28 ox THE PROPOSED LEAKE SCHOOL OF PRACTICAL ASTRONOMY. 



be found ready to take advantage of it, and thus get initiated 

 into the study of the grand science which entices so many to 

 the private study of it. But the teaching must include the 

 use of instruments as well as lectures upon the theory and 

 practice. Indeed, an Observatory is just as essential to the 

 teaching of Astronomy as the dissecting room is to surgery, 

 the laboratory to physics, or the workshop to engineering. 



In the present day Astronomy covers such a wide range of 

 subjects, and requires the use of so many expensive instru- 

 ments, that no Observatory, even the great National Obser- 

 vatories of Europe, attempts to take up all of them, and it is 

 usual for Observatories to take up some special subject, and 

 in this way the whole study is carried on by a number of 

 independent Observatories, I think, therefore, the idea of 

 having an Observatory covering all branches of Astronomy in 

 Tasmania may be dismissed, and our attention confined to the 

 requirements of one which will fulfil the testator's intention, 

 and at the same time take up one special branch of the sub- 

 ject, and place Tasmania at once amongst those countries in 

 which the Observatories are taking an effective part in pro- 

 moting the progress of Astronomy ; and, without doubt, the 

 best way is to make its special feature astronomical pliotographif. 

 Such an Observatory, as I have already pointed out, is badly 

 wanted in the Southern Hemisphere, and Hobart has special 

 advantages of climate and position for the work. 



We may then, I think, begin with these conditions, viz., 

 that the Tasmanian Observatory should provide : — 



(1.) All that is necessary for practical teaching in the 

 School of Astronomy established within the Univer- 

 sity under the Leake bequest. 



(2.) That its special work shall be Astronomical Photo- 

 graphy. 



(3.) That its name shall be the " Leake Observatory." 



(4.) That its control and management shall vest in the 

 Council of the University. 



(a.) I have assumed that the Leake trustees are prepared 

 to hand over to the University the Leake bequest of .£10,000 

 for the establishment of a school for the practical teaching 

 of Astronomy, provided that the Senate make such provision 

 for it as will carry out the testator's wish as laid down in his 

 will. 



(&.) I have also assumed that the Government or the Senate 

 of the University would provide a site, a piece of ground 

 about 60 feet square, for the Observatory to stand upon. 



(c.) Further, that the Government would keep public time 

 as they do at present, and give time to the Leake Observa- 

 tory, and permit the Leake Lecturer in Astronomy to use their 



