Los Angeles herald., 1890-10-03

1t is lnC6nQeQ lot the spence conservatory,
Near Los Angeles, Cal.-The Greatest
Lens Ever Attempted Five Inches
Wider than the Famous Lick Glass-Its
Value Over 100000.
To chosen few, in quiet little room
at Cambridgeport yesterday, was shown
for the first time the precious glass
which is to be used in making a tele-
scope that shall eclipse even the famous
one now mounted at the Lick observa-
tory in California. The gathering took
place in a cellar Of the residence of
Alvan G. Clark, the famous telescope
maker, and there were present Judge
R. M. Widney, president of the Univer-
sity bank of Los Angeles, CAL, and a
trustee of the University of Southern
California; Mr.. Alvan G. Clark, his
brother, George Clark; Judge Widney's
son, Robert. three of Mr.. Clark's assist
ants and Herald reporter.
When the lid of the big box was re-
moved, Mr.. Clark tenderly lifted away
the excelsior fibre which covered the
precious lens. There it lay cushioned
on its soft bed, and reflected back the
light from the little oil lamp held at a
respectful distance by careful assist
ant. 1t was a sight for astronomical
eyes to behold.
The glass measures about ten feet in
circumference, or three feet and four
inches in diameter. Although it is two
and one-half inches thick at the center
and one and one-halt at the edge, it was
as transparent as bit of thin plate
glass when, carefully, it was raised on
its edge in the box.
Mr.. Clark's hands fondled it as he
would baby raised out of its cradle,
while he murmured: ''What beauty
it is, no one ever saw its like"
George Clark flecked off the particles
of dust that chung to it with soft, silk
handkerchief, and touched it as lightly
as lady might her powdered cheek.
Mr.. Widney's eyes danced with pleasure
as he glanced through its transparent
thickness. The Herald reporter touched
it reverently before it was laid carefully
back it its case to await it's finishing
process. A sigh of relief
Escaped the Veteran Lens Maker
when he saw it safely reposing once more
on its soft cushion and the fibre replaced
He was in state of more or less anxiety
till this was done, for the lens represents
dUOuU wv WOlh lCdQy, UliOuSu
two or three years will be required to
finish it. When it is ready for it's posi-
ton in the big telescope, it will repre-
now insured for large sums by two of
the biggest insurance companies in Bos-
ton.
Judge Widney expressed thorough
satisfaction with the appearance of the
c~Ioce AVID co;J ho hol MT <bo 1ooc&
doubt but that it would be not only the
very largest, but the most perfect one
ever attempted.
eter than the Lick telescope glass. Before
its Partisan manufacturers succeeded in
turning out tins perfect specimen, they
had melted out dozens and dozens like
it in size, but possessing no claims OF
rivalry as regarded perfection. Even
this one had to be cut and recut before
all the air bubbles and inequalities
were carved out of it. This reduced its
thickness by couple of inches, and the
| further processes it will have to undergo
before it is fit for its cell may reduce its
present thickness very materially.
Mr.. Clark says that the curve on one
side is almost perfect, as he ascertained
by the use of the spheroid, but that the
other will stand great deal of cutting
down. He has not yet decided whether
he will have the work done at his manu-
factory at Cambridgeport or upt mp a
new plant to complete it near the scene
of its future home in California.
When the Lick glass was ready, it was
sent away in special parlor car, and
the cost of transportation alone amount
ed to $4,000. 2.
The first process that this new and so
far greatest lens ever attempted, will
have to undergo will be that of grind
placed on mill, and made to revolve
The finest of sharp steel instruments
smoothing machine, moving in con-
stantly changing curve, will be for
months and months passing over its
surface before the lens can be utilized
During this time it will be tested, per.
haps hundreds oftimes, by the aid of a
silver mirror till its proper focal power
| shall have been established.
| Each of the processes employed in its
operation is intricate and delicate. That
of getting the correct focal power may,
| hOWCtCi, NC tllC luOSU lliCCI'
esting. On being set before the mirror
little
Starlike Raw OF Light
will be made to pass through the lens
and reflected back through it again from
the mirror. Until all the inequalities
of density in the glass are removed, the
ray of light transmitted will not be per.
feet in shape. Back and forth the lent
will have to 60 from the grinding and
smoothing machine to the testing ap-
paratus, until the tiny ray of light is al
perfect as when it first leaves the little
lamp that sends it forth.
The grinding machine is most ingen
ious affair. 1t is worked by two cranks
one of which revolves seventeen time.
to the one time that it's fellow moves
around. This makes the lens present {
constantly changing surface to thai
which is polishing it. Red oxide Of iror
is used for the grinding, and beeswaz
| hrinpa oI1t tho norfact polish Evop Of