344 LETTERS OF A CITIZEN. 



unsteady oscillating motion of the vessel? If you have not 

 thought of these things, ay, and provided for them also, the ap- 

 pointment of an astronomer really appears to me little less than 

 ridiculous, and will certainly expose you to the sneering charge 

 of having made a pompous preparation in vain, and for an object 

 impossible to be accomplished. 



Indeed, there would be something of vain assumption and dan- 

 gerous temerity in making such an appointment, even if the as- 

 tronomer were to be left for several years upon a sequestered 

 island or inland mountain to pursue his studies,, with the best ap- 

 paratus the world could afford, and corresponding experience and 

 learning ; for it cannot be forgotten that the most eminent living 

 astronomer, surrounded by every facility that a nation uncalcula- 

 tingly munificent in the cause of science could supply, has been 

 devoting four or five years to the stars of the southern hemi- 

 sphere, and has not yet made known any results to serve as a 

 guide to a competitor in the same arduous field. There is not a 

 constellation, nor is there a single star, which could be seen by 

 this expedition in the highest southern latitudes at which it might 

 arrive, that has not been already seen by Sir John Herschel at 

 the Cape of Good Hope. The cost to the British government of 

 his astronomical researches alone will not be less than half a 

 million of dollars. 



Sir, nothing can be done in this voyage of exploration towards 

 mapping the heavens. Neither the means allowed nor the na- 

 ture of the enterprise admit of such results, and the addition of 

 an astronomer to the scientific corps will, in my opinion, be found, 

 in practice, worse than useless. 



Tne department of physical science, or natural and experimental 

 philosophy, is already filled. The naval officers of the squadron 

 are qualified to perform the hydrographical labours which appro- 

 priately belong to their profession. If these are not to be a por- 

 tion of their duties, then what did you mean by alluding to the 

 " labours, hardships, &c. ?" If they are to be so considered, 

 should not those who render the service receive the credit ? But, 

 sir, I will go still farther, and say that the hydrographical opera- 

 tions can be conducted only by the naval officers. This will be- 

 come apparent when you reflect that the vessels, while surveying 

 a group of islands, will frequently be separated from each other, 



