Year: 1875

Thursday evening Utica witnessed
rare scene, gathering of more than two
hundred of the most distinguished sons
of Central New York and alumni Of
Hamilton College, to welcome the safe
return home of DR.. c. 81. F. Peters, of
the Litchfeli Observatory, Hamilton
College, and to congratulate him upon
his successful observation Of the transit
of Venus in distant New Zealand. After
listening to an address of welcome DR.,
Peters said


1t is very pleasant after long wander
ings in foreign lands, to again see so
many familiar faces, so many friends.
1t was very nearly year ago that left
for New Zealand. Nature was then
smiling and beautiful, and now her
aspect is the same. But warm hearts
also bid me God speed then, and now l
meet here again the same kind friends
who then left their good wishes We
left on our long journey in June, crossed
the equator on our national holiday, and
safely reached our destination. Our
emotions were mingling of hopes and
fears We felt our responsibility, and
knew the danger of unfavorable con.
ditions. But we hoped more than We
feared. The selected corps of officers
who accompanied us provided every
facility which zeal and watchfulness
could provide. Not one of the thirty
boxes of instruments was lost; and on
our arrival at Block harbor not single
instrument was broken. Much credit is
due our able assistant, Lieutenant Bass,
who Immediately established a station.
We procured teams and set out for the
interior. After a tedious journey we
arrived safely at QueeustoWn, and with
much anxiety proceeded to open our
boxes and erect our observatory. Moth
ing was damaged, and after two weeks
everything was established. Among
other things we raised a pole forty feet
high and set flying the Stars and Stripes
| cannot in this connection extend too
much praise to my assistant, who was
jealous and efficient In the two great
objects of cur expedition, as you already
know, we we're successful We have
not only succeeded, but the problem Of
the paraliax is already we'll nigh settled.
We found great difficulties in our way,
but overcame them. Our apparatus was
different from that Of any other nation
represented We threw the light by
means of lens forty feet TO a house Of
observation. Our instruments we're ex-
amined with great curiosity by foreign
ers, and there was much wonder that the
Americans alone had succeeded. Some
thought the report of our success a
Yankee trick but they were unde-
ceived. The chief Of the English party
acknowledged that our instruments we're
the best in use. Later we met the whole
of the French party who were unsuc-
cessful, and our instruments we're highly
commended. A Russian observer said
that his apparatus would not compare
with ours. On our instruments much
will depend in the final conclusion of
the problem. Much Of its efficiency is
due to the labors Of Professor Henry
Draper, of New York. But tits pleas
ure to learn that no party entirely failed
in the observations. Therefore it is
with great pride that men of science
can regard the results Of the expedition.
The speaker had promised the people Of
New Zealand to recognize their uniform
kindness. All classes, from the Govern
ment and local officials to the private
citizens, were jealous in their kind at
tentions. They provided every facility
OF transportation and telegraph. iaeL