172 Mr. D. Gill on the Applications of Photography ^ dtc. [June 3, 



that he will perform. We may also well say with him, that " a field of 

 work and promise is open, and there seems to be an opportunity to 

 erect to the name of Dr. Henry Draj)er a memorial such as heretofore 

 no astronomer has received." 



There is in England wealth enough and to spare. Many a rich 

 man dies puzzled how to disi^ose of his money ; and there is many a 

 living man who would gladly give for such an object if he knew how 

 to do so. There is field enough in astronomy, and there are men 

 enough in England to do the work. Let us hope they will receive 

 aid such as Prof. Pickering has received ; and having done so, they 

 will give an equally good account of their stewardship. 



The miscellaneous applications of photography to astronomy offer 

 a field so full of promise, so certain of immediate reward to those who 

 are possessed of the necessary originality and the means to carry out 

 their ideas, that there is more hope of private enterprise in that 

 direction than in the more routine w^ork of star-charting. 



But tempting as these fields are, brilliant and interesting as are 

 the discoveries to be found in them, there is in the work insti- 

 tuted by the Paris Congress an element that cannot be overlooked 

 and which compels attention — it is this: the question of the lapse 

 of time. Every year which passes after that work has been carried 

 out, increases its value and importance ; every year that we neglect 

 in doing it will be a reproach to the astronomers of the day. Into 

 all the great problems which that work is destined to solve, the 

 element of time enters — and time lost now in such work can never be 

 recalled. 



Of the Congress itself I would say a few last words. Its pro- 

 ceedings were characterised by an earnest spirit of work and entire 

 absence of international jealousy. Our reception by the French was 

 cordial and hospitable in the highest degree, the decisions of the 

 Congress were almost unanimous, and were marked by a moderation 

 and judgment which must render them acceptable to the responsible 

 authorities of the various Governments. 



Lastly, I would add that the good will which pervaded the 

 meetings, the general success of the Congress as a whole, were in no 

 small degree due to the genial influence of the single-hearted, earnest- 

 minded man who convened it — Admiral Mouchez. 



[D. G.] 



