The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-05-13

until the next meeting if they had not regarded it
being Of the first importance to relieve anxiety
upon this subject, MS soon as they had proceeded
sufficiently far in their inquiries TO be quite sure Of
their final result They are not, however, prepared
to enter into minute detail at the present meeting,
but must conne themselves to general forms Of ex-
preston. They intend, also, to avoid, ut the pre-
sent time, the consideration Of the question ofpri-
GRITTY.
right ascensions is thought by the committee to
sustain all his claims in regard to its simplicity ac-
curaey facility and despatch. 1t il fine specimen
Of ingenious continuance, and the best proof Of its
superiority in this respect is the fact that, notwith
standing the roughness Of construction to which the
inventor has been forced to submit by his limited
resources it rivals in the accuracy of its results,
the most finished specimens OF skilful workmanship.
by the use of two pens he has avoided all possible
lily Of the peculiar error, which must constantly
arise whenever the same pen Is used for recording
the observations and the clock beats by recording
upon q disc with pencil which makes slight dot
mt single swift stroke, he has reduced to single
minute quantity the perturbaions in the motions OF
the disc, which arise from the act of recording lhs
methods for adjusting the disc and reading its re-
cord, exclude all danger of error from imperfect
centrng, while the ingenious apparatus for read
ing admits of great nicely and rapidty ID the exc
cuticn o! this task. The attention which has been
paid tothe determination and elimination of minute
Sources Of error, such ms armature time and the
like, deserves high commentator. ..
ID In regard 10 the apparatus IOr observing de-
cinatons, the committee report, in some respects.
with less condolences because the series of observs
tons, although quite various, Is not yet sufficiently
extensive. They think, however, they may VEN
to report upon the probable capacities Of ths
apparatus, and the limit OF accuracy which it may
be expected to attain, and which it may have
already attained. The principles Of its construction
are regarded by the committee perfectly correct.
and as exhibiting a happy combination Of ingenuity
and originality. They are surprised and delighted
at the simplicity with which ali danger of error
from eecentricity or aexure is avoided as partIa'
equivalent for which it may be i'm portant not to
overlook any short lateral motion Of the pivot Of
the telescope in its !. In its present form.
the apparatus must be considered to be pure
ly dHeTential, and to depend upon other fun
damental observations for the absolute deter
mination of the length of its With this
condition, the measurement Of differences OF decIi-
nation may extend TO the degrees and perhaps
much farther, without any loss of accuracy. Tho
principal feature which characterizes this appa-
ratus and distinguishes il from all others, consists
in its admitting of the observation Of ten different
horizontal wires during a single transit; and these
observations are made with the greatest facility.
without any mental tension, and so chose to the
meridian MS to involve difficulty in their reduce
| tion to the meridian
BY IN additional piece Of mocha nsm for soma
observations, they may be conducted with unpa
ralleled rapdity and sufficient exactness, without
risk of confusion or any perplexity Of thought On
the part OF the observer.
Finally, the committee are not aware that the
history Of astronomical science exhibits mora
astonishing instance Of great results produced with
what would seem to be wholly inadequate means,
with the ordinary tools of common mechanic and
with an Insignificant pecuniary outlay, isp.
lated individual has aspired to rival the highest
efforts Of the most richly endowed institutions
upon which soyereigns and governments have
showered their inexhaustible patronage, and his
aspirations have been crowned with success. Tha
committee are persuaded that under more propitous
circumstances and with more generous oppor-
tunites. Prof Mitchcl's plans of apparatus will
lead to still moro admirable results, aud contribute