New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-03

O. American ob..rv.or H. House Of America party, f. fene'
Observatory. Il. Russisn Observatory. e. Coal HILL
Our residence was-where we were domiciieo-in
house connected with the American Episcopal MISSION
the French situation the east and the Russian
little to the north OF Our house was distant oui
the observatory about three quarters OF mile. WI"
say for city that although there are many tnags
dsa greeable pleasant to the eye yet there Is
generally good order and felt safer IN gong tDrouen
the streets of Picking at midnight than wouid im our
own. The other localities OF Importance we're inc 1o
ME OF Heaven and the Temple of Agriculture. Oh the
eastern side of the city, near the lower gaze, INC
which many old-fashioned instruments which were
In before the days OF our modern telescope. W
these there only three which are OF any sze as
pared with recent instruments. Ana now US
to the Arrangement OF our INSTRUMENTS CON- huow
as they will specially interesting. and yet you may
wish TO know how things were placed Our homo was
in the station of the American Episcopal Mission We
observatory the ground OF the MISSION OF 'ne
English Church. The ground which was inhablted Dy
our party was about $50 feet in length by
equatorial dial. driven by cloek,w1 ,i.o win nd
the usual necessary instruments attached: nrPrs
We had meridian observatory and smaller telescope,
with spectroscOpe attached Tnere was magnetic
station IN one corner OF the yard.
THE INSTRUMENTS USED.
Now as to the process of obtaining photographs IN
stead Of telescope opening upon the SUM- VIC had the
object glass of telescope fixed with focal distance
40 feet. BY OF mechanism We were enaoed 10
which the rays were thrown was not svered, which
was a very unfortunate thing for as the sky was
clouded did not have enough light Only with tiear
SKY 10 1t better 10 have the mirror unsllvered Inc
manipulation OF the instrument was very simple; IL
only required person stan ding near the post OF te
instrument should throw the light mp the post upon
screen, and as the image WAS formed, by turning
spring side he caused slit TO open, making an
exposure of about one-quarter OF second.
equatorial instruments used by our observers were
made rather small. for the sake OF portability Inc
French had the largest and finest they conld GET and
fhat M anf
their observations can be compared with greater GER
tainty and confidence. uniform set OF Instruments
ia great advantage the observer. The instrument
that il known as transit instrumentnOt that 1t has
anything do per win the transit OF Venus but Is
used in noting the movements OF stars-is u somewhat
curousy instrument and gave us consider
able trouble Using IT, ono has TO look North ant point
Souh TO see West Little obseryatores were taken out
which were put sup for at Washington We took all
instruments with us, and all these things were
Coolies. For observations OF the time we used the
iusted on paper and the observer touches key
IL ndicntes the precise minute or the ooserVation
Whenever we wanted TO determine the time OF an ober
yation accurately the chronograph was set In motion
and the operator touched the key at the precise moment
THE WORK UNDERTAKEN.
Our work IN the observatory consisting in determining
the latitude and longitude OF the place with great care
ascertaking the rate Of our clock and IN determining
the exact position of Photographic telescope SO
that we were obliged to observe the stars every night
so a to ascertain position of the telescope and next
day If possible TO observe the PHOTOGRAPHIC telescope
AM
clear 80 that we got tired % ii before through
Our instruments set rs nights The sky o pekiuc
a eity 200 feet above the sea- IS wonderfully apt
for observations. Indeed could see little difference
between the telescope at Picking and what II was at
our greatest enemies the sand being driven in through
the cracks everywhere making IT dlcult 10 Keep the
machines In order Our daily life was much after this
manner In the morning. after breakfast. we would go
up and take photograph OF the sun, III possible ana
along in the afternoon ya1 home
about O'Clock 10 the morning We nave $50 deternlna
tions Of latitude and 40 or so OCCUPATIONS oil stars
SCENES IN PEKING.
The streets in Picking differ from those OF other Chi
pese towns being very wideas broad believe.
as Peppsyysnia ave. Washington. The streets
rs,sed in the center by the filth aud acoumulaons Of
centuries that they higher than the sidewalks,
where the foot-passengors walk. Between the side
walks and the street there are booths and
shaStes ied with ngcer story .eers
ana traders There some very pleasant grounds IN
an Artificial lake Of the Buddhist houses Of worship
is seen In the distance. Viewing the same ground from
another point there Is marble bridge passing into
the prohibited city. don't how old the marble
brideeis-some six hundred years. Ibeleye Age In
China is very In the corner OF
the ry there is what known the Temple of Heaven
II is Confueian temple. The Chinese are largely Con
while the Confucians do not The Emperor worshps in
this temple annually. In the center or the temple Is
Tns Eaperof comes here in the time Of the Winter
sostice. Last Winter he sick. and sent deiega-
very beautiful IN its outline and in its design. but Is
very much neglected. Indeed you fnd almost all tue
tsmpes in China in tumble down condition. although
you which has just been renovated
This railing is remarkable, and every pillar bore
cred with very elaborate has reliefs.
CHINESE SCIENCE
The Chinese have been astronomers longer than We
have We haue observations dating back 1900 years
TO tho position Of tho cclipuc Their astronomy ap-
pears however, 70 have beau very little moro than .
record Of events until the Empire conquered
A. d. 1900 or 1850 by now monarch. who brought with
him the astronomy OF Eastern Asia. They have AL
equatorial NJ least coo OF age. IL
ssts OF circle In bronze tipped toward the north POLE
another circle right angles that carries pointer.
playing aroand upon eae edge OF this circle In tlo
building tablets concerning the celestial bodies and
also memorial tablets Of some OF the carly Jesuit ms
sonares who held the post Of imperial honor in China
On the top OF the va Is the observatory founded In
1880 or 1870 BY the Jesuit astronomers, who
imported some Of their Instruments from Paris
and come from PetinR about dozen Of thoss instru
ments these in good state Of preservation They
don't look mnoo nke modern nstruWents and thoy
only ocsasoQsy rcsorted 70 by tho Chinese savsnt To
setronomSrs they worry curious - works Of past
assrosomy. Hero u . Quadrant OF Chinese workman
shin AuOng others u obe with the Stars sssin II 10
soid-e beausafol pteoe OF bronze Workmanship.
me Chinese quadrant hiss "a armiilary sphere
10 lstads and lopstude Thor large ssctof
can be po1ea say direction, and will detcroine the
angle OF any too bodies 10 the sky In tho quadrant