MOUNTAIN OBSERVATORIES IN AMERICA AND EUROPE. 49 



ful work." (I presume that for '* useful " one should read "more im- 

 mediately practical.") Professor Hall reports that for some time he 

 has been collecting evidence on the question and now thinks " that by 

 establishing a large telescope on the lofty plains of the West, we have 

 a simple and an easy means of making a forward step in practical 

 astronomy." The opinions of Professors Harkness, Eastman, and Hol- 

 den agree with those just cited from general considerations ; and the 

 latter is able to refer to some experiments of his own in 1873 on the 

 subject, which support the general conclusion. The proposal of Admi- 

 ral Rodgers to make a series of actual trials of proposed sites was sug- 

 gested to him by the programme for the Lick Observatory prepared in 

 1874 by Professors Newcomb and Holden. 



The Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton (4209 feet). 



The observatory on Mt. Hamilton was built under the direction of 

 successive sets of trustees appointed by Mr. Lick, essentially on the 

 plans prepared by Professor Newcomb and myself in 1874.* 



An inspection of the many plans and projects submitted to the Lick 

 Trustees during the years 1874 onwards would show more plainly than 

 any other process can how little was then generally known of the 

 conditions which should govern in the selection of a site for a moun- 

 tain observatory and in the construction of its buildings, etc. The long 

 legal and other delays in the construction of the Lick Observatory 

 (1874-1888) were very costly, but their compensation was obtained in 

 the opportunity for a thorough discussion of all details. The final 

 result has been singularly free from errors of commission ; and the 

 omissions have been repaired as far as the available funds have allowed. 

 The principles which governed here were sound, and their successful 

 application has been of much service to many other establishments. 



Some of the sites first proposed are now known to be buried in snow 

 for months together ; some of the constructions then suggested would 

 be absolutely unworkable here ; and some of the astronomical condi- 

 tions then laid down as essential cannot be realized in any mountainous 

 country. Each point was carefully studied in detail ; advice was 

 sought from those most competent to give it ; and nothing was decided 

 upon until its effect on future plans was understood. After the search- 

 ing test of actual use duiing the years 1883-1896 it may fairly be said 

 that the result is, on the whole, successful, and that the real difiiculties 

 have been fairly met and conquered. 



* See Publications of the Lick Observatory, vol. I, 1887 ; and also Publications 

 of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, vol. iv, (1892), page 139. 



