250 
SCIENCE. 
appointment is made from civil life, it is likely that 
tne men of great and acknowledged ability then 
named, while devoting their attention to the many 
troublesome details incident to the management of j 
a large body of men, — would deprive science of the 
benefits to be derived from minds which have been J 
engaged for a lifetime upon one branch of re- 
search. 
The best interests, both of the people, who pay ; 
for the bureau, of the army, to which it is a school 
of instruction, and of science, which looks to it for 
a thorough reorganization of its old methods (which 
were often clumsy and antiquated) and for a de- 
cided step in the direction of investigation and re- ; 
search, — would probably be most surely advanced 
by the appointment of one of the accomplished 
Officers of Engineers named above. Each of these 
gentlemen is entirely competent to administer the 
complicated business of the office, as each of them 
commanded, during the war, a brigade, division, 
corps, or even army, and as each of them since the 
war has been engaged in work where strictly scien- 
tific ability is required. Each of them has shown 
in both capacities marked strength, and the appoint- 
ment could not go wrong if made from their num- 
ber. 
It is not the purpose of this article to advance the 
personal claims of any one, but to point out the 
direction in which, after careful thought, it seems 
the signal service may be led to the maximum of 
usefulness and efficiency, both to the people and to 
science. 
TO ASTRONOMERS. ' 
The value of the work performed by the astrono- 
mers of the United States is now fully recognized, 
and has become an important factor in the progress 
of astronomy. They have at their command some 
of the finest instruments that have been produced, 
while their power to make good use of them is tes- 
tified by the brilliant discoveries which they have 
recently made, forming most important records 
in the annals of the science. 
We are glad to find that the publication of this 
journal meets an important want which is ad- 
mitted to exist by astronomers, viz., a ready means 
of communication. We have received letters from 
Mr. Burnham, of Chicago, and from others, on this 
subject, and to-day Mr. Swift, of Rochester, makes 
the following statement, in a letter to us, enclosing 
a valuable astronomical paper : 
“ Of course you are aware that there is not, in 
this country, a single journal devoted exclusively to 
astronomy ; and for ephemerides of comets we have 
to depend on the Astr. Nachr ., but as it is printed 
in German no amateur takes it. Now if you 
would give a prompt ephemeris of all comets so 
that amateurs can ascertain where they are, or if 
on the discovery of every new comet a special 
circular be sent immediately to each subscriber 
announcing it and giving position, direction and 
rate of motion, and if everybody knew they could 
and would be thus informed, hundreds would take 
it [“Science”]. It would be a great satisfaction 
for them to know that they are to be kept weekly 
posted on a subject not mentioned bv a single 
weekly publication on this continent.” 
“ It is a great consolation to know that there is no 
comet in the sky, for it relieves him of all suspense, 
and it is equally so to be told, at so cheap a rate, 
where it is and all about it. I could immediately 
notify you of all discovered by me, or telegraphed 
to me, from the Smithsonian Institution. I shall be 
pleased to call the attention of my friends, both 
here and elsewhere, to your Journal, to increase 
its circulation that it may be liberally sustained.” 
In regard to the above letter, we beg to announce 
that it will be our aim in the future to comply with 
the suggestions so ably expressed, and indeed have 
partially anticipated them. 
We have, by courtesy of a distinguished member 
of the Naval Observatory at Washington, arranged 
for a weekly report compiled from their library by 
a gentleman perfectly familiar with practical astron- 
omy, and in connection with the Smithsonian In- 
stitution and all astronomers at Washington. This 
will embrace a resume of both foreign and home 
literature, and especially will give immediate notice 
of astronomical information received at that estab- 
lishment. 
Professor Asaph Hall has recently furnished us 
with two communications, and we trust will in the 
future continue to favor us with notes. Professor 
Edward S. Holden will also occasionally give us 
the benefit of information coming within his knowl- 
edge. Professor Stone, of the Cincinnati Observa- 
tory, has already placed us under many obligations 
for constant communications, and up to date is one 
of our most esteemed correspondents. Professor 
Burnham, of Chicago, has also engaged to give us 
astronomical information in his special department, 
and is now only delayed, bv the condition of the at- 
mosphere, from making some important observa- 
tions with the great Dearborn Equatorial, to be pub- 
lished in “Science.” Professor Swift, of Rochester, 
as his letter states, will communicate to us immedi- 
ate notice of results obtained with his new and 
