Makch 12, 1915] 



SCIENCE 



381 



physics. It is interesting to note that the 

 wives of two of the men connected with the 

 beginnings of this science played such impor- 

 tant parts in the careers of their husbands. 

 Sir William Huggins, who first applied the 

 spectroscope to the stars, had in his wife, the 

 talented Margaret Lindsay, an enthusiastic 

 and capable co-worker during many years of 

 incessant labor. Dr. Draper was also fortu- 

 nate when, in 186Y, he married Mary Anna, 

 the gifted daughter of Courtlandt Palmer, of 

 New York City. For Mrs. Draper not only 

 was her husband's associate in his investiga- 

 tions during the fifteen years of their lives 

 together, but after his early death in 1882, 

 she was able to provide for carrying on his 

 work in a most efficient manner. 



It is said that Dr. Draper became especially 

 interested in astronomy in 1857, while at- 

 tending the meeting of the British Associa- 

 tion in Dublin. He was invited by the Earl 

 of Eosse to go with a party to Birr Castle, 

 Parsonstown, to see the famous six-foot 

 reflector. So great was the impression made 

 upon Dr. Draper by this giant telescope that 

 he resolved to construct a similar, although 

 smaller, one for himself. This he did, and in 

 1867 a reflector of 28-ineh diameter was placed 

 in his private observatory at Hastings-on- 

 Hudson. In the summer. Dr. and Mrs. Draper 

 resided at Dobbs Perry, two miles distant, and 

 it was their custom to drive together to the 

 observatory for the evening work. So great 

 was her interest that he never went to the ob- 

 servatory without her, and in the days of the 

 wet plate, she herself always coated the glass 

 with the collodion. Mrs. Draper told how 

 sometimes after they had been to the observa- 

 tory and returned to Dobbs Ferry on account 

 of clouds, they would find the sky clearing, and 

 would drive back again two miles to the ob- 

 servatory and recommence work. During the 

 early years of their married life. Dr. Draper 

 was experimenting with the photographs of 

 stellar spectra with his reflector, and in May 

 and August, 1872, he succeeded in photograph- 

 ing the spectrum of Vega, showing four dark 

 lines. This was four years before Huggins ob- 

 tained a photograph of the dark lines in the 



spectrum of this star. In 1878, Dr. Draper 

 organized an expedition to go to Eawlins, 

 Wyoming, for the purpose of observing the 

 total solar eclipse of July 29. Mrs. Draper not 

 only went with him, but also assisted in various 

 ways. Her special duty was to count the sec- 

 onds during the eclipse and lest the vision might 

 unnerve her, she was put within a tent and 

 therefore saw nothing at all of the wonderful 

 phenomenon. Here she sat patiently and accu- 

 rately calling out the seconds while the glori- 

 ous and awe-inspiring spectacle was unfolded. 

 Some of us remember her among those gathered 

 on the roof of Hotel Monticello in Norfolk, 

 Virginia, on May 28, 1900, when without in- 

 struments we merely observed the total eclipse 

 for its beauty and grandeur. What memories 

 it must have recalled to her of the distant west- 

 ern land where nearly a quarter of a century 

 before she sat inside the tent and called out 

 the seconds for her distinguished husband ! 



In the winter. Dr. and Mrs. Draper resided 

 on Madison Avenue, New York City. Here 

 he established a laboratory, connected with 

 the residence by a covered passageway, where 

 his work not dependent on the telescope could 

 be carried on, and where his photographs could 

 be studied. The house, which is between 

 Thirty-ninth and Fortieth Streets, is spacious 

 and well adapted to elaborate entertaining. 

 When originally built by Mr. Palmer, it 

 was the last house in New York City, and 

 he was cautioned by his business friends 

 against investing in property so far away from 

 the center. Mrs. Draper remembered when 

 the old omnibus running on Fifth Avenue went 

 only as far as Thirty-ninth Street, so that 

 when any one alighted and started to walk in 

 their direction they were sure of a visitor. 



In November, 1882, when the National 

 Academy of Sciences was meeting in New York 

 City, Dr. and Mrs. Draper entertained the 

 members at a dinner said to have been one of 

 the most brilliant ever given there. As a 

 novelty. Dr. Draper lighted the table with 

 Edison incandescent lights, some of which were 

 immersed in bowls of water. About fiity were 

 present, and at the close of the dinner. Dr. 

 Draper, although suffering from a severe cold. 



