Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-12-04

The printing is well executed and the book, by its judi
cious arrangement convenient and portable FORM beau
ful paper, makes most favorable impression.
May the author from the fruitful results of the
shed Naval Observatory, reap that rich reward for his me
orious efforts gratefully acknowledged by the com
petent judges GERLING. VI
MARBuRG, APHIL 20, ls47.
RERLIs1 zErruss" MAY 10, ls47.
NATURAL SCIENCES l262.-4Strononaica Obser-
cations made ut The Naral Obserpatory Washington IN
der orders Of the Hon. Secretary Of The Nary, dated
gust Is, 1888 By Lieut. J. M. GnLIss, U. S, N.
Printed By order Of the Senate Of the United States
The above work calculated the attention Of
onomes from two First, astronomical observations
from the Western hemisphere yet comparatively and
not in competition with those of the Eastern, especially
with those made in Europe. Yet it is extremely desirable
that the former half of the globe possessed greater means for
observation, many celestial phenomena which
only be observed there and many observations lost to Europe
by of unavorabe weather might well be made in
America.
The volume contains Of observations, made be
tween the years 1888 and s42 the Washington Observa
tory In this the first interest to astronomers. The second
is of greater vaue derived from the zeal of the author the
place of observation having only been erected for the purpose
of obtaining permanent location corresponding observa
for differences of longitude with expedition then
exploring voyage. His instructions particularly
qued the moonculmnatng stars of the Nautical Almanac
observed but, in order ascertain the state of the clock
and transit instrument it of necessary observe
the principal also He likewise directed observe
many meeors possible especially those of November
and his attention called ecpses of the and satellites
Of JUPITER and the occuatons of by the These
the whole of the observations author called
make but he has done much the greater portion
the large volume containing the observed and reduced right
ascensons of fixed Both observations and reductions
apparent and places given with requisite detail
and opportunity is thus afforded Judge Of the accuracy
of the results obtained by observation well from cacu
aon To form opinion, the author has given great
facility, by placing together, at the end of each year. the
right ascension of the stars Observed and by compa
ing them with those of the A. s. G. and Nautical Almanac
AS the last may be regarded very nearly correct and the diff
epences rarely CONSIDERABLE have right believe the
observations good
The preceding gives general view of the work. We will
specify its contents briefly, and add few remarks.
The introduction contains the orders and instructions
description OF tho Observatory. The la-
ude of the latter has been derived from twelve observations
observed the meridian partly with the
ica circle of altitude instrument and partly with
Rechenbach circle The result $50 SO 32"s does
sy us and assign that the determinations by
UrsG MINORS the 9th July, 1910, and 10th August
Is4l differ from each other 49," and that much greater
number of observations necessary to give great weight
attitudes but the author made observations Of decina
ton, this has influence the accuracy Of his labors
Much favoraby does the determination Of the longitude
present itself5h 0sm 04s.6 of Greenwich 1t de-
rived from dimensions and l3 Of stars the dis
appearance of meteor, and the annular eclipse Of the
September 18th, 1888, which last visible in
Europe That obtained from the eclipse of the sun, by
parison with Philadelphia and Dorchester differs from
tbn NJ he AZ
ber the final result principally based the occuaOns of
stars Of opinion that il is entitled considerable
fdence.
Following the account Of the instruments with their
recons and the reductions find the observations and their
results arranged in annual succession In chronological
der the solar eclipse Of September lsth 1885, is the first OBJ
servaion those with the transit instrument commenced
the 2 November and in that year there observed
"a transts Of the moon and 80 different The latter
already stated reduced TO right ascensions
and compared with the catalogues mentioned In 1889 there
so observations of the moon, of Mars two Of Jo
pter $40 Of different fixed stars and Is occulaons The
observed places of the planets compared with the compu
taons Of the N. Al and with reference the fixed stars,
must remark, that the place Of each is derived from
res of single observations emitting the result considerable
weight In 1910 we find l04 transits Of the moon Of
Uranus, 7l3 different stars, and 10 OSCILLATIONS s4l con-
tains liz observations of the moon of Mars, Of Jupiter
Of Uranus, $50 places Of stars and 10 OSCILLATIONS and
in the first half Of 1912, with which the volume concludes
the observed A times, Mercury 7, Venus 10 /
Jupiter 5, Saturn 2, occuaons 3 and different stars 424
AT the end there is general catalogue Of 2is stars AZ
ranged in the order Of their right asccnsons and the
Of the numbers above stated is 2,406, follows that each
STAR average observed in distinct The
customary remarks respecting magnitude color, &C. Of the
stars close the book.
We have indicated here by numbers the zeal and activity
Of heauho in observations and have briefly endeavored
explain and determine the confidence 10 which his results
entitled He has been rewarded for his labors agreeaby
deservedy, by the erection Of larger and permanent one,
in place Of the small temporary cdfce, and from which, from
his tried energy and perseverance, we are justified in the eS
pcctation Of results Of much greater Importance.
WOLFERS.
Donation no! 10 Be changed from The Intention Of ne
DondtorA case OF much Importance decided before orc
Of the Of New Orleans few days ago. The matter
tho of NJ