The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-10-09

A Lost Opportunity.


biR. EDITOR Among the most interesting features oil
the Worlds Fair is the rtoaiy ~ nations in science and
art. as shown By their various productions. II
grand tilt yard-an for combat not with deadly
weapons. but with displays OF genius
Every individual who presented on that occasion
e-eninent specimen OF skill has obtained honor not
only for HIMSELF but also for his country and IN
that view Of the subject deeply regret The absence
that occasion. of splendid specimen OF scenunc
genius-oi American skill. | aude TO the Planeta'ium
Of Thomas II. Barlow.
The inventor is native born citizen OF Kentucky
which has been his home from childhood ms skill Is
nalius He has not been the alannus OF coiiese' ou,
is mech anic and is sell taught IN all lha1 ne KNOWS OF
The sublm. science 10 The study OF which he has FUR
nished SO admirable assistant His Slate pride made
him DESTROYS that the success OF his Invention should
redou nd 10 lbe honor OF his native Slatea consideration
ALWAYS prominent in the mind OF every patriotic son OF
Kentucky 80
Worlds Fair he agreed to carry il ,hher. if his State
would endorse by appropriation OF portion OF the
expense Ii was not the money he desired: il the
impress of State character his grand instrument which
he coveted.
Governor Helm in special message to the legislature,
advised it, Liberal and high minded statesmen, OF both
parties in the Senate approved it, and passed bill appro
pria,ing five hundred dollars for the purpose It was
sent the House Of Representatives and defeated by
q considerable majority
As Kentuckiau, | deeply deplors the result. Had
that instrument been exhibited in the face of the scen
ti6c OF Europe it would have given true honor
TO country than trumphs great AS they were, in
agricultural and warlike implements II would have
placed Kentucky, especially high and honorable
ground; and do not envy those gentlemen who have
prevented this consummation the honor they acquired by
saving small sum of money to the State treasury BY
the loss Of so proud an honor TO our State
To give the public idea of the instrument alluded
l,hl. hl,at.,
testimonials of the estmatos in which it is held by the
scientific OF this country who have had the oppor-
tunity OF examining it, 1t was not after superficial
inaOn they induced to speak highly OF its merits
but after long and laborous investigation Their test
mony is therefore more valuable.
II will be that the officers of the Gard College
have purchased the instrument which Mr.. Barlow took
with him to Philadelphia. May he soon have demands
for the PaneaTium from every college and high school
in the Union KENTUCKY. Z
CINCINNATI OBSERVATORY, July IL, 1851
DEAR SIR have examined the ephemers with refer
ence to the triple conjunction Of the Moon Mercury, and
Venus, pre- diced by your Pane,arium TO or
about the a5th December. 1851 find that on Deem
bNr 25-
Mercury. R. A., l9h s5m., Decl. a. deg.
Venus, 10 40 % {"
Moon, II 05 10"
From which will be that your machine has pre-
diced the conjunction OF Venus and Mercury with
tonishing accuracy. The position of the Moon is less
perfectly Defined owing to It's proximity 10 the Earth and
10 the difficulty Of defining its place without some me-
chancal aid TO the eye.
was greatly interested in the tests which applied
on the afternoon OF yeserday-esPecaliy in the exhb
ton OF the transit of Mercury, which has been actual
ly observed at the Cincinnati Observatory and from the
examination made, have doubt but that your Plan
etarum can reveal to within the limit OF a day or two
the relative positions of the Earth, Venus Mercury and
the Sun for any number OF years backward or for
ward
The Chinese state that an eclipse of the sun took place
at the autumnal equinox, under their Emperor Tchou
kaDg, in the year 2l55 b c. ALSO that the five planets
were In conjunction IN our constellation the day Of
the nep moon, in the year 2449 B. C. II would be mat
ter OF interest to verify these ancient statements with
your Instrument: This. presume, be done as there
IA no accumulation OF error by the advance Of time.
In case you should hnd time work either of these
problems, l would be glad 10 receive from you the re-
suit
Your obedient servant
O. ~ Mitchell