordial.
Tile Observatory is an honor 10 The nation 1t is an
institution which reflects credit upon character abroad
aud promises the highest practical benefits 1t is now
rpnlar-tle canng denagogue dare assail il and
vel |, has been gotten up under something like false
rrelences; under false at least Had the money
been asked outright for all "Observaury," we believe
the appropriation would have failed. II was called
'Depot for Charts and Instruments" In every report
and bill aud order it distinguished until it went
into full operation. Mr. BAYcRorT was the first officer
who had the courage to call by its gh, name In one
OF his repors,as Secretary Of the Navy. is for the first
time. truly called - National Observatory }, Mr.
ADAMS lives to enjoy his triumph and visits the es,ab
hshmen to crafty enlightened tastes 1t would he worth
something 10 witness meeting there between him and
the venerable official Editor.