, 105 
and in the first week of January following, the reduced 
observations of the year were ready for the printer, —an 
unwonted sight, for the last volume printed contained the 
observations of 1849 and 1850, while only one seventh part 
of the Southern Zones, planned by Coffin and Hubbard, and 
observed between the years 1846 and 1849, had been re- 
duced, and but one thirteenth part published. 
You need no reminder, gentlemen, of the suddenness with 
which the American Navy sprang into existence, almost like 
Minerva in full panoply from the brain of Jove at the stroke 
of Vulcan. Apart from scientific duty, it fell to Gilliss’s 
share to provide for the equipment of all national vessels 
with charts and instruments; and this he did, until the pas- 
sage of the next supply-bill, from ‘the unexpended balance of 
Maury’s annual appropriation made in times of peace. But 
this was the least of his deserts: he did it from home re- 
sources ; he gave a new impulse to the industry and skill of 
‘mechanic artists and opticians in the United States, and for 
the first time laid down and carried out the principle that no 
instrument should be imported for the American navy which 
- could be manufactured as well at home. The workshops of 
the scientific artisans of whom we are so justly proud 
sprang into new activity, and the devices and admirable 
_ Workmanship then and thus evoked reflect upon Gilliss’s 
memory an honor second only to that due to the men whose 
_ ingenuity and enterprise responded to his summons, — men 
who need no mention here, for we delight to honor them. 
Spy-glasses, sextants, compasses, chronometers, barometers, 
and all the many minor instrumental equipments of the navy, 
_ Were so ordered that the navy, the artisans, and the public 
_ purse were alike gainers. The American Nautical Almanac, 
_ which had so long earned scientific reputation for us abroad, 
_ Was brought into use on board our own national vessels, and 
