46 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



render complete his favorite production, the " Meteorological and . . . 

 sical Tables," he commenced the preparation of a new edition, with stin 

 further additions in 1870, and this fourth edition, embracing about 750 

 octavo pages, was published by the Institution in the past year. But 

 the distinguished author did not live to see the last pages of the work 

 through the press. He died at his home in Princeton, New Jersey, Feb- 

 ruary 8, 1884, in the 77th year of his age. 



Henry Gass, for many years an employ6 of the Institution, died at 

 his residence in this city on the 10th of Ajiril, 1884, of consumption,, at 

 the age of 49 years. He was appointed as a general messenger in Feb- 

 ruary, 1855, and though occupying a comparatively humble position, 

 by his fidelity and attention to his duties he made himself very useful. 

 Of late years he had been intrusted with the mail transmission of 

 Smithsonian publications to individual corresjmndents and aj^plicants. 

 His health, never very robust, had been declining for a year or two, 

 but be continued at his post till within a few months before his death. 

 Patient and accommodating, he was kindly regarded h;y all with whom 

 he was brought into intercourse. 



Clarence Bishop Young, the accountant of the Institution, died 

 on the 17th of April, 1884. He was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 

 the 3d of February, 1846, but came to the United States with his parents 

 in 1849. He was graduated from Columbian College, Washington City, 

 in 1864, and from Harvard College in 1868. He completed the scien- 

 tific course in the Lawrence Scientific School. Before entering Har- 

 vard he was for two years a clerk in the Fourth Auditor's Oftice, Treas- 

 ury Department. After leaving college, and while perfecting himself 

 in mechanical engineering in the city of New York, he was one of the 

 editors of an industrial journal. At the request of Professor Henry he 

 accepted a place in the Smithsonian Institution in 1870 as clerk and 

 book-keeper, which he retained until his death. He always discharged 

 his duties with punctuality, judgment, and accuracy. During his ex- 

 tensive service in the Institution, his modest and courteous demeanor, 

 his readiness to assist others when applied to, and his careful attention 

 to all details submitted to him, won the respect and warm regard of 

 all his asoociates. He was a fine linguist, and his general scientific 

 culture and critical acumen rendered his services especially valuable in 

 revising papers and printers' proofs for the Smithsonian publications. 

 In 1873 he was commissioned by Professor Henry to attend the Vienna 

 Exposition and visit the v^arious agencies in Europe of the Institution. 

 Ill health, attended with great nervous prostration, compelled him to 

 withdraw from all active occupation for a year before he finally passed 

 away. 



miscellaneous. 



Edinburgh Ter- centenary. — The Smithsonian Institution was invited 

 by th<^ University of Edinburgh to send a delegate to be present at the 



