578 
show that its velocity is variable. It is approaching the solar 
system now (September 12) with a velocity of 8 kilometres per 
second. This will increase in two days to 14 kilometres, and in 
the next two days will decrease to its former value of 8 kilo- 
metres. This cycle of changes is repeated every four days. .. . 
The orbit is nearly circular, and is comparable in size with the 
moon’s orbit round the earth. 
“« This centre of gravity, and therefore the binary system, is ap- 
proaching the solar system at present with a velocity of 11°5 kilo- 
metres per second. A few measures of the velocity of Polaris 
made here (Lick) in 1896 gave its velocity of approach at the 
rate of 20 kilometres per second. Part of this change since 
1896 could be due toa change in position of the orbit of the 
binary system, but most of it must have been produced by the 
attraction of a ¢hzrd body on the two bodies comprising the 
‘ four-day’ system.” 
A CORRESPONDENT to the Sczentific American (September 
16) says that Mr. J. A. Brashear has just completed one 
of the pair of large astronomical camera doublets for the 
Observatory of the University of Heidelberg. They are next to 
the largest so far made, being 16 inches clear aperture and 80 
inches focal length. Two of these doublets, each consisting of 
four lenses, are to be made, and are to be used almost exclu- 
sively for the photographic discovery of new asteroids. The 
reason for using two cameras is to provide a check on the 
possible inaccuracies inseparable from the use of photographic 
plates, such as false images, &c. The track of an asteroid with 
a lens of this focus on an § x Io plate is only about one-twentieth 
of an inch long for an exposure of three hours. As the curves 
of the lenses have necessarily to be very deep, the casting of the 
great discs was found to be very troublesome. The fund for the 
equipment has been provided by Miss Catherine Bruce, of New 
York City, who was also the donor of the largest photographic 
doublet (24-inch aperture), to the Harvard College Observatory 
at Arequipa. 
WE learn from the Zventng Standard that the expedition sent 
by the Vienna Academy of Science to India to observe the shower 
of meteoric Leonids during the night of November 14-15, or the 
following night, has started from Trieste. The leader of the ex- 
pedition is Herr Director Weiss, of the Vienna Observatory, who 
is accompanied by Prof. von Hepperger, of the Gratz University, 
the astronomers, Dr. Hillebrand, Dr. Prey, Herr Rheder, and 
Dr. Mache. The Indian Government has promised to give the 
expedition, which will make its observations near Delhi, every 
possible assistance. 
THE FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF 
MANCHESTER. 
ON Friday, October 6, the City of Manchester conferred her 
freedom on Enrigueta Augustina Rylands, Robert Dukin- 
field Darbishire, and Richard Copley Christie. 
Mrs. RYLANDs. 
Mrs. Rylands presented to the city the library, magnificent in 
its contents and beautiful in its fabric, which she built in 
memory of her husband, John Rylands, whose name it bears— 
John Rylands, who as ‘* a Manchester merchant built up from the 
lowliest beginnings a business of unparalleled magnitude, and 
left behind him a name for industry that never hasted nor rested, 
and a probity that knew no shame.” 
Principal Fairbairn, in his inaugural address, drew a remark- 
able parallel between Alexandria, whose library was the richest 
in the world, and Manchester, ‘‘ cities, whose princes were mer- 
chants and whose merchants princes,” and, he added, ‘‘ every- 
thing that raises a great provincial and industrial city to metro- 
politan rank makes for higher order, sweeter life and purer 
manners.” The opening of this great library calls for national 
jubilation. 
The noble fabric, designed by Mr. Basil Champneys, is in the 
fourteenth century Gothic style, and is possibly the finest building 
erected in England in this generation. The building is built 
entirely of Penrith limestone, the exterior being the dark red 
Barbary stone, and the interior delicately shaded Shawk stone. 
