Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-30

ture, but are approximately true. The
| problem of two bodies is a case OF this
kind. and the partial solutions may illus
| trate but will not overcome the funda-
m The r rc1 Question Of .,ronomy i. the
complete and rigorous test Of the Newton
ian law Of gravftation. This law has rep
resented observations so well during CEN
fury and half that 1t is general belief
that the law will prove true for all time,
and that it will be found to govern the mo-
tons of the stars as well as those OF our
solar system. The proof - cumulative and
wonderful result if this law is found rigor-
ously true for all time and throughout the
universe. Time is sure to bring severe tests
to all theories. We know that the law OF
gravitation Is modified In the motions OF
the matter that forms the tails of comets.
There is an anomaly in the theory of Mer-
curry which the law does not explain, and
the motion OF our moon is not yet repre-
sented by theory. The lunar theory is very
complicated and difficult. but it does not
seem probable that the defect in Hansen s
theory will be found by recomputing the
periodical coefficients. that have been al
and astronomers. and with good agreement
by Hansen and Delaunay. by very differ
ent methods.
Positions Of the Stars.
The recent progress made in determining
the positions OF the stars in all parts Of the
heavens will be a great help to the inyesti-
cations Of the future. We must have OBJ
servatories where accurate and continuous
observations are made. Our country is well
situated to supplement the work of Europe,
and we hope 1t will never fail to add it's
contribution to the annals of astronomy.
American astronomers should keep pace
in the improvements for increasing the ease
and accuracy Of making observations. The
spectroscope has given a new element in
the motions OF the stars, not to speak OF
the interesting physical results obtained by
it's use. Photography will give great aid in
determining the relative positions Of the
stars and in forming maps OF the heavens.
inatfon and criticism, since they bring new
sources of error.
Stellar Astronomy.
In the not distant future stellar astron
omy will become a great and interesting
field of research. The data for the motions
of the stars are becoming better known,
but these motions are slow, and the astron-
omer of today looks with envy on the as
tronomer of thousand years hence, when
time will have developed these motions.
Much may be done by the steady and care
full work Of observation and discussion
and the accumulation Of accurate data.
Here each one of us can add his mite. But
the great steps of progress In science have
come from the efforts Of individuals.
SCHOOLS anu universities Nelp lOIWdIu
knowledge by giving to many students OPP
portunities to learn the present conditions,
and from them some genius, like Lagrange
or Gauss, may come forth to solve hard
questions and to break the paths for future
progress. This Is about all the schools
can do. We need a body of men who can
give their lives to quiet and continuous
study. When the young Laplace was helped
to research, D'Alembert did more for the
progress of astronomy than all the univer-
stiles Of Europe.
One needs only to glance at history to
see how useful astronomy has been In the
life of the world. 1t has wonderfully en-
larged the universe and widened the views
Of men. 1t shows how law and order per-
wade the world in which we live. and by
the knowledge 1t has disseminated and by
it's predictions it has banished many super
sttions and fears The sciences will con-
tinue to grow, and they will exert the same
influence.
influence Of Sciences.
The influence Of the sciences in bringing
men of different nationalities into harmony
is great. This is done largely by the COM
mon languages that are formed in each sci
ence. In mathematics the language is so
we'll formed, and generally adopted that
mathematicians all over the world have no
trouble in understanding each other. 1t
may be difficult to read Russian but every
and Lobaschewsky us, In q astronomy the
common language is nearly as well estab-
lished, so that there little difficulty in
understanding the astronomy of different
nations. A similar process is going on in
chemistry botany and in the other sciences.
In our country we have one Of the great
est thea tiers for national life that the world
has ever seen. Stretching three thousand
miles from ocean to ocean, and covering
the rich valleys of the great rivers, we
have land of immense resources. Here
is vast field for scientific work of various
kinds. No doubt the men Of the future
will be competent to solve the problems
that will arise. Let us hope that our ma
tional character will be just and humane,
and that we may depart from the old Gus
tom of robbing and devouring weak peo-
pies. Any one who saw the confusion and
waste in this city in 1852 might well have
despared of the republic; and he who saw
the armies Of Grant and Sherman pass
through the city In 1865 felt that he need
fear no foreign foe; neither French en-
peror or English nobleman or the sneers Of
Carlyle.
Great Power of Recuperation.
To destroy democracy by external force
the blows must be quick and hard, because
its power Of recuperation Is great. The dan
ger will come from internal forces produced
by false political and social theories, since
we offer such a great field for the action of
charlatans Our schools and colleges send
forth every year many educated people,
and it Is sometimes disheartening to see
how little influence these people have In
public life. Those who are trained in the
humanities and churches ought to be hui
name in dealing with other people, ready to
meet great emergencies and powerful to
control bad tendencies in national affairs.
But this is rarely the case. On the other
hand the most INSCRIPTIONS apologists and
prosecutors have been educated men, and
the heroes Of humanity have come from the
common people. This anomaly points to
something wrong in the system of educa
ton, which should disappear The increase
and teaching of scientific Ideas will be the
best means Of establishing simple and natu-
raj rules Of life Nature and science, her
interpreter, teach us to be honest and true
and they lead us to the golden rule.