New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-27

his own management In consequence. three
foreign institutions. which the preparation
of this data devolved. not only consented 70 the
policy of uniformity. but resolved to utilize Pro-
fessor Newcombs Constants" This consuIn-
nation was reached Just he was about to re-
tire from Office. In the American edition for
1900 the substitution effected in the main
part of the book, whereas in 1901 the old tables
were restored and the new ones printed
appendix!
Though not given to observational work. Pro
lessor Newcomb's knowledge OF apparatus was
so eminent that the charge OF arranging for tina
production of the great 26-fnch glass for the
Naval Observatory given to him. The in
strument was installed at the close OF 1873 II
with this glass that Asaph Hall discovered
the moons Of Mars four years later. Here Is
Professor Newcomb's account OF the first part or
the performance:
One morning Professor Hall confdentally
showed me his first observations of an object
near Mars, and asked what thought OF IL
remarked. Why. that looks very much like
satellite"
Yet he seemed very incredulous on the sub
ject: so incredulous that feared he might
make further attempt to see the object
afterward learned however. that this was en-
tirely Misrepresentation on my part He had
been making a careful search for some time.
and had no intention of abandoning it until
the matter was cleared I'D one way or the
other.
Il
really satellite. the measures already made
upon it. and the approximately known mass OF
the planet, would enable the motion of the satel-
lite to be determined for day or two Thus
found that on that night the satellite would be
hidden in the early evening by the planet but
would emerge after midnight therefore sug-
gested to Professor Hall that, if il not seen
In the early evening. he should wait until after
midnight The result was in accordance with
the prediction-the satellite was not visible in
the early evening, but came out after midnight
No further doubt was possible. and the dis
~1Trprv i-f1a T,.z- r~~
and observing was so exhausting that Professor
Hall let me compute the preliminary orbit Of
the satellites from his early observations
1t was by knowledge acquired and enthu-
siasm excited while serving on the Congress
siOnal committee which authorized the con-
struction of the Washington telescope that led
Mr.. Washburn to found an astronomical OBJ
servatory soon afterward at Madison. wis.
When James Lick offered to give the UnfTer-
sity Of California the largest telescope IN the
world. it was natural that Mr.. Mills. president
of the board of trustees. should seek the ad-
vice OF Professor Newcomb. One of the latter's
recommendations the choice of Professor
Holden for the observatory. which was not COM
pleted until 1855. These facts lend peculia- in
terest to the explanation now given Of the IN
popularity Of the first head OF that institution.
Professor Newcomb cannot attribute it TO the
isolation OF life q mountain top. because
there has been no dissatisfaction with or crii-
cism Of the management Of Keller. the second
director. or Campbell. who succeeded him He
says:
One fact Is indisputable, and that Is the won
oer1ul success of the director in selecting young
men who were to make the institution famous
oy their abilities and industry If the highest
problem or administration is to select the right
men. the new director certainly mastered it So
Tar as liberty OF research and publication went.
the administration had the appearance OF being
hDerhI IN the extreme Doubtless there was an
other side TO the question Nothing happens
spontaneously. and the singular phenomenon OF
one who has done all this becoming a much
mated man must have adequate cause.
nave several times. from pure curiosity inquired
one occasion an instance Of maIadroitness was
cited in reply.
True" said I. at was not exactly the thing
70 DO out. after all. that is an exceedingly small
matter
YES was the answer that was a small
.liilSs out put a thousand small things like that
together and you have big thing"
y powerful factor in the case may have been
MS proceeding, within a year OF his appoint
Lnent. 70 hIe an astounding claim for the sum
Ot S1-OOO on account OF services rendered to the
observatory in the capacity of general adviser
oelore ms appointment director. These ser
wees extended from the beginning OF prepara-
tons. In 1871. up to the completion OF the work
The trustees. in replying to the claim main
tanned that had been their principal adviser
ia preparing the plans However true this may
nave been, II was quite evident from HOIien'S
statement, that they had been consulting him on
much larger scale than had been aware OF.
AhiS however, was none OF my concern / vent