50 LIGHT SCIENCE FOR LEISURE HOURS. 



such extreme importance to the science of astronomy 

 that they presented a memorial to King George III., 

 requesting that a vessel might be fitted out, at Govern- 

 ment expense, to convey skilful observers to one of the 

 stations which had been judged suitable for observing 

 the phenomenon. The petition was complied with, and 

 after some difficulty as to the choice of a leader, the 

 good ship 'Endeavour,' of 370 tons, was placed under 

 the command of Captain Cook. The astronomical work 

 entrusted to the expedition was completely successful ; 

 and thus it was held that England had satisfactorily 

 discharged her part of the work of utilising the rare 

 phenomenon known as a transit of Venus. 



A century passed, and science was again awaiting 

 with interest the approach of one of these transits. But 

 now her demands were enlarged. It was not one ship that 

 was asked for, but the full cost and charge of several 

 expeditions. And this time, also, science had been 

 more careful in taking time by the forelock. The first 

 hints of her requirements were heard some fourteen 

 years ago, when the Astronomer-Royal began that pro- 

 cess of laborious inquiry which a question of this sort 

 necessarily demands. Gradually, her hints became 

 more and more plain-spoken; insomuch that Airy her 

 mouthpiece in this case stated definitely in 1868 

 what he thought science had a right to claim from 

 England in this matter. When the claim came before 

 our Government, it was met with a liberality which was 

 a pleasing surprise after some former placid references 

 of scientific people to their own devices. The sum 



