64 CORRESPONDENCE ON ASTRONOMICAL ANNOUNCEMENTS. 



ised the aid of astronomers in many countries, and a similar and co- 

 operating scheme is starting in France. Stress is laid on the distribution 

 of information by special circular (or telegram, if particularly desired), 

 as it is found impossible to rely on the dailj' papers. 



Trusting that these explanations will show that the Dun Echt scheme 

 is in no way calculated to take up ground already occupied by the 

 Smithsonian Institution. I am, 



Very respectfully, 

 Ralph Copeland, 

 Astronomer at Dun Echt. 



Letter from the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, January 14, 1880, 

 to Prof. C. H. F. Peters, Clinton, X Y. 



Dear Sir : In consequence of the difficulty experienced by many 

 astronomers in interpreting telegraphic announcemeuts of astrouomical 

 discoveries, we desire to publish in the forthcoming report of this Insti- 

 tution a circular on this subject, which shall prevent ambiguity aud 

 mi^sunderstanding in the future. 



We therefore inclose a copy of the original circular, as prepare<l by 

 yourself, and request that you will insert therein such additions, cor- 

 rections, and explanations as experience has shoAvu to be necessary. 



We also send a letter in the same connection, from the Poyal Obsei'- 



vatory, Greenwich, which we beg you will return with suggestions for 



its proper answer. 



Yours very truly, 



S. F. Baiud. 



Letter from the Litchfield Observatory of Hanvil on College, Clinton, X. Y., 

 January 21, 1880, /o the Smithsonian Institution. 



Dear Sir : 1 have, as you requested, considered the different i)()iiits of 

 the programme for telegraphic dispatches, and, in the suggestions wliiih 

 I submit on the annexed pages as a substitute for pp. 7 and following, 1 be- 

 lieve that the wishes expressed by various astronomers, especially those 

 of Greenwich, are fully embedied. The closing sentence I added in re- 

 membering the iniKJCuracy of Mr. Swift, by which both assistant Paul of 

 the Washington Observatory and myself lost a whole night in fruitless 

 searches for that comet. However, I beg yon to strike out or correrT r.s 

 you please. 



If, in your answer to Mr. Christie, you refer to your foithconiing 

 circular, which will meet the demands of the Greenwich Observatory, I 

 think they will be satisfied. With reference to the query about astro- 

 nomical and civil reckoning, I think the expedient I suggested of using 

 simply the name of the week-day (e. r/,, "Wednesday"'') will prove satis- 

 factory, Avhile it adds only one word to the dispatch. 



C. H. F. Peters. 



[Accompanying this are the additions to the Smithsonian circulai-, 

 whii^h have been incorporated in the revised edition.] 



