New-York tribune., 1873-12-24
The ASTRONOMER ROYAL AND AnEEI-
CAN ASTRONOMY.
LITTER from MIR. RrCnARp 4. pRocron.

LETTER FROM MR.. RICHARD g. PROCTOR.
70 sac Edifor Of The Tribune.
SIR: Miss Mitohells letter is so graceful tribute
to the Astronomer Royal. and it ia so pleasing to
hear of the respectful consideration she received
from him." that am somewhat 10th to maintain as
readily might do by other instances. my position
as to his preference for official astronomy Instead
of citing the well-known instances of Adams Cay
ley Mrs. Somerville, Mrs. De Morgan. tand my own
experience, dwelling on his veto against the use
Of the Greenwich equatorial for common observa-
tons like those which have been so successfully
made with the sister telescope at Harvard, l may
perhaps preferably complete the little story about
Miss Mtchells gold medal selected that instance
of ofcialism because as related to Inc when first
heard of it, not hundred miles from Miss Mtohells
observatory, it struck siugularly amusing,
and as it referred to the work of astronomer OF
whom Americans are justly proud. l Thought 1t
might especially amuse American listeners. Now to
finish the story 1t is true that the Astronomer
Royal had the letter of the regulations in support of
his opposition the discoverer of comet was " to
communicate the discovery by the first post to Mr..
Airy" and Miss Mitchell had not done But it
chsnced that from the little island where Miss Mitch
ell was residing when she made the discovery there
was no postal communication with Great Britain.
This being So feel emboldencd to differ from Miss
Mitchell as to the propriety of Sir G. Arys course.
Even though the German Astronomer, schumacher,
acted with him." think he could very properly
have acted otherwise II would seem that the
majority of the council thought so too, since the
medal was awarded to Miss Mitchell; and should
have conceived that she did not wholly diSapprove
of their decision.
Let me, however avail myself of this opportunity
TO correct an erroneous Impression which appears 10
have got abroad As to my remarks upon European
official superciliousness in high places. have seen
these remarks referred To under the heading. En-
glish jealousy OF American Science" / know moth
ing in the remarks themselves. eithor as made or rs
reported. nor indeed in any Of tho remarks made
on the evening of Saturday 13h to justify any such
Interpretation. A 10 Airy himself, the general
feeling in ngland is thattbe fartheraway from En-
gland any astronomer lives, the better bis work
pleases the English Astronomer Royal. (We so ex7
plain Airys respect for that discovery by LeYerIler
which Adams had made many months earlier. ana
had in vain submitted 10 Airy's noticel do not
know of any English astronomer or scientist who ls
Jealous Of American sclence as American science.
What noted as common IN England was the want OF
due recognition Of work done by American students
of science the fault arising from want OF knowl-
edge for which suffer me To remarkl Englishmcn
are not altogether to blame. 1t is an honorable
error. Int in NV Judgment il is still an error.
on the part of American scientists that they do not
adequately publish the results they achieve III they
are unwilling to do 80 on their own behalf, other
means should be found of gaining fOr their work "a
proper degree of publicity. As il seems 70 me- the
advancement of science requires this. Il know an
English scientist far too okillfu for TO afford to
have his energies wasted. who has been working for
two wears to obtain results which, have learned
since my arrival here. were demonstrated a
quarter of century ago IN this cOuntTyJ
trust my plain speaking will be pardoned.
RICHARD A. PRoCToR.
.in.Let Mi Dec Il. l173