July 22, 1909] 



NA TURE 



10: 



various parts of dynamical astronomy had to be 

 undertaken. His efforts were unremitting to im- 

 prove at every point tlie processes of calculation, as 

 well as the materials on which the calculations were 

 based. Among the greatest of Newcomb's labours, 

 measured by their value to science, are, undoubtedly, 

 those done in connectign with this office. Astro- 

 nomers all over the world recognise " The Astro- 

 nomical Papers of the American Ephemeris " 

 brought out under Newcomb's guidance as works 

 of classical value. In this great task he had the 

 good fortune to obtain the assistance of many eminent 

 men, among whom was Mr. George W. Hill, who, 

 in Newcomb's generous words, " will easily rank as 

 the greatest master of mathematical astronomy during 

 the last quarter of the nineteenth century." New- 

 comb's important " Compendium of Spherical Astro- 

 nomy," published in 1906, should also be mentioned 

 in connection with the " Astronomical Papers." After 

 his term of service in the office of the American 

 Ephemeris had expired in 1883 by the age-limit. 

 Newcomb became professor of mathematics and astro- 

 nomy in Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and 

 this post he held until 1893. 



As in the case of other men who have risen to a 

 foremost position in science, Newcomb was wonder- 

 fully versatile. He was, as we have seen, a leader 

 among mathematical astronomers, he did good work 

 on various occasions in practical observation, and 

 that he was a skilful experimenter when occasion 

 required is shown by his beautiful investigations of 

 the velocity of light ; but Newcomb also wrote a 

 number of books intended more for the general public 

 than for technical astronomers. His " Popular As- 

 tronomy " is universally recognised as an admirable 

 work full of lofty thought and luminous suggestion. 

 It is remarkable for its literary grace no less than 

 for its scientific accuracy, and those \vho had the 

 privilege of enjoying Prof. Newcomb's friendship will 

 recognise throughout " Popular Astronomy " indica- 

 tions of that quaint humour which was so character- 

 istic of the author. He wrote many other books ; he 

 was recognised as an authority on economics and life 

 assurance, and he even wrote a novel, though I do 

 not know whether this particular venture was suffi- 

 ciently successful to encourage a repetition of the 

 experiment. All the honours which his own country or 

 other countries could bestow on a man of science were 

 liberally showered on him with univeisal approval. 



It need hardly be said that for a self-taught man 

 to become one of the most consummate mathe- 

 maticians of his day, and one of the great leaders 

 of science, not only great abilities, but indomitable 

 industry were necessary. Newcomb was an inde- 

 fatigable worker. From morning until night he was 

 at his desk, and yet such was the kindliness of the 

 man that when a demand on his time and friendship 

 was made by a brother astronomer or mathematician, 

 his books were laid aside, and he would devote him- 

 self assiduously to a day of gracious offices for his 

 visitor. Newcomb had a serious illness about fifteen 

 years ago, but he made a remarkable recovery, and 

 until the last few months he was still hard at work. 

 He died after a long illness on July 11, 1909. 



Thus passes from the world the most conspicuous 

 figure among the brilliant band of contemporary 

 American astronomers. His inspiring example will 

 long be treasured by those who were acquainted with 

 his work. His habitual loftiness of thought, nobility 

 of character, dignified courtesy, and ever-ready help- 

 fulness endeared him to his many friends on both 

 sides of the Atlantic. His private acts of quiet kind- 

 ness and goodness of heart will be affectionately 

 cherished by those fortunate persons to whom they 

 are known. Robert S. Ball. 



NO. 2073, VOL. 81] 



nOTES. 



TuE first attempt to cross the Channel by aeroplane was 

 made by M. Latham on Monday, July ig. The machine, 

 which is a monoplane, started from Sangatte, and was 

 about 600 feet above sea-level when it left the land. This 

 altitude was increased to about 1000 feet, and a speed of 

 between forty and forty-five miles an hour was attained. 

 After travelling about eight miles from the shore in the 

 direction toward Dover the engine stopped, and the mono- 

 plane glided steadily down in a straight line to the water, 

 where it floated until the destroyer Harj>on came up about 

 five minutes later. M. Latham was then taken on board, 

 and his monoplane towed into Calais harbour. 



The death is announced of M. Henri de Parville, who 

 was for several years editor of La Nature, and more 

 recently a contributor to Cosmos. M. de Parville did much 

 useful work in the direction of instructing and interesting 

 the French public in the achievements of science. 

 Primarily an engineer, he was well versed in other branches 

 of pure and applied science, and for many years devoted 

 the greater part of his energies to work for the scientific 

 Press. 



The Institute of Metals has just completed the first year 

 of its existence, during which period the membership has 

 increased from barely two hundred to well over five 

 hundred. The autumn meeting of the association will be 

 held at Manchester on Thursday and Friday, October 14 

 and 15. A series of about half a dozen papers will be 

 read and discussed at the two morning sessions of the 

 institute. The afternoon of the first day will be devoted 

 to a visit to the University of Manchester, where members 

 will be received officially, on behalf of the University, by 

 Vice-Chancellor Alfred Hopkinson, K.C. The new 

 engineering laboratories will be open for inspection, and 

 facilities will also be given for inspecting the Municipal 

 School of Technology. In the evening a reception will be 

 held by the Lord Mayor at the Town Hall. During the 

 afternoon of Friday, October 15, members will have the 

 opportunity of visiting works of metallurgical interest in 

 the neighbourhood of Manchester. 



The committee nominated by the Paris Academy of 

 Sciences for the distribution of the Bonaparte fund (25,000 

 francs) for igog has received thirty-five applications, only 

 nine of which are considered to conform with the regula- 

 tions laid down by the committee of igoS. It is proposed 

 to allocate the fund as follows : — 4000 francs to M. 

 Cayeux, to enable him to pursue his researches on the 

 fossils of the Oolitic iron deposits in the United States ; 

 4000 francs to M. Chevalier, to assist him in carrying on 

 his geographical and ethnographical researches in the 

 French colonies in tropical Africa ; 4000 francs to M. 

 P^rez, to assist in the. publication of his memoir entitled 

 " Recherches histologiques sur les Metamorphoses des 

 Muscidcs " ; 3000 francs to M. Houard, to enable him to 

 proceed to Corsica, Algeria, and Tunis to collect material 

 for his anatomical and physiological studies ; 2000 francs 

 to M. Berget, for the construction of an apparatus for the 

 study of the distribution and intensity of gravity ; 2000 

 francs to M. Bernard, to continue his studies of the varia- 

 tion of the solar radiation and the illumination of the sky 

 in the immediate neighbourhood of the sun ; 2000 francs 

 to M. Blaringhem, for the continuation of his experimental 

 researches on the variation of species ; 2000 francs to M. 

 Estanave, for the continuation of his researches on stereo- 

 scopic projection by direct vision, stereoradiography, and 

 autostereoscopy ; 2000 francs to M. Mathias, to enable him 

 to continue in the cryogenic laboratory of Leyden his re. 



