The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-29

[Thc above map represents the principal the
constellation VI Casslopeia, forming W, ana neigh
barring stars visible at about eight O'Clock r. NJ,
ncar the horizon, below and somewhat to the left OF
tho north stab Near the riehthand lower corner Is
represented the position OF comet this (SNnday)
evening" and near the righthand upper corner lis
position next Sunday evening" showing the direction
The appearance OF this the telescope rep
resented in the second OF tho figures gwen above As
seen In the telescope OF Vassaf College II Is described
as ''having distinct and bright nucleus with haze
all around which spreads out into fan shape on one
SIDE" have seen no measures OF tho actual size OF
this comet, but when der that 1t is little
further from us than the sun, with this brightness
whereas most Of the largo historic comets have passed
quite near US, We may infer 1t is really comet
Of vast magnitude and unusually dense; such
comet as. passing near the sun and also
noar tho earth, would become ono OF tho
most splendid comets record. IL is rcccding
slowly from the SUM- having scarcely passed within the
earlhs orbit; and although still approaching the EARTH
and, therefore, likely become somewhat lighter with
In the coming fortnight, 1t will not come than
So O0O 900 miles from u.s. and will slowly fade away in
the distance IL is possible that there may be, as
Professor Peters suggests considerable development
Of the tail; but It is usually comets that pass much
nearer to the sun which have such development after
passing their perhelon points, SO that nolwthstand-
ing the magnitude Of tho comet do not anticipate
Midway between these two comets In the heavens
il comet g. discovered by Professor Swift on April
IL, represented IN the third figure OF The diagram
above. lfyou do not 500 II IN the figure twill be good
evidence that the engravcr has followed directions
TO make u so faint that not moro than person out
OF ten II. Otherwise 1t would not be FAIR
rescnaton OF the comet itself The searches Tor
the Time OF It's discovery, at the National Observatory
proved unnvaing; nj Vassnr am informed II has not
yet been fonnd friends with smaller telescopes have
searched Tor II IN vain have myself, two differ
cut evenings sought for 1t without success Wcro IL
not tor Professor Swis previous experience aud sue
cess we should have been tempted to doubt It's cx-
istencc But fortunately, " does not rest upon that
foundation tor on April IA, three days alter Swifs
discovery and announcement, thcrc comes Telegram
from Borclli announcing hs discovery OF come, In
THIS mas gwen rise to curious question Of national
priority. the grounds OF which WIN briefly state AZ
FIRST sight there would seem TO be no question at ALL
and an explanation may DO necessary to show that
thcro possibility that Swiits claim may be
tested. Priority depends not merely upon discovery,
but upon announcements As man who makes an in
vcntion aud obtains patent can hold u against
another who made tho same invention al an earlier
date but Kept II secrct 80 the astronomer who ndc-
pcndcntly discovers new planet or comet which no
brings before tho world can claim priority over
another who makes the discovery but TAILS 10
It. This principle has been adopted Dy asron-
Oncrs for tho reason that u is incorporated
into patent lnw--to furnish an Induccmcnt discoy.
rrcrs TO take pains 10 give 10 the world the Immediate
benefit Of their discoveries Now swift male diacov-
cry; did he announce II? In patent law tho specInca
t'on mus, be such win enable person skilled In the
art to use tho invention, and u IL Is not sufficient Tor
that purpose II s fatal defect Swift undertook 10
announce or specify his discovery but tho Observers
skilled tho art at tho National Observatory could
not fun tho comet, and there is no evidence that
person skilled In the art TO md tho comet,
until alter Borclli's discovery II lhis view
Is TO be taken and Insisted upon Is 70 be hoped that
somc public spirited individuals viii soc 10 " that our
national reputation shall again suffer because
who gives time and skill ong experience mas not
tell II his duty 10 contribute the necessary
to enable him TO TX The positions OF the OBJECTS
that TO observes. In the discovery Of now planets
country has not been behind; but IN the discovery OF
comets tho cable always brings tho news westward.
viii remark, in passing that Europe ought discover
moro comets than We do. for tho that they have
six hours start IN the Many oi the new comets
appear suddenly that, being invisible ono day they
easily found tho next; and such comets we havo
small chance of FIRST discovering.
AS matter OF justice, however, II IL 10 be hoped
that more liberal Wow Will be taken. For when inc
discovcrcr OF comet, without delay makes the best
he can, he ought W DO ned respon-
Jibc for the failures Of Others. There were three
reasons why tho comet was not found, besides tho
error OF position The difference latitude brought
to the horizon, where II obscurcd BY the
haze; the time required TO ascertain tho position and to
send TO Washington and The difference of ngtude,
combined 10 bring the comet stll nearer the horizon
aud the intervention Of clouds prevented tho renewal
OF tho search until after Rorciis discovery. Indeed,
tho strict application OF tho rule In the form In which
arst stated II, would have boon Equally fatal 10 our
Claim Of priority, tho observation had boon accu-