rnia
 
 GIFT OF 
 SEELEY W. MUDD 
 
 and 
 
 GEORGE I. COCHRAN MEYER ELSASSER 
 DR. JOHN R. HAYNES WILLIAM L. HONNOLD 
 JAM ES R. MARTIN MRS. JOSEPH F. SARTORI 
 
 to tin 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 SOUTHERN BRANCH 
 
 JOHN FISKE 

 
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 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below 
 
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 MEMORIALS 
 
 WILLIAM CRANCH BOND 
 
 Director of the Harvard College Observatory 18401859 
 
 AND OF HIS SON 
 
 GEORGE PHILLIPS BOND 
 
 Director of the Harvard College Observatory 18591865 
 
 EDWARD S. HOLDEN 
 
 Director of the Lick Observatory 
 
 SAN FRANCISCO 
 C. A. MURDOCK & CO. 
 
 NEW YORK CITY 
 
 LEMCK.E & BUECHNER 
 
 1897 
 
 82683
 
 H? 
 
 INTRODUCTORY NOTE 
 
 TV /I Y earliest recollections are connected with visits 
 A*-*- to the Harvard College Observatory, where 
 Professor GEORGE BOND (who had married my cousin) 
 was assistant astronomer, and subsequently Director. 
 As a lad I had a boundless admiration for the science 
 to which he gave his life, as well as a deep gratitude 
 for the unfailing kindness with which he and his 
 father received my young friends and myself on 
 our rather frequent pilgrimages to the observatory, 
 and for the glimpses which they gave us of inspiring 
 things. As years went on, I myself became a student 
 
 O} of his chosen science, and went over the ground 
 f~i 
 
 theoretical or practical which he had trod, and 
 
 j^ learned to admire his remarkable qualities of mind, 
 
 >r l and to appreciate his very considerable and original 
 
 contributions to astronomy. It has also been my 
 
 fortune, as an observer, to repeat some parts of his 
 
 work, and to obtain, in this way, an even more accurate 
 
 judgment of his persistent thoroughness. 
 
 No adequate biography of either of the BONDS has 
 been written, and the lack is especially noticeable in 
 the case of the son. A number of documents that 
 would serve to illustrate their lives are not now to
 
 IV 
 
 be found; all that are available have been collected 
 and copied by his daughters. At their request, I have 
 undertaken to put these materials into an orderly form. 
 The difficulties of the task have not been small. No 
 one who was not at the same time an intimate and a 
 contemporary could overcome them entirely. 
 
 The present volume will have a value as a contri- 
 bution towards the early history of astronomy in 
 America. The development of the science has been 
 so amazing that we forget that the Harvard College 
 Observatory was founded as late as 1840; that it was 
 one of the very first of college observatories; and that 
 its first Directors the BONDS, father and son had 
 it in charge until 1865, only a generation ago. Nearly 
 every American observatory has been founded since 
 1840. American science is scarcely more than half a 
 century old. The day will soon come it is now 
 here when we shall look back with wonder and 
 gratitude to ask who were the men who laid the wide 
 and deep foundations which already maintain so noble 
 an edifice. 
 
 In the little group of able men who were the fathers 
 and founders of American astronomy, the BONDS have 
 their secure place. It is the object of this volume to 
 set forth their lives and work, and to point out their 
 many and varied services to their country and to 
 science. E. S. H. 
 
 THE LICK OBSERVATORY, 
 
 January, 1897.
 
 A CKNO WLEDGMENTS 
 
 Those who have been concerned with the 
 preparation of this volume beg to return their 
 grateful thanks to the many friends who have 
 aided, in one way or another, in the collection 
 of materials.
 
 TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER PAGE 
 
 Introductory Note, iii 
 
 I. WILLIAM CRANCH BOND 1789-1859 1 
 
 II. GEORGE PHILLIPS BOND 1825-1865, 48 
 
 III. Extracts from the Diaries of GEORGE BOND During 
 
 Two Visits to Europe 1851 and 1863, 87 
 
 IV. Selections from the Correspondence of GEORGE BOND 
 
 1852-1865, 150 
 
 V. The Scientific Work of WILLIAM and GEORGE BOND, 216 
 
 Appendix List of the Scientific Writings of WILLIAM 
 CRANCH BOND and of GEORGE PHILLIPS BOND 
 (compiled by Mrs. RICHARD F. BOND), .... 276 
 
 Index of Proper Names, 292
 
 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 The Great Comet of 1858 from a drawing by GEORGE 
 
 BOND, Frontispiece 
 
 (Reproduced, by permission of Professor EDWARD C. PICKERING, 
 from Volume III of the Annals of the Harvard College Observ- 
 atory) 
 
 Portrait of Professor WILLIAM CKANCH BOND, to face page 1 
 
 (Reproduced from a painting by Mr. C. G. THOMPSON (1849), now 
 
 in the possession of the Harvard College Observatory) 
 
 Armorial Bearings of BOND, to face page 10 
 
 The Dana House the first observatory of Harvard Col- 
 lege, to face page 17 
 
 (By the kindness of the editor of the Popular Science Monthly) 
 
 The Harvard College Observatory in 1847, . . to face page 22 
 (From the Annals of the Harvard College Observatory, 1850) 
 
 The 15-inch Telescope and the Observer's Chair, to face page 26 
 (Reduced by photography from Figure 4, Annals of the Har- 
 vard College Observatory, Volume I) 
 
 The Great Nebula of Orion from a drawing by GEORGE 
 
 BOND, to face page 48 
 
 (Reproduced, by permission of Professor EDWARD C. PICKERING, 
 from Volume V of the Annals of the Harvard College Ob- 
 servatory) 
 
 The Chronograph invented by the BONDS The Chrono- 
 
 graphic Record, to face page 237 
 
 (From the Annals of the Harvard College Observatory, Volume I) 
 
 Two Views of the Planet Saturn, to face page 251 
 
 (From the Annals of the Harvard College Observatory, Volume II)
 
 WILLIAM CRANCH BOND. 
 178-1859.
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 WILLIAM CRANCH BOND 1789-1859 
 
 ytMONG the papers left by WILLIAM CRANCH 
 JTjL BOND is a memorandum relating to the 
 original home of the family in Cornwall and 
 to their migration to America. The following 
 paragraphs are extracted from Mr. BOND'S manu- 
 script : 
 
 "My father, WILLIAM BOND,"* he says, "in the 
 year 1780 found that he was nearly related, if not 
 heir-at-law, to the WILLIAM BOND who held the 
 estate of Brendon, in the parish of St. Dominic, 
 County of Cornwall, England, A. D. 1711.f From 
 this stock branch off the BONDS of St. Austell, 
 Cornwall. My father visited Brendon in 1780, and 
 saw the dates of entry of all the possessors of that 
 estate, from the time of WILLIAM the Conqueror 
 down to the date of his visit, beginning with 
 the inscription on an oaken tablet in the hall 
 'WILLIAM BOND came to Brendon, A. D. 1066.' This 
 was followed by a succession of WILLIAM BONDS, 
 without any other name intervening, down to the 
 year 1780. In 1833 I went there with Brother HUGH 
 CURTIS. It was then held by a WILLIAM BOND, 
 
 *Born in Plymouth in 1754. 
 
 fThis estate has been held by a WILLIAM BOND for fully 
 eight centuries.
 
 2 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 whose brother JOHN confirmed to me orally the 
 foregoing account. I was received very kindly, and 
 saw the date 1066 on or over a stone arch. It is a 
 very pleasant place, situated in a rich agricultural 
 district. . . . Within the church were several 
 monuments; in one corner were two marble tombs 
 of knights; the effigies, carved in marble and cross- 
 legged, indicating thereby that the warriors had been 
 to the Holy Land. My grandfather's brother, JOHN 
 BOND, owned two estates, Trevarner and Trevanion, 
 near the town of St. Austell, and he there resides. 
 
 " My great-grandfather was the first of the family 
 who went to live in Plymouth from Cornwall. My 
 great-grandfather died there at a very advanced 
 age. My grandfather, THOS. BOND, was established 
 in Plymouth as a chemist [and surgeon] in 1750. 
 He was much respected by his fellow-townsmen and 
 was eminent in his profession. Many anecdotes 
 illustrative of his grave, resolute character have 
 been handed down to us. 
 
 "THOMAS BOND married THOMAZINE PHILLIPS. 
 He died in Plymouth in 1782. His widow died in 
 1803. Of his four children (sons), only one, WIL- 
 LIAM, left issue. 
 
 "After a previous visit to this country in 1784, 
 my father [WILLIAM, son of THOMAS] settled in 
 Falmouth, Casco Bay [now Portland], in May, 1786, 
 bringing with him his wife and two children, 
 THOMAZINE and THOMAS. The brig John in which 
 they came had been chartered by my father for 
 that and commercial purposes. He was made a free 
 citizen of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by 
 special act of the General Court, passed November 
 23, 1785." 
 
 The wife of WILLIAM BOND was HANNAH CRANCH. 
 
 The home of the CRANCH family was in and 
 
 around Kingsbridge, Devonshire. They were all
 
 William Cranch Bond 3 
 
 much given to books, with a marked artistic bent. 
 Speaking of the family, one writer says: " The race 
 of CKANCH all had literary, artistic, and poetic ten- 
 dencies. There were always authors, poets, music- 
 ians, and travelers in the family." 
 
 JOHN CRANCH, born in 1744, was an artist. 
 Among other things, he painted a picture of the 
 death of CHATTERTON. He was also a lawyer and 
 an author. He lived in England, but was made a 
 Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and 
 Sciences of Boston. 
 
 The children of WILLIAM BOND and HANNAH 
 CRANCH were: 
 
 THOMAZINE ELIZABETH FIELDER; 
 
 THOMAS, died in infancy ; 
 
 WILLIAM, died in infancy; 
 
 THOMAS, came to America an infant; 
 
 HANNAH CRANCH, born in America; 
 
 WILLIAM CRANCH, born in America. 
 
 RICHARD CRANCH, the uncle of Mrs. WILLIAM 
 BOND, settled in Massachusetts in 1746, and became 
 Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. He was a 
 highly respected and influential citizen of the 
 Colony. Harvard College conferred upon him the 
 degree of M. A. in 1780. 
 
 From a sister of RICHARD CRANCH are descended 
 the PEABODYS, ELIZABETH, MARY (Mrs. HORACE
 
 4 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 MANN), SOPHIA (wife of NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE). 
 Urged by the relatives of his wife, WILLIAM 
 BOND determined to emigrate to America. He 
 arrived in Boston in May of 1786, and settled in 
 Falmouth (now Portland), Maine, where he engaged 
 in shipping lumber to Bristol, England; and he 
 also established a branch station on Frenchman's 
 Bay. This venture proved unsuccessful, and in 
 1790 he and his wife and children returned to 
 Boston, where he began business as a silversmith 
 and watch and clockmaker, trades he had learned 
 in London in his youth. In 1793 he established 
 the firm still called by his name, and began to 
 import clocks and watches from England. It took 
 time to build up a business, and his family had a 
 long, hard struggle with poverty. His wife, HANNAH 
 CRANCH, was a woman of great force of will, a 
 stern sense of justice and integrity, and marked 
 vigor of intellect; an uncompromising Puritan 
 housewife, strict in the performance of every duty, 
 and equally strict in exacting of others their dues. 
 Her stern standard of domestic discipline is still 
 remembered by the oldest surviving granddaugh- 
 ter. In her presence the children of the family 
 never spoke except in subdued whispers; and when 
 she entered a room all rose and remained standing 
 until she was seated. These were the manners of 
 the age, but she is said to have been peculiarly
 
 William Cranch Bond 5 
 
 strict in enforcing them, and even her grown chil- 
 dren stood in awe of her. 
 
 WILLIAM BOND was a true Cornishman fiery, 
 impulsive, generous, affectionate and indulgent to 
 his children, but subject to violent outbursts of 
 passion. He had also a true Cornishman's taste 
 for mining, and lost considerable sums of money 
 in mining ventures in Maine and at Gay Head, 
 Massachusetts. He and his wife never ceased to 
 regret their immigration to America. A loyal love 
 of England was characteristic of the family for 
 many years. In household customs, manners, and 
 traditions, they were thoroughly English down to 
 very recent days. 
 
 WILLIAM BOND lived to a great age, dying at 
 his son's house in Cambridge, in 1848, in his 
 ninety-fifth year. He is still remembered as a 
 quaint figure, wearing his hair in a queue in the 
 fashion of a bygone time, with rosy cheeks and 
 bright, sharp eyes; brisk and vehement, even after 
 his mind began to fail. In his extreme age he 
 became a Roman Catholic, through the influence 
 of his personal friend, Bishop CHEVERUS. At his 
 death he left two daughters and two sons THOMAS 
 and WILLIAM CRANCH BOND. 
 
 WILLIAM CRANCH BOND was born in Portland, 
 Maine, September 9, 1789. During a visit to England
 
 6 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 t 
 
 (July 18, 1819) he married for his first wife his 
 cousin, SELINA CRANCH, in Kingsbridge, Devonshire. 
 She was the mother of his six children WILLIAM 
 CRANCH BOND Jr., JOSEPH CRANCH, GEORGE PHILLIPS, 
 RICHARD FIFIELD, ELIZABETH LIDSTONE, SELINA 
 CRANCH and died in 1831. She is remembered 
 as a beautiful woman, with soft and gentle voice 
 and manners. After her death BOND married her 
 elder sister, MARY ROOPE CRANCH, who left no chil- 
 dren. His second wife was a woman of strong, 
 determined character, capable, and very ambitious. 
 The household expenses w r ere willingly cut down to 
 save the money needed for the purchase of costly 
 books and instruments. She was ready to make 
 any personal sacrifice for the science to which her 
 husband was devoted. 
 
 BOND loved science for itself, and cultivated it 
 with a kind of passion, never thinking, in his 
 early days, of even communicating his results. 
 He had been observing the great comet of 1811 
 for months before his observations came to the 
 knowledge of Professor FARRAR of Harvard and 
 Dr. NATHANIEL BOWDITCH of Boston. 
 
