davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-18
THE MAIN BUILDIN G..

tory then on hand embraced an achromatic
retractor one meridian transit prime vertic al
transit, a mural circle. one comet searcher, sew
raj magnetic and me meteorological instruments,
md n small library, beside some other inStru-
ments not yet paid for, including portable
Pinch transit instrument and 30-inch transit
circle. 1t not until the close OF Septem-
Der. 1874, that Lieut.. ellis reported to the
secretary OF the Navy that the building was
ready for occupancy, and on the 1st of October
Lieut.. NJ +. Maury, then superintendent of the
depot of charts. was ordered to take Charge of
the new depot and observatory. Among the
naval officers ordered to the institution were
the present Admrals Worden. Porter and
Amy, also Profs. Coffin and Hubbard.
A BIG UNDERTAKING.
A great deal was expected of the new insti-
tuition and Hon. Geo. Bancroft, Secretary of
the Navy, soon ordered Lieut.. Maury to pro-
coed with an extensive astronomical work,
which was really nothing less than assigning
color. position and magnitude to every star in
the heavens which could be seen with the instru-
ments, work that, with the then equipment,
would have required century to
complete. Much of Lieut.. Maury's time
and attention was given to valuable
a wonderful system. From the data which he
obtained, through innumerable sources, of the
direction and force of winds and currents in all
parts of the navigable globe he published his
abstract log, the value of which in those days
OF sailing vessels was incalculable.
LIEUT.. MAURY SUCCEEDED By CAPT. GILLIs.
The war put stop to all this, for upon the
announcement of hostilities in April, 1861.
Lieut.. Maury suddenly left the observatory and
the city to join the confederate forces, leaving
a life position for u career OF subsequent mis-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-18
SUICIDE TO ORDER.
Terrible Use to Which Hypnotism i.
Being Put.

From the Pail Mail Budget
Science not only accounts for a great DEAL
but has great deal to account for The other
day NJ. Charcot publicly hypnotized a gen.
darme and then told him to assassnate
Mr.. Grevy. whom he would find in the corner
of the garden. The poor constable went out
and stabbed tree with a paper knife and
came back trembling and confessed the mur-
der. Such feats have been done in Leeds as
well as in Paris, and We know what is the
power of the magnetizer. 1t has hitherto been
one of the fairy tales of science. but now 1t is
said to have added Il new and terrible chapter
to the records OF crime. One waits for proof,
but accusation is definite enough.
One malefactOr, French libertne actually
in the hands OF the police, is said to have Sc
lected his victims, choosing those of an emo
tional temperament, and then to have mag
netiLed them and ordered them 70 commit
suicide One poor girl did do so. Law and
science are equally interested i'll the result of
an investigation which. II is said, will very
shortly be held. Ii the facts are proved the
question will arise whether the offense ac-
tually amounts to what the law recognizes as
murder. Ii not we certainly ought to have
new law, and we shall probably have a new
word. ITO suicide q person" seems contra
dlctlon in terms
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-18
Heroes.

The following poem will be read with inter-
est. 1t does not appear i'll any of Mr. Brown
in8's published works, bat it is to be found in
a collection of "Balliol Songs" privately
printed some two or three years ago. Mr.
browning, though not in the strict sense an
Oxford man, was honorary fellow of Balliol
college. and this poem of his stands first in the
little collection of college songs
ThrOnging through the cloud riffs, whose are
they. the faces
Faint revealed yet sure OWNED, the famous
ones Of old.
what they smile, ''our names our deeds so
soon grasses
Time upon his tablet where Lies glory lies
enrolled.
"Was it for nero FOOLS play, make believe, and
mumminE,
SO we batticd it like men, not boy-like, sulked
and whinCd.
Each of Us heard clang Gods Come. and each
coming:
Soldiers all, TO forward face, not sneaks to lag
behind!
slow Of the fields fortune? That concerned our
Leader,
Led, We struck our stroke, nor cared for doinss
left and right:
Each az on his sole head. failer or succeeder,
Lay the blame or Lit the praise; care for
towards: night"
Then the cloud-rift broa1ens, spanning earth
that's under,
Wide our world displays its worth. mans strife
and strife success:
All the good and Deauty, wonder browning Won
der,
Till my heart and soul applaud perfection,
nothing less.
Manchester I,mps
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-18

