of Cambridge, w.-is placed upon its lofty pier in the W 

 Dome. 



His staff consists of three observers or adjuncts, and two 

 assistants, young men who have adopted the science as their 

 life-work, and who stand in line for promotion. 



The Professor commenced his career in 1858 as assistant. 

 In 1862 he became an observer or adjunct, and in 1877, upon 

 the death of Karl von Littrow, he was appointed Director. 



In 1756 the Vienna University had acquired renown 

 throughout Europe by reason of its advanced educational 

 facilities, particularly in the sciences. At this time Father 

 Maximilian Hell, a Jesuit, was Professor of the Astronomical 

 Section, the first to hold thai rank, and the reputation he ac- 

 quired by his lectures and observations induced the King of 

 Denmark in 1769 to send him to the North Cape for the ob- 

 servation of the transit of Venus. He commenced the publi- 

 cation of the 'Ephemerides Astronomicae ad Meridianum 

 Vindobonensem" (Astronomical Memoranda a1 the Vienna 

 Meridan), with a Nautical Almanac and observations of othei 

 astronomers. This publication was continued during the per- 

 iod from 17.17 to 1786. In 1819 Joseph John Littrow. the Di- 

 rector, instituted the Annalen, which is practically a continua- 

 tion of the Ephemerides, and this publication has been con- 

 tinued by his son and successor, Karl von Littrow (who was 

 ennobled), and Professor Weiss down to the present time. 



The original home of the Observatory was in the old Uni- 

 versity Building at University Place in the very heart of the 

 city, a spacious and beautifully decorated structure, erected 

 by Maria Theresia, where it remained until 1880. 



In the greal uprising of the people of Vienna in 1848, 

 againsl the repressions of the Church, the brutal conduct of 

 the police and the censorship over almost every act of the citi- 

 zens, under the tyranny of the Metternich administration. Hie 

 students of the University were the leaders and prominenl 

 factors. 



After the capture of the city by the Imperial forces, as a 

 punishment for their course, the students were driven from 

 their building, and it was turned over to the army authorities 

 for barracks. Ii wars used for this purpose until 1857, when 

 the soldiers were sent to other quarters and the home of the 

 University was given to the Academy of Sciences. 



During this period, while the various departments of the 

 University were dispersed around the city, carrying on tie 

 work in such quarters as could he obtained, the Observatory 

 was allowed to remain in its old quarters, although the work 

 by its Professors and students was hampered by the mosl 

 annoying interruptions and interference by the soldiers in 



possession of the premises. 



31 