 It was necessary for young BOND to do his part 
 towards supporting the family. He left the public 
 school at an early age and soon became an 
 admirable workman. His attention was turned 
 to astronomy by the remarkable total solar eclipse
 
 William Cranch Bond 7 
 
 of 1806, when the sun was hidden for no less than 
 five minutes. At the age of fifteen (1804) he had 
 constructed a satisfactory shop chronometer, and 
 about the same time a quadrant, which was also 
 a very serviceable instrument. His first sea-going 
 chronometer was made in 1812, and the severe test 
 of a voyage to India and return proved it to be 
 an excellent timekeeper. These early days are 
 recalled by a paragraph from a letter written after 
 his death by his elder brother, THOMAS BOND, to 
 his son. 
 
 EXTRACT FROM A LETTER OF THOMAS BOND TO 
 GEORGE BOND. 
 
 Feb. 21, 1859. 
 
 . . . The scenes of our youth come back 
 to my remembrance like a pleasant dream. Your 
 dear father and I were for years almost inseparable 
 friends and companions. . . . He was the mildest 
 and best-tempered boy I ever knew, and his very 
 remarkable mechanical genius showed itself very 
 early. He was the best hand for the manufacture 
 of box traps, snares for partridges, quails, and rab- 
 bits when not more than twelve years old. He was 
 not very strong physically, but constant exercise 
 established his health. He had few advantages of 
 education ; but a powerful mind and retentive mem- 
 ory enabled him to press forward. We were poor, 
 and he had to help in the support of the family, 
 but his courage and perseverance carried him 
 through all. "We ne'er shall look upon his like 
 again." 
 
 In an old French book he found the description
 
 8 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 of the chronometer used by the celebrated naviga- 
 tor, LA PEROUSE, and determined to try his skill 
 in making one on the same plan, to be kept in 
 motion by weights instead of springs. Xotwithstand- 
 ing his constant attention in the shop, he carried 
 out his plan, and it still remains as a memento of 
 his skill and patience when but fifteen years old. 
 
 I suppose it would incline the Astronomer Royal 
 to laugh, could he see the first transit instrument 
 used by us at Dorchester, a strip of brass nailed 
 to the east end of the Champney house, with a hole 
 in it to see a fixed star and note its transit, this 
 in 1813. When we moved into the Hawes house, 
 he procured a good granite block. We dug a deep 
 hole, and placed it at the west end of the house, 
 and got Mr. ALGER to cast a stand for the transit 
 instrument, a small one, which I think belonged 
 to Harvard College. From this time he began to 
 live among the stars, and now I trust he wears the 
 starry crown. He was faithful here below, my best 
 friend on earth, and I trust to meet him again 
 before long. 
 
 Yours ever, THOMAS BOND. 
 
 After his father's death, GEORGE BOXD wrote a 
 long memorandum to the Hon. EDWARD EVERETT 
 (sometime President of Harvard University), re- 
 hearsing the circumstances of his career. This 
 letter is printed in what immediately follows, with 
 a few omissions, and with the addition of a few 
 notes of explanation.
 
 William Cranch Bond 9 
 
 MEMORANDA RELATING TO THE LIFE AND SCIEN- 
 TIFIC LABORS OF WILLIAM CRANCH BOND, 
 LATE DIRECTOR OF THE OBSERVATORY OF 
 HARVARD COLLEGE, COMMUNICATED TO HON. 
 EDWARD EVERETT, MARCH, 1859, BY GEORGE 
 PHILLIPS BOND. 
 
 Several years since, at the suggestion of some of 
 the members of his family, my father collected 
 various memoranda, relating chiefly to the early 
 part of his life, and subsequently combined them 
 in an autobiographical sketch. 
 
 Knowing that this manuscript had been pre- 
 pared by his own hand, and that it was not long 
 since in his possession, we have been greatly disap- 
 pointed at not finding it among his papers, although 
 no pains have been spared in searching for it. Its 
 loss is the more to be regretted, because it had been 
 relied on as an authentic source of information in 
 regard to many incidents, which it will now be 
 impossible to recover, as by trusting to it too confi- 
 dently we came to neglect other memoranda. This 
 circumstance has occasioned delay and trouble in 
 collecting even the imperfect information given 
 below. I have dwelt somewhat minutely on the 
 incidents of my father's early life, for it was then, 
 in a stern conflict with obstacles which few would 
 have had the resolution to meet, that he displayed 
 the earnestness and strength of his native predilec- 
 tions for astronomy. . . . 
 
 My grandfather [WILLIAM BOND], a native of 
 Plymouth, England, claimed to be the representa- 
 tive of an ancient family residing at Brandon Manor, 
 St. Dominick, Cornwall. On a visit to the place in 
 1833, his son found in the old manor-house, and in 
 the monuments of the parish church, sufficient con- 
 firmation of the traditionary claim. The estate 
 had unquestionably been held by a WILLIAM BOND
 
 10 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 from a remote period. Among the monuments in 
 the church were two tombs of Crusaders, traditional 
 WILLIAM BONDS, Knights of Brendon. The tenure 
 of the estate has been always under the condition, 
 that it should be held by one of that [Christian 
 and sur-] name, and my grandfather at one time 
 took steps to obtain possession, failing, it would 
 seem, only from his own neglect to press the claim. 
 The crest and motto of the family were sufficiently 
 aspiring and aptly astronomical. A demi-Pegasus 
 (one of the constellations) on a field of golden stars,* 
 with the motto, " Non sufficit Orbis."^ 
 
 The discouraging circumstances of my father's 
 early life are alluded to in my letter to Mr. CURTIS. 
 I have always understood that his situation up to 
 manhood, and even for years after, was one of pecu- 
 liar trial and hardship. It was at this period of 
 life, usually so full of animation and buoyancy, that 
 he speaks of himself as "nearly heartbroken and 
 in despair of ever being able to accomplish any- 
 thing." The expression bespeaks the sensitiveness 
 of his disposition, and a dejection unnatural in one 
 so young. His mother, HANNAH CRANCH, as was 
 fit, was ever the confidante of his plans, and the 
 consoler of his distress. She was a woman of a well- 
 cultivated mind and high excellence of character; 
 one who could sympathize in his high aspirations, 
 though she could not relieve the pressure of ad- 
 versity. 
 
 It would not be proper to enter into the details 
 of those hardships with whicli he was at this time 
 encompassed. He rarely alluded to them, except in 
 general terms. One of the companions of his youth 
 has said emphatically, " They talk of early disad- 
 vantages; he went over red-hot ploughshares," and all 
 who then knew him intimately use the strongest 
 
 * Not on a field, but semle d'ttoiles iVor. 
 
 fThe arms are: Argent, on a chevron sable, three besants.
 
 William Cranch Bond 11 
 
 expressions with reference to the stern severity of 
 his lot. In his boyhood a modest reserve and a 
 quick sensitiveness were as prominent as in later 
 life; yet there was a resolute spirit beneath this 
 veil, or he would never have risen superior to frown- 
 ing fortune. This simplicity of manner and shrink- 
 ing from ostentatious display did not wholly con- 
 ceal from his playmates a consciousness of superior 
 capacity; he could be silenced easily, but rarely 
 diverted from his purpose. A design once formed 
 in his mind seemed to become a part of his very 
 being, and was pursued with an unfaltering aim. 
 To this invincible perseverance he owed everything. 
 It is not for us to condemn his persistence, some- 
 times beyond the bounds of reason, in his original 
 convictions. Whatever he accomplished was done 
 in a quiet, unobtrusive way; but if opposed, a deter- 
 mined, persevering energy was manifested, equal 
 to any emergency, and seldom to be disappointed 
 of its end. These are said to have been traits of 
 his boyhood they certainly characterized his after 
 life. He early evinced the ingenuity and fertility 
 in mechanical contrivances for which he was subse- 
 quently distinguished. At the age often [1799] he 
 made a wooden clock, and became famous among 
 his playfellows for his skill in the manufacture of 
 traps, toys, etc., even extending his ambitious efforts 
 to an imitation of philosophical apparatus, with 
 which, when a mere boy, he illustrated to his com- 
 panions the experiments of a public lecturer in Bos- 
 ton. [A ship's chronometer made by him at the 
 age of twenty-three years] is now in our possession, 
 and bears the date 1812. The construction of such 
 an instrument requires a high degree of skill, 
 which he must have attained with scarcely any aid 
 from instruction, as the original profession of his 
 father, to whom he was apprenticed, was that of a 
 silversmith. There could have been no facilities at
 
 12 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 that time in the country for acquiring knowledge 
 of the art. Some hints on the subject he found in 
 an old French book, containing a description of a 
 timekeeper used by the celebrated navigator LA 
 PEROUSE. He was ambitious that it should be of 
 home manufacture, and for that reason substituted 
 a weight for the maintaining power, in room of the 
 mainspring commonly used. The latter he could 
 not make, and would not procure from Europe. I 
 have before me a journal of the performance of 
 this chronometer on a voyage from Boston to 
 Sumatra, in the ship Cyrus, commanded by Captain 
 THOS. B. CURTISS. It indicated the longitude of the 
 ship as accurately as the majority of the chronome- 
 ters now made would have done. 
 
 His first astronomical apparatus was a sundial 
 and pieces of string held at arm's length, with 
 which he plotted the stars and comets, after the 
 fashion of FERGUSON. These were succeeded by 
 other contrivances better adapted to the purpose. 
 It is a fact not without interest that for many 
 years preceding the war of 1812, the period of our 
 greatest commercial prosperity, the "rates" and 
 "errors" of nearly all the chronometers employed 
 in the foreign trade of Boston were derived from 
 instruments made by his hand. 
 
 The history of his [independent] discovery of 
 the comet of 1811* shows him at that time as an 
 attentive observer of the heavens. He had pre- 
 viously, for want of a telescope, " been in the prac- 
 tice of going to a deep well, and, shading his eyes 
 from stray light, would direct his eyes toward the 
 bottom for some minutes," and with this prepara- 
 tion faint objects among the stars were more easily 
 distinguished. Instead of attempting to acquire 
 reputation from the discovery, he was so careless 
 
 *It was discovered in Europe, March 25, 1811, by BOND, 
 independently, April 21.
 
 William Cranch Bond 13 
 
 on this point that it took months for the intelli- 
 gence to travel four miles to Cambridge. On the 
 other hand, he applied himself most industriously 
 to collect observations with such apparatus as he 
 could command. To watch the motions, and record 
 the positions of the heavenly bodies, was an occu- 
 pation perfectly congenial to his tastes, which evi- 
 dently brought with it its own reward. It was his 
 constant practice, from the time when he first came 
 into possession of appropriate instrumental means, 
 to record astronomical phenomena, often with no 
 other apparent motive than a love of the occupa- 
 tion. For thirty years this was done, not merely 
 without compensation, but to his manifest pecun- 
 iary disadvantage. This consideration, it is prob- 
 able, never entered his mind. 
 
 In this period we find him zealously tracing the 
 courses of comets, collecting observations of lunar 
 culminations, occultations, and eclipses of the sun, 
 determining by different methods the position of 
 his observatory and connecting it by trigonometric 
 surveys with neighboring points, and in other ways 
 evincing the strength of the ruling passion by the 
 sacrifices which were made to gratify it. Nor was 
 his attention confined to astronomy; the kindred 
 sciences of meteorology and magnetism were not 
 neglected. Even on his journeys it was his cus- 
 tom to take with him a sextant and artificial hori- 
 zon and a chronometer to find the latitudes and 
 the longitudes of the places visited. 
 
 The circumstances connected with his visit to 
 Europe in 1815, must have exercised a favorable 
 influence upon his astronomical training.* Apart 
 
 * At a meeting of the President and Fellows of Harvard Col- 
 lege, held May 10, 1815, it was voted that the President, Treas- 
 urer, and Mr. LOWELL, with Professor FARRAR and Dr. 
 NATHANIEL BOWDITCH, be a Committee to consider the sub- 
 ject of an Observatory, and report to the Corporation their 
 opinion upon the most eligible plan for the same, and the site. 
 BOND was at that time going abroad (aged twenty-six years),
 
 14 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 from the invaluable opportunity it afforded of 
 inspecting some of the best observatories of the 
 world, and of witnessing the processes of instru- 
 ment-making in various branches, the confidence 
 thus reposed in him must have been highly grati- 
 fying and encouraging. The trust was discharged 
 to the entire satisfaction of the college. The mem- 
 oranda made on this occasion have been preserved, 
 and probably furnish the most exact account extant 
 of the observatories visited, as regards their plan 
 and manner of mounting the instruments. A part 
 of his traveling expenses was paid by the college 
 after his return. He probably studiously concealed 
 from those who sent him on this commission the 
 fact that he was left in England in a state of utter 
 destitution. . . . 
 
 The longitude of his observatory in Dorchester, 
 adopted just thirty years since, agrees precisely 
 with the latest determination of the position of the 
 observatory of Harvard College, allowing for the 
 difference of meridians. The latitude also presents 
 as exact an accordance as could be attained with 
 the instruments in his possession, confirming his 
 remark: "I was satisfied that no repetitions with 
 the instruments would have given me greater con- 
 fidence in the result." 
 
 In the first house which he owned [in Dorches- 
 ter] the only parlor was sacrificed to science, and 
 forthwith converted into an observatory. A huge 
 granite block, some tons in weight, rose in the cen- 
 ter of the room, and the ceiling was intersected by 
 
 and was given the mission of making examinations of the 
 building and instruments at Greenwich, and of consulting 
 with instrument makers. His letter of instructions (dated 
 June 23d) from Professor FARRAR and his account of his 
 mission are printed in the first volume of the Annuls of the 
 Harvard College Observatory. Plans of the Observatories of 
 Greenwich, Edinburgh, etc., were obtained, and advice was 
 received from POND (Astronomer Royal), GROOMBRIDGE, 
 BENTLEY, Sir WILLIAM HERSCHEL, EDWARD TROUGHTON, 
 and others.
 
 William Cranch Bond 15 
 
 a meridian opening. My recollection will just 
 carry me thirty years back to this room and its 
 mysterious paraphernalia. I can recall, too, in the 
 garden and neighboring fields the stone blocks for 
 the support of instruments, meridian marks, etc. 
 Like the men of old, wherever he sojourned a stone 
 was set up as a memorial. His antipathy to an 
 insecure foundation many would have thought 
 extravagant; the tremor of an instrument would 
 annoy and fret him as a harsh discord does the 
 cultivated ear of the musician. . . . 
 
