The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-17

nousonm upon tho Wottos
At the last session of Congress, at the sug-
gestion of Hon. J. A. Bingham, of Ohio, an
appropriation of $25,0OO was made for the
sbservation, in the interest of science, of the
total eclipse of the sun which takes place
December 30, and which is visible only in
the southern part of Europe. The observa-
tions were directed to be made under the
charge of Prof. Benjamin Peiroe, Superin-
tendent of the y. s. Coast Survey.
Immediately upon the appropriation being
made an officer was sent to examine the vari-
GUS places, and obtain all the local informa-
tion which might be required to select the
most favorable positions for observation.
The expedition has been divided into two
parties, each Of which consists of about
twelve persons. One party is under the
immediate direction of Professor Peirce, and
will observe in Sicily; and the other is under
the direction of Professor Winlock, the
director of the Observatory of Harvard Uni
versity, and will observe in Spain. Almost
all the astronomers of the expedition we're
upon the central path of the great eclipse
which occurred in this country in August,
1869, so that they are experienced and we'll
prepared for the work before them. These
two main bodies will in turn be divided into
several small bodies, each of which
will be stationed at some separate point near
the main observatory. The observations for
precision have been entrusted in each party
to an experienced officer of the survey, who
will be upon the exact ground of observation
at least fortnight before the eclipse He
will have the instruments all properly
mounted and protected, the time well OBJ
served, and the arrangements made so that
the principal observers of the physical phe-
nomena may. find everything in readiness.
The officers upon whom this duty has de-
! volved are MIR. Schott and Mr.. Dean, assist
ants of the Coast Survey.
Tho party for Spain sailed on the Sd of
] November, and the party for Sicily on the
l 18th of the previous month. A portion of
the latter have since been staying in England
cooperating with the English observers.
It was at first intended to use Govern
ment vessel to convey the party to the
countries named, but the war in Europe,
which required the presence of our fleet
there, prevented that arrangement. An Eng
lish party of sixty-eight volunteers from the
best scientific men of the country had been
formed, with the expectation of getting
! IGovernment grant and vessel for their use;
but in this they were disappointed. The
Admiralty discovered that the nation would
Assuredly disapprove if room were found for
|. mere men of science and their trumpery in
any of her Maiesty's ships, and. accordingly,
Just when the extensive preparations requi-
site for the expeditions were in full pro-
gress, news came that the means of trans
L., I, -, a.
selves.
II Professor peirce on his arrival in England
Immediately extended an invitation from the
United States, through the Royal Society, to
the English party of observers, asking them
to join with the American party. This invi-
tation has in part been accepted, though
other Independent parties will go out. As at
present arranged there will be four English
parties. Beginning with Spain, there will be
pne to Cadiz, in charge of the Rev. s. j.
Perry; and one to Gibraltar, under Captain
Noble. The English branch of the Anglo
American expedition will be under the charge
bf Mr.. Lockyer; while there will be a fourth
|mai expedition, under the charge of Mr..
&Iuggins, to 0ran. The English delegation
cooperating with the American Sicilian party
Astronomess though there is no lack of ex-
perience, skill, and knowledge among them.
AS Gibraltar is English ground, the larger
English party will be stationed there. For
all observing points within Spanish jurisdic-
! tion the best of arrangements have been
made by the representatives Of the Spanish,
British, and American Governments for the
convenience of the observers. The Spanish
1 Government has agreed that at the Spanish
custom houses no duty or deposit shall be
demanded on the astronomical or physical in
struments that foreign astronomers bring
into Spain for the observation and study of
the eclipse. In return the astronomers have
hagreed to make known all particulars respoot-
ing their visits and their instruments to the
Madrid Observatory.
The American party on Spanish soil is now
stationed at Malaga, whore the minor parties
report. Two Philadelphia photographers are
with the party, in charge of the photogra-
phic department. In addition to Professor
Winlook, who is ia charge, Professor Young,
bf Dartmouth, in care of the spectroscopic
observations, Professor Pickering, of Bos-
lon, aud Professor Peters, of Hamilton Col
ege, also accompany the Spanish observers.
Professors Hail. Hardness, and Eastman, of
The Warrington Naval Observatory, are with
the Sicily party. All the delegations have
the finest telescopes, cameras,
lenses, and apparatus generslly-made espe-
oially for the occasion.
Of hofl