The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-11-15


.'The committee are aware" says the epoh ihst
the history OF astronomical science presents aston
shng Instance OF great results produced with what would
to be wholly inadequate means With the ordinary
tools OF mechanic, and with nsgn hoant pecu
mary outlay isolated individual has aspired TO rival the
highest efforts Of the most rcby-endowed institutions
pom which soveregns and governments have showersd
their nexhaustibe patronage and his aspirations have
been crowned success The committee persuaded
generous opportunities p, oessor Mcheis plans Of sppa
will lead to still more admirable resn and contrib
ute YET further TO the advancement d a'0"0"''a' sci
Since the previous meeting Agassiz had explored the
coral reels of Florida the OF the survey
The superintendent had deamed u matter OF great IN
portance determine the and direction of growth OF
these reefs subject not merely OF high scientific val
ue but of pre- eminent necessity question OF poi
cal ECONOMY and maritime Importance with reference 70
The whole OF the Mexican gulf. Agasslz had
been depued 10 examine the coast and investigate the
subject in all its relations and had returned full OF
discoveries and astonishing facts.
Bache personally contributed an important paper, ful
OF valuable experience upon the use OF the zenith tee
scope in determining laudes by lalco,s method This
instruments using the beautiful method OF our accomplish.
ed counyman. may be made in few weeks to give the
latitude OF any place with precision superior 10 thai
with which the latitude OF any observatory 10 the world
is known that has not been determined by the combnea
observations OF quarter OF century. II has not We
been used in Europe.
The geographical position Of longitude and latitude
station OF the coast survey-fdnshed these stations
are with Tacos zenith telescope, transit instrument
and accompanying apparatus for observing and recording
the observations by the "Amercan methot" and eIe-
graphically connected with some other sta'os-Inay be
more precisely determined within few weeks than is
any point upon the whole continent OF Europe at the
present moment.
The SIKH meeting Of the American Association was
held at Albany in August. 1851 The citizens OF tina,
city followed the liberal example OF the corporation OF
Charleston and of the citizens OF Cincinnati. and as
sumed the expenses Of publishing the volume OF proceed
iDgs The volume comprises four hundred and twelve
pages fhe meeting, which Professor Agassiz pre-
sded opened BY the president OF the previous year
in an eloquent and patriotic address, iu OF valuable sug
gesioss, OF large views. and OF kindhng enthusiasm
a. To our meetings." said Bache in concluding 'each
member brings his contribution gathered from the land
the earth, the air the heavens the spirit each
under the influence OF this spirit. contentious for
special lines OF research, the interference In special pur
determination joe The voary who is following il, rather
than not occupy IT exclusively The realm Is boundless
the paths numerous; each one is wide
Let ther be contention, brother, between thee and
me Let there be rather and esger urging Tor
ward each OF the other TO the good which we az seek
zeal kept alive by association and show that the bond Of
scientific bo;he,haod = worthy o, Christian men, 10 ma
OF our hope In eternity
AT this session OF the association one hundred and
thirty -four papers read and one hundred and wel
~ one new members added An invitation TO hold the
meeting Cleveland, Ohio, was received from the
corporation OF that cty through the mayor and accepted
bu. as the time OF this meeting approached the peva
ence of cholera throughout The West led the local
miilee to intimate their fears, that were meeting be
beld there AT that me and under the existing crcum
Stances il would certainly be small and might be attend
ed with disastrous results The officers Of the association
assumed, therefore, the responsibility OF posponing the
session for year. The time selected for the meeting OF
1883 was unfortunate falling as il did upon the COM
mencemen, week of a number Of the eastern colleges
but the attendance was nevertheless very good.
Prot Perce presided. His opening address breatbed
the spirit that OF Bacbe at Albany, and like
that, animated and urged the members chivalric de-
voton the crusade for truth, rather than unworthy
contests for personal distinction Scientific are but
mortas, and though the tendency Of all their studies
rightly pursued is 10 exa the mind above the turbulence
OF daily ou, door life, stll they have their peculiar trials
and temptations And. apart from these the righteous
Indignation which every true lover OF science must
perence at the presumpluous arrogance OF caratanism.
in constant danger OF being confoundei with the very
different, courteous. and friendly regards, which is
duty entertain toward well inlentioned mediocri,y
Peirce's address is well worth quoting
eriiensn Of The american Asociaon for the Adranet
msnt " Scirnet:
ter the unusual interval OF two years. we have again come
together appointed rendezvous, TO make each oe
glad with the tidnxs oil truth which we bnug from the
and The earth, aud reannate ianiing zeal
by the story OF The successful search of The Philosophers
stone, the slrru the fruit of the tree OF know
edge, and the foot print OF Him Of whom the earth Is the
foo,stool,
" Gentlemen, from such assembly egotsm shrinks
absshed and you VIII not eprove your president that he
does not inude bis feelings Of grateful pride at the honor
OF pacity the robes OF Redhcld and
Henry and Bache and Agasslz His hopes OF success In
tue discharge oil his do the oi his
own energy, or the readiness oil BIS own wisdom. but from
the manly hearts which nd him all sides-neaty
friends, Whose generous sympntby VIII easily forgive and
correct the errors OF an honest purpose
Gentemen. we are not convened for liah duty--our
sei-mposed task "a not amusing childs play aud
have not accepted the befay Offered bospales OF this
oeapuulcy Tor the enJoyment OF social festival We
have give end receive Instruction and Inspiration
We have to the shores Of this great lake to admire
and study The pebbles which brehren have picked
up here and III labor and or
how they are to be lound We have brought our feirh,
OF knowsdgc TO distribute them the world tia, they
do good.
"Geptemen have come 10 study our duty n, .ofen-
tito men. and especially American scientific We
to learn the apparent and not pleasant paradox
thar America cannot keep pace with Europe Ia science
cept by going ahead Of her. The New World begin
10 build level above that Of fhs Old World md II
bold from its materials This Is asking too
much IL Is than accomplished the
lcan ship and the American reepiugrnechne The Yam
kee who picked the hardest lock OF Engsnd and conuved
lock winch al Englahd could PICK, is but type Of
American INTELLECT This was a work OF mind and
have right TO expect equal excellence the higher and
more abstract efforts 81 American genius Bat above all
tning-. u Is be forgotten that temple science
by whomsoever bull, belongs country CLINE II
the woud's temps, aud all free u ~ communion
Let as not mar s beauty by writing upon
walls The which have inserted is Ou IL
thine. Is mine but II Is part OF the temple. The
child peks she'll iunccenY admes ITS form and col
otng, and listens, without thought Of self the singing
the angels within IL u Is the CT
iude which gives grace and beauty, and child
and the shell part divine thought each forever
belonging the other, and both immorazed n the marble
OF The artist
"Gendemen, let us stand here reveronIy. This IL holy
ground Let as not presume make these walls
with The chickering's angry for superior die
Junction, and the ioa complaints mortified vanity LEI
raise the ychauReTs Of and thine
he purifier come and, taEinx the royal jewel into his
possession, thrust ns out into the ditch, and
fame into nfstny.
" II observed by Others not Of our number thai
the meetings Of the association have been ohssoerzed