 Every year, as his means allowed, some addition 
 was made to the resources for observation; but 
 adversity still waited on him, and he was obliged, 
 as a constant practice, after the whole day had been 
 devoted to business, to spend hours at his work- 
 bench. He made it, in fact, a rule of life to earn 
 enough by his nightly labor at his profession as a 
 watchmaker to meet the current household expenses. 
 That so much industry and application should have 
 failed in placing him in a position of competence 
 will not surprise any one acquainted with his meth- 
 ods of conducting business transactions, for which, 
 as far as his own pecuniary advantage was con- 
 cerned, he had no capacity. The making of a good 
 bargain was to him the most incomprehensible of 
 problems. 
 
 Between 1825 and 1830 he was engaged in col- 
 lecting materials for an investigation on the com- 
 parative rates of marine chronometers at sea and on 
 shore, and effectually disposed of the question, as 
 far as the interests of navigation are concerned, in 
 a communication to the American Academy, contain- 
 ing in a few words the substance of a thorough dis- 
 cussion of the subject. No mention is made in the 
 memoir of other experiments conducted by him on 
 the influence of changes of temperature, of the pres- 
 ence of large surfaces of iron, etc., on the performance
 
 16 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 of the same instrument. It deserves notice, that 
 although his conclusions on these investigations 
 were at variance with the opinions of men high in 
 authority and influence, they are now known to 
 be correct. Variation of temperature is now recog- 
 nized as the grand source of disturbance, once 
 vaguely attributed to the influence of " traveling," 
 or of a " sea voyage." 
 
 On receiving in 1838 an appointment from the 
 United States Government to cooperate with the 
 exploring expedition under the command of Lieut. 
 Com. CHARLES WILKES, although the equipment of 
 his observatory was amply sufficient for the objects 
 specified in his instructions, he would content him- 
 self with nothing short of new buildings and a new 
 suite of instruments. For the first time in his life 
 he was now verging on fifty the object of long- 
 restrained aspirations seemed within his reach. We 
 may censure the manifest imprudence of commit- 
 ting himself to a plan of operations which would 
 have tasked the energies of three men; but \ve must 
 admire the generous enthusiasm evinced in the 
 undertaking. In a short time a new observatory 
 of ample size was erected [in Dorchester] and pro- 
 vided with complete apparatus, including all that 
 was requisite for an investigation of the magnetic 
 and meteorological elements. 
 
 The magnetic apartment was a long building, 
 built entirely of wood, no iron nor metallic sub- 
 stance of any description entering into its con- 
 struction. Thus provided, he assumed the truly 
 Herculean task of recording on term days* the 
 position of the magnetic needle at intervals of ten 
 seconds (instead of the five minutes proposed by the 
 committee of the Royal Society) throughout the 
 twenty-four hours, enlisting the aid of every friend 
 
 * Certain stated days.
 
 THE DANA HOUSE. First Observatory of Harvard College 1840.
 
 .William Cranch Bond 17 
 
 whom he could induce to volunteer to watch the 
 mysterious excursions of the magnet. . . . 
 
 The circumstances connected with my father's 
 removal to Cambridge, in December, 1839, are 
 detailed in the remarks made at a recent meeting 
 of the American Academy by one who had been 
 through life his constant friend, the Hon. JOSIAH 
 QUINCY. 
 
 [" Ex-President QUINCY, upon the obituary occa- 
 sion referred to, made this interesting statement 
 as to the initiation of his project for Mr. BOND'S 
 removal to Cambridge: 'This proposal, so in uni- 
 son with his pursuits and talents, I expected would 
 be received with pleasure. But it was far other- 
 wise. In the spirit of that innate modesty which 
 predominated in his character, and apparently cast 
 a shadow over all his excellent qualities and attain- 
 ments, Mr. BOND hesitated, doubted his qualifica- 
 tions for the position. He said his habits were not 
 adapted to public station; that our combined appa- 
 ratus would be small, and that something great 
 might be expected; that he preferred independence 
 in obscurity to responsibility in an elevated posi- 
 tion. He raised many other objections, which need 
 not here be repeated, as they were overcome.' 
 
 "At the date of this interview the President 
 found Mr. BOND well established in a profitable 
 manufacturing business, happily situated in his 
 domestic and neighborhood surroundings, with an 
 avocation fascinating enough to occupy all his leis- 
 ure, and a fame extensive enough to satisfy his own 
 modest estimate 'of his abilities. There was no 
 pecuniary betterment for Mr. BOND in the sug- 
 gested change. Mr. QUINCY could only offer him 
 what he had already, a family domicile;* so that 
 the proposal might warrant an adaptation of SIDNEY 
 
 * No salary was attached to the office until 1846. 
 C
 
 18 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 SMITH'S famous phrase, and be described as an 
 invitation to come to Cambridge and 'cultivate 
 astronomy upon a little oatmeal.' In so phrasing 
 it there is no disparagement of the college; it was 
 the day of small things, of pennies, not dollars, in 
 the college treasury. But the event speaks the 
 praises of Mr. QUINCY, whose sagacity was unfail- 
 ing, and before whose persuasiveness and energy 
 difficulties in administration were wont to give 
 way, and of Mr. BOND, whose unselfishness and 
 loyalty to science were proof against pecuniary 
 considerations. In mental traits each was in many 
 respects the complement of the other, and it is not 
 too much to say that these two were pre-eminently 
 the founders and builders of the observatory."*] 
 
 . . . The following comments will furnish some 
 additional particulars, which may be of service. 
 Prior to the occupation of the new observatory, 
 magnetic and meteorological observations engrossed 
 a large share of attention. The Magnetic Observa- 
 tory had been thoroughly equipped with the aid of 
 funds contributed by the American Academy ,f and 
 by private subscription. The system proposed by 
 the Royal Society was followed up to the end of 
 March, 1843, with a considerable extension, effected 
 with the assistance of Professors LOVERING and 
 PEIRCE and of the " Harvard Meteorological 
 Society," composed of students in the university. 
 This association, suggested by Professor PEIRCE, 
 continued in activity for more than a year. My 
 father's labors were not, however, at this time 
 wholly diverted from astronomy, as is witnessed by 
 the addition of above two hundred lunar culmina- 
 tions to his previous collection, beside records of 
 occultations and eclipses, meteors, auroras, etc. In 
 
 * History of the Harvard College Observatory, by DANIEL 
 W. BAKER, page 13. 
 
 1 91000 given in 1840.
 
 William Cranch Bond 19 
 
 November, 1841, by the untimely death of his old- 
 est son, WILLIAM CRANCH BOND Jr., he was deprived 
 of a devoted assistant. Though cut off at the early 
 age of twenty, my brother had become an accom- 
 plished and zealous observer. He possessed an 
 unusual taste for mathematics, and gave high 
 promise of future eminence. His natural bias 
 toward astronomy was far stronger than mine.* 
 While I was in a manner pressed into the service, 
 he entered of free choice. My father's loss by this 
 affliction I have always felt to be scarcely greater 
 than my own. His disposition had much of his 
 father's gentleness; and to have enjoyed the inti- 
 mate sympathy in scientific pursuits of such a com- 
 panion in after life would have been to me an 
 inestimable advantage. 
 
 You will find in all historical notices of the new 
 observatory allusions to the influence upon the 
 public mind of the sudden apparition of the great 
 comet of 1843, and I think this has not been over- 
 rated. Professor LOOMIS, in his sketch of the prin- 
 cipal observatories of the United States,f ascribes 
 the general movement which took place in this 
 country in 1835-38 in favor of an extension of 
 our means of celestial observation, to the return of 
 the comet of H ALLEY in 1835-36. Thus, projects 
 for observatories were set on foot at Williams Col- 
 lege in 1836; Hudson, Ohio, 1836-37; Philadelphia, 
 1837-38; West Point, 1837-38, and the National 
 Observatory at Washington had the first effective 
 impulse given to it in 1838. My father's appoint- 
 ment by the government as Astronomical Observer 
 occurred in 1838. Georgetown and Cincinnati 
 [observatories] followed soon after, beside private 
 enterprises of a similar nature. 
 
 * See the next chapter, however. . . 
 
 t Recent Progress of Astronomy in the United States, 1856, 
 8vo.
 
 20 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 No country in the world has at this moment a 
 larger number of the finest instruments, and even 
 of observatories, as far as stone piers, bricks and 
 mortar, and a place in college catalogues will give 
 a claim to the name. We should probably be short 
 of the truth if we estimate the present number of 
 these institutions, provided with means for furnish- 
 ing astronomical data of a high order, at fifty. 
 Three only manifest any vitality. Is it not clear, 
 from the neglect and disease of the rest, that men 
 are rare who will make great personal sacrifices for 
 science? What would my father not have given 
 for the early opportunities now so freely afforded? 
 
 It is not without interest to me to connect deci- 
 sive epochs in his career with notable events in 
 astronomy. The total eclipse of 1806 was witnessed 
 under such a rare combination of circumstances 
 that centuries may elapse before one of equal gran- 
 deur occurs. Its duration at Boston was "five 
 minutes, almost the greatest possible." The impres- 
 siveness of the scene can scarcely have been sur- 
 passed in any other natural phenomenon. An 
 eyewitness speaks of " the perfect day without a 
 cloud, the slowly-increasing gloom, the falling 
 dews, the darkening west, the trembling stars look- 
 ing out upon the scene, the birds and animals seek- 
 ing the protection of man, the silence and tears of 
 the spectators. Then the arrowy rays shot out, 
 rekindling nature." The great comet of 1811 con- 
 firmed the already deep impression made on his 
 mind by this event. H ALLEY'S comet, as we have 
 seen, became a turning point in the scientific prog- 
 ress of the country; that of 1843 heralded the suc- 
 cessful movement at Cambridge in that year. The 
 last object which my father viewed through the 
 great telescope was the comet of DON ATI, on the 5th 
 of October, 1858. On what more fitting scene could 
 that eye have rested ! It was near sunset, the sky
 
 William Cranch Bond 21 
 
 beautifully clear and tranquil. By a singular coin- 
 cidence, it was the day on which the comet had 
 attained its greatest splendor, the day, too, on 
 which it passed its conjunction with the brilliant 
 star Arcturus, an occasion memorable in astronom- 
 ical history. 
 
 Between 1843 and 1844, in the erection of the 
 new observatory and in the preparation for the 
 mounting of the instruments, he derived much 
 advantage from previous experience. Of this I 
 will mention one or two illustrations. To secure 
 stability in the position of the piers upon which 
 the instruments immediately rest, he insisted that 
 no expensive attempts should be made to fit or 
 smooth the faces of blocks resting one on the other, 
 but that three bearings alone should be admitted at 
 the base of each pier, situated horizontally as far 
 from the center of gravity as practicable. These 
 three points necessarily fixed the position of the 
 plane of the base as effectually as if the surfaces 
 were fitted with all possible care and expense. By 
 attending to this condition, not only is the desired 
 end perfectly accomplished, but much is gained in 
 the readiness with which the preliminary adjust- 
 ments can be made. An instance occurred in the 
 mounting of the great equatorial. It was necessary 
 to set the massive block of granite, on which it rests, 
 in position upon the capstone before the instru- 
 ment arrived from Europe. Of course it could not 
 be accurately adjusted until the instrument had 
 been mounted, and the errors ascertained from 
 celestial observation. When this had been done, 
 it was found that the- block with the instrument 
 upon it, weighing together nearly fifteen tons, must 
 be moved with the utmost nicety to bring the lat- 
 ter into the meridian. By a record in our note- 
 books, I find that this was effected in between five 
 and ten minutes, with the aid of a few wedges and
 
 22 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 a jackscrew. Had the surfaces been cemented or 
 accurately fitted, a good deal of delay and trouble 
 would have been unavoidable. The plan is so 
 simple that one might suppose it could scarcely 
 have been overlooked, but instances to the con- 
 trary, attended with no small inconvenience and 
 expense, are known to have occurred.* 
 
 The present plan for the revolving dome the 
 mounting upon spherical balls instead of wheels 
 or rollers has the same character of simplicity. 
 [It was proposed by my father in 1815 or 1816.] 
 . . . Contrary to my father's advice, indeed against 
 strenuous opposition on his part, the dome was 
 in the first instance mounted upon a system of 
 rollers, which entirely failed of accomplishing the 
 object intended. His own views of what was 
 required in the building of the observatory differed 
 so widely from those of the architect as to occasion 
 a good deal of disquietude, and he would never 
 admit his responsibility for its external appearance, 
 nor for its internal arrangements, excepting in the 
 piers, the plans for the dome, and the machinery 
 of meridian openings, observing chair, etc. 
 
 One of his first cares at the new observatory was 
 to determine, in conjunction with Colonel GRAHAM 
 of the Topographical Engineers, the latitude by 
 the method of prime vertical transits. The partic- 
 ulars are given in the third volume of the Memoirs 
 of the American Academy. This has been pronounced 
 by high authority to have been at the time " the 
 only latitude in the country determined with the 
 requisite precision for the higher problems of 
 astronomy." 
 
 In this year, December, 1844, a small equatorial 
 telescope [two and three-quarter inches in aperture] 
 was temporarily mounted in a building to the west 
 
 *This is a reference to the construction and installation of 
 the piers of the Dudley Observatory.
 
 HARVARD COLLEGE OBSERVATORY 1847.
 
 William Cranch Bond 23 
 
 of the great pier. This served a useful purpose by 
 supplying extra-meridional observations on comets, 
 etc., until the arrival of the great refractor. Among 
 these were the solar eclipses of May, 1845, and April, 
 1846, the transit of Mercury over the sun on May 
 8, 1846, etc. With the assistance of this instrument, 
 the planet Neptune was seen for the first time in 
 America on the 21st of October, 1846, the evening on 
 which we first received intelligence of its discovery 
 at Berlin. The observations subsequently made were 
 incorporated in the well-known investigations of 
 Prof. SEARS C. WALKER. Upon the fine comet of 
 June, 1845, we obtained exact measurements on 
 three dates (the 2d, 4th, and 6th of June), sufficient 
 therefore to determine its elements, before a single 
 reliable determination of its place had been made 
 in Europe. The very remarkable phenomenon of 
 the division of the comet of BIELA presented itself 
 in this small telescope as an elongation of the par- 
 ent body on the 14th of January, 1846, one day 
 later than its recognition by the astronomers at 
 Washington, where its double character was first 
 detected [with the 9.6 inch equatorial], but one day 
 in advance of European observers. 
 
