Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-12-02
SCIENTIFIC ACQUISITIONS.
PROM Tar BOSTON DAILY ADVERTISER.


EuRorEAs SCIENCE IN AaERIcA.-We had the pleasure
Of announcing few months since the arrival in this country
of +. VIco, the celebrated Roman astronomer and of
other distinguished Of science among the exes from
Rome. Since that time F. de Vico has returned Europe
for scientific purposes connected with the duties which open
before him IN America. His return is expected, how
when he will enter the discharge of his duties at the
College at Georgetown The arrival of another gentleman
of the highest reputation from the late Jesuit College, is also
to be looked for Immediately at the college, This is
Dr. PIAScIAS the oldest member Of the noble family ofha
name, oil sPoeto, in Umbra but much distinguished
as the Professor of Chemistry in the College Of the Jesu at
Rome having reLounced the honors attached his birth
that he might become member Of the Jesuit Fraternity
He has held the chair of chemistry at Rome, scientific
readers know with eminent ability having distinguished him
self in all the physical sciences He hold the chair
at Georgeown number Of young gentlemen, lately
depis at Rome, collecting Georgetown, and the epua
ton Of the college there, with such light will receive
from de Vco, Sesni, Pianciani, and other distinguished
exes from Switzerland and Rome, will a comparison
with that OF any of Protestant colleges, which hope
they may not be slow 10 recognise. If America, hope,
is to be the refuge of the prosecuted science of Europe
men of science and letters will be the first discharge
openly and coueousy the Inequalities of their position
1t is said that the Government of Rome although it
Ietan ue Woo
They obliged escape from the efforts of the police
that they might meet the fate their brethren Their
eminence in science secured them this curious distinction.
The Observatory at Georgetown, though of the first
class is believes the oldest in this country Mr. NE yIco
will be in the immediate neghbohood ALSO Of the Govern
ment Observatory at Washington, the reactor in which,
least superior to that which he used in Rome This OBJ
servatoy is under the charge of gentleman formerly pupil
Of the Georgetown College. The eminence which the OBJ
servatoy Rome and that Of Naples have enjoyed Europe
has been attributed in part to the fine climate those places
aud to their southern latitude. In bis new home, Mr.. de
Vco will have the advantages. The latitude Of Wash
ngon and Georgetown is precisely three degrees south Of
that of Rome difference just sufficient to maintain the
else in the world while the position still nearly the same
that the general aspect of the heavens quite
changed In his observations here therefore, when surround
ed by Roman pupils and friends Mr. de Yico may well think
himself quite at home ........
g And what Goose Greek once be Tiber now.''
1t is quite curious that in moving from observatory to
another he passes almost exactly quarter of the worlds
circumference.
The Observatory at Rome is east longitude from
Greenwich Gin tme) Observation-Disclosures. 49, 54.T'
The Capitol at Washington is west from Green
wch Tin tlme) ....................... Oh. y e.
The Observatory at Georgetown is west from
the Capitol say. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. %"
The total Of all which ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . So 25.T|
lacks less than two minutes OF quarter OF day.