92 LIGHT SCIENCE FOR LEISURE HOURS. 



proper earnestness. Let the explanation be what it 

 may, the fact remains England has been exhibited to 

 all the nations as turning her back on science, and 

 English men of science have been discredited before 

 the world as unworthy of England's confidence. 



But now news comes that the Government of the 

 United States has not only found means of trans- 

 port for two American parties, but has made the 

 handsome grant of 6,0007., to furnish suitable appli- 

 ances for observing the eclipse. The American men 

 of science have reached England. They recognise 

 the pitiable condition to which our astronomers have 

 been reduced by the Government, and they invite our 

 sixty-eight volunteers to sail with them. A letter has 

 been sent to these volunteers, inviting them, in the 

 name of the American expeditionary parties, to accept 

 this much-needed assistance. The offer is most gene- 

 rous ; it is most inviting ; it is one which no astronomer 

 is justified in declining on account of sentimental con- 

 siderations. But it certainly is a new and a painful 

 position for an English man of science to be placed in, 

 thus to find scientific alms offered him as a reparation 

 for the insult he has, in effect, received from his own 

 Government. 



Many may be disposed to wonder why so much in- 

 terest is attached to this particular eclipse. During 

 many former total eclipses even when they have been 

 visible at more conveniently accessible stations less 

 care was taken to fit out expeditions. And what is 

 even more to the point, observations have been made 