 A series of drawings of solar spots was executed 
 in 1847-48-49 by, my father, also with this tele- 
 scope. They number about two hundred and fifty 
 sheets, often containing several groups on each. 
 
 On reference to the following passages in the 
 "Annals, Vol. I, Part I," viz. p. Ixxx, "Mr. BOND 
 has for five years," etc.; p. Ixxxvii, "It being 
 understood," etc.; p. xciii, "And when it is 
 known," etc., you will perceive that his services 
 to the college, up to August, 1846, had been ren- 
 dered without pecuniary compensation.* 
 
 *His contract with the United States Government termi- 
 nated in August, 1842. How well he had acquitted himself in 
 this engagement will appear from the liberal proposals made
 
 24 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 The great refractor was received on the llth of 
 June, 1847. The mounting was commenced on 
 the 23d and completed on the 24th of the same 
 month without the slightest accident. 
 
 Among the earliest objects critically examined 
 were the nebulae of Orion and Andromeda, disclos- 
 ing new features in each. The very complicated 
 character of that first named renders its correct 
 delineation a most difficult undertaking. My 
 father's drawing has been pronounced by Sir JOHN 
 HERSCHEL, not an incompetent judge, the best that 
 has appeared. About two years since, M. OTTO 
 STRUVE criticised the positions of the stars included 
 in the engraving somewhat freely, or rather to my 
 mind, offensively; and his disparaging remarks 
 have been republished and circulated in the news- 
 papers in the country, probably through the agency 
 of one of the " sacred brotherhood of science." How- 
 ever this may be, I have given the subject a most 
 thorough revision in the winters of 1857-58-59,* 
 and am now engaged upon the reductions. This 
 seems due to a proper regard for the reputation 
 of the observatory, in the only instance of an 
 unfriendly disposition manifested toward it by an 
 European astronomer. 
 
 The planet Saturn was subjected to a thorough 
 scrutiny, the fruits of which are mentioned on 
 p. xix of the "Annals, Vol. I, Part I," and more 
 at length in two or three papers in the Memoirs of 
 the American Academy, and in Vol. I, Part II, of 
 the "Annals."1f In this connection I may mention 
 
 to him in 1845 by the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of 
 the Hydrographical Bureau to take charge of the National 
 Observatory. 
 
 *The Memoir is printed in Volume V of the Annals of the 
 Harvard College Observatory. 
 
 fThe reference is to the discovery of the eighth satellite of 
 Satwn viz. Hyperion on September 19, 1848. The discovery 
 was made by . P. BOND, September 17th and 18th, and veri- 
 fied by W. C. BOND, September 19th; and by W. LASSELL, in 
 England, on the same night.
 
 William Cranch Bond 25 
 
 that some of the best authorities have made con- 
 flicting and erroneous statements in relation to the 
 phenomena and constitution of the rings of Saturn. 
 I am convinced, for instance, that the eminent Eng- 
 lish writer, Mr. GRANT, is altogether in error in the 
 explanation of the bright protuberances upon the 
 edge of the ring "at its disappearance." These 
 phenomena are discussed in an appendix to our 
 volume of Saturn observations. He assigns also to 
 LAPLACE the discovery of the fluidity of the rings, 
 to which you will find a satisfactory reply on p. 
 xix of our "Annals." 
 
 ^3ur numerous observations and drawings of 
 Jupiter, in 1848-49, have not been published, and 
 the same may be said of the valuable collection 
 of drawings of solar spots made by my father in 
 1847-48-49, above referred to.* During the same 
 interval we formed, with much pains, a chart of the 
 stars in the cluster of Hercules. I am sorry to add, 
 that this also is condemned to the same obscurity 
 with the results of many other laborious undertak- 
 ings which we are without the means of publishing. 
 A notice of the cluster will be found on p. cxxxvii 
 of the "Annals." 
 
 The mass of the planet Neptune has been deduced 
 both by Professor PEIRCE and myself from the 
 measurements of the satellites, made with the aid 
 of the great refractor, and has been found by 
 Professor PEIRCE to represent in a most satisfactory 
 manner the observed irregularities in the motions 
 of Uranus. 
 
 With the history of the discovery of Hyperion 
 and of the new ring of Saturn you are already 
 familiar. Observations for the parallax of the sun 
 have been made by three different processes. In 
 
 *The drawings of sun spots were published in Vol. VII of 
 the Annals of the Harvard College Observatory, by the care of 
 Professor WINLOCK, Director.
 
 26 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 1849-50 by simultaneous observations at Cam- 
 bridge and Santiago, Chili, upon the planet Mars 
 in opposition, and in 1857 upon Venus at its infe- 
 rior conjunction. 
 
 The parallax was also determined in 1849-50 
 by a method probably for the first time put in 
 practice; namely, by the displacement of Mars in 
 right ascension at considerable hour angles east 
 and west of the meridian. Of this process, which 
 has the peculiar advantage that it does not require 
 the cooperation of a second observatory, Mr. AIRY, in 
 a lecture before the Astronomical Society, expressed 
 the opinion that it was the best of all known meth- 
 ods. For his statement of its advantages, see 
 Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 
 1856-57, p. 219. He was not probably at the time 
 aware that it had been used in America several 
 years before. 
 
 The zone observations (of which one volume has 
 appeared, Vol. I, Part II, of the Annals, and a sec- 
 ond is ready for press) were set on foot in 1852. It 
 has always been our design to continue them as 
 rapidly as the means of publication will allow, as 
 a part of the current work of the institution. 
 
 Passing over matters of less importance, I will 
 allude only to the following additional operations 
 in which the observatory has been intimately con- 
 cerned during the period of my father's directorship. 
 
 The observatory has contributed much to the 
 public welfare through its constant connection, by 
 correspondence, advice, the communication of obser- 
 vations, and in various other ways, with nearly all 
 of the great surveys which have been carried on 
 on this continent during the last twenty years. 
 
 Our northern and southern boundary "lines, the 
 surveys of our eastern and western coasts and of 
 our inland seas, the proposed routes of the Pacific 
 railroads, and many similar enterprises in the
 
 THE FIFTEEN-INCH REFRACTOR OF HARVARD COLLEGE OBSERVATORY, 
 AND THE OBSERVER'S CHAIR.
 
 William Cmneh Bond 27 
 
 United States, in Canada, the British provinces, 
 and Mexico, have been more or less indebted to 
 Cambridge for some measure of the success with 
 which they have been conducted. 
 
 Cambridge is now the central geographical point 
 of this continent. The charts of the British Admi- 
 ralty, and the most remote scientific station on this 
 hemisphere, Santiago, in Chili, recognize this fact. 
 This distinction, conferred in the first instance in 
 deference to the authority of the data accumulated 
 by my father's industry at Dorchester, has since 
 received the most ample confirmation. Our longi- 
 tude^ has undoubtedly been investigated with more 
 care than that of any other spot on the globe.* By 
 the employment of the telegraph, all the more 
 important localities accessible by that means are 
 readily referred to the primary station. 
 
 One other honorable distinction to which the 
 observatory may justly lay claim is its association 
 with the earliest origin and improvement of the 
 two methods recently proposed for the registration 
 of celestial phenomena, viz. the use of the electric 
 current in the registration of the transits of stars, 
 and the application of photography to astronomy. 
 My own opinion of the influence which pho- 
 tography is destined to exert upon the future of 
 astronomy is presented in an article upon "Celes- 
 tial Photography," published in the American Alma- 
 nac for 1859. It is now more than ten years since 
 the electro-magnetic process came into use. It 
 has, until quite recently, met with anything but 
 favor abroad (England excepted). Continental 
 
 * In addition to the results from occultations, eclipses, and 
 moon culminations (eight hundred of the latter, and two or 
 three hundred of the former have been observed at Cambridge), 
 three special chronometric expeditions between Boston and 
 Liverpool have been conducted by my father, at the expense of 
 the United States Coast Survey, for the purpose of furnishing 
 an independent determination of longitude.
 
 28 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 astronomers, who have been at no pains to conceal 
 their indifference to its claims, are now reduced to 
 the necessity of making the fullest admission of its 
 superior excellence in every particular. No alter- 
 native is indeed presented but to sacrifice either 
 their prejudices or the interests of science and their 
 own reputation as accurate observers. There will 
 doubtless be a few of the present generation who 
 will choose the latter course, but the} r cannot stay 
 the manifest destiny of the electric method to take 
 rank with the telescope and the clock among the 
 indispensable requisites for the solution of the 
 future problems of astronomy. 
 
 In the first volume of the Annals of the Harvard 
 College Observatory there is a list of the principal 
 contributions to the institution since its foundation. 
 In 1839 thirty gentlemen, well-known merchants of 
 Boston, gave $100 each to the observatory funds, 
 and the American Academy gave from the Rum- 
 ford fund $1000. The last sum was expended in 
 furnishing the magnetic apparatus. In 1843 there 
 are contributions from ninety-five societies and 
 individuals, amounting in all to $25,730. Mr. 
 DAVID SEARS gave $5500 for the construction of 
 the main tower, the American Academy gave 
 $3000, the Society for the Diffusion of Useful 
 Knowledge gave $1000, and the contributions of 
 individuals make up the rest. The large equato- 
 rial was purchased and the observatory constructed 
 from this fund. In 1846 there are again contri- 
 butions from thirty-three gentlemen of Boston,
 
 William Cranch Bond 29 
 
 amounting to $5170, which was used in completing 
 the equipment. In 1847 Mr. DAVID SEARS gives 
 $5000. In 1848 an endowment of $100,000 was 
 made by the will of EDWARD BROMFIELD PHILLIPS, 
 a friend of GEORGE BOND. 
 
 EDWARD BROMFIELD PHILLIPS, a young man of 
 large fortune, was a classmate of GEORGE BOND in 
 Harvard. He was a modest, shy lad, whose life at 
 honde was not happy, and who had few friends. 
 He was much attached to BOND and interested in 
 his pursuits, though he was not himself a specially 
 brilliant scholar. After his graduation an unhappy 
 love affair led to differences with those with whom 
 he was then living. His brief unhappy life came 
 to a sudden and a tragic end. He died by his own 
 hand. In his will he left a legacy of $100,000 to 
 the observatory, and the Phillips Professorship 
 of Astronomy in Harvard University commemo- 
 rates his name. It was understood that his gift 
 was prompted by his friendship for the younger 
 BOND and by his interest in his work.* The gift 
 made a distinct improvement in the affairs and 
 standing of the observatory. WILLIAM CRANCH 
 BOND became the first Phillips Professor, and the 
 office has been held by all the directors of the 
 observatory successively, namely, GEORGE BOND, 
 
 * See Annals Harvard College Observatory, Vol. I, Appen- 
 dix, p. cxlii.
 
 30 Memorial of tJie Bonds 
 
 JOSEPH WINLOCK, EDWARD C. PICKERING. It is 
 now held by the chief assistant in the observatory, 
 ARTHUR SEARLE, and is thus for the first time sepa- 
 rated from the directorship. 
 
 In the year 1851 there are again contributions 
 of small sums from sixty gentlemen of Boston, 
 which amount in all to $4575. It is interesting 
 to note that the various subscriptions come from 
 the same families year by year. 
 
 In the year 1855 ex-President QUINCY made an 
 endowment of $10,000, the interest on which was 
 to be devoted solely to the publication of the An- 
 nals of the observatory. The endowment was made 
 in memory of President QUINCY'S father, JOSIAH 
 QUINCY, who died in April, 1775, leaving a name 
 inseparably connected with the history of the 
 American Revolution. 
 
 During the years 1839-55 the gifts to Harvard 
 College Observatory from its friends (mostly gentle- 
 men of Boston and vicinity) amounted to $154,- 
 475. The direct appropriations from the general 
 funds of the college were but small. The salary of 
 the director was $1800, and of his son $600, at first. 
 The support given to the Harvard College Observa- 
 tory in its early days by the generous and intelli- 
 gent community which surrounds it is continued 
 to this day, when it has an income nearly twelve 
 times that of a generation ago.
 
 William Cranch Bond 31 
 
 The elder BOND was the soul of kindly hospi- 
 tality, but his nature was shy and retiring, and his 
 whole thoughts given up to his profession. There 
 seems, however, to have been constant entertain- 
 ment of scientific colleagues and of old family 
 friends. For these " open house" was always kept, 
 and the hospitality was generous, kindly and dig- 
 nified. The children of the family were one and 
 all impressed into the all-absorbing service of 
 astronomy, and saw comparatively little of the 
 young social life around them. They were in close 
 touch with the earnest work of their father; his 
 friends were theirs, rather than the youth of their 
 own age; and being like him, quiet, modest and 
 serious, they made comparatively few friendships. 
 But these, once made, were peculiarly tender and 
 enduring. 
 
 In his later years WILLIAM BOND was very frail 
 in health, and subject to distressing seizures of 
 heart trouble. The slightest excitement or emo- 
 tion put his life in extreme peril. He is remem- 
 bered in his last years as a gentle, kindly old man, 
 serene and placid, with silvery hair and a com- 
 plexion as rosy and delicate as a little child's. His 
 temperament was deeply religious; his piety gen- 
 uine and unaffected. 
 
 His sons, WILLIAM, JOSEPH, GEORGE and KICH- 
 ARD were all, in their various ways, men of marked
 
 32 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 ability. I believe that they all died under forty 
 years of age. WILLIAM was rarely gifted, arid by 
 his early death, when in his senior year in Harvard, 
 America lost a brilliant man of science. From 
 his childhood he was devoted to the theoretical and 
 practical study of astronomy, and became his father's 
 zealous and very proficient assistant. From the 
 time of the removal of the family to Cambridge, 
 he "voluntarily devoted himself to the interests of 
 the observatory from its first establishment, by daily 
 and nightly labors in observation and computa- 
 tion." It is to be noted that there was no pecun- 
 iary compensation for any of this work. No 
 salaries were paid until 1846, seven years after 
 BOND'S removal to Cambridge. 
 
 JOSEPH and RICHARD were both able men. The 
 latter, especially, was very ingenious, and was the 
 ever-ready and intelligent coadjutor of his father 
 and brother in the horological work of the observ- 
 atory. He had a large share in contriving the 
 " spring-governor," and devised a new clock-escape- 
 ment,* which received a medal at the Paris Expo- 
 sition of 1867. The spring-governor (chronograph) 
 .was similarly rewarded at the Crystal Palace 
 Exposition of 1851. 
 
