The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1875-04-27
British and American Science.

MIR. Richard A. Proctor, who delivered
lectures on astronomy in this country
year or 30 ago, has just published in
the English Mechanic nm article which
discriminates strongly in favor of the in
genuity and fertility of Americans, not
only in scientific matters, but in con-
trivances relating to the conveniences
and luxuries Of life.
Our system of railway travel he pro-
nounces altogether superior to the Eng
lish, although this last involves a far
higher cost per mile. With winter
weather far moro severe than that of
England, the Americans, according to
Professor Proctor, have rooms and houses
comfortably warmed at q tenth part of
the expenditure of fuel by which the
English manage to roast half the body.
while the other is consumed by cold
draughts Wehave only recently (by COM
psrison) established meteorological
observatories, yet already, says Mr.
Proctor, the Americans have morning
and afternoon weather announcements,
nine times out of ten correct, for the
whole area of the States West of the Mis-
sissippi, while the English are labori-
ously and at great expense publishing
each day announcements of the weather
of the day before, as if that would be of
any real use. In scientific matters
Americans have quietly settled subjects
which Europeans have failed to solve
The question of the corona is instancad,
and the eclipse successes in 1870 and
1871 are ascribed by Prof Proctor to our
example. He adds that prof. Young,
in America, hos gone far ahead Of us
(the English) in the analysis of solar
surroundings"
Prof. Langley's Investigations of the
suns surface; American photographs of
the moon; Prof. Bonds success in not
only measuring the duration of the cleo
tric spark, but determining the relative
duration Of different portions of the flash;
Prof Mayors successful dealing with
acoutical problems, are referred to M
showing that, while our countrymcn
do not really surpass the English in
scientific acumen or ingenuity, they are
much more fortune in their methods
and in their opportunities for exercising
those qualities. The american action
in the matter of the recent transit is
spoken of by Mr.. Proctor as afforiling an
excellent illustration of their method of
dealing with scientific subjects-a me-
thod characterized by the combination of
scientific exactness with readiness Of re-
source and practical common sense. The
American plan of operations differed in
many important points from that which
English astronomers had long before
adopted.
In the first place, ''it was determined
only TO occupy stations where the whole
transit would be visible" Next, excel
lent practical measures were adopted to
obtain such information as might guide
them in the selection Of stations, which
was not done in England. The English
had but one station in the Northern
hemisphere lin North India) where the
whole transit could be observed, and
although It could be observed ;at All their
southern stations, yet observations of
the whole transit in the South could only
be properly comparable with similar
observations in the North. and for these,
except In one case, tho En4lish would
have to rely on the astronomers OF other
nations, using different methods from
themselves and differently trained. On
the other hand, the Americans selected
eight stations, three In the Northern and
ave in the Southern hemisphere, where
the whole transit would be visible.
Hence the better results, and this tribute
from 30 distinguished an English sol
enlist which is a. creditable to Els liberal
spirit of Justice as IL is gratifying and
encouraging TO Americans generally,
and especially to our scientists in their
labors.
At Monaco, q gentleman came to the
roulette table and put down his hat full
Of gold pieces, Another said to him,
beg your pardon, sir, but could you