New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-13
WITH THE ASTRONOMERS.
LETTER FROM W. FRAsER RAE.

lFRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF TRIBUNE.l
Denver, COL, Aug 3.--The total eclipse Of the
sun, which has been the means of attracting our
greatest scientific lumiDaries to the Rocky Motin-
tains was estimated to last 40 seconds, Never IN
the history of eclipses have much observing power
and so many bighly-traned intellects bern brought
to bear upon the phenomena presented by the sum
when obseured by the moon On this point there Is
perfect unanimity. have conversed with the mem
bers of the observing parties who were stationed at
the several places where the eclipse could be
studied-frOm Pueblo in the south to Creston in the
nOrth-and while they differ materially in opinion.
they at one in admitting the thoroughness with
which the work has been done. 1t lis clear, however
that though the eclipse is the abors of the as
tronomers not at an end. They are only begin
ming to realize how little they know about phenonr-
ena with which they considered Themselves to be
familiar, and how much they differ as TO questions
which they fancied had been settled. Were ii not
that meh Of science supposed TO be cast in finer
mould than mere men of letters, and to be exempt
from the jealouses and rivalfies which have often
created strife in the literary commonwealth should
unhesitatingly affirm that the past eclipse of the
sun win be productive of prolonged and embittered
controversy.
1t was intended that the several parties should
meet together at Denver and dseussin astronOmi-
cal convention what they had seen and what they
thought. This part Of the programme could not
be carried out Some of the observers were una
bic to arrive here Immediately after the eclipse
was over; others who did arrive have been unable
to await the coming of their comrades in science,
Yet there has been considerable Interchange OF
views and Impressions both orally and in writing,
aud many of the astronomers have met each other
in tins city, examined each others photographs,
criticised each others conclusions and ascertaned
that their differences important questions are
fundamental and irreconcilabIe. To-day, the ma
jority have parted and proceeded to their homes,
few remaining behind, among whom is Professor
Watson, of the University of Michigan, who de-
sres TO add further acquaintance with the grand
scenery of Colorado to the stores of his knowledge,
and Professor Langley, of the Allegheny Observa-
tory who is engaged in arranging for the trans
port homewards of the Instruments which he nsed
on the lofty summit of Pixies Peak. Pending the
issue of the formal reports in which astronomers
will embOdy their respective and divergent views,
it nav be interesting TO summarize the results
winch have been obtained, and to set forth the
points concerning which the war of controversy
viii rage. Before doing so, however. let me say a
few words about the places where observations
were made, and the principal mex by whom they
were conducted.
Having visited most of the stations am pre-
pared TO maintain that the most nOrtherly ones
were the best chosen and the scenes Of the most
notable discoveries These were Creston, Separa-
ton and Rawlins, IN Wyoming Territory aud on the
line of the Union Pacific Railway. At one or other
of them were to be foaBd Professors Hardness.
Newcomb, Watson, Draper, Morton and Barker, Mr..
I0ckyer of England, and Mr.. Edison, of world
wide fame 1t is no disparagement to the observers
elsewhere many of whom are men of the highest SCI
eDtifc rank to assert that the strongest observing
parties were to be found at the places nemed
above. Professor Watson's discovery Of the planet
Vulcan has made not only himself but also SepaTa-
ton lannon's In like manner Rawlins viii be known
hereafter both rs the place at which our most emil
nent astronomers studied the eclipse and recorded
the results through the medium Of photography,
and as that where Mr. Edison first applied bis
micro-tasimeter to measure the heat of the stars,
and actually succeeded in determining by means OF
Il the temperature Of the corona during the suns
eclipse
But, though these spots viii henceforth be IA
miIjar names TO many who never heard OF them till
the other day, they are not likely to prove more
attractive 10 siglltseers than they have been Few
towns are less desirable places of abode than Cres-
ton and Separation; the tourist who goes thither
will iud that they are names and little more and
nc VIII fare badly unless he carries his own prOvis-
ions along with him. They cannot even pretend
TO the dignity of city, which can be ac-
quired in the West by any place where there
are a cow-bOuse and two saloons. Compared with
them Rawins is paradise. Though its inhabitants
number 800 only. il is a place Of note, being the
principal city of Carbon County and containing two
hotels. one Of which is excellent; several good
stores one of which would do credit to large East
cru city; two churches, a sehOOlhouse aud a jail;
several saloons IN which, though there IS mich
- al l,-.sul -aral
neat villas for the prominent citizens aud still
Larger number of miserable shandes for the accom-
mediation of the poor swedes and Irish who have
made their homes here The jail contains prisoner
who. on his own confession, has committed many
murders II is not supposed, however that be will
be executed, even though found guilty by aJnry.
was told that bis sentence would be imprisonment
for life and that after being sent TO undergo at
he would regain his freedom. He has nearly man
aged TO escape IRON jail already IL, instead Of muir
derilig fell0w-ereature lac had stolen horse the
chance of his living long after capture would have
beep very small. Public opinion in Wyoming Terri
tory DEGREES death to horse-stealers. The citizens
are of the Same mind on this head as the Scottish
Judge Brax6eld, of whom it is told in Dean Ram
say,s "Reminiscences that having to try man
for borse-stealing and the jury having brought IN
verdict of guilty, the Judge asked him whether he
had ANYTHING 10 say in mitigation of sentence. The
prisoner thereupon made pathetic appeal and pro-
tested that. though appearances were against him'
he was really innocent His Lonaslnp. who MAS
commonly kuoYn as =" the hanging Judge" replied
what you say, man, may be aw true; but yen be
name the waur o little hanging" IN like mar
ner, the man who is here accused or even SUE
pected of stealing horses, is deemed by the ctzens
to be none the worse for little hanging, and they
generally eoptIye to give effect 10 their convictions
without putting the accused to the trouble OF tra
aud without calling for the intervention OF the