davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-14

similar to that of the Lick telescope in
dimensions and weight. Lieutenant Win
terhalter, U. S. N, who was officially
deputed to inspect the leading astronomi-
cal institutions OF Europe in 1887, describes
the contrivance by which the dome floats
round in a ringshaped tank of water in
the following words:
1.-The weight OF the dome is taken up by
means of circular float attached to and
making a circuit of its base and resting in
tanks of the same shape, partly filled
with water The dimensions of the float
are, of course, calculated to give the buoy
ancy necessary to float the dome, which
weighs about ninety-six tons. The
depth and width of the tank are neces-
sarily somewhat greater than the corre-
spending dimensions OF the float. They
are calculated to be somewhat more than
sufficient for the use of water, liquid
OF the least density that is likely to be en-
pleyed as floating medium, About half
of the tank projects beyond the line of the
masonry and is there supported by heavy
cast-iron standards turning up into hang
ing knees and by intermediate angle-irons.
"The dome thus becomes hemisphere
cal vessel floating and turning in circular
basin.'
To avoid the impediment of frozen sur
face on the water, small quantity of the
glycerine of commerce can be added, or
the tank can be slightly heated with gas
Jets underneath.
At full speed the dome sails round its re-
stricted channel in eight minutes, and for
moderate speed the attached rope needs
only the effort of one hand. The unique
mechanical conception has been found to
work with entire satisfaction. Machinery
resembling that by which the Lick dome
rolls round so smoothly and swiftly has
also been provided at Nice to forestall any
failure in the design of M. F. Eiffel, who
was the constructor.
The cost of the construction of such
dome is estimated to be 600.
A 15-inch refractor, an excellent merid-
ian circle, a portable transit instru-
ment and all the usual accessories of
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-14
NARvELSQr MODERN ASTRONOMY
,Hr Dose OHdoraN ~

The expected completion of the Yerkes
telescope before the end of the present
wear awakens many thoughts and hopes
and fears in the minds of astronom-
ical students throughout the world, as
to the possibilities vested in the elaborate
equipment Of the new observatory.
Like the Lick telescope, it has been
manufactured with the view OF SURPRISING
all others previously made.
If it were but a matter Of money, size
and time, fulfllment might be assumed,
but optical science has to contend with
drawbacks that strengthen and grow IN
proportion to the size of the lens.
There is no doubt. however, but that the
munificence of Mr.. Yerkes IN the cause OF
science will yield great and enduring re-
suits.
On an elevation near the shores OF Lake
Geneva. Wisconsin, many miles removed
from the disadvantages of city surround
ings, a cruciform structure has peen
erected, mainly with view TO staplIty,
though its gray brick walls ana domeo
roofs have also attained no small share OF
architectural merit. The large dome on
the west side, being ninety feet in diameter,
will afford ample space tor the great tete-
scope. which is a 40-inch retractor.
All important details have received more
than usual thought and study, and as the
construction OF a large telescope and its
accessories is no longer an untrodden path
there has been a wide scope, both Tor the
avoidance of mistakes and the adoption of
approved experiments.
The chief instrument, as the illustration
shows, is similar in general aspect TO the
tronomers and large portion of the Cali
fornian public are already familiar. The
colossal tube, which alone weighs six tons,
varies in diameter from 42 inches near the
lens to 81 at the central part and 38 at the
eve end, and is 81 feet in length, being two
feet longer and four inches wider in diane.
ter than the tube at Mount Hamilton.
On account OF the unfortunate tendency
of these heavy tubes TO fexure, or a droop-
ing of both ends from the propped up cen
tral part, which is fastened to the declina-
ton axis, special care has been given tc
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-14
Mm zzzA@xu
KING J0SEPH'S PET GUN,
AWeapon Made for Napoleon
Brother Is Now in This
City.
Gold and Silver Filigree Work
Adorns 1t From Buttplate
to Sight.

