376 



THE GUIDE TO NATURE 



Wanted: An Astronomical 

 Observatory. 

 The Guide to Nature for January, 

 moo (then published at Stamford, Con- 

 necticut.) made an extended announce- 

 ment of the intention to establish 

 \rc.\diA at Sound Beach. In the list 

 of ten buildings or departments desired 



was : 



2. Astronomical Observatory. 



The early sketches and plans for old 

 ArcAdiA gave prominence to this feat- 

 ure and made it conspicuous in the fore- 

 P-round. Next to the Office Home, first 

 fn the list, the observatory was to be the 

 most prominent and the work in astron- 

 omy the most extended. Next was to be 

 work with the microscope. "The infin- 

 itely great and the unseen small were 

 the' kevnotes of the establishment. 



We who have watched the inside 

 workings of ArcAdiA during these six 

 years have seen nothing more astonish- 

 ing nor more regrettable than that there 

 has been absolutely no provision made 

 for the chief tiling- for which it was 

 established ! 



For the "unseen small we are now 

 well provided. The Welcome Reception 

 Room of new Arc \di V is the climax of 

 good things microscopical. Here micro- 

 projection has been seen by students and 

 visitors unexcelled (perhaps unequalled) 

 anywhere else. The microscope in biol- 

 ogy is an important part of our exhibi- 

 tion work. . 



But here is the anomaly: during these 

 six years we have had no facilities for 

 helping those interested in astronomy. 

 In the magazine one of the most im- 

 portant and most appreciated depart- 

 ments is "The Starry Heavens. We 

 have published astronomy and exhibited 

 microscopy. Now let us balance things. 

 We appeal to members and friends for 

 an astronomical observatory, with a good 

 telescooe. Many have expressed in- 

 terest in the publication of astronomical 

 articles and a desire to study the heavens 

 in an observatory. ArcAdiA needs and 

 deserves an observatory. 



There are several parts of the state 

 well supplied with moderate sized ob- 

 servatories. There is none in this part. 

 Hartford has several. Middletown and 

 New Haven have their university ob- 

 servatories that the public may visit, ana 

 several belonging to amateurs hairheld 

 County esoeciallv this populous south- 

 ern part, should have an observatory. 



ArcAdiA, with its easy access by trolley 

 and train, is the logical location. It will 

 be free to students and visitors. In 

 California, the writer visited an observa- 

 tory erected by an amateur. At his 

 deatb, so great was the popular interest, 

 that it was continued by the trolley car 

 company. The car fares bring in a sub- 

 stantial' profit. Admission to the obser- 

 vatory is free. There is no subject in 

 nature of which there is less popular 

 knowledge or more desire to know. 

 Most persons have some idea of four- 

 footed animals, birds, insects, trees and 

 flowers. But how few know the moun- 

 tain scenery on the moon, the rings of 

 Saturn, or "the greatest thing in the 

 world," vet absolutely unknown to most 

 persons, the nebula of Orion. 



Twenty years ago I had an astron- 

 omical observatory at Portland, Con- 

 necticut. It was crowded with visitors 

 almost every fair night— sometimes al- 

 most all night. I have at various times 

 owned three telescopes. I am familiar 

 with various makes and have had ex- 

 perience in using telescopes and observa- 

 tories and in instructing and interesting 

 the public. Have taught astronomy in 

 the schools more than fifteen years. 

 Will our kind friends please give us an 

 observatory and a telescope. They shall 

 be used to good advantage. They will 

 be successful as are all the other 

 ArcAdiA facilities that have been pro- 

 vided by members and friends. 



The appeal to restore ArcAdiA, to 

 build the Reception Room, and to pro- 

 vide a piano have met with ready re- 

 sponse. They are paid for. and we 

 believe every contributor is pleased by 

 the efficient and unselfish manner in 

 which they are used. 



I believe that an astronomical ob- 

 servatory will meet with even greater 

 public favor because it will supply a 

 greater deficiency. 



ArcAdiA has a good location. There 

 will be no exnense for that. The hori- 

 zon lines in Sound Beach are remark- 

 ably clear and even. There are no 

 strong lights in the streets. Nearly all 

 trains are now run by electricity, so there 

 will be no smoke trouble as there has 

 been until very recently. ArcAdiA is 

 now well equipped with astronomical 

 slides and apparatus for projection^ An 

 illustrated talk can easily be given in the 

 Reception Room and then the visitors 

 can be taken to the observatory to really 



