The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-08-24
An Interesting Incident.
The Baltimore Sun says:

Prof. Simon Newcomb, the dis
tiuguished astronomer and mathe-
matcian, related an incident az a
recent meeting of the Royal Astron-
omical Society in England which |
shows that the avenues Of distinction
are open TO young men, however
limited their opportunities may be.
" la the year 1871" said Prof. New
comb, " had the honor Of presiding
over the American Association for
the Advancement of Science at Nash
vile. During this time | was IN
formed by the people of that city that
there was young man, scarcely over
20 years OF age, who was photo
grapher and had reputation AS a
coming astronomer. With his scsnty
earnings he had bought small tele-
scope, and with it was trying TO
explore the heavens. | expressed Il
wish to see him, and found he was
very desirous Of doing something
that might be useful in astronomy.
and wanted to know if ! could tell
him what that something should be.
| suggested that there was an unex-
plored field of work in the photo
praphy of comets. | never discovered
a comet myself aud my ideas were
rather theoretical, but gave him tue
hest information could and we
parted. For the remainder Of my
tale we must 60 ahead IS years.
About two years ago the gold medal
of this society was awarded TO this
same young man. He came across
the Atlantic to receive it," Prof.
Newcomb added that the young mans
arrival vas delayed by bad weather,
but the Royal Astronomical Society
paid him the honor Of holding spe-
cisl meeting, at which be was re
ceived with distinction. must
assure you" concluded Prof. New
comb, " that the circumstance Of that
extra meeting being arranged gave
a great deal Of pleasure in America,
and ! wish to express my high appre'
citation of the spirit which wss shown
on that occasion"
The young man to whom Prof
Newcomb pointed the way to fame is
Edward Emerson Barnard, professor
of astronomy at the University OF
Chicago, and astronomer of the Yerkes
Observatory. He was born in Nash
Vile on December lG, 1857, graduated
at Vanderbilt University in 1887 and
was astronomer at Lick Observatory,
California, from 1887 to lS05 He
discovered the fifth satellite of Jupiter
aud 16 comets, and has also doue
much work in celestial photography,
making photographs of the Milky
Way comets and nebule He re-
ceived the Lalande medal and the
Arsgo medal from the French Aca-
denny Of Sciences, the gold medal of
the Royal Astronomical Society of
Great Britain, and was elected al
associate of the Royal Astronomical
Society. He is member of many
American and foreign societies.
In view of the distinction which
Prof. Barnard has achieved, the Incl
dent related by Prof. Newcomb is a
singularly attractive and suggestive
one from several points of view.
First, we have the young man in
Nashville steadily pursuing an ideal,
rising superior to all limitations,
boarding his savings to buy a tele-
scope that he might continue his
studies in astrono omicsl science while
earning his living as photographer.
Next we have the learned mathema-
tician and scientist who hears of the
students ability, seeks him out and
gives him advice. Possibly it was the
counsl Of the distinguished Professor
which encouraged the obscure young
man to continue his explorations in
Astronomical science until he had
made name for himself. That shows
the value of helpful suggestions. If
the Professor had been less amiable
or had not taken the young man seri-
ously, the latter might not have ap.
piled his energies so diligently or met
with the success which he finally &C.
complished. Last of all, we have the
Royal Astronomical Society, body
composed of some of the most emi-
nent scientists in Great Britain, hold
ing a special meeting to recognize
the work of the Nashville photo
grapher and to bestow high honors
upon him. A more pleasing picture
could not be drawn, and it should
prove an inspiration to young men,
however limited their opportunities
NAV seem, and encourage them to
keep pluckily at their work. with the
assurance that obscurity is no bar to
fame. Prof. Newcomb's story has
very wholesome moral, quite as ap.
plicable to learned men. II he had
been crusty and unspproachable and
miserly about giving information or
suggestions to the young man in
Nashville. he might never have been
able to relate the pleasing incident
which the Royal Astronomical So
ciety heard with keen interest at its
last meeting.