March 8, 1883 | 
NATURE 
S321) 
utmost value, and a long list of names might be adduced 
of those who in past years attained a most honourable 
position either as discoverers, as systematic observers, or 
as both. Seeing therefore that amateurs, whose efforts are 
purely disinterested and the natural outcome of a love for 
the subject, have contributed so largely to place our know- 
ledge of astronomy in its present high place, their efforts 
should be encouraged and utilised by their contemporaries, 
who hold official positions, and who may find it convenient 
to assist them by some of that practical advice and in- 
struction which they are eminently qualified to afford. 
It seems a thing to be deplored that in this country 
there are no establishments where astronomy is made a 
special subject for teaching, and where those who early 
evince a taste in this direction may be educated in con- 
formity with inclination. We think that an institution 
giving special facilities to astronomical students, and 
affording instruction both in observation and computa- 
tion, must prove a most efficient means of advancing the 
interests of the science. It cannot be denied that the 
work of many amateurs is rendered far less valuable than 
it would otherwise be by its approximate character, that 
is to say, by its lack of critical exactness—both as regards 
practice and theory. This cannot be avoided under 
present circumstances. A man on first becoming imbued 
with the desire to study astronomy asa hobby is generally 
in a measure isolated; he has to rely entirely upon his 
own exertions and what he can get out of the popular 
treatises upon the subject. It must, however, be conceded 
that he has many difficulties to encounter, both imaginary 
and real, before he proceeds very far; and these impedi- 
ments are of such force as either to deter him altogether 
from advancing further, or check him so effectually that 
more than ordinary enthusiasm is required to surmount 
them. Now this could be obviated by a little timely 
assistance from some practical astronomer. ‘Treatises, 
however exhaustive and felicitous in explanation, can 
never be as effective as personal instruction and example, 
and hence it seems a desideratum that some establish- 
ment should be arranged to afford assistance to such 
amateurs as are anxious to qualify themselves as practical 
astronomers. It is certain that could such instruction be 
imparted on reasonable terms, there are many amateurs 
who would gladly avail themselves of the opportunity. 
The main purpose might be to train observers to the use 
of equatoreals, transit instruments, micrometer work, 
photography, &c., and in the proper reduction of obser- 
vations and computation of orbits. 
The fault with amateurs seems to be that they are 
devoid of organisation, and generally of proper education 
to the work in hand. Labouring independently and in- 
termittently they have, as a rule, no definite purpose in 
view other than the mere gratification of curiosity. It is 
obvious that some means should be adopted to attract 
them to suitable channels for systematic work, so that 
they may be enabled not only to find pleasure, as hitherto, 
in seeing objects of interest, but also more effectively to 
aid the progress of the science by making their observa- 
tions of practical utility. For it cannot be doubted that 
the means of determining exact positions and the capacity 
to reduce them will naturally increase the ardour and 
interest of observers, and must introduce a new and 
powerful element to the further advancement of astro- 
nomy. The number of amateurs is steadily increasing 
year by year, and there are now in this country a very 
large’ assortment of efficient telescopes which are lying 
comparatively idle or so misdirected as to be of little 
service. Under these circumstances it seems desirable to 
make some attempt to organise the labours of amateurs 
in directions suitable to their means and inclinations, and 
to utilise such results for the benefit of astronomy. 
_ It is generally the case that amateurs employ their 
instruments in spasmodic fashion, and do not tenaciously 
follow up important observations even when such are well 
within their grasp. For instance, an interesting marking 
on a planet may be once seen and recorded as a feature 
of peculiar interest, but it is then allowed to escape sub- 
sequent observation, and thus the value of the record is lost. 
It is not sufficient to see a thing; we must hold it as long 
as possible, watching its variations of motion and form, and 
thus possibly arriving at something definite as to its 
behaviour and physical character. We cannot, it is true, 
expect amateurs, who generally are much pressed with 
other engagements, to work for long periods and at in-’ 
convenient hours, because this directly means a sacrifice 
of other interests which it is imperative should not be 
neglected. But by the exercise of discretion, and by the 
utilisation of favourable opportunities, we think that ob- 
servers, though their time may be much restricted and 
their instrumental means very limited, may yet contrive 
to do valuable work in one or other of the many attractive 
departments of astronomy. 
The fact sometimes forces itself upon us that astro- 
nomical work is not nearly commensurate with the means. 
The large number of powerful instruments now in use 
might surely be expected to yield a most abundant harvest 
of results ; but we cannot deny that this is far from being 
the case. It is sometimes the boast of the fortunate 
possessors of a 10-inch refractor or 12-inch reflector that 
their instruments are comparable, as regards performance 
and reach, with those employed by the first Herschel ; 
and this being granted, how comes it that there is such a 
manifest lack of new discoveries and of that unwearying 
enthusiasm exhibited by the earlier observers? Possibly 
some of our best instruments are merely erected as play- 
things serving to gratify popular curiosity. The possessor 
of a “big’’ telescope is always courted to a certain 
degree by people who, though knowing little and caring 
nothing about the science, yet profess great interest in 
order to be permitted to view some of the most interesting 
wonders in the sky. These ordinary sightseers love 
novelties of any kind ; moreover a view of such objects 
and an explanation by the “astronomer’’ himself is a 
thing to be desired, because one acquires self-importance 
and can dilate upon the subject to one’s open-mouthed 
friends who have never been honoured with such marked 
distinction. It is needless to say that such exhibitions 
are mere waste of time; valuable opportunities—and they 
are few enough in this climate !—are lost never to return. 
Many fine telescopes, though occasionally in use, are 
not directed to the attainment of any important ends. 
Year after year they are kept in splendid adjustment ; 
a speck of dust on the lens is removed with scrupulous 
care; a spot of dirt on the circles is rubbed off with 
anxious energy, and the owner stands off a few paces to 
view his noble instrument with intense pleasure. How 
grand it looks! How massive! Surely this splendid 
machine is able to reveal the most crucial tests of obser- 
vational astronomy? The knowledge that he has the 
means to see great things is in itself a sufficient satis- 
faction without any practical application. Besides, how 
can he think of departing from his invariable custom of 
going to bed at 10.30 p.m. and risk catching a slight cold 
into the bargain? His intention certainly had been to 
make a prolonged vigil to-night, but that was decided on 
in the sunny afternoon before the frosty air came on and 
before the fog began to rise up from the valley, and so he 
decides with some show of reluctance to leave it all to 
another night! Here is the hour, but not the man. 
It is a fact to be regretted that many promising 
amateurs have had to relinquish, prematurely, all astro- 
nomical work on account of circumstances. A man on 
first experiencing the desire to do something to astronomy 
buys a few books, and then, when he finds it indispensable, 
a telescope, thus expending it may be the hard-earned 
savings of a few years. He becomes more interested 
with new facilities, and devotes much time to the subject. 
Ultimately the fact is realised that his business affairs 