fortune. Then. in the same month the real
founder of the observatory succeeded to its
superlntendency, Capt. j. NJ. ellis. an as
tromer III the strictest sense. He served but
four years. but in this period he succeeded in
giving the observatory policy and direction
that has colored it's subsequent career. 1t was
in August. 1862. that the observatory was placed
under the bureau of navigat Or
Navy department, where it remained
until only a few months ago. being then trans
ferred to the bureau OF equipment and recruit
ing. A new transit circle was added to the
equipment in 1863. The ambitious aims and
plans of Capt. Gilliss were suddenly cut short
by his death. which occurred in February,
1865. Rear Adm raj G. III. Davis succeeded to
the superintendency. serving until May, 1867.
when Rear Admiral b. T. Sands was designated
as superintendent.
THE GREAT TELESCOPE.
TWAS in 1868 that stops were first taken for
the purchase of the great equatorial telescope
which for many years held rank as the largest
refractor in the world, but the appropriation OF
200 for this purpose was not secured until
1871. This glass, 26 inches in diameter. is even
now among the largest in the world, being SUR
passed in this country only by that at the Lick
observatory, Cal, which is SO inches in diane
ter. In 1863 new transit circle room was
added to the observatory under the direction
of Prof. Hardness, assisted by Prof. j. H. East
man and Assistant Observers Edgar Frisby and
Ormond Stone.
TRANSMITTING TINE SIGNALS.
In this year also arrangements ere made
with the Western Union telegraph company
looking to the simultaneous transmission OF
time signals at noon each day all over the coun-
try from the observatory III order to establish
a regulating time service. Several eclipse expe-
ditions were sent out from the observatory at
about this period, including those to observe
the eciipses of the sun of August. 1869, and
December, 1870, and in December. 1874 the
observatory contributed some valuable work
on the transit OF Venus. The report of the
commissions which observed this event and the
transit of 1882 are still being formulated by
Prof Hardness, who is at present attached to
the observatory for this purpose.
THE SATELLITES OF MARS.
The naval observatory can claim the honor
of being the scene Of the most important astro-
nomcal discovery Of the present century, the
finding of the satellites of Mars by Prof
Asaph Hall on the morning of August IL. 1876
Admiral Sands was succeeded as superintend.
ent by Admiral Davis for his second term At
his death Admiral John Rogers succeeded, May
l, 1877. Then came Rear Admrals s. c.
Rowan. r. +. Shufeldt, S. r. Franklin, Commo-
dore Geo. Belknap, Commander Alien d.
Brown lad interim) and then Capt L. l..
Ply THAN. who, appointed in November, 1886,
Is still holding the office, and to whose constant
endeavors is que, to q large degree, the mag
nincent quality OF the observatory's new home.
THE OBSERVATORY STAFF.
The present force at the observatory is as
follows: Lieut.. Walton Goodrich and Ensign F..
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-18

As will be seen by glance at the cut the
strictly astronomical buildings. the observatory
proper are arranged in the form of a cross on
the western edge OF the small plateau that
crowns the site.
THE GREAT EQUATORIAL HOUSE.
The great equatorial house occupies the
most prominent place. almost on the brow OF
the hill. affording sweeping view of the hori-
zon in all directions. 1t is pure in its archi-
lecture and presents a beautiful picture. The
dome Will have a radius of 221S feet and will
De placed IN position as soon the walls are
ready.
The architect. Mr.. Richard NJ. HINT of New
York city. has produced several beautiful de-
signs IN these buildings, each of which is OF
white marble.
THE MAIN BUILDING.
The main building is rather long. but will
undoubtedly be extremely attractive. A.,
present II has risen but short distance above
the foundations. The library room, the rouna.
ing end on the east. will probably be one OF the
most complete book rooms in the coDn,r,
Architect Hunt has long made a study OF bbrs.
ries and their construction. and he regards this
plan as the outcome of the very best ideas in
this line. 1t will have ample shelf room for an
the books now on hand or that may be received
for a hundred years TO come. In tact this is the
main idea around which the entire plan was
made, that the buildings that are now being
erected should accommodate the observatory
for a century without alteration. The library
will have two tiers OF shelving and will be
lighted entirely from above, a row of large
windows glazed IN soft tints furnishing a help
full pleasant illumination in the right direction.
Ihs decorations in this room are to be very
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-18

