300 MEMORIAL OF JOSEPH HENRY. 



their circulation is necessarily very limited. The fructifying inter- 

 change of labors and results, dependent on their own resources, 

 would be obstructed by the recurring expenses and delays of cus- 

 toms interventions, and by unconscionable exactions: and indeed 

 without the Smithsonian mechanism, nine-tenths of the present 

 scientific exchanges would be at once suppressed. Let it be hoped 

 that so beneficent a system will not break down from the weight of 

 its own inevitable growth. 



Astronomical Telegraphy. — Analogous in principle to the system 

 of exchange, is that adopted for the instantaneous trans- Atlantic 

 communication of discov^eries of a special order. In the year 1873, 

 in the interests of astronomy (to which Henry was ever warmly 

 devoted) he concluded " a very important arrangement between the 

 Smithsonian Institution and the Atlantic Cable Companies, by which 

 is guaranteed the free transmission by telegraph between Europe 

 and America of accounts of astronomical discoveries which for the 

 purpose of co-operative observation require immediate announce- 

 ment."* This admirable service to science, so creditable to the 

 intelligence and the liberality of the Atlantic Telegraph Companies, 

 embraces direct reciprocal communication between the Smithsonian 

 Institution and the foreign Observatories of Greenwich, Paris, 

 Berlin, Vienna, and Pulkova. During the first year of its opera- 

 tion, four new planetoids were telegraphed from America, and seven 

 telescopic comets from Europe to this country. 



"Although the discovery of planets and comets will probably 

 be the principal subject of the cable telegrams, yet it is not intended 

 to restrict the transmission of intelligence solely to that class of 

 observation. Any remarkable solar phenomenon presenting itself 

 suddenly in Euro[)e, observations of which may be practicable in 

 America several hours after the sun has set to the European ob- 

 server, — the sudden outburst of some variable star similar to that 

 which appeared in Corona borealis in 1866, — unexpected showers 

 of shooting stars, etc. would be proper subjects for transmission by 

 cable. 



"The announcement of this arrangement has called forth the 

 approbation of the astronomers of the world : and in regard to it 



* Smithsonian Report for 1.S73, p. 32. 



