The daily union., 1856-01-11

sky who that the least particle Of
thlsam would basd agans, the approach Of hu
indrm,e bearabe at best only when surrounded BY
| iriends eager TO aud soothe
Through the following and last summer we were again
favored Between the 18th December and 10Th March had
OF nights and out OF
hundred and iftywo, between November 10th and April
10TH there aiions with the meridian circle sso
hundred and twenty nights Thus we had the salts
faction accumulate FROM previously unexpored or almost
unexpored field amount OF astronomical data which has
probably never been equaed within similar period Of
| time
Astronomy Of the branches of science for whose
collected materials magnetism and meteor
oogy Others For both the latter also, we were supplied
with good instruments those for meteorological nvestga
tons remaining constantly at our residence near the base Of
Santa Lucia arranged the most appropriate places TO M
ford correct indications. Patiently and perseveringy did Mr.
E. r. Smith record their fluctuations tri-houry during
" three years deyong day (he 2t OF each month
hourly aions. When OCCASION illness ncapac
tated him. the additional duty distributed amongst u.s.
each cheery assuming certain hours OF the
10 order to preserve the continuity Of the Journal The
neca less frequent, but much abo
rous occupying nearly four hours Of two and sometimes
three persons the lt lth and tesmay OF each month";
when all elements for determining the direction
and Of the earhs magnetism carefully OBJ
served"
The character and palue of those observations ap
propratey set forth in private letter from eminent
astronomer from which permitted to cite the fol-
lowing passage:
al cannot refrain from expressing to you at this oppor
tuny my opinion of the Importance and especially OF the
astronomical value, of Lieut. Gs forthcoming results Since
the transit of Venus similar enterprise OF equal i'm
portance object equipment has been undertaken BY gov
individuals, and judging from what have
Of the ahuness and accuracy Of his work, and the vast
of valuable material accumulated by him. have
hesitation in saying that much and important good
work done before within short time. What
may be his result for the solar paraax, it will be Of
denye character the best that be done in the present
Of astronomy and most valuable as establishing
broader and mer basis for that which needed to be
confirmed And with less interest do
look for his catalogue Of sarsthe result of bis expo
raons in field SO ch yet hitherto uncertainty known
The whole work is Of which country well be
proud and for which astronomy viii long thank and
Der its author"
Two volumes Of the report have been issued from the
press The first comprising $50 pages Is devoted TO de-
scrption Of the physical POLITICAL STATISTICAL economical,
moral, and social condition Of Chile The second is
posed rst Of the late Lieut. Macaes report of his jour
neys the Andes and the Pampas with de-
ermnaons Of geographical and hypsometrca position in
those regions and secondly Of the contributions of the
expedition the various branches OF natural history in
the broad of the term The third have said,
will be occupied with the solar paraax; the fourth and
mn with meridian circle observations 10000 in number
the sirh with magnetisal and meteorological obserya
tons and the sepenM will form catalogue Of the fixed
observed by the expedition containing determinations
of position of the incredible number Of fpeay ousdad
stars neoer before ta5ulated.
For the general reader hehrt and second volumes alone
will possess special interest We have already extended
this article far that go formal crtque Of
these volumes and it must suffice that in this subord
nate and incidental part of his duties Lieut. Giss has
displayed the industry fidelity and ability which
distinguish the purely scientific division of his abors
five to single out any portion specially interest
ing and instructive should say that next to the numer
picturesque sketches of social life scattered through
the volumes, the chapter on earthquakes, lvo ~ with
the appendix belonging to the same would perhaps best
repay perusal.
The volumes are illustrated with numerous views maps
and plans, and the plates representing objects Of natural
history executed with fidelity and beauty. The
scientific descriptions Of objects have been drawn up
by the American nataraliss most eminent in the depart
to which they belong and form very valuable ad-
dition TO the literature of natural history.
In any extended notice of Lieutenant llisss labos Il
would be unpardonable to omit the gener
hospitality, public and private, which extended to
him By the authorities and citizens OF the Chilean republic
1t gratifying proof of the enlightened appreciation Of
Lieutenant Gilisss abors by Chile to find that the gov
ernmen Of that country purchased the entire astronomical
apparatus OF the expedition endowed observatory
and provided 1t with competent astronomers The work
oftabulation auspciously commenced and far ad
vanced by Lieutenant Giss will be continued the other
usual observations regularly made, and thus the admi
rable meteorological facilities OF southern America for ce-
lestia observation viii be turned to the best account for
the advancement OF astronomical science.
Let Chile but adopt Lieutenant Glisss parting counses
aud she may aspire TO place in the front rank of Ameri
republics
Presenting TO mankind the spectacle OF stable and system
attic government, unsurpassed climate and soil profitable
market for foreign and domestic products protection TO all
Industrial pursuits than regal patronage science and
art but further acs Of is legislature necessary
advance the moral and physical wealth and population in
precodented ratios These abolition he laws and
the exclusive church both OF which, present admins
tered demoazing and suicidal degree apprecahe
nations to which numbers culture liberal institutions and
wealth would entitle her."
We cannot dismiss the subject without bcsowing liberal
commendaon upon the skill and with which the
typographical execution Of Lieutenant Gisss report has
been conducted We presented with good smooth
white paper clear and weIcut type distinct impression
and mechanical execution in all respects unexcepton-
able.
The work is printed In the quarto formhe only form,
indeed in which the tabular work could have been prop
erly gven--and hope 1t will to inaugursie a