The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-07-15
By Mary Proctor.

(Copyright, 1906, by Joseph B. Bowles)
 (Miss Mary Proctor. daughter of the late Prof. R. A, Proctor, the English astronomer and author, was educated in London and came to the United States In 1SS6.s In 1893 she was tnvit- ed by Mrs Potter Palmer to give lec- lures on astronomy at the chiidrens building of the worlds fair. Her lec- lures were so successful that she be- came public lecturer on astronomy, and since then has lectured more than 500 times on astronomical sup 1ects. She has written much on the science of astronomy and has publish ed a book entitled Stories of star light" which is used as supplement tary reader in the schools of New York Philadelphia, Boston. Washington and other cities)
 Women astronomers are rare. but the few who have achieved success have we'll earned the laurels due to their untiring energy and persever- ance. It Is true that no important original contribution to observational astronomy has yet been made by A woman, and that independent investi- gators such as Hypatfa or Mary som erviIle- arc unusual. hut with the in creased educational advantages of our dy we may certainly look forward to original work fror~ women in the near future. Their patience, persistency and enthusiasm. added to intellectual gifts. are specially suited to researches in practical astronomy. where the greatest accuracy is necessary, or to mathematical calculations which must be conducted for weeks or even months without an error,
 The most recent example of wom- an distinguished in scientific work Is Sonia Kovalevsky, whose great suc- cess in the field of pure mathematics has won deserved recognition among scientists. Nevertheless, according to her biography printed at her own re- quest, Sonia Kavoleysky seemed to take rather gloomyHiew of science as a desirable pursuit for women. Her own final verdict was: Happiness Is not to be found in scientific labors, nor do they advance the cause of hu- manity It is folly to waste ones youth in such pursuits. Scientific gifts are a veritabfe misfortune, and compel her to enter field of action in which she can never find happiness.
 These words seem 70 confirm the statement of Mme. de Stael: For woman glory is always built on wrecked happiness" Nevertheless, 1t does not necessarily follow that wom- ans happiness Is wrecked If she has
 
 and energy to scientific pursuits; that is. pr6vided the work is congenial and she has the patience and ability to overcome the difficulties which natur- ally arise. Her enthusiasm continually urges her to make renewed efforts and enables her eventually to attain success.
 However, woman's greatest work in the realm of science has been accom- piished by means of her sympathy and encouraging influence as in the case of Mime Hevelins, Mime. Lepaute, Car o1ine Herschel and others. Mime. Le- paute rendered her husband valuable assistance in his astronomical o0ser- vations, thus insuring his success de- spite the most trying circumstances. Together the position of nearly 2.000 stars. the largest number included in any catalogue. made from observations without telescopes.
 In the same way, Mime. Lepaute, who was married in 174S to the fa- nous clockmaker, Jean Andre Le- paute. man of great scientific attain merits by means of her quiet but eff fectfVe Influence continually urged her and renewed endeavors. She assisted him in making observations and cal- eulations and in the solution of as- tronomical problems. In fact she be- came so renowned as a oomputer that In 1757, when the astronomer LIande engaged Clairant to make certain diff ficult calculations required for the determination of comets return to perihelion, that able mathematician expressed the hopelessness of the task unless Mime. Lepaute should consent to assist him, She eagerly came to the rescue and they toiled waithfully to- gether over the intricate problem for eighteen months, their combined ef-, forts being eventually rewarded with success. The comet made its reappear- ance in 175S. reaching perihelion in 1759, within the limiting date fixed by