Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-01-22
NEW YORK CORRESPONDERCE.
New YoRK, JANUARY 10. ls4s

I NEW DIRK, JANUARY 10, lS4S.
PROFESSOR MITCHELL Qiidhts Lectures on dstr0no,nu
Professor Mitchell, of Cincinnati has recently delivered
of lectures in New York. and another in BROOKLYN
upon the science Of Astronomy The in New York
consisting of lectures the Broadway Tabernacle had
the pleasure of hearing and impressed with the emi-
nent ability and requirements of the lecturer should
feel had left duty unpenormed to let the occasion
pass by without notice. Professor Mitchell il certanv no
ordinary He at this holding an honorable
rank the first astronomers of day. and destined
think, years cone add little 10 the honor Of
our country by The advancement of astronomical science He
is sell made and has risen TO his present position by
his native energy of character He has passed the middle
age Of life, perhaps hardly reached it, is little below the
medium stature and has knoty compact look indicative of
energy and endurance.
Professor DAWES, his early tutor introduced Professor
Mitchell the audience the first lecture in few remarks
which added to the interest o the OCCASION He said that
twenty years ago young lad from interior of the
country to the Institution with which he was connected
for the purpose Of attending mathematical studies
He attracted by the peculiar character of youths
mind and watched his progress with interest till he left the
institution year two snce the Professor had occasion
TO journey westward, and he stopped Cincinnati, Ohio.
While at the hotel he received visit from his former pupil
whom he had et deep interest After the congrau-
aons OF the meeting passed, the pupil invited the Pro-
TO visit the g Astronomical Observatory"
s'Whatp said the Professor, /" observa-
tory, away here in the woods, where the cleared
fields still thick with the stumps of the forest %
- Certainly, said the pupil " and such one hope
may be altogether unworthy the attention of of
| science.
light and admiration Of the Professor he found hill near
the city not only suitable for observatory,
the best telescopes mounted, astronomical libra
H and other appendages for such establishment
ard lying the table letters from the able
and eminent Europe, communicating the
suits of their abors calculations aud asking pupil
return the results OF his researches and philosophical
conclusions.
s.'rha Professor said Mr. Davies, "has the pleasure to
int oduce audience that pupil in the person Of Professor
Mitchell"
r. ~. .ors. of his lec,nres Professor Mitchell rave an
progress of the observatory Cincinnati and
the difficult obstacles he had before its compile
lion. part of the means necessary for the purpose
supplied by the beraty OF the citizens butt still left him
barrassed with heavy debt, and the time approaching
when seemed that the whole establishment be sac
feed that debt In this conjuncture he resolved
what he could effect by appeals the public in other
places and by public lectures He accordingly
came Atlantic cities he ectured in Boston and New
York his and his ability Appreciated his
was eveberated the banks of the Ohio in that al
most electrified the Queen City Of the West On his return,
prophet who had with such honor abroad
almost woshipped at home The citizens who had means
around him. and told him make out his estimate of
wanted free his establishment and put it in
good working order aud the money should be ready Tor him.
The lectures which have here alluded delivered
nearly year ago and the close of the present the
Professor remarked the question might naturally be ask
ed why he again away from his post why he
upon the wachtowe engaged in the service to which he pro-
feed to be much attached lie considered the question
fair one and he felt bound IT, The truth was,
though his observatory in position OF freedom and
y, yet devong his services 10 the science with
salary, he had found necessary to have this temporary
public procure for the support Of
bis family. But he had been maturing plan, which
already in partial operation, and from which he trusted he
might be able derive support for his family while he might
remain without interruption IN the observatory, with harness
on and not be obliged again lay aside till bis work
done for his desire to devote the rest Of his
life reading the heavens and giving the Interpretation there
of TO his fellow men, The plan which he alluded was the
publication Of periodical devoted principally to the science
Of astronomy which would be conducted and controlled by
himself and in which the whole science and the great ad
which it is rapidly making msnl pc pIeSeneu m
simple and popular style, adapted tho uses o. tne uniean
ed as we'll as The scientific This periodical VIII DO Illustrated
by wood cuts engraved by himself and the ex
hbited at his lectures gave abundant eFcehce ~ ne u
traions will possess exceeding interest
Till receny no Efforts the distance oil liked
star had been successful base line OF nearly two hundred
millions Of mes which afforded oy inc diameter Oh me
earhs orbit round the was mol sucien 70 Pouuco any
nayaaY o apperent change OF place OF fixed star, which
could be appreciated and measured by any instruments IN use
But at last great improvements IN telescopes anu one as
,r,ocal have enabled 10 solve this Inte-
resting probem and the launches out with new
powers into the mmensy Of lie finds that our solar
sem in which he has been padding about Tor some thou
sands ot wears i but confined aud narrow bay, compared
with be mighty boundless opening before him.
m this bondess he already discovers thousands Of
bright and beautiful islands, which, as he approaches them,
are resolved into solar systems and system beyond system In
nmerabe Bot though by the perfection Of his instruments
he now able 10 approach those objects and their
distances so far as compare them one with another, yet
n thrn nv rnumerana millions of millions Of miles would
utterly fail us for any useful purpose. The only satisfactory
notion we can obtain OF these distances is by comparison
For instance the velocity Of light known and assured
moves al the rae Of about twelve millions OF miles mi-
mute OF is about eight miaues in coming from the TO tho
earth Now the distance Of fixed star in the constellation
Of the Swan which supposed to be Of the nearest has
been measured and found to be such that its light, moving
twelve millions of miles minue would require ten years TO
reach this earth,
Professor Mitchell stated that since bis arrival in New York
to give this Of lectures he had received intelligence
r. m the distinguished SrUnyE that he had deter
mined the parallax and distances Of new stars He
also that he had been requested by Surve to undertake.
the examination and OF all the double stars
south Of the equai6 while be will perform the same work
north Of EQUATOR commencing at the pole. Sturve
the hope that they may meet at the equator and thus
unite the southern and northern hemispheres presenting
perfect picture Of the entire heavens Professor Mitchell said
his ambition accomplish this work; would require
years complete il, and he hoped he might be able 70
conne hmssf 10 the observatory and pursue il without IN
tenupton.
intended TO glance atsome other statements and ,us -
tons OF the Professor, which full interest," anu ny