

THE INDIAN ECLIPSE, 1898. 



CHAPTER I. 

 INTRODUCTORY. 



THE following report is the record of the second eclipse 

 expedition organised by the British Astronomical Associa- 

 tion. The first that to Norway in 1896 was a new departure 

 in astronomical expeditions. It was the first time that a 

 company of anything approaching its magnitude had been 

 organised upon the admirable Pickwickian principle,* and com- 

 posed entirely of volunteers, for the purpose of observing a 

 total eclipse. And though it was unfortunate in the weather 

 conditions on the day of the eclipse, and consequently was 

 without those scientific fruifs which had been hoped from it, 

 it was most successful in every particular which depended upon 

 the members themselves. For its indirect results have been 

 great. It resulted in a considerable increase in the membership 

 of the Association ; in greatly promoting the union of the 

 members ; and in the creation and cementing of many friend- 

 ships which promise to be lifelong. It was a new effort in 

 co-operation, and, thanks to the hearty goodwill and ready 

 >pirit of help that was shown on every hand, it was, so far as 

 the conditions allowed, a most successful one. It impressed 

 n\>on the young Association an increased sense of its own power 

 for usefulness, and it brought it into prominence before the 

 public. 



The first thought of the Eclipse Committee, when it became 

 necessary to set on foot preparations for the eclipse of January 

 1898, was. if possible, to organise an expedition on similar lines 

 to those of the first. The pleasure which had been derived 

 in the Norway expedition from travelling together in the same 

 >hip and with so many friends, bound on the same errand, 

 and visiting together so many places of interest, suggested that 



* " This Association cordially recognises the principle of every member of 

 the Corresponding Society defraying bis own travelling expenses." (Posthumous 

 Papers of the Pickwick Club, Chapter I.) 



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