37

THE ECLIPSE EXPEDITIONS.

BY RICHARD A. PROCTOR, B.A., F.R.A.S.
AUTHOR OF "THE SUN," "OTHER WORLDS," "SATURN," &c.

BY

Y the time these lines are read the results of the four expeditions which have been sent out from England to view the total eclipse of December 22, 1870, will probably be known throughout the greater part of Europe. To consider the probable nature of those results may therefore seem out of place and over-venturesome; while to discuss what preceded the setting forth of those expeditions may seem a waste of time, since nothing that can now be said, whether in the way of praise or censure, can affect the result. Yet it appears to me that this is the proper time and a suitable place for a brief discussion, both of the probable results of the eclipse expeditions, and of the circumstances which happened before those expeditions left our shores. As respects, in particular, the last of these subjects, considerations of the utmost moment to the scientific world, or at least to scientific Englishmen, are at issue. We are passing through a period of transition; and though there can be little question what will be the ultimate issue of the changes now in progress, though almost certainly a few years will place science in this country on a more satisfactory footing than at present, yet it is well to watch the signs of the times, to note the working of the old system, and to estimate rightly the great need there is of change.

Some eight months since, astronomers were beginning to urge the importance of making due preparation for the eclipse. It was felt that after what the American astronomers had done last year, England was bound to show her zeal in the cause of astronomy by sending parties to observe this European eclipse. Few expected at that time that the Americans would set competition (at least in this case) at defiance, by crossing the Atlantic in force, and doing here in Europe what we had not thought of doing last year in America. But it seemed clear to all that we were bound at least to observe our own eclipses-£0 to describe eclipses visible at European stations.

Now, at the very beginning, the impression was conveyed by those astronomers who are supposed to be officially connected with the Government, that it would be only as by an act of grace that Government aid would be granted. Those who were present at the meetings of the Astronomical Society, for example, when the subject of these expeditions was mooted, were painfully struck by the tone which pervaded the official communications addressed to that body. Astronomy appeared in the light of an importunate beggar about to renew her troublesome applications; while, though a hope was expressed that some assistance might be wrung from the Government, it was left to be clearly understood that the grant would be regarded as an act of great grace and condescension.

It is necessary, indeed, to point out that in all this a grave injustice was done to the Government. The real opinion of those in power was never really ascertained until much later. But whatever the cause may have been, certain it is that the impression conveyed during these preliminary discussions was, that Science-as represented for the nonce by Astronomyhad occasion to approach the powers that be in the garb of humility and self-abasement, to plead very earnestly if she would gain a small modicum of help, and to be well content with whatever the Government might be disposed to give her.

This, let us proclaim it at once and loudly, is not the proper attitude for Science. If she must needs come as an applicant, she should come as the Sibyl of old, giving clear intimation that what she offers is worth more, a hundred-fold, than what she demands. She should come as conscious that what she asks is to be the benefactress of the human race. To quote Professor Tyndall's noble words :-" Science does not need the protection of men in power, but desires their friendship on honourable terms. By continuing to decline the offered hand, they will be invoking a contest which can have but one result. Science must grow. Its development is as necessary and as irresistible as the flowing of the tides, or the motion of the Gulf Stream. It is a phase of the energy of Nature, and as such is sure, in due time, to compel the recognition, if not to win the alliance, of those who now decry its influence and discourage its advance."

But so timid were the men of science to whom the task of approaching the Government fell, that their voice was for many weeks-invaluable weeks-altogether unheard. It pleased them in the first place to apply to the wrong department, and in the wrong way. Certainly the mode of application was that which had been adopted in former years; but there have of late been changes, and the old mode of application was as little likely to be effective as the plan of posting

letters (in the first convenient chink) adopted by Mrs. Tadgers's old woman-of-all-work. Nearly fifty days elapsed, during which no reply whatever was received; and then a reply came which implied-as far as this wrong department was concerned-a flat refusal.

If this result had been made public at once, it is probable, or rather, it is certain from what actually followed, that the greater part of the mischief might have been remedied. But the old fear of giving offence to those in power appears to have operated, and only gradually, and in an unofficial manner, the public learned that (as it seemed) Government had withdrawn the light of its countenance from the science of our day. Then the natural result followed. The public press-the Daily News leading the way-appealed loudly against the supposed decision of the Government. To the public press, and to the public press alone, it was owing that Government changed their mind, if even it was not through the public press alone that Government first really heard what was required of it. Then one would have supposed that the committee of scientific men appointed to deal with the matter would have sent in appeal after appeal until the required assistance was obtained. But something quite different took place. Those who managed the committee waited until Government itself intimated its readiness to consider the proposals of astronomers. Even then the committee were in no haste to act. "As quickly as their constitution permitted," to use the euphemistic expressions of the Astronomer Royal, or, in other words, after wasting a fortnight of most valuable time, they sent in a new application; and this they did so gently that when, a week later, Mr. Lockyer applied directly to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, he found Mr. Lowe in complete ignorance that anything was wanted from the Government.

