ADMIRAL JOHN RODGERS. 441 



has most interest for this Academy. lie devoted himself to his new 

 duties with characteristic zeal and energy. It was a part of his general 

 policy to interest the astronomers of the country at large in the work 

 of the establishment, and he accordingly sought their aid and counsel 

 on all occasions where their co-operation was conducive to the object in 

 view. He took especial interest in the approaching transit of Venus, 

 and was president of the commission appointed to provide for observa- 

 tions upon it. His greatest work during his term of office was the 

 planning of the new observatory. Finding the locality in which the 

 observatory was situated so unhealthy that it was impossible to secure 

 the highest efficiency in its work, as well as unsuitable in other re- 

 spects, he immediately began to urge upon Congress the necessity for 

 removing it to a better locality. Such a removal had been previously 

 discussed, but no such energy had ever been devoted to it as was 

 exhibited by the new superintendent. The opinions of professors and 

 physicians were obtained, showing the necessity for a removal, and 

 the representations of the Superintendent were received with such 

 favorable consideration that he hoped for an immediate execution of 

 the plan. Obstacles, however, presented themselves at every step. 

 The report of the first commission appointed to select a site was re- 

 jected and a new commission formed. A site suitable in every respect 

 was at length acquired by the Government in 1881, and our colleague 

 had every prospect of seeing the establishment of an institution with 

 which his name would have been inseparably associated. But before 

 anything could be done towards commencing the building unmistakable 

 signs of failing strength began to show themselves. In the spring of 

 1882 his health rapidly gave way, and on May 5, he succumbed to 

 disease. 



Admiral Rodgers possessed in a remarkable degree all those quali- 

 ties which have done so much to give our military and naval servii^e 

 its present high position in the confidence of the nation. His general 

 bearing was that of power in repose, and suggested the philosophic 

 thinker as much as the naval commander. He seemed an entire 

 stranger to passion or excitement of any kind. His sentences were 

 slow and measured, and it is stated by those who fought at his side 

 that in the highest excitement of battle his speech and manner were 

 as cool and collected as in every-day life. 



