The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-31
HERMITS OF MT. HAMILTON,
THE NEW YORK SUN" OPPOSES
LECTURES BY OBSERVERS
AT BERKELEY.
ARTHUR RODGERS UPHoLDs THE
PLAN OF THE UNIVERSITY
REGENTS.

The Regents at their last two meetings
have discussed a plan of instruction
in the university by observers from the
Lick observatory at Mount Hamilton.
Their action called forth the following
editorial comment in the New York Sun
of March A.:
The University of California enjoys the
unique and worldwide distinction of including
in its equipment the grandest telescope on
earth, the unriyaled star-gaZer, at the big end
OF which is set the Lick glass. How much of
the uniyersity's own money il contributes to
the support OF the Mount Hamilton observa-
tory we don't know; but even if it pays every
cent of that institutions expenses we must
deprecate the language used lately by a regent
in saying during debate on the instruction
to be required from the astronomers attached
to the observatory, that "tirst and foremost the
results of the experiments and investigations
of the professors at Mount Hamilton should be
for the benefit OF the students of the univer-
sity."
Old James Lick, we are told. when casting
about for some means of perpetuating his own
fame, first concluded 10 spend the great sum to
be devoted to that end in setting up a lot of
statues OF himself. Fortunately Providence
suppressed this programme under some wise
mans warning that in case of war the for
eigners guns might knock the proudly surviv-
ing forms of Lick into smithereens and with
them his memory; and a colossal telescope
being suggested al the same time Mr.. Lick took
TO the idea with pleasure, and so it happened
IHdL UHdlly III the Mount hamilton OBJECTIVE
he left as noble a monument as the wisdom
and benefcence of man ever devised.
But 1t was left more with thought of the
world than of the University of California To
exact instruction for the students from the
observatory staff contrary to the advice of that
brilliant and enthusiastic worker at its head,
Professor Holden, or without consulting him,
as there are signs of doing, would be contrary,
it seems, to the spirit of Licks gift, and it
would certainly be a very unwelcome act to
the rest of the world, rejecting no glory or
profit on the university
Don't hamper the work of the great telescope
or OF the other, lesser glasses ENJOYING the pc
culiar advantages OF location on the height of
Mount Hamilton. Every day of astronomical
activity there is pregnant with added know
ledge of the great problem of where we are at
not only in space but in the history of fate.
Regent Arthur Rodgers, when shown
the editorial yesterday, said: II think
that the idea of the editorial is all right as
far as it goes, but it is hardly complete If
it is intended to express a fear that the
astronomers are to be diverted from their
work as observers there is no foundation
for it. AS / understand the views of the
Regents their desire is that the original
work of investigation or research of the
astronomers shall'not be interfered with to
any material extent. My motion outlining
plan of instruction in the university to
be given by the Mount Hamilton professors
was not intended in any way to interfere
with their work there. Indeed it was
maze AFTER conference some time ago with
different observers. The plan suggested is
not intended to be an elaborate one, nor to
require any important part of the time of
any observer.
at seems evident that an occasional de-
scent into the world of the observers,
whose life at Mount Hamilton is so isolated
and SO circumscribed and monotonous,
would naturally tend to broaden them.
Theirs is a monkish life. They are up at
all hours of the night in high altitude,
and liable to become nervous irritable and
cranky.
''rhe plan suggested does not interfere
with important work of any of the astron-
omers, but it gives his observations more
direct purpose, and brings the hermit in
contact with the bright minds of the Uni
versity. 1t will develop a mental interest
and inspiration for better work in both the
professor and the student. 1t will induce
definite expression by the observer of
the results of his observations, as well as
the philosophy of his science. Their home
is essentially hermitage in the noun
tains, and the advantages of visit occa-
sionally among intelligent people for
purpose ought to be apparent to every
hodv -