The New York herald., 1874-12-11
General Triumph of the Ex-
peditions.
News from Egypt, Persia, China,
Japan and Australia.
eAR SKIES AND CHEERING PROSPECTS.
English Opinion of American
Astronomical Genius.
TIE HERALD DISPATCHES IN LONDON

TIE HERALD DISPATCHES IN LONDON
SPECIAL DISPATCHES TO THE HERALD BY CABLE.
LONDON, Dec TO- 1874.
The Astronomer Royal and the members Of
the Transit Commission have received,
through the Observatory at Greenwich, an
other special despatch from the party Of Eng
lish astronomers stationed at Cairo, Egypt
for the purpose of observing the transit of
Venus. The telegram reads as follows:-
CAIRO, Dec. 10, 1874.
We made most successful observations of
the transit yesterday. Owing to the lengthy
discussion among us as to the adaptability of
sites in this region we were unable to effect
direct telegraphio communication with the
Royal Observatory at Greenwich until sun
rise yesterday morning. There were numer-
GUS difficulties met with in endeavoring to
obtain favorable positions.
TAKING POSITION WITH AN EYE TO THE
WEATHER.
We finally fixed the central temporary OBJ
servatory on the Mokattan Heights and
located branch stations at Suez and Thebes,
thus constituting Q distinct department con-
sisting Of the members appointed to conduct
the Photographic operations These were
stationed at Thebes, which we deemed
probably more suitable position than any
other from which to take the photographs of
the planet during its transit.
MOUNTING THE SCIENTIFIC APPLIANCES.
We mounted the equatorial telescope and
set the transit piers on an excellent foundation
at Mokattan Heights and obtained several
star observations to aid us in determining the
longitude of the observatory. This subse-
quently proved unnecessary, except as a
check upon the other methods, for we pro-
ceeded to lay the telegraphic wires with a
view to communicating directly with Green
witch and thus determining the longitudinal
distance therefrom with far less difficulty.
ELECTRIC LINK WITH ENGLAND.
This we finally succeeded in DOING al
though the preparations were not completed
until shortly before the commencement Of the
transit yesterday morning We telegraphed
to you, as you are aware, for instantaneous
electric currents, and your return signal was
successfully and accurately noted before the
beginning Of the phenomenon. At on early
hour yesterday morning the weather was ex-
tremely favorable.
GOOD INSTRUMENTS AND BRIGHT AUSPICES.
The telescope, the micrometer and all the
apparatus worked splendidly. The first and
second contacts of Venus with the sun were
noted with precision. and very many micro
metric measurements of the line gaining the
cusps, were made with great success.
THE PHOTOGRAPHERS BUSY AT THEBEs
In the meantime, and at the same instants,
the observers situated at Thebes were busy
taking negatives Of the phenomenon. The
clouds kept away, rendering their observa-
tions peculiarly successful.
VENUS PICTURE TAKEN.
During the progress of the planet across
the sun several images thereof were obtained
The apparent track of the planet as seen from
this place is, therefore, beyond the hazard Of
mistake.
When Venus reached the western portion
of the suns limb her contact with it was OBJ
served under highly favorable circumstances
The micrometric measurements of the cusps
line were obtained similarly to those made
during the stage between the first and second
contacts. Finally the planets egress from
the luminary was observed, and the eventful
moment of the closing stage recorded by the
chronograph.
HAPPY AMONG THE DUsKY NATIVES
Since our arrival here we have received
many courtesies, not only from the Khedive,
but also from the bashaws All the men in
our party are we'll and elated over the sue
cessful operations of yesterday.
THE THUNDERER ON THE TRANSIT.
English Press Compliment 20 American
Newspaper Enterprise.
LONDON, Dec. 10, 1874
The Times to-day contains an elaborate
editorial article commenting on the work Of
the expeditionary parties despatched to OBJ