 RICHARD BOND took the liveliest interest in the 
 
 * Which is described, with a plate, in BRUENNOW'S Astro- 
 nomical Notices, No. 21, October 11, I860.
 
 William Cranch Bond 33 
 
 affairs of the observatory, and was the first to see 
 the secondary tail of the great comet of 1858. 
 
 During the elder BOND'S incumbency the observ- 
 atory was a popular resort for all classes of citizens. 
 Crowds used to visit it. It was the pride of many 
 Boston men of business who had contributed toward 
 its establishment, and its novelty was a source of 
 great attraction. It is to be regretted that the 
 healthy interest in astronomy thus created could 
 not have been fostered ; but the throngs of daily 
 visitors interfered so seriously in the systematic 
 work of the institution that it became necessary to 
 refuse admission to any sightseers not provided 
 with letters to the director.* 
 
 The first volume of the Harvard College Observ- 
 atory Annals (1856) contains a quantity of data relat- 
 ing to the early history of the institution and the 
 Reports of the director, etc., to 1855. Much of this 
 history has been told in other words in the present 
 chapter. A few extracts from the Annals may be 
 collected in this place to supplement what has 
 gone before. 
 
 It is interesting to remark that the vessel which 
 took Professor WINTHROP and his party to New- 
 foundland to observe the transit of Venus, in 1761, 
 was fitted out at the public expense; and that again, 
 in 1780 in the midst of the war the Government 
 
 * See a letter dated February 28, 1859, in Chapter IV. 
 D
 
 34 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 directed the Board of War to fit out a galley to con- 
 vey a party from Harvard to observe the eclipse of 
 the sun at Penobscot (Maine). In 183U the Dana 
 House property was bought by the college for 
 observatory purposes, and in 1844-45 the latitude 
 was deduced by Professor PEIRCE from observa- 
 tions by the BONDS and by Colonel GRAHAM of the 
 army. The site for the new observatory was pur- 
 chased in 1841, the buildings were constructed by 
 1846, and the great telescope was mounted June 
 24, 1847. 
 
 Just what the exact relations of the Perkins Pro- 
 fessor of Astronomy (Professor PEIRCE) and of the 
 Astronomical Observer of Harvard College (Mr. W. 
 C. BOND) were originally intended to be it is diffi- 
 cult to say. In 1847 the Board of Visitors say: 
 "... These instruments are necessary to complete 
 the apparatus indispensable to facilitate the con- 
 current labors of the Perkins Professor of Astron- 
 omy and of the observer." In 1845 JOHN QUINCY 
 ADAMS had written to the President of the college 
 (JosiAH QUINCY) that the line of division between 
 the duties of the observer and those of the Perkins 
 Professor should be accurately drawn. Correspond- 
 ence on this subject exists, but it is not readily 
 available, nor (now) very important. In 1849 the 
 Visitors " deem it their duty, unanimously, to state 
 that, in their judgment, the occupation, care and
 
 William Cranch Bond 35 
 
 custody of the house and buildings, and of all the 
 instruments of the observatory, should be vested in 
 the director of the observatory for the time being, 
 and that on him should rest, exclusively, the 
 responsibility for their use, by himself, or by any 
 person whomsoever; and that, also, the right in the 
 observations made by him shall vest in him exclu- 
 sively," etc. subject, of course, to the control of 
 the corporation. At one time the observatory was 
 attached to the Lawrence Scientific School, but it 
 was finally organized as "a separate department of 
 the university," with an "independent existence" 
 and a "separate faculty of its own," in 1855 or 
 thereabouts. 
 
 The official name of the institution was fixed 
 in 1849 as " The Observatory of Harvard College." 
 In their report of 1851 the Visitors strongly recom- 
 mended that it should be in the future known as 
 " The Observatory of Harvard University." For 
 some reason this recommendation was not adopted, 
 and the old name still serves to-day. These small 
 signs point to some administrative friction, which 
 is of small import now, but which had its impor- 
 tance at the time. 
 
 The relations of the Perkins Professor to the 
 BONDS were very friendly until the year 1851, when 
 GEORGE BOND printed his paper on the constitu- 
 tion of the rings of Saturn shortly before Professor
 
 36 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 PEIRCE published another memoir on the same 
 subject. So far as can now be known from the 
 printed papers and manuscripts, the priority rests, 
 and should rest, with the younger BOND. The two 
 investigators approached the subject from different 
 sides; each made a step forward in showing that 
 the rings of Saturn could not possibly be continu- 
 ous solids; and both announced the (erroneous) 
 conclusion that they were fluid. The relations of 
 Professor PEIRCE with GEORGE BOND (not with his 
 father) became somewhat strained, and he gave 
 something of his support to covert reflections against 
 the observatory, which began to appear about this 
 time. Directly after the death of the elder BOND he 
 went to the observatory to announce to his son that 
 he was himself a candidate for the vacant director- 
 ship. He was not elected to it, and became an 
 open enemy. With all his great qualities, Profes- 
 sor PEIRCE was hot-tempered and hasty, and could 
 not be quite just and fair in his estimate of BOND'S 
 work. In particular, the fine memoir on the comet 
 of DONATI excited his angry criticism. In Chapter 
 V of this book I have tried to give an account of 
 the immense services of PEIRCE to American science. 
 It is much to be regretted that it was not possible 
 for the little group of astronomers in Cambridge 
 to work in entire harmony. Each one of the group 
 had qualities of genius or talent not possessed by
 
 William Cranch Bond 37 
 
 the others, and their cooperation would have pro- 
 duced results of even higher value than those 
 attained separately for at the end they were 
 broken up into as many separate groups as there 
 were individuals. 
 
 The following letter may find a place here. It 
 is not possible to understand the circumstances of 
 the lives of the BONDS without some knowledge of 
 their personal relations with men of their own pro- 
 fession. Nothing more will be given in this book 
 than what seems to be necessary and just just 
 not only to the BONDS but to all concerned. Griev- 
 ances now nearly half a century old may be allowed 
 to slumber after the briefest allusion to them. 
 
 LETTER FROM WILLIAM BOND TO HON. WILLIAM 
 MITCHELL. 
 
 HARVARD COLLEGE OBSERVATORY, 
 
 CAMBRIDGE, 1858, September 22d. 
 My Dear Friend: 
 
 I thank you for your kind and encouraging 
 letter and for the copies of your report on the obser- 
 vatory. This printing of our reports, I am inclined 
 to think, will be of advantage to the observatory, 
 more particularly if they should enter into details 
 of what has been accomplished in its appropriate 
 pursuits. The distribution of such reports would 
 often tend to arrest prejudicial influences arising 
 from a misunderstanding of the exact nature of 
 our occupation, and misrepresentations, such, for 
 example, as may be found in Dr. B. A. GOULD'S 
 report to Lieutenant GILLISS on the observations 
 
 82683
 
 38 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 made during the United States Astronomical Expe- 
 dition to Chili for the purpose of determining the 
 amount of solar parallax, and to which we contrib- 
 uted. Doctor GOULD . . . speaks in a very dis- 
 paraging manner of our observations. In refer- 
 ence to the Cambridge observations he says, page 
 Ixxi, " Observations of right-ascension are utterly 
 without avail for our purpose"; and again, at page 
 clvi, with the same reference, he says: "Right- 
 ascension observations not only have no relation 
 to the problem before us, but are utterly incapable, 
 under any circumstances, of furnishing a trust- 
 worthy value for parallax." Previous to penning 
 these remarks Doctor GOULD had been informed of 
 the series of differential observations which had 
 been made at this observatory on the planet Mars, 
 east and west of the meridian, near the opposition 
 in 1849-50, which have since been reduced and have 
 given consistent and satisfactory results [for the 
 parallax], and proved that this method is the best, 
 all things considered, that has ever been practiced. 
 Of this we feel perfectly assured, and in the last 
 number of the Royal Astronomical Society's Notices, 
 Mr. AIRY [the Astronomer Royal] strongly recom- 
 mends this method to the attention of astrono- 
 mers as the best hitherto devised, and has had a 
 list of stars proper for observing with Mars pre- 
 pared for the next opposition of ]860, which will 
 be just ten 3 r ears after us. ... Again, in his 
 report to the Superintendent of the Coast Survey, 
 speaking of our spring-governor [chronograph], he 
 says, that " since Mr. BOND has introduced the German 
 principle of regulation, the machine works perfectly." 
 Now the fact is, there is not, and never has been, 
 anything introduced into the spring-governor bear- 
 ing the least analogy to the German principle of 
 regulation of rotatory motion. The same course 
 has been pursued by Doctor GOULD in regard to 
 our zone observations and the photography of stars.
 
 William Cranch Bond 39 
 
 Now if our reports were made out a little more 
 in detail, printed and circulated,! think these mis- 
 representations would hardly be ventured upon. 
 
 The credit for the invention of a thoroughly 
 satisfactory chronograph was assigned to MITCHEL, 
 and not to BOND as it should have been, at various 
 scientific meetings, by those who had every reason 
 to know better; and the credit for laying the foun- 
 dations of astronomical photography is given to 
 others than the BONDS, as it should not have been, 
 in a biography published so late as 1895 (Biograph- 
 ical Memoirs of the National Academy of Sciences, 
 Vol. Ill, page 439, 1895). It would seem that the 
 pursuit of abstract scientific truth should foster 
 magnanimity, a love of justice, a moral elevation 
 but apparently, it does not alwaj^s do so. Astron- 
 omers may take some comfort, however, in the fact 
 that the poets are no better! Every one recollects 
 VICTOR HUGO'S early review of ALFRED DE VIGNY'S 
 Eloa, where the poem is praised to the skies; and 
 HUGO'S later revision of the review, after their 
 quarrel, where the name of JOHN MILTON is substi- 
 tuted for that of DE VIGNY, and where Paradise 
 Lost takes the place of Eloa, but everything else 
 remains unchanged ! 
 
 Astronomers will be interested in little hints 
 with regard to the equipment and work of various 
 European observatories which are to be found
 
 40 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 throughout the first volume of the Annals, espe- 
 cially in a memorandum by the Astronomer Royal, 
 on p. xcvii; but they need only a reference here. 
 The discovery of a new satellite to Saturn, of its 
 dusky ring, the chronometric expeditions between 
 Europe and America in the years 1849-55, are 
 spoken of elsewhere. In 1852 the longitude of 
 Halifax was determined, at the expense of the 
 Coast Survey, under the direction of WILLIAM 
 BOND. And in the same year the chronographic 
 method was introduced at the Royal Observatory, 
 Greenwich. BOND'S chronograph had received a 
 gold medal at the Crystal Palace Exposition of 
 1851. 
 
 The scientific work of WILLIAM CRANCH BOND 
 is spoken of with some detail in Chapter V. In 
 estimating his place among scientific men it is 
 necessary to take into account the times in which 
 he lived and the circumstances which surrounded 
 him. He was born in the first year of the 
 French Revolution; he was absolutely self-taught; 
 practically no astronomical work was done in 
 America before 1838. When Admiral WILKES was 
 seeking for coadjutors to prosecute observations in 
 America, during the absence of his exploring expe- 
 dition, he was indeed fortunate in finding two such 
 assistants as BOND and GILLISS. Their assiduity 
 was beyond praise, and it led each of them to
 
 William C ranch Bond 41 
 
 important duties. BOND became the founder and 
 Director of the Observatory of Harvard College, 
 while GILLISS is the father of the United States 
 Naval Observatory at Washington, as well as of 
 that of Santiago cle Chile, the oldest observatory in 
 South America. 
 
 Cambridge, though the seat of the most ancient 
 university in America, was but a village in 1839. 
 The college could offer no salary to BOND, but only 
 the distinction of a title,* and the occupancy of the 
 "Dana House," in which his first observatory was 
 established. The last observation in Dorchester 
 was made on December 25, 1839. The first at Cam- 
 bridge is dated December 31. His work there, as 
 elsewhere, was well and faithfully done, and it led 
 the college authorities to employ him as the astrono- 
 mer for the splendid college observatory, which 
 was opened for work in 1847. At that time the 
 two largest equatorials in the world were those of 
 the' Imperial Russian Observatory (Pulkowa), and 
 its companion at Cambridge. Each of these instru- 
 ments has had a long and honorable history. Their 
 work has been very different. Who shall say that 
 one has surpassed the other? 
 
 The first American to be elected one of the 
 fifty Foreign Associates of the Royal Astronomical 
 Society (founded in 1820) was WILLIAM CRANCH 
 
 * Astronomical Observer to the University.
 
 42 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 BOND, who was chosen in 1849. Following is a 
 complete list of those elected from the United 
 States: 
 
 1849. WILLIAM C. BOND. 1872. LEWIS M. RUTHERPURD. 
 
 1850. BENJAMIN PEIRCE. CHARLES A. YOUNG. 
 
 - ALEX. D. BACHE. 1876. GEORGE W. HILL. 
 
 - O. M. MITCHEL. 1879. ASAPH HALL. 
 
 SEARS 0. WALKER. C. H. F. PETERS. 
 
 1855. F. F. E. BRUENNOW. 1881. EDWARD C. PICKERING. 
 
 - MATTHEW F. MAURV. 1883. SAMUEL P. LANGLEY. 
 
 - BENJAMIN A. GOULD. 1884. EDWARD S. HOLDEN. 
 1863. GEORGE P. BOND. 1889. SETH C. CHANDLER. 
 18b6. TRUMAN H. SAFFORD. 1890. LEWIS Boss. 
 
 1872. SIMON NEWCOMB. 1892. WILLIAM L. ELKIN. 
 
 HUBERT A. NEWTON. 1894. ALBERT A. MICHELSON. 
 
 Since the year 1823 the Royal Astronomical 
 Society has given a gold medal for services to 
 science. The first American to receive this medal 
 was GEORGE PHILLIPS BOND. The medal has been 
 awarded to the following Americans: 
 
 1865. GEORGE P. BOND. 1887. GEORGE W. HILL. 
 1874. SIMON NEWCOMB. 1894. SHERBURNE W. BURNHAM. 
 1879. ASAPH HALL. 1896. SETH C. CHANDLER. 
 
