56 
those who knew him best can hardly believe that to so slight 
an incident we owe the rousing of his strong powers, and the 
commencement of that useful scientific career by which he | 
accomplished so much for our country, and which terminated 
only with his life. 
Desiring to perfect his own culture, he applied for leave 
of absence to prosecute his studies, and in 1833 entered the 
University of Virginia, resolved, so far as lay in his own 
power, to bring to his country’s service the highest scientific 
culture attainable. His residence at the University, how- 
ever, was of less than a year’s duration. Excessive study 
impaired his health, and a severe inflammation of the eyes 
confined him for many weeks to a dark room. Upon his 
partial recovery he made a fourth cruise, ending in October, 
1835, after which he resumed his studies in Paris, and pur- 
sued them there for about six months, before returning to 
his professional duties. 
In the following year, Mr. Gilliss was ordered from Phila- 
delphia, where he had been on duty, to Washington, as a 
sistant to Lieut. (now Commodore) Hitchcock, who was then 
in charge of the Depot of Charts and Instruments. This 
institution had been established by the Navy Department six 
years previous, through the influence of Lieut. (now Admiral) 
_ Goldsborough, for the care and distribution of the charts and 
instruments required by national vessels. Among the duties 
of the officers was the rating of chronometers. The determi- _ 
nation of time was at first made by sextant and circle observa- 
tions ; in 1831 a small transit-instrument was mounted for this 
purpose ; and when in 1833, Lieut. (now Commodore) Wilkes 
was assigned to its charge, he removed the office to the vicinity 
of his own residence, about 1,200 feet north of the Capitol, — 
erected a small wooden observatory fourteen feet by thir 
teen, in which he mounted a 4-inch transit-instrument De 
