The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1896-08-20

ness of sky in 1898 achieved the best
results.
In that year Prof Todd wrote to
the Director of the Imperial Japanese
Weather Service, requesting observa-
tions similar TO those he had obtained
for 1898 at different points in the Hok-
kaido, and his suggestions have been
carried out in every particular. Prof
Nakamura, Director of the Central
Meteorological Observatory at Tokyo,
has had printed and distributed to the
different legations a pamphlet for the
information of eclipse students, con-
tanning not only all the observations
referred TO. but a sufficiently minute
discussion of them to enable all the
astronomers to weigh most int~lli-
gently the probable chances of clear
skies at every available point in the
path to totality. The establishment of
any station is thus made with full
knowledge of whether il is best or
worst in probable clearness; and if
obliged to plant himself in some less
hopeful location, the intending obser-
yer takes his own risks, with eyes
wide open to the law of probabilities.
The three provinces of Yezo in which
the shadow falls are Kushiro, Katimf
and Nemuro, each containing several
towns, most of them, however, small
and but little known to foreigners. Tri-
daily observations were made from July
% to August % during three years, at
two o'clock, half after two and at three
o'clock, at a number of these villages
in the eclipse track, the results being
carefully compared and comparative
tables shown. From the percentage of
cloud at the observation hour itself.
A
first in probabilities of clearness, and
Esashi, on the northeast coast, second;
but from the point of it's constancy
thirty minutes before and after the
eclipse, Ssashi presides over all the
others, as shown by the full tables
given for thirty-two days at seven
towns. The selection of a station al
ways involves much care and fore
thought, and responsibility enough to
whiten the hair of any one except a
philosophic astronomer, accustomed to
take chances with nature The proba-
bilities at Ssashi are considerably more
than half in favor of clearness, and, af-
ter studying the reports and tables care
fully and consulting with the meteor
ologists here, Prof. Todd finally Sc
lected that as his observing station, al
though it is farther and more difficult
of access than Akkashi, of which he
had thought for a time as a probable
location. But the Imperial Government
has been most courteous to the expe-
dition, affording every facility possible,
which included, with truly royal gen.
erosity, requests to both railroad and
steamer corporations for free transpor-
tation for the whole party and the in
struments to any point they might Sc
wi
which our comfort and convenience
would have been much less in every
way.
The interest of astronomers in this
eclipse is shown by the large number
assembled here for it's observation
French, English, American, Japanese,
and perhaps others. Already, little
less than six weeks before the import
ant day, most of the parties have now
started upon their northward way.
France is represented by NJ. Henri Des-
andres of the Paris Observatory, who
IS accompanied by NJ. Millochau and the
brothers Mittau. He left Yokohama on
July 1st in the French war ship Alger
for Esashi. Prof. Schaeberle, head of
he Lick Observatory expedition, has
also started for Yezo, and will station
himself at Akkeshi with his party,
Chabot Observatory at Oakland, Mr..
Mason and DR.. Shuey. Prof TeraO,
Director of the Toxic Observatory, will
De at Esashi, and the Astronomer Roy
II of England, Mr.. Christie, with two
assistants, is expected very soon.
Prof Todd left Yokohama for Esashi
IN July 1st, with his principal assist
ants, and about five days will be occu-
1ied in the journey. Others Of the party
will proceed thither after two or three
weeks With special steamers and the
n nen-Of-War on the sea, and the several
cheerful eclipse camps on shore, the
northern side of Yezo will see a sur
lrising summer, and the innocent Ainu
will probably date future history from
his peaceful invasion Of the foreigner.
But it is q happy thing that some spots
are still left on this fair earth where
modern enterprise and cosmopolitan
life can still afford establishment Yo-
kohama is far less Japanese than it
was a few years ago. More English is
spoAen, higher prices for simple things
prevail, and jinrikisha men and SAM
pan coolies show possibilities of broth
ernood with the New York and London
ca bman. Japan is obviously prosper
Gus and very happy. But / have heard
seven Japanese babies crying since
came to this lovely land and at a de-
iichtfuI tea house entertainment the
other evening no painted lanterns
swung in the breeze, but electric lights
flashed forth from a bronze chandelier.
MABEL LOOMS TODD.