It was now the second week in November; the eclipse some six weeks off. The sum of two thousand pounds and the means of transport had been promised by the Government, but it seemed likely that the grant would be of little use, since so short a period remained for organisation. Six months had dwindled down to six weeks. Not only had the actual work of organisation been thus left to be completed in a space of time altogether inadequate, but those who had volunteered to join the expedition, and who had all this time been in doubt whether their services would be required or not, had now little time left to prepare themselves for the work they desired to perform.*

I will mention one instance out of many that I know of to illustrate the mischievous effects of the delay. Mr. W. H. H. Hudson, M.A., a Fellow of St. John's, and a very skilful mathematician, had proposed to study the

As to the work performed by the organising committee in the brief interval which now remained, I do not care to say much. That there were shortcomings cannot be denied. Contradictory directions were sent by post and telegraph.* Eminent men of science, learned Fellows of colleges, and disinterested volunteers in the cause of astronomy, received telegrams so curt, and even impertinent in tone, as to have justified their withdrawing wholly from the work they had volunteered to do.† But then it must be remembered that the work of months was being crowded into weeks, and that a large part of the blame should in justice be removed from the inferior officers who had to superintend this part of the work, since it was certainly not their fault that the time at their disposal was so limited.

To sum up this more painful part of my subject, there was complete mismanagement from beginning to end. To whom we should ascribe the blame of the fiasco (for let the success of the expeditions themselves be what it may, the preparations were a complete fiasco) it would be difficult to say. We cannot rightly place the blame on the shoulders of the Astronomer Royal, whose official duties at Greenwich would have justified him in leaving the matter wholly to others. And again, the names of many in the committee as General Sabine, Messrs. Lassell and De la Rue, Colonel Strange, Dr. Huggins, and so on—are guarantees of an earnest regard for scientific interests. And as for the rank and file of the committee, if I may be permitted the expression, it is well known that the matter was taken completely out of their hands. But somewhere there corona with the polariscope. In order to do this the more effectually, he had intended, if the expeditions were decided on, to devote a large portion of the long vacation to making himself practically familiar with polariscopic analysis. He received definite intimation that his services would be accepted on Nov. 22; that is, in the heart of the October term (the busiest term of all at Cambridge), when his whole time was taken up with lectures and the work of preparing questionists for the tripos of the present month.

It is not too much to say that the actual efficiency of the observing parties has been reduced by much more than one-half, through the delay which resulted from the "weakly constitution of the committee" appointed to manage matters.

I was myself present when Mr. Brothers, of Manchester, received within a few minutes three contradictory sets of instructions, one by post and two by telegraph.

In one instance, a Fellow of a college received a telegram so remarkable in tone, from a member of the organising committee, as to be obliged to intimate that even the curtness of telegram-English would not justify the rudeness he had been subjected to. It is only right to add, however, that the courtesy of the honorary secretary of the committee was favourably commented upon by all who received communications from him.

must have been a leaven of undue subservience to the powers that be, and unfortunately this leaven "leavened the whole lump."

Let us turn to a pleasanter subject.

The course of the moon's shadow during the eclipse is somewhat remarkably curved, so that, though crossing the southern part of the Spanish Peninsula towards the west, and Sicily and the South of Turkey towards the east, it yet dips southward into Algeria and Tunis. The expeditions have been so planned as to take advantage of this peculiarity. The weather in Spain is not likely to resemble that in Sicily; while in Algeria it is probable that a totally different condition of weather may prevail than at any of the European stations.

The chances of the parties at Cadiz and Gibraltar are probably about equal.

The Cadiz party is under the charge of the Rev. Fr. Perry, S.J. Here three classes of observation are to be made. There will be spectroscopic observations of the corona, by Fr. Perry, assisted by Mr. Hostage and by Mr. Abbay. The polariscopic observations will be made by Mr. Hudson, M.A., Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, and by Mr. Moulton, B.A., of Trinity. Both these gentlemen are skilful mathematicians, and familiar with the theory of polariscopic analysis, which indeed forms a part of the Cambridge mathematical course. Sketches of the corona are to be made by Messrs. Naftel, Smyth, Penrose, and Collins; while Captain Toynbee superintends the chronometric arrangements.

The Gibraltar party is in charge of Captain Parsons. Spectroscopic observations will be made by Messrs. Carpmael and Gordon. Messrs. Lewis and Ladd superintend the polariscopic work. Mr. Hunter and two Oxford undergraduates will sketch the corona. But at this station other observations are to be made. The planet Saturn will be close by the sun, and Messrs. Talmage and Maclear propose to examine very carefully the appearance presented by the planet under these circumstances. Professor Thorpe, formerly of Owen's College, Manchester, and now of Glasgow, will study the changes in the chemical activity of the sun's light during the eclipse: and, if possible, during totality, he will endeavour to estimate the quality of the corona's light in this respect. Lastly, Mr. Buckingham, assisted by Mr. Spiller, will apply a very powerful telescope to obtain photographs of the eclipsed sun.

The only other European party is that which is to view the eclipse from the neighbourhood of Syracuse. This party is a remarkably large one. It is in charge of Mr. Lockyer. Several series of spectroscopic observations are to be made. Professor Roscoe, assisted by Mr. Bowen, will conduct one series; Mr.