The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-17
TRANSIT on VENUS.
THE OBSERVATIONS IN SIBERIA.
PHOTOGRAPHS OF VENUS.
The Planets Track Mapped
at VladivOstOk.
TRIUMPHS OF AMERICAN INGENUITY.
Work Of the Foreign Ex-
petitions.
THE DIAGRAMS EXPLAINED.
The Great Problem Drifting Toward a
Definite Solution.
TRIUMPHS OF AMERICAN INGENUITY.
Work Of the Foreign Ex-
petitions.
THE DIAGRAMS EXPLAINED.
PROFESSOR HALLS PARTY

PROFESSOR HALLS PARTY.
WASHINGTON. Feb. II, 1875.
Professor Asaph Hall. United States Navy, the
chief OF the party OF American observers stationed
at viadivostok to witness the transit OF Venus,
arrived in Washington last evening. He was
naturally fatigued by hrs long journey, but con-
tented himself with one nights rest, and this
morning very cheeriully gave the HERALD repre-
sentative three hours sitting in his house in
Georgetown. He detailed his experiences with
much exactness using his diary as q guide. AS
he Is the only one OF the Professors OF the Naval
Observatory who has returned his story possesses
especial interest.
THE VOYAGE OF THE SCIENTIFIC ARMY.
The party OF which the Professor was chief
arrived at the port OF Nagasak tNipp0n) on the
S1st OF August, in excellent health and spirits.
Their voyage across the Pacific Ocean had been as
expeditions and agreeable as could have been
desired, while. upon examination, their instru-
ments were found. with few trnng excep-
lions, to be IN perfect order. But
three days were consumed in transferring
their equipments to the United States steamer
Kearsarge, which they found in waiting, and on
the Sd OF September they again set sail for vladi-
vostok. Captain Harmony, OF the Kearsarge, de-
voted his entire energies to the success OF the
dertaking, and swift and delightful passage OF
the 700 miles that separate Nagasaki from
the Coresn coast was the result. The harbor Of
Vladivostok was entered on the evening Of the
sth. The little city was enjoying one of its fre-
quent festival seasons aud no landing was effected
until the Gay following. Then Professor Hall and
Captain Harmony went ashore and, although the
holiday was not yet ended, obtained from the
Chief OF Police permission to remain After con-
siderable search five rooms In the log house oc-
cupled by the Mayor OF the city, Mr.. Federo. were
rented and arrangements lor boarding the party
completed Professor Hall took up quarters with
an old Danish captain named Devries, who
boosted the desirable luxury of an American wife,
ENGINEERING FOR FAVORABLE POSITION.
On the 18th the whole party went ashore and
selected a site for an observatory IN the south.
western portion OF the city. on point OF land be-
tween the harbor and Amour Bay. The next day
the work OF constructing the necessary buildings
began brief survey convinced the astronomers
that they had fallen into region OF country
desirable alike for residence and for the mis-
uopson which they were engaged. The city OF
vladvostok Is unexceptlonably located. IL &C.
cupies narrow strip OF plain, forming the shore
of charming bay, and is protected at the rear by
q range OF LOFTY hills. The air is clear and
hilarating, the temperature being very like that
Of the State OF Minnesota The thermometer sell
dom rises above sixty degrees Fahrenheit. even in
summer plentiful growth Of oak and pine
timber on the hilsides furnishes an abundance or
building material and l3el while the fertile soil
YIELDS largely OF vegetables, and many KINDS OF
game and fish thrive unmolested for lack of de.
mand. Flour and butter alone are imported.
These are purchased In the San Francisco market.
The city proper Is little moro tnan naval
station. Its population scarcely exceeds 1000
nO,1Is al Of vi Mt hIa
women sent thither in exile, are rulers. aders
sailors and coolies. or the class first named there
Is q superabundance. The chief officer ia the
Governor. who is appointed BY the Russian gov
ernment and Is somew pretentiOus Ranking
below the Governors stan Is the Mayor, VINO lives
In a very humble way and possesses little power
The executive is the Chief OF Police, who is
charged with the maintenance OF the peace and
enjoys almost absolute control OF the people. Two
Yankees, named Smith, control the traf1c OF the
place, one OF them being quite wealthy and en-
poying several hundl ed men. The coolies are
divided Into Cinnamon and Coreans ana live In a
condition but little better than slavery.
TRACES OF AN ANCIENT CIVILIZATION.
The region Is rich In evidences oil former civil
iZation. Hall worked gold mines and relics OF
ancient cities are abundant In the surrounding
wilderness. These indicate with certainty the
fact that at some remote period the country was
peopled by an intelligent and thrifty race. A
telegraphic cable, controlled by Danish corpora
ton, connects vladivostok with Nagasaki, and
runs thence southwark along the coast line to
Hong Kong and singapore. land line, owned by
the Russian authorities, extends north and west
to ST. Petersburg.
BARBARIAN AID TO THE ASTRONOMERS.
As soon as Professor Ha's party, consisting OF
Professor Hail. chief; o. b. Wheeler, assistant as.
tronomer; W. F. Gardner, instrument maker; u.
r. Clark, chief photographer, and I. S. Tappan,
G. 4. Rockwell and F. N. Lacey, as
sistant photographers, had fairly begun
work upon their observatory. they found
II necessary to employ half dozen
coolies, and to the supervision OF these the scien-
tinc force found 1t necessary &c bend its best en-
ergies. Aner many trying experiences the Pro.
lessor learned the Corean phrases, "shangov (all
right. and POO shangO" (al wrong, and by the
skiliul OF these managed to complete the task.
Although the coolies were paid but half rouble
day, they toiled so leisurely that the WORK cost
quite as much rs If done in this country. The
transit house was finished with strong piers OF
chinese tiles, well embedded In excellent clay ana
gravel ground, soon after the middle OF septem-
Der. and the force was then set at work building
the piers Tor the Photographic house. A violent
rain delayed them few days, but on
the 25th they were gratGed by the sight
or second structure ready for the In
struments. A day or two aiterward the house
Tor the equatorial was also ready. All OF the
buildings were then banked about with earth TO
protect them against the violent northwest winds
prevailing in the section the roof OF the equa-
torial house was tied down with strong cords and
outer walls were raised about the photo
graphic and clock houses, the intervening spaces
being nlled with savdust- The whsle was fenced
In. Russian stove was erected between the
and nv m
OF October the observatory was complete. The
cable company very kindly oHered free use OF
their wires, ana Mr.. Hansen, resident manager,
not only supplied oil necessary accommodations,
but 30 exerted himself to aid the enterprise az 10
win the gratitude OF everyone. Professor Hall