King Joseph Bonaparte, eldest brother
of Napoleon, was quite sport in his day,
and on one occasion, in fit of generosity
ordered the royal arsenal superintendent
to construct for him the finest muzzle-
loading shotgun that could be produced.
The result was that within few weeks the
King found himself in possession of the
coveted firearm. From the butt shield to
the sight was woven wonderful filigree OF
gold and silver scroll work, which con-
verged at the lock and twined in and out
and around it like thousand serpents.
Immediately in front of the hammer the
royal stamp was daintily set in and sur
rounded by border of gold. This stamp
branded the weapon as royal implement,
to be used only by his Highness, who pos
sessed the sole right to bushwhack small
birds with it.
Supporting the frearm, and at the same
time decorating it, were several steel bands
passing over the barrel, al copiously en-
graved and adorned with grotesque figures.
Aside from these beautifying features,
the tip of the gun is graced with two inches
of agate through which the ramrod passes
to It's receptacle. The trigger guard is
gracefully curved and is loaded down with
all over the gun.
The weapon is valued at $1,000. 1t was
made in the year ITO. At that period a
Mr.. Mailyard, who was cumming with
the King. took fancy to the gun and eX-
pressed the wish that he had similar one.
The King, who was as good at giving as
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-14
[FrOm an approved engra0ing.l

attain rigidity in its construction, as such
hexure counteracts TO some extent the ex-
cellence of lens and eyepiece.
By many ingenious mechanical contri-
vances the mounting is also given the full
benefit OF past experience.
As in the case of all giant refractors, it
has an equatorial motion, and keeps pace
by means of a driving clock with the move
ment of the heavenly bodies westward
thus counteracting the effect of the earth s
rotation. The movable floor is nearly
similar to that of Mount Hamilton, but,
with the movements of the dome and
telescope, is controlled by electric motors
convenient to the observer.
The two smaller domes will be used for
telescopes Of medium size, one 12-inch
and the other 16-inch, and between them
is room occupied by the heliostat, an
instrument so constructed as to cause the
sun beam under observation to remain fixed
and unaffected by the diurnal motion.
The merldian-room at the east end of the
structure is destined to hold telescope OF
more than ordinary efficiency for observ-
ing heavenly bodies on the meridian and
making accurate measurements of their
positions. The meridian circle, as it is
named, is devoted exclusively to this most
important duty of an observatory.
Spectroscopic, physical and chemical
laboratories, Photographic apartments. q
library and many other accessories to a
thoroughly equipped observatory occupy
the central portion of the building.
The director, Professor George z. Hale,
will devote special attention in person to
solar observations, and photographs of the
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-14

sun will be taken every few minutes on
clear days.
The chief center of attraction, the 40
inch lens, first designed for proposed
Southern California observatory, will be
devoted to those researches that are most
thwarting to the powers of average instru-
ments; such as the discovery of new satel-
lites, nebular and planetary details and
close double stars, which have been chiefly
discovered by Professor S. W. Burnham,
now a member of the staff.
The coming winter will probably fore
cast the achievements of the great tele-
scope. Those who understand the posi-
bilities of optical science are not likely to
be disappointed, but the enthusiasts who
are yearning for message from Mars will
no doubt find that interplanetary signal
service is still in a backward condition.
A short account of the other great OBJ
servatories of the world may be of some
interest at this time.
OF the Lick Observatory, already famil-
lar subject to the reading public, it need
only be said that it will prove close rival to
any astronomical institution likely to ap-
pear for many years.
AS terrestrial divisions are of little mo-
ment in science that reaches beyond the
stars, the flour corners of the earth" being
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-14

