ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORIES. 205 



astronomical observatory, with provision for the support 

 of an astronomer, to be in constant attendance of observa- 

 tion upon the phenomena of the heavens; and for the 

 periodical publication of his observations. It is with no 

 feeling of pride, as an American, that the remark may be 

 made that, on the comparatively small territorial surface 

 of Europe, there are existing upward of one hundred andr 

 thirty of these light-houses of the skies ; while through- ; 

 out the whole American hemisphere there is not one. If^J 

 we reflect a moment upon the discoveries which, in the 

 last four centuries, have been made in the physical consti- 

 tution of the universe by the means of these buildings, 

 and of observers stationed in them, shall we doubt of 

 their usefulness to every nation ? And while scarcely a 

 year passes over our heads without bringing some new 

 astronomical discovery to light, which we must fain re- 

 ceive at second-hand from Europe, are we not cutting 

 ourselves off from the means of returning light for light, 

 while we have neither observatory nor observer upon our 

 half of the globe, and the earth revolves in perpetual 

 darkness to our unsearching eyes ?" 



This eloquent appeal from the chief magistrate of the 

 country, in behalf of the cause of science, was received 

 with a general torrent of ridicule ; and the proposition to 

 establish a light-house in the skies became a common by- 

 word of reproach which has scarcely yet ceased to be 1 

 familiar to the lips of men who glory in their own shame/ 

 So strong was this feeling that, in the year 1832, in re- 

 viving an act for the continuance of the survey of the 



