THE INCORPORATORS I51 
extra compensation until the appointment of Benjamin Peirce 
to the position. Though it seems fitting that Hilgard should 
have become Superintendent upon the death of Bache, he did 
not receive the appointment until 1881. At that time his health 
was so impaired that, as he said, “it came too late.” He was 
soon forced to resign. While Assistant Superintendent, his work 
in the Office of Weights and Measures gained him most favor- 
able notice in Europe and he was invited to the directorship of 
an International Bureau of Weights and Measures about to be 
established in Paris. Declining this, but continuing his con- 
nection with the International Committee, a beautiful Sévres 
vase was presented to him by President Thiers on behalf of the 
French Government in recognition of his services. He also had 
great satisfaction in being instrumental in bringing to a successful 
ending the operations for the telegraphic determination of trans- 
atlantic longitudes. 
Among his other valuable services, Hilgard delivered in 1876 
a course of twenty lectures at Johns Hopkins University on the 
subject of “‘ Extended Territorial Surveying.” 
Resigning his position in July, 188s, he lived in retirement for 
five years, and died at Washington, May 9g, 1890. 
(From E. W. Hirearp, in Biographical Memoirs of the National Academy of 
Sciences, vol. 3, 1895, pp. 327-338.) 
EDWARD HITCHCOCK 
Born, May 24, 1793; died, February 27, 1864 
Edward Hitchcock was born in Deerfield, Massachusetts, in 
1793. His parents were intellectual, high-minded, and deeply 
religious people, and from them he inherited on the one hand 
his interest in religion and theology, and on the other his love 
of learning, and the inquiring turn of mind which early in life 
led to a persevering study of science. He began teaching when 
only 22 years of age, first in his native town, and later in Conway, 
Massachusetts. Ten years later, at the age of 32, he became Pro- 
