THE SUN. 47 



spectroscopic. Before we can rightly understand 

 the principles of spectroscopic astronomy, we must 

 go back to the life and work of its founder 

 Joseph von Fraunhofer. 



The son of a poor glazier, Joseph von Fraun- 

 hofer was born on March 6, 1787, at Straubing, 

 in Bavaria. His father and mother having died 

 when their son was quite young, the boy, on 

 account of his poverty, was apprenticed to a 

 looking - glass manufacturer in Munich named 

 Weichselberger, who acted tyrannically, keeping 

 him all day at hard work. Still the lad borrowed 

 some old books, and spent his nights in study. 

 Young Fraunhofer lodged in an old tenement 

 in Munich, which on July 21, 1801, collapsed, 

 burying in its ruins its occupants. All were 

 killed but Fraunhofer, who, though seriously 

 injured, was dug out from the ruins four hours 

 later. The distressing accident was witnessed 

 by Prince Maximilian Joseph, Elector of Bavaria. 

 He became interested in Fraunhofer, and pre- 

 sented him with a sum of money. Of this he 

 made good use. He was already interested in 

 optics, and he bought some books on that sub- 

 ject, as well as a glass-polishing machine. The 

 remainder of the money served to procure his re- 

 lease from his tyrannical master, Weichselberger. 



Fraunhofer became acquainted with prominent 



