The University of California, II [pp. 479-500]

l6The Lick A.strouoml'atzl Departmeuz[eol.
equipment to these competent judges is
unmistakable. It certainly seems, even
to the guest ignorant of astronomy and
astronomical instruments, a most intel ligible satisfaction. The whole place
is fascinating, exceedingly, - the road
thither, winding up from one stage to
another of mountain outlook, through
the amazing medley of loops and turns
by which it preserves its easy grade,
mounting at last and circling the sides
of the peak itself; the fine, firm, dignified building, before whose broad entrance one is finally, set down; the
shining orderliness and perfection of
everything; the sense of being islanded
above the world, the distance and seclusion, and yet the intimate nearness to
the whole world of science; the cordial
hospitalitys of every one there; the vast,
dark dome by night,-" as big," some
one with me said, "as the sky looks to
most people," with the great tube
spanning the darkness, directed steadily
and silently against the sky, like a powerful cannon, lying in wait to storm its
immemorial secrets.
III.
MI. LIcK's deed prescribed that the
Observatory should be "made useful in
promoting science." Whether through
the alliance with the University or by
Professor Holden's original plan, it has
taken on also a function of diffusing
knowledge and aiding education in the
State. I do not know if any other great
observatory in the world takes on itself
any such function, at least to any such
extent. In the first place, there is the
sutirrendering of one night in the week
to visitors. This does not mean that a
few stray pilgrims make their way to
the shrine in the wilderness. It means
that stage after stage from San Jose
rolls up, —twenty in a procession, sometimes,- and the little group of astronomers receives with unflinching courtesy
the hundreds of passengers, and with
a system and deftness that is really
wonderful marshals them through the
Observatory, explaining patiently its
leading points, until far on in the night.
22,496 guests are recorded in four years,
-some of them by day, to be sure, when
the Observatory is always open. No
other observatory in the world offers
such privileges to visitors. The Astronomical Society of the Pacific is an
efficient means of diffusing astronomical
interest and knowledge. It seems to be
an unusually vigorous and well-knit organization, publishes a bi-mnonthly journal, skillfully edited to be of interest to
astronomers and unlearned members
alike, has branches in Eastern States,
and some five hundred members scattered all over the world. And in addition, through newspapers and magazines,
full explanations of the work and statements of the general results reached in
the Observatory have been given forth
as fast as they reached definable shape.
No one that knows much of the time and
skill such publication demands can look
over the quantity that has been done
without wonder and respect.
The Observatory has fromi the first
planned for graduate students whenever
the accommodations permitted, and nine
in all have studied practical astronomy
there; of these, five were professors
from other institutions, who came for
further study of some special sort. It is
the intention to make more and more of
this graduate work, and already no student need leave California to get the
highest training in astronomy. The Harvard and Washington observatories give
no instruction, and there is no reason
why the California University graduate
school should not become the source to
which observatories all over the country
will look for their young astronomers.
The director has been unusually diligent
and successful - as any one may learn
by an examination of the reports, periodicals, and other sources of first-hand
information available - in bringing for
496
[Nov.