 1883. BENJAMIN A. GOULD. 1897. EDWARD E. BARNARD. 
 1886. EDWARD C. PICKERING. 
 
 BOND received the honorary degree of M. A. 
 from Harvard College in 1842, and was a member 
 of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 
 Boston, of the American Philosophical Society in 
 Philadelphia, etc., and was counted among the 
 corresponding members of the Institute of France,
 
 William Cranch Bond 43 
 
 of the Accademia del Lincei in Rome, etc., and 
 was a Foreign Associate of the Royal Astronomical 
 Society of London, as we have seen. The follow- 
 ing extract from the Proceedings of the American 
 Academy of February 8, 1859, gives the resolutions 
 adopted after his death. They were moved by 
 Professor PEIRCE. 
 
 Professor PEIRCE announced to the Academy 
 the decease of the late WILLIAM CRANCH BOND: 
 
 It is my sad duty to ... draw the attention 
 of the Academy to the loss of another of our most 
 eminent associates, whose far-reaching and well- 
 earned reputation has been reflected back from the 
 older shore of the Atlantic in one of the distin- 
 guished honors so rarely conferred upon those of 
 American birth. WILLIAM CRANCH BOND, the 
 Director of the Observatory of Harvard College and 
 Phillips Professor of Practical Astronomy, has 
 ascended to the nearer study of the stars, and 
 joined the constellation of the devout astronomers 
 of past ages. . . . During seventeen years I have 
 beei^Mr. BOND'S colleague in Harvard College, and 
 this interval comprises the whole period in which 
 he had any favorable opportunity of astronomical 
 observation. But his love for the science had been 
 shown long before he came to Harvard, and even a 
 quarter of a century earlier he made a careful sur- 
 vey of the Greenwich astronomy, at the request of 
 Professor FARRAR, with direct reference to the 
 superintendence of the erection of an observatory 
 at Cambridge. This was in the year 1815, at a 
 time when only a small fraction of the present 
 members of this Academy had reached the age of 
 manhood. . . . When Mr. BOND returned from 
 England he set up a small observatory of his own,
 
 44 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 where he undertook the observation of occultations 
 and eclipses. It was here that he developed one of 
 the finest elements of genuine enthusiasm and 
 true genius, that of accomplishing much with 
 small means. 
 
 . . . While Mr. BOND was devoting himself to 
 astronomy with simple and unassuming zeal, he 
 attracted the kind and approving regards of men 
 whose approbation and friendship were worthy of 
 being secured, and who never deserted him. When 
 in the year 1842 he was drawn to Cambridge by 
 the strong hand of President QUINCY; when the 
 cause of the observatory was undertaken by the 
 unflinching and irresistible vigor of my friend, 
 Mr. J. INGERSOLL BOWDITCH; when even the heavens 
 came to our assistance, and that wonderful comet 
 of 1843, appearing at midday in close proximit} r to 
 the sun, and seeming to send off in a few hours its 
 immense train of two hundred millions of miles in 
 length, excited most opportunely a universal inter- 
 est in celestial phenomena it was then apparent 
 that the affection for Mr. BOND was the chief 
 strength of the occasion, and to that were we 
 mainly indebted for the successful attempt to ob- 
 tain the unrivaled equatorial of the university 
 and to lay the foundations of the observatory. In 
 the history of American science there is no more 
 memorable epoch. . . . 
 
 The astronomical researches of Mr. BOND while 
 at the observatory are so recent that I need only 
 allude to them. By the habits of his life his atten- 
 tion was especially drawn toward the improvement 
 of the instrumental means of observation. Hence 
 we have from him, and under his administration 
 first, the ingenious observing-chair of the great 
 equatorial; second, the spring-governor . . . ; third, 
 the application of photography to the sun, moon, 
 and stars.
 
 William Cranch Bond 45 
 
 In his original investigations he naturally 
 restrained himself to those forms of observation 
 which were fully within the reach of his own 
 resources. He did not, therefore, seek those in- 
 quiries which could only be accomplished by long, 
 intricate, and profound mathematical computa- 
 tions, but preferred those which were merely 
 dependent upon the thorough discipline of the 
 senses. He consequently availed himself less of 
 the remarkable capacity of his instrument for 
 delicate and refined measurements than of its 
 exquisite optical qualities. But when observations 
 were required which must be passed over to the 
 computer, his skill was not wanting to the occa- 
 sion. Thus, in conjunction with Major GRAHAM, 
 he made that choice series of observations from 
 which the latitude of the observatory was deter- 
 mined. His observations, and those made under 
 his administration, upon the nebulae of Orion and 
 Andromeda; the interesting discoveries as to their 
 revolution and peculiar configuration; the re- 
 searches into the physical aspects of the different 
 planets, and especially those upon the Saturnian 
 system ; and the remarkable discoveries of the 
 inner ring and of the fluid constitution of the 
 rings, and of the eighth satellite, need only be 
 named. They are known to all; they have passed 
 into the text-books of astronomy, and our chil- 
 dren's children will be familiar with the name 
 of BOND. 
 
 Permit me, sir, to embody my high estimation 
 of Mr. BOND in the following resolutions: 
 
 Resolved, That as fellows of the American Acad- 
 emy of Arts and Sciences we are grateful for the 
 long and valuable services of WILLIAM CRANCH 
 BOND, who has proved that an American mechanic 
 can accomplish one of the highest positions in 
 science, and whose astronomical discoveries have
 
 46 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 illustrated his country and his observatory, and 
 stamped his own name honorably and indelibly 
 upon the records of history. 
 
 Resolved, That in the simplicity and sincerity of 
 his Christian life, which, purifying his spiritual 
 atmosphere from all influences which might disturb 
 observation, imparted that serenity and tranquility 
 which charmed his friends, and was manifest in the 
 modesty, neatness, and integrity of his various 
 communications to the public, he was an example 
 which we grieve to have lost. 
 
 This chapter may fitly close with the tribute 
 paid to the first Director of Harvard College Observ- 
 atory by the official heads of the University men 
 who had known him long and well. 
 
 RESOLUTIONS OF THE CORPORATION OF HARVARD 
 COLLEGE ON THE DEATH OF WILLIAM CRANCH 
 BOND. 
 
 At a special meeting of the President and Fel- 
 lows of Harvard College, in Boston, February 12, 
 1859. The President called the attention of the 
 Board to the death of WILLIAM CRANCH BOND, 
 Director of the Observatory and Phillips Professor 
 of Astronomy, which took place on Saturday even- 
 ing, January 29th. Whereupon it was 
 
 Voted, That the Corporation cannot record the 
 death of Professor BOND without expressing their 
 gratitude for his services to the college in building 
 up the observatory, which has been under his care 
 from the beginning, and in giving it an honorable 
 name at home and abroad; their recognition of 
 his distinguished ability as a practical astronomer,
 
 William Cranch Bond 47 
 
 acquired amidst great difficulties and discourage- 
 ments; and their profound respect for the excel- 
 lence of his character in all the relations of life. 
 
 Voted, That the President be requested to com- 
 municate the preceding vote to the family of Pro- 
 fessor BOND, with the assurance that they have the 
 sympathy of this Board in their great bereavement.
 
 CHAPTER II 
 
 GEORGE PHILLIPS BOND 1825-1865* 
 
 THE earlier years of GEORGE BOND are spoken 
 of in the notes which follow from the 
 hands of his daughters. 
 
 "We have few reminiscences of his early child- 
 hood, but I am told that he was peculiarly gentle 
 and lovable, a tractable, intelligent pupil, in favor 
 both with teachers and playmates. Sure I am 
 that he never was guilty of a mean or underhand 
 action, for he was the very soul of ingenuous truth. 
 A quiet, reserved, self-contained boy, he, no doubt, 
 did not easily make intimate friends, though he 
 won the respect and the liking of all. He was 
 keenly sensitive when the schoolboys laughed at 
 his curling hair and called it 'girlish.' Though 
 naturally grave and quiet, he had a fine sense of 
 humor, and a large share of wholesome fun and 
 frolic. He could never have been a dull boy in 
 any sense of the word. One of his classmates 
 recently said of him: 
 
 " ' GEORGE BOND showed in a very remarkable 
 manner as a boy the same traits of character which 
 distinguished him in manhood. He underwent no 
 
 * GEORGE PHILLIPS BOND: 
 
 Born in Dorchester, May 20, 1825; died in Cambridge, Febru- 
 ary 17, 1865. Married, January 27, 1853, HARRIET GARDNER 
 HARRIS. Children: ELIZABETH LIDSTONE BOND; CATHERINE 
 HARRIS BOND; HARRIET DENNY BOND (died in infancy).
 
 m 
 
 CD CO 
 
 
 
 O -n 
 z 
 
 P O
 
 George Phillips Bond 49 
 
 change, he simply developed. His untiring indus- 
 try and perseverance, his fidelity and conscientious- 
 ness, were as apparent in boyhood as in maturity.' 
 
 " He was passionately fond of out-of-door life 
 and sport, a true Englishman in his love of hunting 
 and fishing. Until his health began to fail he 
 went each year on some shooting expedition, either 
 to Maine for deer and moose, or to the shores of 
 Cape Cod for wild duck. He was deeply interested 
 in ornithology, and when a lad had, for a time at 
 least, contemplated devoting his energies to the 
 study of some branch of natural history rather 
 than to astronomy. His elder brother's death, how- 
 ever, left him no choice but to take that brother's 
 place and to become the support and colaborer of 
 his father. It was not without reluctance that he 
 resigned his own special taste to turn his attention 
 exclusively to the stars. So long as he lived it was 
 his favorite recreation to read works on ornithol- 
 ogy, or to watch the birds and note their plumage, 
 song, and habits. He knew the notes of all our 
 native songsters, and the haunts and habits of the 
 wild creatures of the fields and woods. He could 
 imitate so perfectly the notes of our birds that 
 when he went among them they would gather 
 around him fearlessly. He was a delightful com- 
 panion for an out-of-door ramble. He noticed 
 everything with quick, intelligent interest, from 
 the drifting cloud to the blade of grass at his feet, 
 observing each gentle curve and tender hue with 
 the eye of an artist and the loving sympathy of 
 the true poet's nature. He taught his children to 
 love and care for all the small, timid, helpless crea- 
 tures they found in their rambles through the 
 neighboring fields. He encouraged us to watch by 
 the hour the ants at their busy work; or the birds 
 at their nest-building; to find on the snow the 
 tracks of the field mouse and the wild rabbit; to
 
 50 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 gather nuts for the squirrels' winter store, and to 
 listen in early spring for the first note of the blue- 
 bird and the robin. He was extremely fond of 
 flowers, both wild and cultivated, and delighted in 
 the care of an orchard of fruit trees, and in raising 
 berries and vegetables, in which he had great success. 
 "He loved to be near 'dear Mother Earth,' as 
 he used to say. Some of the sweetest memories of 
 my childhood are connected with those happy 
 hours spent in the garden or the fields with my 
 father, for we were always with him. Poor man! I 
 wonder how many moments he could call his own, 
 free from our devoted attendance; but he was nat- 
 urally fond of children, and showed rare tact in 
 gaining their love and confidence. He was a strict 
 disciplinarian, and exacted from us instant, im- 
 plicit obedience; but I have never known any 
 sympathy so tender and comforting as his. His 
 presence was like sunshine. All who came into 
 close touch with him must have felt the winsome 
 grace of his familiar manner when he felt 'at 
 home.' With his little girls he was the most 
 devoted and delightful of companions, and the 
 most charming of teachers. History and geogra- 
 phy learned from him became as interesting as 
 fairy tales, but I shall have to confess that he did 
 not understand the difficulties of primary arithme- 
 tic. Most patiently he taught us the names and 
 the positions of many of the stars and the constel- 
 lations, and we were always shown anything of 
 special interest in the skies. When a mere baby, 
 not more than three years old, I can remember 
 being held out of an open window in my father's 
 arms as far out as he could stretch safely to see 
 an eclipse of the moon. It was a winter's night, 
 and very dark and cold, and I was quite as much 
 alarmed as interested by the weird spectacle, so it 
 made an impression on me.
 
 George Phillips Bond 51 
 
 " When a very young child I recollect that my 
 father found in a field at a considerable distance 
 from the house the nest of a ground sparrow, with 
 the young just hatched. Every day until the birds 
 were fledged he spared time to walk with me to the 
 spot to feed the little things. This is merely one 
 instance of the characteristic way in which he 
 entered into the feelings and interests of a little 
 child. 
 
 " He was desirous that Sunday should be not 
 only a day set apart from others, but also the hap- 
 piest in the week. Accordingly, after service he 
 devoted his time chiefly to us, walked with us, 
 taught us, and told us the most wonderful stories. 
 He had a rare gift for 'making up' tales. With 
 leisure to write them out, I believe he might have 
 charmed the little ones as successfully as HANS 
 ANDERSEN has done. 
 
 " The early death of his wife was a severe blow 
 to his sensitive nature. She was a woman of a 
 singularly sweet, gentle disposition, and their short 
 married life had been very happy, though clouded 
 by the shadow of her fatal illness. In the course 
 of eleven months he lost his youngest child, his 
 wife, and his father, and a serious fit of illness 
 developed in himself the seeds of the disease which 
 was to cut off his own life in a few short years. 
 My mother died in December, 1858. 
 
 " In 1859, on the death of his father, he was 
 appointed director of the observatory, and it was 
 only then that the real difficulty of carrying on the 
 work with the insufficient means at the disposal of 
 the observatory became evident. The chronometer 
 and clock business of the firm of WILLIAM BOND & 
 Son was prosperous, and my grandfather had been 
 able to supply any pressing need from his own 
 purse. But my father had no private resources at 
 his own disposal, and the sums supplied him by
 
 52 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 the funds of the institution or the liberality of a 
 few Boston friends, were wholly inadequate to meet 
 the wants of the observatory. Expenses were cur- 
 tailed as far as possible, especially those of his own 
 household, but the weight of care and anxiety 
 pressed more heavily with each succeeding year. 
 My father felt in honor bound to keep the work up 
 to the highest standard, while the bitter jealousy 
 and persistent enmity of certain disappointed can- 
 didates for the office he held left him no repose of 
 mind or body. The outbreak of the war was a ter- 
 rible blow to the progress of science, and for a time 
 he was' almost hopeless about the condition of the 
 observatory. Money was scarce, and as none knew 
 what a day might bring forth, donations toward 
 astronomy were, of course, more scanty than ever. 
 Still there were generous friends who gave un- 
 grudgingly. Among them I should specially 
 mention J. INGERSOLL BOWDITCH, the loyal, lib- 
 eral-minded friend of father and son, Hon. JOSIAH 
 QUINCY, ROBERT TREAT PAINE, and a few others. 
 