in square tube of steel which is also
adapted to hold a 24-inch lens specially
suited for Photographic work.
The spectroscopic equipment will soon
place the observatory in the lead OF astro-
physical research, and the specimens of
photography that have already appeared
are OF the highest excellence.
A rejecting telescope three feet and third
in diameter completes the important part
of the equipment, which will owe much
of its efficiency to the scientific zeal of M.
Jansen, the director, who was the first to
announce that the solar flames could be
viewed without the shelterlng shadow OF
an eclipse. This noted French savant 1t
was who scared in balloon beyond the
reach of German rifles during the siege of
Paris for the purpose of viewing solar
eclipse in the line of totality. Unfortu-
nately cloudy day frustrated his efforts
and the instruments he had conveyed un-
der such difficulties were unused.
Though advanced in years he ascended
to the summit of Mont Blanc in 1890, and
took some valuable solar observations at
that high altitude, where an observatory
has since been established.
The director of the Imperial Observatory,
Pultowa Russia, ordered a lens thirty
inches in diameter from Messrs. Clark of
Boston in 1879, and what at that time was
the largest refracting telescope in the world
was competed IN 1857 IL is CONSIDERED 10
have a slight advantage over the Lick in
the matter of color correction and the OBJ
trusive violet halo is less conspicuous in
observations on that account. The mount
ing of the polar axis was officially COM
mended by Professor Newcomb few years
ago, when visiting the European observa-
tories, and also the method of Illuminating
the finding circles SO as to be readable at
the eyepiece by the observer.
This 1attpr cOnvanieOt 6avica fhap
almost unknown in this country, though
since put in use on more effective scale
at Mount Hamilton. The detection of close
double stars, the measurement of star
distances, and investigations as to the con-
stitution of the rings of Saturn, are among
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-14
UNIVERSITY CLUBS LIMIT.
1t Is Removed to Allow the Admission of
Large Number on the Wait
ing List.

There is no limit now at the University
Club. This does not refer to games, but to
the membership. When the club was
started about five years ago there was much
fear among its members that itswould be a
long time before it would be put on solid
basis, but from the start it has been pecu-
liarly successful, and the limit OF member
ship was raised from 800 to $50 and then to
400. OF these all except twenty-five were
college men.
A short time ago it was decided to admit
fifty non university men and then finally
close the rolls to all except college 1uen.
Before the fifty men were chosen the limit
of 400 was reached, and last evening a
meeting of the members was held, at which
it was decided to repeal the section of the
bylaws limiting the membership to that
number. This leaves the question of num-
bers in the hands of the board of directors
and will allow the admission of number
of those whose names are on the pollbook.
The club is making extensive alterations
and additions to its cozy home on Sutter
street which when finished will make it
one of the most comfortable clubhouses in
the country.
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-14

work, an extensive astronomical library
containing many rare and valuable
books. and is thus fully fitted to
compete in work with any of
the European institutions. Consider
ing the bleak northern skies through
which it seeks TO penetrate the mys-
teries of space, its contributions to
science are Of solid value, though start
ling discoveries do not often emanate from
that distant shrine.
The close rivalry to the Pulkowa 1nstru-
ment is the more recently erected % $40
inch refractoT OF Nice.
The gift to science OF NJ. Bischoffsheim,
a wealthy banker of Paris, it has the ad-
vantage of many previous experiments, of
an altitude of II, 900 feet and Of genial
sky. 1t must be admitted, however, that
the mists of the Mediterranean lowering
over Mount Gros, on the once barren sum-
nit of which it has been erected, interfere
seriously with the good definition of OBJ
served objects The still further discour-
aging news also comes that it is the expert
ence of NJ. Perrotin. the director, that two
hours work with large instrument is as
fatiguing as eight with small one, the
labor increasing in proportion to the cube
of the aperture, the chances of seeing de-
creasing in the same ratio, while the gain
in enlarged views rarely keeps pace with
the disadvantages.
He is admirably true to science in thus
putting the outcome OF the expenditure. in
the light in " hich it has appeared to him.
In the extensive inclosure on the noun
tain top the buildings are unconnected,
which may be inconvenient to the astrono-
mers, but it is an advantage in the use OF
the smaller instruments which are freer
from draughts and obstructing higher
domes.
A peculiar feature is the method of re-
yolving the large dome, which is nearly
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-14