chronometers, sextants and theodolites belong
ing TO the navy, placing them in building
opposite the residence of Attorney General
Writ. He added a transit instrument
which cost forty guineas. He was succeeded
in the charge of the depot by Lieut.. (afterward
Rear AdmiraD Wilkes.
LIEUT.. WILKES OBSERVATORY
Lieut. Wilkes removed the Office from the
West End to Capitol Hill, LOCO feet from the
Capitol building, where. ut his own expense,
he erected an observatory 10 feet square and
mounted one of the 5-foot transits the property
OF the coast survey. Until 1855 nothing was
done beyond the determination of time. ami in
that year an exploring expedition was sent
forth from the bureau on general astroncm-
ical work under Lieut.. Wilkes. During his
absence Lieut.. Hitchcock had charge OF the
bureau. assisted by Lieut.. ellis, who was
practically the father OF the real observatory.
While the expedition was gone he made series
OF valuable observations at the bureau, cover
ing period OF nearly three years. At his earn
est solicitation the navy commissioners asked
for an appropriation tor a permanent estab-
hshment In December, lS41
PERMANENT ESTABLISHMENT.
A bill passed Congress at the last hour of the
session Of 1912 authorizing the Secretary of
the Navy (Upshur) TO contract for the building
of suitable house for depot of charts and
instruments OF the navy, not to exceed $4,000
III COnt, VI WIKI ElU,Ouu WAS lOE
the year. the building to be located on any I'M
appropriated public land i'll the District of Co
lumbia which the President might deem suit
able. This the actual birth of
the observatory after years Of effort.
The Secretary of the Navy directed
Lieut.. Gillss to visit the northern cities for the
purpose of obtaining information concerning
plan, and q. +. de la Roche was appointed
architect. 1t is interesting 10 note that Mr.. j.
Q. Adams (afterward President), while leader
OF the House of Representatives, called on
President Van Buren, in 1888 and talked OBJ
servatory to him. Mr.. Adams plan then was
to divert a part of the Smithson fund fer the
establishment of an observatory.
ERECTING THE BUILDING.
On the 23d of November, 1S43, Lieut. ellis
reported to the Navy department the adoption
of plan for an observatory, also the progress
OF the erection of the building in accordance
with it upon reservation 1, lying on the north
bank of the Potomac. i'll the southwestern part
of the city, the north front being $40, the east
LOB and the west 600 feet in length" The
central building was 50 feet inches square on
the outside. being two stories and basement
high, surmounted by revolving dome % feet
in diameter. The equipment for all obserya-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-18
The Messenger Cut Out.

From the London KialtO.
Here is STORY of a soto voce communica-
ton tina: must have greatly troubled its recipi-
ent. 1t seems that famous impersOnator of
Lazy Macbeth was starring in America when it
was still customary for the local managers to
provide the supporting company. The star
had been accidentally detained on her Journey
to a remote theater. She arrived in time to
her dress only and hurry on the scene The
performers We're all strangers to her. At the
conclusion of her first soioquy a messenger
should enter to announce the coming OF hng
Duncan. But what was her amazement to hear
in answer to her demand, What is YOUR It'd
lnSs? not the usual reply, The king comes
here tonight" but the whisper spoken from be-
hind Scotch bonnet upheld to prevent the
words reaching the ear of the audience
Hush. I'm NocGett. We've cut the messenger
out-go on, please.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-18
A Dreadful Voice From the Tomb.

from The New 1Ork sun
One of the treasures Of the Edison phopo.
graph works at Orange is cylinder that was
impressed with the voice Of the late John Mo-
Cullough, the actor, who died in a madhousa
The impression was taken while he was in con-
fnement Rambling passages from the plays in
which he acted were recited in a voice Of won
derful power and pathos, but at the end Of each
passage the actor would stop and say, in Q
voice TO chill the blood, But now I'm mad
la. ha, ha, ha, Ia, ha, ha, sh-h-h h." The end
OF the laugh was all but indescribable, for be
drew in his breath with q sound that was partly
q shrek and partly gasp. II there 10 ever 3
voice heard from the tomb it is when this CYL.
inder il put in the photograph.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-18

