426 



The Smithsonian Institution 



ations, and through that of Mr. J. D. Sayers, a subsequent 

 chairman, that the appropriation was made. It was given 

 with the understanding that this modest sum annually would 

 suffice for some years for the maintenance of the observatory 

 and for the provision of its apparatus, and this was the more 

 feasible as no expenditure would be involved for its manage- 

 ment and direction, which it was intended to leave in the 

 hands of the Secretary, whose services would be given with- 

 out cost to the government. 



The Smithsonian Institution has the title to a park of about 

 twenty acres of land, forming a portion of the larger area 

 commonly known as "The Smithsonian Park," and in this 

 narrow area, in the portion immediately south of the principal 

 buildings of the Institution, surrounded by streets and traffic; 

 in this (from a scientific point of view) most unfit site there 

 was erected in 1890,^ at the cost of the Institution, — not of 



1"A temporary wooden building of the 

 simplest possible construction has been 

 erected in the Smithsonian grounds just 

 south of the main building, having been be- 

 gun on the i8th of November, 1889, and 

 finished about the 1st of March, 1890. This 

 building is not to be regarded as an entirely 

 suitable or permanent housing for.the instru- 

 ments. Its location, close to traveled streets, 

 is unsuited for refined physical investigation, 

 but the preliminary adjustment of the instru- 

 ments and certain classes of work can be 

 effectively and conveniently carried on here. 



" The principal instrument is a specially 

 constructed siderostat by Sir Howard Grubb, 

 of Duljlin, Ireland. This instrument is in 

 position. A spectro-bolometer, the outcome 

 of many years' experience, has been made, 

 under my personal direction, by William 

 Grunow & Son, of New York, and has been 

 received and mounted. A galvanometer, de- 

 signed for the particular class of work in 

 view, has been received, and was the last of 

 the principal pieces of apparatus (provided 

 for from the Smithsonian fund) to be put in 

 place. The outfit is now in the main com- 

 plete. 



"This country has no observatory devoted 

 exclusively to astrophysical research, though 

 England, France, and Germany have main- 

 tained for a number of years at a considerable 

 expense observatories for the study of the 

 physical condition of celestial bodies. I 

 therefore indulged the hope that, in present- 

 ing the matter to Congress, as previously 

 reported, a request for a small annual appro- 

 priation for the maintenance of the observa- 

 tory thus founded and equipped might meet 

 with favorable consideration. I may say 

 that the amount asked for ($10,000 for an- 

 nual maintenance) has been appropriated, 

 and will be available during the coming fiscal 

 year. 



" In adjusting and determining the constants 

 of the instruments, a work involving consid- 

 erable labor, I have had the valuable assist- 

 ance of Professor C. C. Hutchins, of Bowdoin 

 College, during a portion of the summer va- 

 cation. No i)ermanent appointments of the 

 assistants who will be required to carry on 

 the investigations contemplated will be made 

 until after the appropriation shall have be- 

 come available." — Smithsonian Report, 

 1 89 1, page 7. 



