OF THE EXPEDITION. XXX111 



proliibited by the church, proved another source of delay ; and it was not until December 5 that 

 the first building was ready for its instrument. The terrace on which this stood is eight feet 

 higher than that of the rectangular edifice for the meridian circle, and 1*75 feet above the run 

 ning stream at the base of the hill. It commands an unobstructed view, except between S.S.W. 

 and S.S.E., where rocky escarpments interfere for about 15 above the horizon. 



On the following night the equatorial was mounted, and four days later, work was com 

 menced with it on the planet Mars. During that season the weather was exceedingly favora 

 ble for observations. Of the fifty-two pre-appointed nights remaining of the series, there were 

 only four when no observations could be made, and two others when a slight haze obscured the 

 very minute comparing star in the illuminated telescope. Such continuous loss of rest, added 

 to change from the moist climate of the ocean to the excessively dry one of Santiago, was so 

 rapidly breaking down Lieut. MacRae, that, on the 18th December, I was glad to take advan 

 tage of the arrival of the meridian circle, and send him to Valparaiso to supervise its landing 

 and packing for transportation. 



After the equatorial was mounted, three or four weeks were consumed in putting together 

 the other building a time quite as long as was occupied in its original construction. Mean 

 while we had obtained permanent quarters in the vicinity ; the circle and clock piers were put 

 up, and our magnetical and meteorological observations had been systematically commenced. 

 Early in February the circle was ready for use ; the first series on Mars had terminated, and 

 zone observations were instituted, commencing at 85 south declination, and working towards 

 the zenith on successive nights in belts 24 wide, until compelled to return below again to con 

 nect in right ascension. Each night s work comprised observations of level, nadir point, col- 

 limation by reflection of the wires from mercury and standard stars before and after a zone 

 extending through three to four hours in right ascension, so that we were always occupied from 

 five to six, and sometimes more hours. Lieut. MacRae and myself devoted alternate nights to 

 these observations, very rarely having relief by clouds until after April 21st. Indeed, between 

 February 4th and that date seventy-six nights there were only four of them obscure. The 

 rains of latter autumn and winter came none too soon for us. 



Appreciating the advantages that mental culture gives to every individual, community, or 

 nation, the government was early in manifesting a disposition to have its citizens profit by our 

 residence among them. The minister at Washington had inquired whether it would be agree 

 able to facilitate the studies of some of their most advanced young men, and very shortly after 

 the instruments were erected the application was renewed through the University. Earnestly 

 hoping to increase the interest in our pursuits, the proposition was cordially assented to, and 

 three gentlemen were appointed by the Minister of Public Instruction, who were paid a mod 

 erate income whilst devoting certain hours to the study of theoretical and practical astronomy. 

 One was a professor of mathematics in the National Institute ; the others prominent students of 

 his class. Our books were at once placed at their disposal ; explanations were given them at all 

 times ; opportunities afforded them to become familiar with the meridian circle, and the smaller 

 equatorial was loaned for their exclusive use. This instrument was mounted by them under a 

 movable building within the castle yard, to which they had access without interfering with our 

 regular work. These gentlemen readily aided us in the magnetical and meteorological obser 

 vations, and also on the term-days, or whenever sickness diminished the small number of our 

 active party. For assistance at such times they merited our best thanks. Nor was it the gov 

 ernment only who were interested that astronomical knowledge should be cultivated in Chile. 

 When the equatorial was first mounted, night after night, scores of persons ascended the hill to 

 see the wonderful &quot;maquina,&quot; as they called the beautifully equipoised but apparently complex 

 instrument ; and as the observations on Mars did not commence until an hour or two after 

 dark, the intermediate time was devoted to showing them some of the wonders of the heavens. 

 All who came were admitted men, women, and children, rich and poor ; even the sentinel who 

 stood with sabre beside the door was not slighted ; and each in turn went away gratified, the 



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