". Kellogg. in charge of the division OF instru-
ments; Lieut.. Hero Taylor and Ensign Thos.
Snowden, in charge of the time service and
chronometers; Lieut.. B. W. Hodges. in charge
OF the east transit circle furnishing CORE ctions
to the clocks; Prof Asaph Hail. in charge of
the great equatorial, assisted by Ensign Henry
s. Chase; Prof. John r. Eastman. in charge of
the west transit circle instrument. assisted by
Assistant Astronomers 4. n Skinner and Asaph
Hall. ir.: Prof Edgar Frisby. in charge OF the
small equatorial, the instrument which, located
on the roof of the main building,
is free for the use of the
public on Tuesday and Thursday nights;
Assistant Astronomer IL. NJ Paul, temporarily
III charge OF the library in order TO CLASSIFY the
volumes. also III charge of the issue of the an
nual which is edited by Prof Hall. There are
three watchmen at the old place and one at the
new grounds, two skilled laborers and five
laborers. Prof. ). J. Brown is now on tenn
porary duty at the Washington observatory, at
Madison, Wis.
THE WORK DONE.
The work of the observatory consists OF as
Economical observations tending to the ad-
vancement of science, the working out OF
problems proposed by other branches of the
government, notably the coast survey. the fur
nIshlng OF an accurate time regulation to
standard clocks in various parts OF the country,
the care and testing OF naval chronometers
and several MINOR, kindred duties. The policy
Vi inc institution. the program OF WORK, Is de-
termIned by board consisting of the superin-
tcndent and the principal observers, who en-
ctavor to keep in the track of modern research.
sometimes being III the lead, some
times producing corroborative results.
Some exceedingly valuable astronom-
lcai data have been lately spread
before the scientific world through the pub
LEGATION of the annual. This work is now four
or five years behind in its ISSUE. 1t was hoped
that the observatory would be enabled to take
part III the grand international scheme of pho
tographIng the heavens, but an appropriation
for the proper instruments could not be OBJ
tanned III time. The largest work now in view
Is the cooperative observation OF the position
OF all stars III the field OF view included i'll the
zone allotted to the observatory. 1t is an IN
ternational project. nearly every observatory
In the word participating. An appropriation
OF $4,000 has been made Tor the purchase of n
new siX-lnch meridian circle which will be
ready IN time for the new building.
The old observatory buildings, when they are
abandoned for the new quarters, Will probably
remain III the possession of the government
and viii be used as the repository Tor extra in
struments. both naval and astronomical. This
IS for the present only its future disposition
being a matter of doubt.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-18
How to Care for Canaries.

From the EpOcu.
A good many people don't know how to take
care of canary birds and therefore give them
the following advice which I got from a bird
fancier. "Never give your bird sugar. or figs,
or raisins or anything sweet, except a small
piece Of sweet apple Cpeeled) twice a week.
Put the apple in the cage in the morning and
take it out at night. 1t should have all
the rape and canary seed it wants. and gravel
should be kept at the bottom Of the cage
Avoid feeding the bird on celery. Twice a
week feed it on one-third of a boiled egg.
using both the white and yellow of the egg.
Crate up the egg; that is better than putting it
In whole. Give it the egg the day before it
gets the apple and as large q piece of the
former as Of the latter. Let it have O bath
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-18

handsome. The main feature Of this building.
however ia the small dome that crowns The
western end Here will be mounted the small
equatorial telescope. This will be reached by
means of an elevator. the tower for which is
shown in the cut. Next to the telescope tower.
at the extreme western end, is a struc ture for
a transit circle instrument
The main building will also contain an i'm
proved clock room for the testing of chronom-
eters. In this room the time pieces are KEEP.
for six months or a year and run under differ
ent temperatures and atmospheric conditions
1t Is difficult thing to obtain these conditions,
and considerable effort and expense will be
spent IN order to reach the most satisfactory
results in this room.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-18
At the Ball.

