The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1907-07-13

ecopyrght ~ Joseph y Bowles.l
tMIss Mary Proctor. daughter Of the
late Prof. r. A. Proctor. the English as
tronomer and author. was educated in
London and came to the United States In
1886 In 1898 She was invited by Mrs. Pot
ter Palmer TO give lectures on astronomy
at the chilaren's building OF the world s
fair. Her lectures were so successful that
she became public lecturer on astrop-
omy, and since then has Ieetured more
than 600 times on astronomical subjects.
She has written much on the science OF
| astronomy and has published a book en-
titled Stories Of Starlight which Is
used as a supplementary reader in the
schools OF New York. Philadelphia, Bos-
ton, Washington and other cities)
Women astronomers are rare. but
the few who have achieved success
have well earned the laurels due to
their untiring energy and persever-
ance. 1t is true that no important
original contribution to observational
astronomy has yet been made by a
woman. and that independent inyesti-
gators such as Hypatia or Mary Som
eryille are unusual. but with the In
creased educational advantages of our
day. we may certainly look forward to
original work from 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 Kovaleysky. whose great sue
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 Kavolevsky seemed to
take rather a gloomy view of science
as 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 hui
manity 1t is folly to waste ones
youth in such pursuits. Scientific
gifts are a yeritable misfortune, and
especially so to a woman, for they
compel her to enter a field of action in
which she can never find happiness"
These words seem to confirm the
statement Of Nine. de Stael. "For a
woman glory is always built on
wrecked happiness" Nevertheless, it
does not necessarily follow that wom-
ans happiness is wrecked if she has
voluntarily chosen to devote her life |
and energy to scientific pursuits: that |
is. provided the work is congenial and |
she has the patience and ability to |
overcome the difficulties which nat
urally arise. Her enthusiasm contin-
ually urges her to make renewed ef-
forts and enables her eventually to at
tain success.
However. woman's greatest work in
the realm of science has been accom-
plished by means of her sympathy and
encouraging influence, as In the case
OF Nine. Hevelins. Nine. Lepaute, Car
oline Herschel and others. Nine. Le-
paute rendered her husband valuable
assistance in his astronomical oDser-
vations. thus inSuring his success de-
DRAbC tA0 AhOSt "a JAAAB observation-disclosures.
Together they constructed catalogue
containing the position of nearly 1000
stars, the largest number included in
any catalogue, made from observations
without telescopes.
In the same way, Nine. Lepaute.
who was married in 174S to the fa-
nous clockmaker. Jean Andre Le-
paute, man Of great scientific attain
ments. by means of her quiet but ef-
fective influence continually urged her
husband to make greater exerticns
and renewed endeavors. She assisted
him In making observations and cal
culatlons and In the solution Of as
problems. Ia fact she be-
sane so renowned as a oomputer that {
n 1857, when the astronomer Lalande
engaged Clkirant to make certain diff
icult calculations required for the 2
of a comets return to s
that able mathematician {
the hopelessness of the task G
lnless Nine. Lepaute should consent 1
o assist him. She eagerly came to the \
escue and they toiled faithfully to- c
-ether over the intricate problem for a
s months. their combined efforts being a
rewarded with success. The
omet made its reappearancs in 1858, c
eaching perihelion in 1859, within the 3
Uniting date fixed by Clairant and D
line. Lepaute. Clairant was enthu- Z
iastic in praise of his assistant, de- v
oribing her energy as surprising. n
Iany other valuable calculations were "
lade by Nine. Lepaute and the great 4
stronomer Lalande stated that she e
ras the only woman In France who n
ad acquired true knowledge OF as n
ronmy. "
a
ot