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direct a number of assistants to do daily sucb and such work (suggested by 
private investigators) than to guide a scheme of operations, noting the 
results obtained, and modifying gradually the method of procedure until at 
last some great scientific truth has been educed. We should be unwilling, 
were not scientific interests too manifestly at stake, to indicate in this way 
the signs and effects of the want of originating power which necessarily 
(at any rate, almost invariably) shows itself with advancing years. But 
the point is one which will have to be noted before long, if this country is 
to advance as rapidly in scientific matters as it might do. It is not neces- 
sary to draw unpleasant comparisons between the Astronomer Royal’s 
views and those, say, of the younger chief of the Washington Observatory. 
It will suffice to compare his present views with those he held eighteen 
years ago. Then (see Report to the Board of Visitors, 1867)., speaking of 
a proposed addition to mere routine work, he said : 11 Whether the result 
will be to add millions of useless observations to the millions already 
existing, or whether something useful may be expected to result, I cannot 
hazard a conjecture,” a remark which De Morgan justly characterised as a 
u conjecture and a very obvious one ; ” showing that (l Mr. Airy would not 
have given 2 f <7. for the chance ” of a useful result. Now , routine observa- 
tions alone are recommended. 
This leads us to make a few remarks on certain reports which are abroad 
as to the successor whom Sir G. Airy and some of the Admiralty officers 
wish to see appointed. There is one name which every one would expect 
to hear. One astronomer, trained in observatory work, practised as an ob- 
servatory chief — two essential points — is also distinguished in England and 
abroad as facile princeps among English mathematical astronomers. Many 
will be surprised, and not a few will be pained, to learn that that great 
astronomer is not (it is said) selected, so far as the selection depends on the 
present Astronomer Royal ; but another, a most estimable, energetic, and 
able man, but comparatively unknown. Now apart from the injury inflicted 
on English astronomy, if our greatest mathematical astronomer since 
Newton should thus be passed over, we would point out that irreparable 
mischief will be done to Sir Gr. Airy’s reputation (which Englishmen value 
highly) unless this rumour should be proved by future events to have been 
ill-founded. Assuming that the eminent astronomer indicated will honour 
the office by accepting it, if he should be passed over (in favour of any man 
soever) every one will conclude either that Sir G. Airy was unwilling to be 
followed in office by an astronomer more eminent than himself, or that 
the grave injury which (unwittingly, but very really) he inflicted on that 
astronomer thirty years ago rankles still in his remembrance, as injuries 
inflicted on others are too often apt to do. We trust, however, that the 
rumour will prove to be wholly without foundation. 
Eclipse of April 6. — In the last Summary we pointed out the fact that 
the arrangement proposed by the committee of the Royal Society for 
observing this eclipse could not possibly lead to any useful result, simply 
because faint light of small chemical activity was expected to do work 
which stronger light of greater chemical activity had failed to do, in the 
same time. Nature not being apt to vary her laws even to oblige com- 
mittees, the result has naturally been that the expedition sent out under 