all too limited for the aim in view, the
description will proceed in the order Of
size and efficiency without regard to coun-
try, continent or period of construction.
1t is not generally understood that a re-
flecting telescope, in order to be the peer
of refractor, must be about double its
tubular diameter, and then weight and
unwieldiness hamper its use and accuracy,
though for Photographic and spectre
scopic work it possesses compensating
facilities that leave the conceded superb
ority of the refractor open to some eXcep-
tions. On the ground of general prefer
ence, the large refractors will be considered
first and separately.
Five miles west of Paris the ruined Castle
OF Meudon, once the scene only OF royal
pageantry and revels, is now devoted to
nobler use and holds in its lordly tower an
instrument destined for greater achieve
ment than any of the royal occupants of
former years. More than thirty-two inches
IN diameter and fifty-five feet in focal
length, it is inferior in size only to the Lick
and the Yerkes telescopes. Somewhat
unique in construction, it has been made
with view to meeting the requirements
OF the new astronomy" which previously
were secondary consideration in the de-
signing OF giant telescope.
This so-called new branch of the science
is comparatively new to mankind, preoc-
cupled as they have hitherto been with
wars and superstitions, while the
/ great works of nature rested unknown.
After half century of investigation it is
still In its infancy, though with a promis-
Ing future opening before it. 1t deals with
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-14

frst-class modern observatory are to be
found in this scientific institution. which
has been fitted up at the cost of $500, 900.
The measurement Of double and multiple
stars and search for new satellites NOV
ing around the major planets have been
part of the work of the great telescope. but
in the latter respect at least it has looked
in vain.
= When the observatory of the University
of Vienna was built on slight elevation
above the Danube the advantage of high
altitude had to be overlooked and clear
region within easy reach OF. the CITY was
all that was attained. 1t was completed in
1880 and the refractor twenty inches
in diameter, was looked on as colossal
achievement surprising in size even the
26-inch refractor of Washington, then in
use for some years.
Being entirely constructed by one firm.
that of Sir Howard Grubb OF Dublin. il
was certainly a marvel of versatility in
mechanical skill, and many of the methods
adopted have not been superseded, though
new requirements have given them a new
and more perfected form. This is more to
be wondered at, as some of them, though
well designed. were Gntried experiments.
The illumination Of parts of the in stru-
ment at a distance from the observer by
one lamp was arranged by several refract-
ing prisms, which scattered the light in
the angles required till the object could be
distinctly seen by the means of micro
scopes near the eyepiece. This is similar
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-14
CRUELTY TO CHILDREN.
Mrs. Eliza Flynn Sentenced to Six
Months In Jail.

Mrs. Eliza Flynn, charged with cruelty
to her children, appeared before Judge
Conlan yesterday for sentence. The Judge
suggested that she should 60 to st. Zoseph's
Home, but she declined and said she would
rather go to prison.
Every weil." said the Judge. "I will
send you TO the Branch County Jail for six
months
The case has been pushed by the Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
Mrs. Flynn is the woman who by her
drunken habits and consequent negl ect OF
her children was the cause of the youngest
dying of starvation in her arms while she
was stupid with liquor.
Her husband, respectable plasterer, was
compelled to leave her and she went to
live with an aunt at the Potrero. He was
under medical treatment for several weeks
from an attack she made upon him with a
razor when in one of her drunken bouts.
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-14
to the method used at the Lick observa-

tory.
A 12-inch Clark refractor, meridian
circle of inferior and antiquated form, a
5-inch transit instrument and many
older instruments of value only for their
historic associations, are to be found in the
observatory, which is also fairly equipped
for Photographic work.
A search for objects too faint to be seen
in smaller telescopes, such as faint comets
and asteroids, has been kept up for some
years at this observatory which is, how
ever, hampered by financial restrictions in
its undertakings. Notwithstanding the
cost and size of the great telescopes just
described, it cannot be said that they mo-
nopolize the greatest astronomical achieve
ments, and. when the work of observations
is discussed later on, it will be seen that
some smaller instruments take a more
prominent place among the facilities OF
modern research.
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-14

he was at receiving. passed it over, and
since that time it has descended to the
great-great-grandson of the Kings friend,
Mr.. j. w. Mailyard of this City. Last
week it was on exhibition in the window of
Liddle & Co., and attracted great deal of
attention among local sportsmen.
The caliber is 25 gauge. smooth bore,
capable of either shot or bail. It's weight is
five pounds two ounces and it is about four
inches longer than regulation guns of the
present day.
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-14

