DORPAT AND POULKOVA. 383 



similar trourse piii-sued in the early liistory of many observatories, (of wLieli 

 Greenwich was itself a notable example,) decided Struve to seek usefulness to 

 a future generation, rather than to the immediate present, and not to organize a 

 mechanical observatory, deficient in intelHgence, and progressing only with the 

 progress of the science, but rather to develop a ''living institution," an associa- 

 tion of astronomers, desirous like himself by their own labors to lead on in 

 promoting the progress of their science. 



The Av-ide field in which these Poulkova astronomers should pursue their inde- 

 pendent yet con-elated investigations is indicated in the following article of the 

 statutes of 1862 : 



§. 2. The establisliment of the Nicholas Central Observatory has for its object : 



a. The uninterrupted prosecution of observations and works for the promotion of astronomy 

 as a science. 



b. The improvement of practical astronomy in its application to geography and naviga- 

 tion, the execution of observations in the interest of the astronomical and geographieal labors 

 systematically undertaken by the different departments of the empire, the cunucctiou of these 

 labors with each other, and their scientific assistance. 



c. To assist other Russian observatories in the attainment of a more successful prosecu- 

 tion of astronomy. 



d. To offer to the officers of the general staff of the topographical corps and of the navy, 

 as also to other young scientists the opportunity of perfecting themselves in practical astro- 

 nomy, and its application to geography and geodesy. 



To the attainment of these objects this institution freely opens to those young 

 astronomers who have resided at Poulkova as guest-students, as well as to those 

 who are its permanent officers, the use of the rich material of instruments, obser- 

 vations, and books in its possession. As to the relations with other similar estab- 

 lishments in Russia, their annual reports show how frequently in the details of 

 their equipment and Avork they are aiTanged in accordance with the suggestions 

 emanating from the Central Observatory. In matters pertaining to tlie applica- 

 tions of astronomy to geography there is an especial activity not only in that 

 five or ten officers of the general staff" here pursue their two years' practical (-ourse 

 mider the directions of Mr. Dollen, but also in that the plans for geographical 

 expeditions and the working up of the results are generally more or less con- 

 fided to him. As to the astronomical investigations earned on at the observatory 

 pioper, although all are engaged therein, yet these are especially expected from 

 the senior and adjunct astronomers, who form, as was Struve's desire, an associa- 

 tion whose members labor individually for the promotion of their science. Tlie 

 choice of the senior astronomers takes place according to the following article 

 of the statutes: 



^ 19. The senior astronomers of the observatory must be chosen from among men of acknowl- 

 edged ability in the department of astronomy. Unto them by preference will be intrusted 

 by the director the execution of all the works to be undertaken for the attainment of the 

 objects of the observatory, mentioned in ^2. The choice of a candidate for the occupancy 

 of a vacancy in one of these positions is the duty of the director. He proposes the chosen 

 candidate to the Academy of Science, which body, when it by ballot has approved the choice, 

 on its part presents the same to the minister of public instruction for coiitinnation. 



It follows from the precautionary process thus enjoined that the four senior 

 astronomers (one of whom is also the vice-director) are Init inconsiderably infe- 

 rior to the director in experience in their profession, and form a permanent 

 council, whose valuable suggestions alwavs have weight in the conduct of scientific 

 aff'airs. 



Besides the preceding permanent members of the astronomical corps, the third 

 article allows two adjunct astronomers and two permanent computers. Thus far 

 the observatory has been, and probably it always will be, successful in securing for 

 these positions young men of promising ability. Indeed, although no system of 

 ])romotion is officially recognised, yet it will generally happen that the director 

 will be able to fill these positions from among the numerous young men who have 

 resided at the observatory, and sinalarly t(j find among the adjunct astronomers 

 those well qualified to become seniors j this is evidently peculiarly desirable iu 



