JOSEPH WESTLOCK. 347 



western shore of Europe. In 1866, the necessities of the Coast 

 Survey demanded that the loop should be renewed between the 

 Observatory and the main lines of the country ; and this was done at 

 the expense of the survey. From its foundation, the Observatory, in 

 one way or another, had furnished ex;ict time to the community 

 gratuitously ; for which, elsewhere, observatories receive a liberal com- 

 jjeusation. In 1872, Mr. Winlock introduced improvements whidi 

 have made tliis service more widely and constantly useful, and at the 

 same time remunerative. A contract was made for a special wire 

 between Cambridge and Boston, which should not be diverted to any 

 other business. An attachment to the mean-time clock of the Obser- 

 vatory interrui)ts the voltaic current once in each two seconds, omitting 

 the last break of every minute, and the last thirteen breaks of every 

 five minutes, so that there can be no mistake as to the identity of any 

 second or minute. Bi-anch wires unite the City Hall of Boston, the 

 telegraph offices and railroad depots, and the principal clock and 

 watch factories and warehouses with the first wire. In some places, 

 an electro-magnetic clock is used, controlled by the Observatory 

 clock ; but a chea25 vibrating armature is all which is necessary, and 

 is generally employed. The superiority of the new system is here : 

 clocks, watches, and chronometers can be compared with the best 

 standard time, not merely once a day, but at any moment ; and the 

 public have appreciated and rewarded it. In one sense, it may be 

 always said that time is money. In this instance, the Observatory 

 time has opened so good a market that it has yielded a yearly income 

 of $2,000. 



In 1872, Mr. Winlock began to prepare a series of astronomical 

 engravings, which should represent, with sufficient accuracy, the most 

 interesting objects in the heavens, as they appear in the powerful 

 instruments of the Observatory. This work was intended for the 

 benefit, not of astronomers, to whom the " Annals" are accessible, and 

 precise measurements are indispensable, but of a larger class of readers, 

 who, without pursuing asti'onomy as a specialty, are interested in 

 following its progress and achievements. Thirty-five large plates, 

 beautifully executed from the most carefully prepared drawings and 

 photograi)hs, were completed at the time of Mr. Winlock's death, and 

 wait oidy for a few pages of letter-press to be ready for publication. 

 They will gratify the scientific public with admirable representations 

 of the [)lanets. Mars, Jupitei", and the ring-encompassed Saturn ; of the 

 sun's spots, protuberances, and corona ; of the moon's craters and 

 geography ; of seven of the most famous clusters and nebulije ; of 