She stands tonight as fair as any dream,
All IN her sheen OF snowy satin drest:
Inc thouSanl amps upon her beauty CLEAN
Ana on the fragrant lilies at her b east
My lIlles.-that brought her hours ago
Ana begged that she would eaI for my sake.
ana all nay being burned with Joyous glow
10 see her larry hands my blossoms take
The throng OF SWANS Iectly crowd around
Ana sue for her regard with eager gaze:
Ana yet not one of them, trow, has found
The blessed prize Tor which he fondly prays.
On speeds the dance; an Ii stand apart
Ana watch my queen whose love my rivals crave:
Ana, a. feel It's VINO have her heart,
goat upon the lilies that gave.
The dancers pause; start in mad surprise,
1IIsh lliuneS her rounded cheek and throat
She plnning there, before my very eyes,
one OF nay lilies in her partners coat
curse upon the maid who thus strlke
1hls blow in this, my ppieSt OF hoars,
ana curse the day squandered, gilly-like,
len dollars on that wretched bunch Of now'rs!
-ChlcagO Times.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-18
THE CLOCK HOUSE.

The small building in the center OF the cross
is called the clock house, where the standard
chronometer that furnishes the time regulation
service will be kept. BY an ingenious system
of mirrors, indicated by the parallel dotted
lines in the plat it will be possible to see the
face of this clock or its reflection in any build
ing of the set.
On either hand the ends of the arms of the
cross formed by the two transit circle houses.
The small buildings between these houses and
the clock house are of wood. being simply for
the convenience of the observers on the two
transit instruments.
THE TRANSIT HOUSES.
The transit houses are to be of iron, to a GER
tain extent, in order to reproduce as far as
possible all the outside atmospheric conditions
inside of the house. If this end is not attained
there is danger that the dread simmer Of the
air that makes stars dance all over the field of
the telescope m obstruct the observer. This
simmer arises from the difference of temper
atures of two adjacent bodies OF air and is an
almost constant hindrance to the astronomer.
Oftentimes, on nights when the stars look
largest and brightest to the naked eye, the as
trOnOmer finds the atmosphere to be so I'M
steady as to render any observations impos-
sible and he shuts up his dome and retires.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-18
THE PRIME VERTICAL HOUSE.

THE PRIME VERTICAL HOUSE.
The square building at the head OF the cross
is to contain the prime vertical instrument, the
line of observation of which is to the east and
west while that of a transit instrument is to
the north and south.
The homestead of the Barber estate. the
large building shown in the cut by light lines,
is still standing, being the property of and oc-
cupled by the contractor, according to the
terms of the contract. 1t will be removed.
however. as soon as the work is near compile
ton. There is plenty of room for future ex-
tensions, but it is not thought that it will be
necessary to enlarge the scientific equipment
for q great many years to come But 1T is the
present intention of the observatory officials to
endeavor to obtain an appropriation for a set
of quarters for the astronomers and others
connected with the scientific work at the insti-
tuition.
TO ERECT QUARTERS.
In a few days an estimate of $685. 900 will be
submitted to Congress for the first lot of these
buildings The isolated location of the new
observatory will in time make these buildings
absolutely necessary. for ii will be great hard
ship to compel the astronomers to travel such
great distances to reach their instruments.
When these structures are added to those al
ready in process of erection the new naval OBJ
seryatOry will deserve rank as one Of the best
scientific plants in the world.
The Observatory and Its History.
The present observatory is the outgrowth of
an idea that had its termination half century
ago. But history takes the searcher back still
another half century when the mere site upon
which the old observatory is now located-that
commanding position on the banks of the Po-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-18

During the year 1899 accidents on railroads
involving human life were:
I'S'Sh6eio hiiieo. .olo
Employees killed 2,O7O
LHPioyeS iHJureu. IU,l4S
Other persons killed. .....................2,9 1897
Other persons Injured ....................3,6 02
Total persons killed .5,282
Total persons injured. ...........25,s 8s
But the reports do not cover the total mile
age of the country; only 49, 1872 per cent of it.
Ii the accident rate was the same on the roads
not reporting the total number killed was
1888 and the total injured 27,SSS. These are
the returns made by the railroad companies
themselves and they cannot well be suspected
OF exaggeraton. Neither is there, on the other
hand, any reason to suppose that they are not
IN most cases complete and prepared with per-
feet good faith. An idea of how great the risk
is to railroad employees is shown by the records
OF the Brotherhood of Railroad Brakemen One
IN SO of the IL, 052 members is killed yearly and
one in GO injured. A brakeman has only one
chance in Al OF being allowed to die natural
death.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-18

Sidney Dillon, nephew Of Hon. Sidney Dill
Ion OF New York, accidentally shot and killed
himself while out hunting on his farm 10 miles
northwest Of Omaha.