The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-10-07
THE DUDLEY OBSERVATORY.

We have received several pamphlets filed with the de-
tails of controversy which is going between the
trustees Of this Institution the hand and the sci
entfc council and Dr. Gould the astronomer Of the OBJ
seryatory on the other Some very things have
been said both Sides and do not presume TO decide
the case in favor of either party The following extract
from private letter which has been placed in hands
presents the views of gentleman who is entirely dsn
teresed and whose practical acquaintance with astronomy
gives much weight to his opinions
81 do not know whether there is any man of science
who does not side with Dr. Gould in this controversy If
there is should be glad know what grounds bases
his opinion. look the controversy simply this
The trustees want the Observatory TO be open 10 the pub
lie sort OF popular resort to crafty the public curl
osity &C. The scientific council believe that this is who'll
ly incompatible with the efficient Of the instruments
placed there On this point my opinion is decidedly with
the scientific council would not give straw for the
Conversations made at Albany while could get
ponding observations made anywhere else if thought
that the meridian circle could by any possibility have
been deranged in its position without DR.. Gouds know
ledge. You know how much Yankees like to feel Of
things and do not believe anybody but practical
tronom-r would appreciate the injury that might arise
from gentle touch. or course il unscenthc men,
as the trustees have proved themselves TO be- TO be
allowed to take their friends there in the absence
of DR.. Gould, as they claim that they have right
to do, he cannot know whether his observations
are correct or not. And when it is considered
that the adjustment required in Observatory
ID one WHICH IL requires weeks anu nontiS 10 pro-
duce and to determine the remaining errors, it evil
dent that practical astronomer, with reputation to
acquire to sustain, would accept position director
where his observations would necessarily be received with
distrust Now do not know, of my own knowledge,
that Dr. Gould is competent for that position; but
do know that those who acquainted with his abli
ties consider him eminently qualified for it, The idea
that he distruss his ability to the instruments,
which he has himself superntended the construction Of
/ regard simply absurd for i know that astrono-
has the of determining with certainty wheth
his observations reliable not and what degree
of accuracy may be attributed to them. novice
would have nothing to gain by delay On the contrary,
the sooner he could commence the Of the instru-
ment the time he would have to practise before 1t
would be expected that his observations would be su
GENTLY reliable for publication The experienced astrono
mer the contrary, would have inducement to COM
until he knew that his observations would be worth
something The very fact that he does not make haste
to observing, but turns his attention to
curing the utmost accuracy and stability in the instru
ments shows that he has doubt that when the time
he make observations commensurate with the
instrumental accuracy He is cutting himself off by this
very course from all excuse if his observations should
not be reliable and the merest novice in astronomy
would be fully aware of that. Aside therefore, from
the endorsement which DR.. Gould has among eminent
men of science in this country and in Europe and aside
from his scientific attainments manifested in his edito
rial articles in the Astronomical Journal we have inter-
nal evidence from the that he is alleged to be pur
suing that he considers himself at least sufficiently
perienced practical astronomer to take charge of
the most perfect instruments that be devised and con-
structed 1t is possible that he may be given to procras
tinaton but he has not had fair opportunity in his
connection with the Dudley Observatory to make it
manifest. On the contrary, something is being done
there even under the present difficulties the recent
discovery of asteroid sufficiently demonstrates