Can evidence be stronger than this ?
ej'I deem it my duty to announce the
fact to all my fellow-sufferers of all fe-
male complaints that your Vegetable
Compound has entirely cured me of all
the pains and suffering was enduring
when / wrote you last May. I followed
your advice to the letter, and the result
Is wonderful" y MRS. CHAs." PARKER,
Little Falls, Mimi. ANY druggist has it.
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-14
THE OBSERVATORY AT NICE.
From sketch.

the researches to which this great instru-
ment has been devoted. The observatory
also contains 1519-inch refractor, excel
lent meridian circles an astro physical
laboratory, equipments for Photographic
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-14

Nebraska has developed largely in the
last fifteen years from the sterile plains
that formerly constituted its territory. Its
assessed valuation is now 500, ,585, ,782.
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-14

the knowledge gained by means of the
spectroscope of the vaporous material of
which the luminous orbs of heaven are
composed; and also includes the photo
graphic discoveries withheld from tele-
scopic vision. The 32-inch lens is mounted
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-14

the cause, and re
stores health, cour-
age, and happiness.
The druggists sell
more of it than all
other female medi-
oines. Why
The following short
letter speaks for it
self. Mrs. Parker is
a very young wife;
only twenty-one years
old. She was suffer-
ing untold misery
when she wrote to
Mrs. Pinkham for ad-
yinp SEQ tho rpSult.
The San Francisco call., 1895-07-14
, ESPECIAL TO oUR LADY READERS !

I'm the treatment of female diseases
men work from theory; and it is not to
be expected that they can treat as inte9-
ligently those complaints from which
they nave never suffered, as woman
can who has made the organism ana dis
eases of her sex life study.
Women afflicted with female diseases
are wise in communicating promptly with
Mrs. Pinkham, at Lynn, Mass. Their
distressed condition is due to womb
trouble, and their symptoms tell the
story.
Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Com
mound is the one remedy that removes
The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-04-15
Grand Opera House.

Bartley Campbell's greatest success, "The Galley Slave" is the bill the first three days this week, with the usual Wednesday matinee.
 In the writing of the play MT, Camp bell is said toIhave had ever before him a desire "to glorify the nobility of man and the honor of woman"
 The characters he gives us are all creatures of flesh and blood drawn by a master hand. There are number of beautiful stage pictures, and among these the double wedding in the third act has attracted universal comment
 The comedy element has not been neglected, and is altogether legitimate. The company includes many famous players. such as w. W. Allen, J. A. WheeIock, Carol Daily, Frank Roberts, c. w. Goodrich. Lodusd Young, Losa Addison Gift, Harriett Sheldon and Duddie Douglas.
 Edwin Barbour's thrilling melodrama, Land of the Midnight Sun," will be the attraction the last three days this week,
The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-04-15
Poll,s Wonderland Theater.

Novelty is the great object aimed at in the entertainments presented to the patrons of the Wonderland. And suc- cess attends the effort. This week the leading attraction is little Gertie Coch- ran. known as the mental child wonder. Gertie Cochran is gifted with most extraordinary memory. being able to memorize anything almost at sight, and her case has aroused the interested attention of noted English and Ameri- can professors of learning who have concerned themselves with discussions of the limitations of the memory. The Wonderland is fortunate in securing the little prodigy With her will be associated on the bill Gertie Gilson, the dashing American soubrette; Con- way and Leland, Heusted and Guyer O'Brien and Buckley. and a number of other leading vaudeville stars.