Evening star., 1898-09-07
FINE PLATE REFLECTOR.
Beginning of Astronomical Depart
ment of American Umiyersity.

The great telescope mirror made by the
Rev. John Peate, d. D., of the Erie NJ. Z.
conference, and presented to the American
University, was begun July 10, 1S,G, that
being the day when the first stroke the
polishing of the disc was made. The glass
had been cast about two months previously
at the works of the Butler Plate Glass
Company, Butler, Pa. The first four at
tempts at casting were failures, but the
fifth was fine success. Its weight in the
| rough was 1900 pounds.
The casting was brought to ireenville,
Pa, and laid upon the specially prepared
table June 6, 1896, in a shop built expressly
for the purpose on a lot of ground pur-
chased by the university. The final touches
of the polishing of the surface were given
July 15, 1898. In it's completed state the
glass weighs 1900 pounds, is five feet and
one inch in diameter and FIVE and fiye-sx-
teenthS inches in thickness.
Ingeniously suspended in an iron frame
work and a strong wooden case devised by
Dr. Peate, the mirror was shipped on the
PennSy 'vania railroad from Greenvilie Au-
gust 10, and reached Washington August
%. Lttlefield, Alvord & Co. generously
moved the mirror in it's case without
charge. from the station to the site of the
university, August a. the total weight be-
ing 900 pounds. Its removal from the
wagon to the main corridor OF the College
of History was accomplished by the work
of six men with block, tackle and windlass.
under the direction of John b. Hammond
who served as superintendent of construc-
ton during the building of the college.
Dr. Peate arrived a day after the glass
and was greatly pleased with tine condition
in which he found 1t after the periis of its
railroad journey and hauling. A little care
ful wtping of the dust of travel from its
face revealed the whole reflector uninJured
Tests CT the glass were made both with
lights and shadows, and the response was
satisfactory. Photographs of the glass ana
it's temporary setting. with DR.. Peale by it's
side, have been made.
John Peate is fine specimen Of a we'll
preserved manhood Born in north ireland
In 1920, he came with his parents to Amer
lea when but eight years of age. After iv-
ing successfully in Quebec, Vergennes, VT;
Kingston. Ont; Oswego and Buffalo, n. Y
ne began preaching in Warren, Pa He
Joined the Methodist Episcopal church
while living in Buffalo. He began his work
as a travelling preacher in 1S49 when he
Joined the Erie conference In the terri
tory Of that conference he has served some
OF the leading churches as pastor and has
flled the Office of presiding elder for four
teen years on four different districts His
interest in the polishing of telescope mir
rors dates from 1877, when he took it up
as byplay in the more serious and ex-
actlng duties OF the presiding eldershlp He
has made fifteen glasses of various sizes
the largest previous to this chief and latest
piece OF his handicraft being thirty and a
half inches in diameter and weighing 200
pounds.
me American University has wisely
awaited itself of the generosity of his heart
ana the cunning of his hand in accepting
ms proposition to make the largest reflector
IN the world, on condition of the supply to
ms hand Of the necessary materials and
appliances. Properly to mount and shelter
thls glass and set it at its specific work of
discovery and photography among the
lI heavenly bodies will require from SIC, 600 to
Soo'uOo. The value of the reflector as 1t
stands is $4,000. The benefactor of the
@ woIid VINO provides fitting body foc this
soul of the future Astronomical obsarya-
tory OF the American University will rem
DER an eminent service TO science ana round
OUT a beautiful gift to complete and most
useful proportions