 " Of his own time, strength, and energy, my 
 father gave without stint. He was willing to spend 
 and be spent in a cause which seemed bound up 
 with his honor. 
 
 " ' When again and again warned by friends that 
 fatal disease was approaching or rather advanc- 
 ing with hasty steps, and that the only remedy 
 was rest, his answer was, " That is the only remedy 
 I cannot use; I have a work to do, and must do it 
 if I can, whether I am to live or to die;" and so, 
 day and night, as the seasons passed, he gave more 
 time and labor to his work than any well man 
 should have given, and more than a sick man 
 could give and live.'* 
 
 " Those were strenuous times, and in many a 
 household pinching economy became the law of 
 
 *THEOPHILUS PARSONS.
 
 George Phillips Bond 53 
 
 necessity. In few, however, could there have been 
 more quiet self-denial of personal comfort than 
 was practiced by my father; and denial it was, for 
 he liked luxury, and had a very fastidious taste. 
 For instance, in those stirring days of battle he did 
 not take a newspaper, but waited to hear the news 
 from his brother, who lived near, or sent a messen- 
 ger to read the bulletin. At one time even his cup 
 of coffee was given up, and all articles of luxury, 
 of comfort, and I fear often of necessity, were quietly 
 relinquished. This rigid system of economy was, 
 in part, forced upon him by actual straits of pov- 
 erty, and in part conscientiously adopted that there 
 might be some slender provision for the little chil- 
 dren whom he was so soon to leave unprotected. 
 He took a most despondent view of the political 
 condition of the country after the beginning of the 
 war, and feared we were on the road to anarchy, 
 or possibly to a military despotism. The frail state 
 of his declining health perhaps had this depressing 
 effect upon his mind. 
 
 " No doubt his life was shortened by the priva- 
 tions and exposure forced upon him by the state 
 of the country. The observatory was not properly 
 heated, and the rooms he was obliged to visit were 
 often bitterly cold and draughty. Only a few 
 months before his death, when the committee was 
 informed that the dome leaked so badly and was 
 so damp that it was unsafe for him to observe there, 
 funds for its repair could not be raised. 
 
 " With all his economy, he was ever generous 
 and open handed. He gave not only out of the 
 fullness of a kind heart, but as a principle of life, 
 and was in the habit of systematically laying aside 
 a certain portion of his income for the relief of 
 those less blessed than himself. He faithfully put 
 into practice a precept which you may have noticed 
 in his diary: ' Let us not stop short with merely
 
 54 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 condemning a sordid spirit, nor yet content our- 
 selves with being liberal up to the standard the 
 world sets in giving, but give till we feel we are losers 
 by it. And though we do all this, we must remem- 
 ber that we may give all our goods to feed the poor, 
 and yet have no part in the Kingdom of Christ; 
 may talk and write, as I do now, and yet be with- 
 out God in the world.' 
 
 " My father was fond of music, and his nature 
 was quickly responsive to all beautiful and lofty 
 impressions. I know how deeply he was moved by 
 the solemn sonorous music and the stately ritual 
 of the English cathedrals. I think also he must 
 have appreciated fine poetry, though I have but 
 a dim recollection of his quoting passages from 
 SHAKSPEARE, MILTON and KEATS. I distinctly 
 remember his love for the grand Hebrew poetry of 
 the Bible, particularly the Psalms and some of the 
 Prophesies, and I know (as I have already said), 
 that his love of the beautiful in nature was as poeti- 
 cal as artistic. In all nature he read a message to 
 man; she was for him not simply the creation of 
 God, but the manifestation of His very Being, the 
 outward expression of His Power and Love. And 
 so all the beautiful things of earth appealed to his 
 sensitive, receptive spirit, not merely as pleasing to 
 his sense of beauty, but as an inspiration to a 
 deeper search for the hidden things of God's law, 
 a constant revelation of the Majesty and the Love 
 of God. His was a very reverent spirit, full of 
 'the fear of the Lord,' dwelling in very close com- 
 munion with his Maker. Indeed, I think that the 
 personal consciousness of the close presence of God 
 grew to be the very essence of his daily life. When 
 you read ' Brother LAWRENCE,' think of my father. 
 He, too, walked as in the very presence of God. 
 His simple Christian faith was something stronger 
 than what we call a conviction. It was his very
 
 George Phillips Bond 55 
 
 life. I do not believe he had ever known a doubt; 
 his religion was as much a part of his nature as the 
 breath he drew. 
 
 " He was scrupulously regular in his attendance 
 at church, and for many years was active in parish 
 affairs; was superintendent of the Sunday-school, 
 and long held the offices of junior and senior 
 warden. Of later years he retired from active 
 work of this kind, but was never absent from 
 service so long as his health permitted. 
 
 " My father had an intense love of color, apart 
 from form, and delighted in the sky for its beauty 
 quite as much as for the knowledge it held in store. 
 On fair evenings in summer the whole family always 
 went out of doors to a 'round stone' pier behind 
 the observatory, and watched with him the glory 
 of the setting sun and the gathering of the twilight 
 gloom. It w r as an hour of pure enjoyment to him. 
 I remember his talking to us about the certainty 
 that color would be permanently photographed. 
 He had some theories about it which I was too 
 young to understand, and I have found no men- 
 tion of them among his papers. He had an admi- 
 ration, which in the last days became almost a 
 passion, for gems. When he was very ill, some of 
 his wealthy friends brought their jewels for him to 
 look at7 and dying as he was, the sight of their 
 flashing colors seemed to afford him exquisite 
 pleasure. Two or three weeks before his death the 
 man who supplied us with ice heard of this fancy, 
 and brought a huge block cut from the heart of 
 Fresh Pond. It was as green as an emerald, per- 
 fectly clear, and glittered in the sunshine with every 
 hue of the rainbow. Too weak to walk across the 
 room, my poor father insisted upon being wrapped 
 in shawls and carried into an outer hall, where 
 it was so cold that the ice could not melt. He 
 sat there by an open window for a long time,
 
 56 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 absorbed in the beauty of the sparkling colors of 
 the block. 
 
 "He delighted in mountain scenery, and in the 
 pure, dry air of high altitudes. Mountain air 
 always seemed to give him renewed vigor of body 
 and peace of mind. He had remarkable recupera- 
 tive power, and his system responded so readily to 
 a favorable environment that we have always be- 
 lieved that with proper care in a healthy place his 
 life might long have been spared. 
 
 "Before his illness he traveled much among 
 the White Mountains, visiting wild, unfrequented 
 spots. He made maps of the region, which until 
 recently were the standard authority for all the 
 guidebooks of that section. The autumn before 
 his death he passed several weeks in the western 
 part of Maine, and feeble as he was, made several 
 expeditions to explore the solitudes of that moun- 
 tainous region. He was interested in calculating 
 the altitudes of some of the peaks, and when we 
 went for drives he often carried molasses, to be 
 used instead of quicksilver, with some improvised 
 instruments, for estimating the elevations. One of 
 the White Mountains is called by his name. It is 
 in a wild, solitary part of the mountains, seldom 
 visited by tourists; but he used to go there, and 
 loved its seclusion and the sheer, rugged precipices 
 which distinguish it from other peaks in that 
 group. 
 
 " My father \vas naturally very active and ven- 
 turesome, and thoroughly enjoyed driving and rid- 
 ing, mountain climbing, brisk walking, and all 
 manly exercises and games, such as boxing, wres- 
 tling, football, and the like. He was absolutely 
 fearless, physically and morally. He always had 
 the courage of his convictions. 
 
 " I suppose this fearlessness made him some 
 personal enemies. Naturally he was gentle and
 
 George Phillips Bond 57 
 
 peaceable, but he had a strong sense of justice, and 
 when he felt it right to speak, his few words seemed 
 to leave nothing unsaid. With all his self-control 
 and gentleness, he could, on occasion, be extremely 
 stern and severe; and modest and unassuming as 
 he was, he yet had a perfectly just estimate of the 
 value of his work and of his natural ability. His 
 quiet modesty is so often referred to that you might 
 easily believe that he underrated his own powers, 
 but I think such was not the case. He had true, 
 not false, humility, and knew that if his life were 
 spared he could do 'something considerable/ as he 
 expressed it. Ostentation and boastfulne'ss were 
 very repugnant to him, offensive to his taste as 
 well as to his principles. 
 
 "He devoted about an hour daily to general 
 reading. AYorks on natural history, travels and 
 history were his favorites, I believe. He was par- 
 ticularly interested in church history, probably 
 owing to his intimacy with Professor SOPHOCLES, 
 who came once or twice a week to take tea with us. 
 The two would sit beside the blazing wood fire in 
 the dining-room discussing a subject not usually 
 considered specially interesting. 
 
 " My father delighted in the society of intelli- 
 gent men, and his few intimate friends were very 
 dear to him. He went little into general society; 
 but this was due to the pressure of circumstances 
 rather than to lack of inclination. When abroad 
 he greatly enjoyed his opportunities of seeing 
 society, but at home he was closely confined to his 
 post and rarely left it. I know he was a delightful 
 companion, thoughtful and earnest, cheerful, and 
 very original, with a quaint humor which was the 
 more charming because he usually seemed grave. 
 He was never dull or indifferent, but full of enthu- 
 siasms, and his interest once fairly stirred he could 
 throw off his gravity and be very impetuous
 
 58 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 always within certain limits. He never lacked 
 courtesy, I think. I am told that he never did a 
 rude act, and I never heard him speak a rough 
 word to any one. There were those, however, who 
 did not understand him, and felt a restraint in his 
 presence which they resented. No doubt he seemed 
 a little aloof from the world, reserved and self- 
 contained. Some people prefer the din and tur- 
 moil of the thronged city to the pure, serene 
 silence of the mountain tops. 
 
 " In person he was rather tall (a little under six 
 feet) and slender, becoming, of later years, pain- 
 fully thin. His hair was wavy and very dark, if 
 not black; his complexion pale, and his eyes of the 
 deepest blue, with a glowing spiritual light in them 
 that transfigured the worn face, lending it a singu- 
 lar power and beauty quite apart from mere regu- 
 larity of feature.* 
 
 " Toward the end his physical suffering became 
 intense, but he bore it with wonderful fortitude and 
 patience and perfect resignation to a higher will 
 than his. He was most anxious to live to com- 
 plete his work on the nebula of Orion, being un- 
 willing that it should be published in an unfinished 
 form, without his own supervision. He worked upon 
 it after he was too feeble to hold a pen, until the 
 day before his death. With all his patience and 
 courage, despite this incentive, he longed for the 
 end. In those last sad days, when in weakness 
 and suffering he lingered on the threshold of 
 the next world, his frail body seemed a prison 
 from which the eager spirit panted to be set free. 
 The other life was very near to him. It was not 
 the shadow of death that fell upon him it was 
 the brightness of approaching light. 
 
 "Remembering my father in those last years 
 of his life, these words of Canon LIDDON seem to 
 
 * There are no portraits of GEORGE BOND.
 
 George Phillips Bond 59 
 
 describe the impression which his person and char- 
 acter have left upon my memory: 
 
 " ' It is said that the Roman conquerors carried 
 in their faces the secret of the triumphs of an im- 
 perial people. Much more do sincere Christians 
 walk the earth with the mien and bearing of a race 
 of immortals; although the rays of spiritual majesty 
 that stream forth from the burning spirit within 
 often do but illumine the weakness of the body 
 which yet encases it. Of such it is literally true 
 that, whether they live, they live unto the Lord, 
 or whether they die, they die unto the Lord.'" 
 
 E. L. B. 
 
 " Looking back upon the days of our childhood, 
 the strongest impression that I have of my father 
 is of one whose faith, whose love of God, was the 
 ruling power of life. I think, children as we 
 were, we realized that he walked as in God's pres- 
 ence, and that his life was a constant effort to do 
 God service, whether in his work or in the harder 
 task of bearing patiently, without complaint, long 
 years of illness and suffering. 
 
 "He must often have talked to us, his children 
 (far oftener than I now remember), of the faith and 
 love that were the mainsprings of his life; but 
 though I cannot recall his very words, I still 
 remember, as if it were yesterday, the fervor and 
 conviction with which he spoke. His faith was 
 more real to him than his life. 
 
 " Perhaps it was because he felt and saw God in 
 everything that my father's love of the beautiful 
 was so intense, amounting almost to a passion. 
 The wonders of the starry heavens; clouds piled in 
 snowy masses against the deep blue sky; snow- 
 capped mountains, pink in the last rays of the set- 
 ting sun these called from him such expressions
 
 60 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 of joy and wonder that I can remember now how 
 he stirred in us also enthusiasm and awe. We were 
 seldom in his presence at the time of sunset that he 
 did not point out to us the beauty of the sight, and 
 I remember how he tried to make me feel the gran- 
 deur of a thundershower as on a summer afternoon 
 we watched one gathering in the west. 
 
 " I think he was always trying to make us see a 
 deeper meaning in all around us, and when we 
 brought our childish treasures to him to examine we 
 were sure that not only would he appreciate them, 
 but that he would tell us wonderful things about 
 them, and send us away feeling that they were 
 treasures indeed. A pretty pebble, or a little plant, 
 became a wonderful thing to us after our father had 
 examined it with us and talked to us about it. 
 
 " The happiest hours of our childhood were when 
 our father played with us or told us stories. He had 
 a most remarkable gift for telling original stories. 
 Thrilling and wonderful, sometimes heartrending, 
 we found them, and the very best ones he always 
 told on Sundays. 
 
 " He must have taken his few spare resting mo- 
 ments to think of these stories for his little girls. 
 The stories often had a purpose a hidden mean- 
 ing but were so. attractively presented that they 
 did not seem to us 'tales with a moral,' usually so 
 distasteful to a child, but rather inspiring or touch- 
 ing, as the case might be. 
 
