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ring his frequent absence from Copenhagen, he was allowed to 

 establish himself at Altona, and there build an Observatory and 

 Museum of astronomical and geodesical instruments of all countries. 

 Although immersed in these duties, as well as in making various 

 chronometric journeys for the express purpose of differentiating and 

 fixing longitudes, he steadily kept an eye on the scientific operations 

 of the rest of Europe ; and he visited at successive times his corre- 

 spondents at Paris, Munich, Berlin, Vienna and Pulkova ; besides a 

 frequent trip to Bremen to consult the truly philosophical Dr. Olbers, 

 and an annual journey to Copenhagen to report progress to his warm 

 patron Frederick VI., and the equally friendly Christian VIII. 



At the age of 32, Schumacher married with judgement a lady of 

 good family, Christine Madelaine Schoon, who survives him ; and 

 their family consists of three daughters and two sons, one of whom, 

 Richard, has already distinguished himself in astronomy. 



Professor Schumacher w^as polished in his manners, cheerful in 

 conversation, and could speak in German, Danish, Russian, French, 

 English and Italian. He was fond of drawing, a great adept in the game 

 of chess, remarkably punctual in all his occupations, unwearied in his 

 application to business, neat in his computations, and orderly with 

 his instruments and books ; while a refined mind pervaded all his 

 actions. The benefits consequent on these habits spread wonderfully 

 over his long succession of assistants, to whom his time and advice 

 were never denied, and of whom no fewer than sixteen now hold 

 ostensible scientific posts. During the late political struggle, the 

 principal scientific societies of Europe entreated the Danish Govern- 

 ment to continue the Altona Observatory, as an establishment of pa- 

 ramount value to the world ; and so it appears to have been viewed 

 by the contending parties, for they both off'ered him their support. 

 He died, however, before that very lamentable war had ceased ; and 

 is succeeded by his worthy pupil Dr. Petersen. But it will be dif- 

 ficult to replace such a fulcrum of scientific intercourse as Schuma- 

 cher proved to be ; especially in establishing and continuing through 

 twenty-seven years, that cosmopolitan bond of intellectual union the 

 * Astronomische Nachrichten,' of which, from his practical and theo- 

 retical knowledge, and his philological attainments, he was perhaps 

 the most eff^ective editor which Europe could have produced. Be- 

 sides this he published ' Geometric der Steliing von Carnot,' ' Samm- 

 liing von Hiilfstafeln,' * Astronomische Hiilfstafeln,' ' Astronomische 

 Abhandlungen,' and other works. 



Schumacher had been elected into most of the Scientific Societies 

 of the world, being thus honoured in America, Denmark, France, Ger- 

 many, Great Britain, Italy, Russia, and Sweden ; and his date of elec- 

 tion as a Foreign Member of this Society is 1821. He also received 

 decorations of knighthood from Prussia, Russia, Sweden, France and 

 Belgium ; on which last order being conferred on him, that of Leopold, 

 for his connexion with the documents furnished by the Danish Go- 

 vernment, he wrote to explain that the only participation he had 

 with Major Olsen's surveys, was their resting on his triangulation. 

 But his scrupulous delicacy was overcome when he was informed, in 



