New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-07-21
rUfNCE no HELP SCIENCE.

the subject of humorous essay at the Portland
meeting of scientific folk in 1873. The
astronomer in charge of one OF the large IN
struments in first class observatory related
series of funny incidents concerning 1t. lhcy
all, however, had one serious side. The chef
work of the astronomer and his assistants MS
to the great telescope, was exhibition or IL 10
curious visitors, who came clothed with all
kinds of authority and introduction, at all
hours and seasons. The experience OF that
astronomer was no exception to the usual
rule. Prof. Stafford when in charge of the
large telescope at Chicago, stated that Its
chief usefulness to astronomy was IN helping
to "break in" new assistants or students, VINO
got sort of practical training In handling tho
great instrument while exhibiting it. The
work of the observatory, the real astronomical
labors. were performed with a smaller and
handler instrument in separate building.
There is IA supcrabundance of big tubes ana
revolving domes in this country. Much OF the
best work is done by inferior INSTRUMENTS;
the workman is more important than the TOOLS.
These facts, very well known to all who
take interest in astronomy, are succlnctly set
forth in a letter from Prof Simon Newcomb
of the United States Naval Observatory, pub
lished in other columns. But Prof Newcomb
does not stop with pointing out this evil. lie
makes suggestion of a practical character.
A 1.-THE of the money that has been expended
for useless telescopes and buildings-useless
because not employed-would have served far
more effectively the cause of science If 1t had
been invested more judiclOusly. There Is work
of which astronomy is deeply in need;
work which, if accomplished, would benefit
every exploring expedition sent forth by
land or sea that would help navi-
gators to calculate their position on the ocean,
if only one star can be observed between the
clouds Every steamer that leaves our ports,
every ship that goes out OF sight OF land, must
trust for the safety of the lives it carries to
the accuracy of the work that astronomers
have performed. When they say that their
work is inadequate and defective, that new
tables and new calculations are needed, we
have before lis not speculative question, but
a fact If thermometers are accurate. and sun
or moon easily visible, the old tables answer,
perhaps. well enough but how is it when
something has gone wrong with the long
trusted time-piece7 How many captains can
navigate by the stars!
he great maritime interests Oh Ne" Il OH
make it specially appropriate that in this city
the work which Prof. Ncwcomb suggests
should be promptly begun. The expense of
such an undertaking as he points out would be
much less than that of large observatory,
and the fruits far more certain. Science at the
present day makes discoveries not from few
fact, as in her infancy, but by numerous and
careful comparisons. Few who have not ex-
AHMED such work know anything of its vol
ume and the labor implied. The calculations
which demonstrate and show the perturbati0ns
of the moon, or of the planets, in fine print,
would ill goodly row of shelves, and
make Il considerable library The letter which
we print to-day from Prof Pliny L. Chase of
Havertord College, shows the class of prob
lens with which astronomers are now dealing
problems that when solved will tell us OF
the halIn0nies of creation and lift little the
curtains of the future. If there were no other
reason than that such studies raise mcn out OF
the small and trivial affairs of life and give
them higher and better thoughts and aims, the
work of the astronomer would deserve encour
agcmcnt and material aid.