Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-11-20
VOL. LXXIV.
PROCTOR THE ASTRONOMER. .

PROCTOR THE ASTRONOMER.
Ten years ago, the name of Richard Anthony
Proctor was absolutely unknown five years lat
er it was familiar in scientific circles in London
but comparatively unheard Of outside ; and to-
dav it is familiar as household words to every
educated man in England, and to many thous-
auds in this country. Yet, the man who in SO
briefa space has conquered fame, and attract
ed the respectful admiration of astronomers in
both hemispheres, is only thrty-six years old
now, and did not begin to study astronomy till
he had passed his fve-and-tweutieth year.
Barely eight summers have flown since his
maiden work appeared, and in the interval he
has contributed score of volumes to the liz
rary of science, some of them profound, many
of them entirely original, and all OF them tho
roughly elevating and purely philosophic in
tone. In addition tG these works, MIR. Proctor
has written constantly and voluminously in
most of the leading English periodicals, and
has fought successfully more than one brilliant
and Stoutly contested battle with some of the
oldest and abIest savans in Europe. Notably
was this the case in his memorable struggle
with the venerable Astronomer Royal Of Eng
worldwide reputation. and had published
seven or eight of the nine quarto volumes
of his Astronomical Observatians, before
his young antagonist was born. The dis
pute 10 question arose out OF the widely
divergent views set forth, upon the one hand
by Airy, and, upon the other, by Proctor, as to
the manner in which the approaching Transit
of Venus might be utilized to the best advaDt-
age Sir George AIRY, having originally, by
an unfortunate choice, adopted the approx
mate process 10 dealing with the ahstruse cal.
culations involved 10 the working out Of this
delicate problem, had been strongly advised by
MIR. Proctor, so far back as 1869, to adopt by
preference the exact process Delisle's method
Venus In 1874, his keen-eyed critic at once
pointed out that HALEY method was 10 every
way to be preferred, whereas 10 regard to the
uext Transt-that of 1SS2-Delisle's would be
better than Haley's. He farther insisted, from
the first, that the Astronomer Royal, in his
selection of points of observation in Hindostan,
had overlooked many of the most desirable
And the young astronomer was right 10 both
instances, as is shown by the fact that the lead
ing astronomers of England at their last meet
ing, in session at the Board of Visitation OF
Greenwich Observatory were, unanimous IN
urging the Government to adopt the sugges
,ions made by Proctor four years before. This
is but one out Of many similar instances which
might be cited of the extraordinary courage,
keenness Of perception and tarsightedness of
this the youngest, and, 10 some respects, the
most brilliant, of living astronomers. -ScalO.
uu's Magazine.
A WILL SUIT.-A letter from Marshall
Michigan, says: IA contested will case, in
which Bishop Simpson, of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church is legatess is exciting much at
teution in this county. Nearly million dol
lars is involved in the dispute. Thomas Dun.
can, his brother William, and their father i'm
migrated from Ireland to America in lS49. ln
Pittsburg the father pursued his calling as
surveyor, and Thomas became clerk In the
Novelty Works. A year or two afterwards
Thomas invested $500 in the oil regions but it
was bad Investment, and as he was about to
enter the Novelty Works, bis brother Will
liam gave him 5000 and urged him again to
bore for OIL Iu 1862 the oil began to flow, and
Thomas made money rapidly. He subdivided
his farm ard sold much of it. The property
fell into so many hands that affairs were COM
plicated, and Thomas called his brother to his
assitance. William conducted the business,
receiving $4,000 year, and at one time an un-
set diamond, and at another pair of gloves;
but there were misunderstanding between the
brothers, and they progressed slowly. The
father died in 1862. Thomas took care of his
mother and other members of the family He
became irritable, and was capricious in his
favors The fortune that had been thrust upon
him was too much for his general equanlmlty.
In the oil regions he received serious Injury
abott the head and after that was weak minded
aud vacillating. He joined the Methodist
church and was regarded as an exemplary
member. In 1870 he went to Ireland to visit
his old friends, and died there 10 1871. His
remains were brought to this country by his
mother and brother. Iu his last illness it's
said he signed there different wills within few
days of each other.
His last will makes numerous bequests and
nomnates Bishop Simpson and James Long,
of Philadelphia, executors The brother Wll-
liam decided to contest the will. Counsel OF
marked ability have beer secured on both sides,
and Bishop Simpson is daily IN attendance
The contestants are trying to show that the
testator had frequent spells OF alteration a. ana
that his brain must have been effected. They
have arrayed the best medical testimony on
their side.
NORTHERN IMMIGRANTS IN THE SOUTH.
Quite colony of skilled farm laborers have
been induced to migrate from Ohio and Michls
gan to Walker county, Alabama, movement
which has awakened considerable spirit OF i'm
provement in that region; and as we have
lately shown, if others who contemplated break
iug away from their old homes will only turn
their steps to the South instead of the cold, in
hospiable regions of the far off West, they will
iud their condition far more rapidly improved,
and really at less cost than what they will ex-
perence in getting settled at the Vest. We al
lude now to men of small means and of strong
slnews, who are not afraid or ashamed to work.
Lands are cheap at the South and eassy I'M
proved, aud the intelligent farmer who has a
small capital can clear enough almost in single
Year to pay for farm.