Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-28
CAMILLE FLA11ARON A ROMANTIC SCIENTIST OF PARIS

the intricate mathematical proofs of what
was to be known later as Flammaron's
law of the rotation of celestial bodies. And
if, in 1880. the academy awarded him the
Montyon prize for his Popular Astrono-
my that same year saw the publication
of his celestial atlas in thirty-one great
maps.
So through the years. As the world
came to love Camille FlammariCn for tse
genius that permitted him to show the
romance of astronomy, astronomers cher
ished his great labors. hidden in the
Comptes-Rendus of the Academy OF
Sciences. He is too much the man of
science to be a romanCer Of astronomy.
but an astronomer of romance, as his life
has been a romance among hard facts
since the day when -four courageous
children came to Paris.
How he got the chateau of Juvisy is
itself a romance in the style of Melbas
admiration. After twenty years of world
wide popularity, when three Of the 'cour-
ageouS children" had arrived at affiuence
Camille had received gifts from hundreds
of unknown admirers-diamonds from a
cape adventurer. reconstructed rubes
from Paris chemist. marbles and paint
ings from Paris artists. Instruments from
English and Americans, and decorations,
jewels and autographs from kings and
princes. but the desire OF his life re-
manned an astronomical observatory OF
his own.
One day he received a letter from an
unknown al Bordeaux. Il am old and
have received such soIace from vour
books that | desire TO give you plea sure -
Would Flamma RON accept the writer $
chateau of Juvisy, near Paris?
Fearing 10 unjustly take 4 property
from heirs, the grea1 astronomer paid no
attention. Letters followed letters: then
arrived notary to tell that the offer was
real one: that there were no heirs and
that Juvisy might he taken in all honor
So he took it.
But 10 build All astronomical observatory
taxes the resources even of a wealthy
family having children growing I'D TO
marry-a mere telescope lens costs a for
tune! Yet the devoted broi her and two
sisters had committed themselves to il,
in exile-to help pay the building and ma
chihery. and James Gordon Bennett
another-io enlarge the telescope magnifi-
Gently. Both have their commemorative
columns on the lawn; and when the clan.
with children and grandchildren gather
the kids hear again the marvellous story
of Juvisy to continue that of -four cour-
ageous children"
Nine. Martin (Berthe Flammarion) has
told il to the poor children of all France
III bright book of red-and-gold, in order
To encourage them-how when she was a
little girl with brother Ernest (now Fiam-
marion. the publisher. brother Camille
and Soeurette cLittle Sister" today
Nine FaillanO. their gay country life
near Lansres was suddenly broken I'm on
by accommodating misfortunes.
Cholera plague-the great and famous
one-caused a decline of local industries
and loss OF invested money Uncle
Charles, a medical student near to grad
uation. having nursed the stricken when
their folks deserted them, was sued for
Illegal practice without di~'oma by the
family of a man who died of mingled
cholera and delirium trtmens. The dam
ages and costs are up more capital. and
ruined Charles went TO America where
he could DE no aid. The father having
bought a brick yard, lost the receipt In
those great troubles. Later. falling from
a horse, he broke a leg and hurt his
head. At the end of two months and an