The staircase which leads to the main library is surmounted 
with a beautiful octagonal lantern surrounded by a carved stone 
gallery. The library proper is set back ten feet from the line of 
the building in order to secure a sufficient supply of light, and is 
NO. 1563, VOL. 60] 
NATURE 
[OcToBER 12, 1899 
built on the collegiate plan ina long aisle ending in an apse, the 
total length being 148 feet. ri 
The building is vaulted.and groined throughout in stone, it is 
divided into eight bays occupied by bookcases, and contains a 
gallery in which this arrangement is repeated ; two large rooms 
opening from the apse contain the collection of Bibles, and the 
maps. The whole building is elaborately finished with statues 
and carving, and the fittings are all in harmony with the general 
scheme of decoration. 
Two beautiful traceried windows, by Mr. Charles Kempe, 
form a notable addition to the beauties of the building. The 
library contains the famous Althorp collection, and Mrs. 
Rylands’ private collection, which contains Wycliffe MSS. and 
Wynkyn de Wordes ; the library has been endowed, and will be 
kept up to date. 
Mr. R. D. DARBISHIRE AND Mr. R. C. CHRISTIE. 
When Sir Joseph Whitworth lay on his deathbed he at- 
tempted to complete a scheme for the utilisation of his property. 
But he could not explain so vast an idea, and, throwing out 
his hands, exclaimed ‘‘ I cannot do it now ; I must leave it to 
you, who know what it means !”’ 
And it was to Lady Whitworth, to Mr. Christie and to Mr. 
Darbishire that he left his great wealth. 
Lady Whitworth has followed her husband ; Manchester has 
created the two remaining co-legatees her honorary citizens in 
recognition of the admirable way they have carried out their 
trust. 
In connection with this trust, the legatees presented the site 
of the Manchester Technical School, and contributed largely 
to the School of Art ; made many valuable gifts of money to 
the Owens College for the engineering laboratory, the museum, 
the college hospital property, and for general purposes; and 
presented ten acres of valuable land as an athletic ground for 
the College ; finally presented the Whitworth Hall, now in 
course of erection at a cost of 50,000/. Presented and partially 
endowed the Whitworth Park and Art Gallery ; erected a public 
library and hall at Openshaw (where Sir J. Whitworth and 
Co.’s works are situated). 
In addition to the great personal labours in the wise and 
generous application of the Whitworth estate, Mr. Christie 
rendered invaluable service to the College in the times of storm 
and stress. Mr. Christie occupied in 1854-5 the united Chairs 
of History, Political Economy, Law and Jurisprudence. He is 
president of many learned societies, and chairman of numerous 
public bodies, charities and trusts ; he is president of the Cancer 
Home and Pavilion, an admirable institution which originated 
in his generosity. 
His chief literary production is the masterly biography of 
Etienne Dolet, the second edition of which has just been 
published. 
The magnificent new library at the Owens College which 
bears his name was his personal gift, and was erected at a cost 
of 21,000/. 
The total sum which passed through the hands of the Whit- 
worth Trustees was 1,250,000/. ; of that sum, 250,000/. was 
spent in redeeming promises and obligations, and the legatees 
themselves are responsible tor the distribution of 960,000/. 
W. T. L. 
VISIT OF THE INSTITUTION OF ELEC. 
TRICAL ENGINEERS TO SWITZERLAND, 
AUGUST 31 TO SEPTEMBER 8. 
ONSERVATIVE principles are no doubt of considerable 
service to England, but perhaps least so when applied to 
the problems of industry. It is a curious and_ possibly 
significant fact that as an electrical power England occupies 
a very insignificant position, and this in spite of the circumstance 
that the foundations of the industry were to a great extent laid 
by English engineers. Some years ago a very authoritative 
statement was made that in so far as ships of war are concerned 
our best policy is to watch the experiments of foreign nations 
and to profit by them, rather than make experiments for our- 
selves ; and it is not uncommon to hear similar remarks with 
regard to the industrial use of electrical appliances. Unhappily 
we seem to have forgotten the immense advantages which have 
accrued to us from our pioneering of the railway industry. No 
doubt in the early days many mistakes were made and much 
