DBtìLI SPETTROSCOPISTI ITALIANI 69 



Nel Daily Tribune di New-Jork del luglio 1875 trovasi il seguente articolo, che 

 riproduciamo ad onore del nostro corrispondente signor prof. Draper. 



A Scientist's Reward. 



Medal to be presented by the Governement to prof. Henry Draper of this city. 



While the work of preparing the United States Commission for the observa- 

 tion of the transit of Venus was in progress, very valuable assistance was ren- 

 derei to the Cominission by D. 1 ' Henry Draper of New-Jork, who volnnteered his 

 time and services for over fonr nioutlis. This service on his part it is now inten- 

 ded to recognize by the presentation to him of a gold medal, Avich is noAV being 

 made at the United States Mint at Philadelphia. The motto on the obverse, « Fa- 

 mmi extender e factìs hoc virtutis opus est, • (to extend fame by deeds is a work 

 of vir tue) is a sentiment from the Aencid of Virgil, implying that it is the work 

 of virtue to extend the horizon of knowledge by one's labors. The instrument in 

 the center is the Heliostat, Avidi was nscd by D. 1 ' Draper in his labors with the 

 photographers in practice preparatory to the taking of the observations of the 

 transit. 



The reverse of the medal contains the inscription: « Veneris in sole spectandae 

 curatores, R. P. F. S., Eenrico Draper, M. D., Dee. Vili, MDCCCLXXIV. » 

 (The transit of Venus Commission of the United States, to Henry Draper, M. D., 

 Dee. 8, 1874). The date is that of the transit of Venus. The phrase around the 

 edge of the medal, • virtus virtutì addit avito (he adds luster to aucestral glory), 

 conveys a tribute of praise, referring to the literary and scicntific attainments of 

 D. r Draper, sr. The medal wil be accompanied by a haudsomcly illuminated letter 

 from the Commission in the forra of a hook, with raised bindings, one of Avidi 

 forms the case of the medal. 



This is the first time that sudi a public recoguition has ever been accorded 

 to a scientin'c man in this country by the Governement. Mr. Gyrus W. Field was 

 presented with a medal for his labors in connection with the laying of the first 

 atlantic cable, but not a scientist. The head of the Commission on the Transit of 

 Venus Avas. Rear-Admiral C. H. Davis, Superintendent of the Naval observatory at 

 Washington. It is expected that the presentation Avill take place as soou as the 

 medal is ready, Avich Avill be in the course of a Aveek or so. 



Ora possiamo aggiungere che quando ci arrivò il numero suddetto del giornale 

 americano, il Draper aveva già ricevuto la medaglia sopradescritta. 



Ciomalc di Sciame Nat. ed Econ., Voi. XI. — 1875. 12 