 "Sundays were good days always for us children, 
 for though the church service, to which father took 
 us regularly, was long for little people, still were we 
 not cheered by the thought that in the afternoon 
 we should have our very best toys, saved expressly 
 for Sunday use, and called 'Sunday playthings;' 
 and would not father tell us a beautiful story, and 
 find leisure to walk with us about the observatory 
 grounds, look at our gardens, and perhaps have a 
 game of play with us?
 
 George Phillips Bond 61 
 
 " How the weeds did grow in those little gar- 
 dens! but we were taught that if we would have 
 the pleasure of flowers we must have the toil of 
 weeding the beds and training the vines. There 
 were many moments when we wished we did not 
 own a garden; but looking back, I can see the les- 
 sons my father tried to teach us as we sowed the 
 seeds and dug in the little flower beds. 
 
 " He always allowed us to play in his study, 
 even when he was at work on abstruse calculations, 
 but this was with the understanding that we did 
 not quarrel. His power of concentration was very 
 great, and so long as we were good children we did 
 not disturb him, even when playing or drawing 
 pictures at one end of his large table. But the 
 moment a discordant note was struck, little voices 
 raised in dispute, he had to dismiss us from his 
 presence. This we felt such a disgrace that I think 
 we reserved most of our little differences to be 
 settled out of doors, or in our own private play- 
 room. My father's study I remember as a room 
 very plainly furnished, the most noticeable thing 
 in it being a large deal table in the center, covered 
 with his papers. There he sat writing or figuring, 
 hour after hour, while we drew and painted, or 
 studied our lessons at one corner of the table, 
 cleared for our use. There were some book- 
 shelves and desks in the room, and the necessary 
 chairs, but no luxuries, unless the open soapstone 
 stove could be so considered. Plenty of sunshine 
 streamed in the south windows, and even if the 
 room was so plain and bare, I shall always remem- 
 ber it as the most cheerful place in the world. 
 After my sister grew old enough to go to school, I 
 well remember what a companion my father was 
 to me; how he let me be in his room while he 
 worked, and I played or toiled over the alphabet 
 and very primary arithmetic, and how he allowed
 
 62 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 me to go with him around the observatory when 
 he was examining instruments or directing his 
 assistants. In the cold winter mornings, too, I 
 spent the half hour out of doors with him while he 
 chopped wood for exercise before going to his work. 
 Even as a very sick man he persisted in taking 
 what he considered the necessary amount of severe 
 and vigorous exercise in the open air. All through 
 his life he was very fond of out-of-door sports 
 riding, walking, etc. and he did his best to en- 
 courage the same taste in his children, often for 
 that purpose joining in our games of ball or tag, and 
 thereby imparting very keen interest to our play. 
 
 " Very generous, often to the point of denying 
 himself real necessities that he might give to 
 others, he tried to teach us to love to give away 
 our few pennies. Every Sunday morning he gave 
 to each of us a cent; the one who had been the best 
 girl during the week could put hers away in a 
 pretty little white box, with a red rose on it; the 
 other little girl put hers into a basket, from which 
 she could take it at any time to buy with it candy 
 or other things dear to children. But the penny 
 that went into the white box was 'for the poor,' and 
 happy was the little girl who had earned the right 
 to place hers there. 
 
 "His life had to be one of great self-denial, 
 and he met it bravely; nevertheless, he had a keen 
 sense of enjoyment of comfort and luxuries, which 
 he tasted generally only in imagination. His ap- 
 preciation of fun and wit was very great, and 
 though often reserved and quiet in company, he 
 enjoyed to the full anything that was bright and 
 lively. He loved to have young people with him 
 in his hours of rest and relaxation, and he was 
 particularly fond of young men, over whom his 
 influence was very great. I think by his example, 
 and by his inspiring talks with them, he helped to
 
 George Phillips Bond 63 
 
 mould the lives of more than one of those who 
 came in contact with him. 
 
 " Up to the very last of his life he continued to 
 work, his heroic spirit and his firm faith supporting 
 him to the end. His mental vigor remained unim- 
 paired, and he continued at his labors till the day 
 before his death. Though suffering physically, 
 his spirit rose triumphant over all ills, and he 
 passed, 'in full assurance of faith,' into that nearer 
 communion with his Maker for which that faith 
 and his life had fitted him." C. H. B. 
 
 One of his life-long friends, Mr. CHARLES WIL- 
 LIAM FOLSOM, thus writes of him: 
 
 " My earliest recollections of GEORGE BOND are 
 connected with the old Hopkins Classical School, 
 of which Mr. JOHN B. HENCK, a recent graduate of 
 Harvard (1840), was preceptor. It is possible that 
 I may have gone to school with GEORGE before that, 
 but I do not recollect it. 
 
 " GEORGE BOND and myself, with one or two 
 others, formed, as I might say, the senior class of 
 the institution. We were fitting for college, and 
 had the Greek reader, Virgil, and Colburn's Algebra 
 as our food for the college requirements. GEORGE 
 and I were very good friends, and used to get our 
 lessons together; perhaps I helped him in the Latin 
 and Greek; while he most certainly helped me in 
 the algebra. He impressed me then with the same 
 qualities that he showed through life assiduity, 
 modesty, gentleness, a high sense of honor, and 
 a nameless charm combined of all these; and an 
 underlying sense that in him would be found per- 
 fect firmness and devotion to the right. 
 
 " We were always excellent friends, and never 
 had a cloud on our harmony. His younger brother
 
 64 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 RICHARD was more vivacious. I do not think he 
 had any great reverence for ' seniors ' as such ; and 
 I think he and I had some tiffs on the football 
 ground, always, however, amicably adjusted after- 
 wards. He may have had a tiff or two also with Mr. 
 HENCK, who was rather a martinet; but GEORGE 
 never had any tiffs with anybody, scholar or mas- 
 ter, and was very much liked by all the boys, and 
 respected by Mr. HENCK. 
 
 " Mr. HENCK (who is still living, I believe) was 
 well equipped for teaching, having been first scholar 
 of his class; he was not exactly what you would 
 call a lovable man, but he inspired respect. Respect, 
 I would say, was inspired in those days (no longer, 
 perhaps, with the rattan, but certainly) with the 
 ferule. I seem to recollect the ferule being used 
 three or four times in the school during that year, 
 but not oftener. Mr. HENCK was an especially 
 eminent mathematician, which must have made 
 GEORGE very acceptable to him as a scholar. 
 
 " This year of school together lasted from August, 
 1840, to August, 1841, at which time we both 
 entered Harvard College as freshmen. 
 
 " For the first year we saw considerable of each 
 other, as I was living on Holyoke street and he at 
 the corner of Quincy street. Here I made the 
 acquaintance of EDWARD BROMFIELD PHILLIPS, 
 whom GEORGE had probably known before, living, as 
 he did, on the opposite side of the street. PHILLIPS 
 was an extremely amiable fellow, but of a curiously 
 awkward appearance. This made him sometimes 
 a little of a butt with the unthinking, so I suppose 
 he may have enjoyed the company of GEORGE and 
 myself. No doubt the friendship formed by EDWARD 
 PHILLIPS for GEORGE BOND at this time had a good 
 deal to do with PHILLIPS' magnificent bequest of a 
 hundred thousand dollars to the observatory not 
 many years later.
 
 George Phillips Bond 65 
 
 "After graduation, of course, my opportunities 
 of seeing BOND were less frequent, as I was rarely 
 in Cambridge, and he as rarely left it; but I have 
 the pleasantest memories of my occasional visits 
 to his pleasant home, where I was always wel- 
 comed with the greatest hospitality. Others were 
 more familiar than I with' the salient points of 
 his career as astronomer and physicist, with his 
 sweet and unselfish example in church and 
 home; but he will always remain to my mind 
 one of the finest combinations of character, both 
 gentle and noble, that I have ever known or 
 known of." 
 
 Another college friend (Mr. SAMUEL F. COUES) 
 writes: 
 
 " My earliest recollections of my friend and 
 classmate, GEORGE BOND, are of a quiet, reserved 
 boy, not robust in health, though seldom, if ever, 
 disqualified for his college duties. He led a studi- 
 ous, home life, and was not conspicuous in the 
 sports or exciting incidents of college life. My 
 proximity to him (alphabetically) led to an early 
 acquaintance, formed in the class room, and I 
 soon recognized his ability. He assisted me mate- 
 rially in the mathematical department, and always 
 with such kindness that I became much attached 
 to him. He was characterized by a peculiar 
 sweetness of disposition; his smile and gracious- 
 ness of manner I can never forget, nor my indebt- 
 edness to him for much needed assistance. He 
 was uniformly gentle, courteous and affable, and 
 under a calm exterior there was evidence of 
 strength of character, firmness of purpose. He was 
 conspicuously fond of nature, of natural objects. 
 We occasionally walked together, and our talk
 
 66 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 turned in that direction and was apart from 
 affairs of college. He was not a talker; but what 
 he said was to the point. He was so modest and 
 unassuming that his character and attainments 
 were far less generally appreciated than they 
 deserved. His life was largely within himself, 
 yet he was a sympathetic and warm friend, one 
 whom I never met without pleasure, and our 
 friendship was never impaired in the least." 
 
 Another letter from a friend who loved him 
 says : 
 
 " He loved and was always very proud of his 
 eldest brother WILLIAM, who he always declared 
 had such genius, especially in the line of mathe- 
 matics and science, that it would have been better 
 for all the others to have died if he had been left 
 instead. I cannot tell if it was true or not, for 
 WILLIAM died when I was only five or six years 
 old, and GEORGE was so unaffectedly modest that 
 his belief did not necessarily make it the fact. WIL- 
 LIAM was certainly a most brilliant scholar, and 
 the action of the college in asking to let him be 
 buried in the college lot, was intended to show their 
 appreciation of him. What GEORGE and WILLIAM 
 were in mathematics his father was in physics and 
 his brother RICHARD in inventive genius; that is 
 to say, the whole family was a remarkable one. 
 
 " GEORGE was for years superintendent of the 
 Sunday-school and warden of Christ Church. He 
 was faithful beyond words to any and every duty, 
 and of a deeply religious nature, while his intense 
 love of children would make the Sunday-school 
 an attractive field of labor, except for the excessive 
 shyness and reserve, which made any public posi- 
 tion a heavy burden to him."
 
 George Phillips Bond 67 
 
 In September, 1856, the President of the United 
 States (FRANKLIN PIERCE) appointed BOND to be 
 Chief Astronomer of the survey of the north- 
 west boundary between the United States and 
 British Columbia. The salary was $3000, with 
 expenses paid. After taking a few days for con- 
 sideration, BOND declined the appointment on 
 October 14th. From one point of view it may be 
 regretted that BOND did not accept this very 
 honorable and important office. His health would 
 probably have been confirmed. His duties would 
 have brought him into personal relations with 
 men of intelligence and influence, who would 
 have fully appreciated his very rare qualities 
 and his great ability; and his own view of the 
 world and affairs would have been widened. 
 On the other hand, his father was well on in 
 age, and BOND had been his mainstay for many 
 years, and had, no doubt, the perfectly natural 
 and justifiable desire to succeed him in time. 
 He was devoted to his work, and happy in it, 
 and a change would seem to him unfortunate. 
 Perhaps if he had accepted this flattering offer, 
 we should not now have his splendid memoir 
 on the great comet of 1858, one of the most bril- 
 liant of his achievements. 
 
 A charming picture of the busy, interested 
 and interesting life at the observatory on its
 
 68 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 human and on its scientific side is given by 
 his sister-in-law, Mrs. RICHARD BOND, in the letter 
 which follows. 
 
 " BOSTON, April 16, 1895. 
 
 " . . . According to promise, I will tell you 
 all I can understand about the observations of the 
 sun spots. When I was a little girl I used to spend 
 my August vacations at the observatory, and for 
 several years in succession Professors W. C. and 
 G. P. BOND were engaged in taking observations 
 and drawings of the spots, etc., on the sun, using 
 the five-foot equatorial that was afterwards placed 
 in the west wing. The west wing was not built at 
 that time, and the instrument was set up in a little 
 house which we children called the ' Roundabout,' 
 because, instead of the dome-shaped top alone, the 
 whole building revolved around a large granite 
 disk, upon which stood the pier of the equatorial. 
 The last time I was at the observatory the granite 
 block was still there, southwest of the observatory 
 buildings, but I suppose it has been removed now 
 to make place for the group of small buildings 
 which Professor PICKERING has had put about 
 there. 
 
 " In taking the observations, a wooden frame, 
 which held a sheet of paper, was fastened, perhaps 
 a foot or more from the eyepiece of the telescope, 
 and so adjusted that the image of the sun, to which 
 the telescope was pointed, should be thrown upon 
 the paper. The image on the paper seemed, as I 
 remember it, as large round as the tube of the 
 equatorial, i. e. several inches in diameter, and one 
 observer, with a sharp pencil, traced the spots as 
 they were reflected on the paper, while the other 
 wrote down any notes or observations, of time, 
 or peculiar appearances, or explanatory of the
 
 George Phillips Bond 69 
 
 drawings, or helpful in finishing up afterwards the 
 sketches taken, necessarily, very rapidly. But 
 both of them, besides being gifted with extraordi- 
 narily keen vision, had eye and hand and mind 
 so thoroughly trained, that even to children it was 
 fascinating to watch the certainty and accuracy of 
 every touch, their enthusiasm and delight in the 
 work, and the quick response and recognition of 
 either to a remark or suggestion of the other. They 
 never seemed disturbed by our presence (of course, 
 we knew enough not to move or speak unless 
 spoken to), and they often called us to notice any- 
 thing of special interest, such as we could appre- 
 ciate, the size or shape of some particular spot, 
 the shading of its edges, the change of its shape as 
 it approached the limb, etc., etc. It is a wonder to 
 me in looking back, to remember not only how 
 constantly we were allowed to be with them, but 
 how often they would take pains to show and 
 explain to us such things as we could understand, 
 really seeming to rejoice at our interest in them. 
 You can remember GEORGE'S love of children, and 
 his bright, pleasant way with them. His father 
 had the same. They never seemed tired of having 
 us with them, or impatient of our questions, or 
 vexed by any awkwardness or stupidity. 
 
 " In later years, when I was older, GEORGE 
 often would come down from the dome to call 
 us up to see some interesting or beautiful sight. 
 I can remember, among others, some odd or 
 specially pretty groupings of the moons of Saturn 
 and Jupiter, Venus in the faintest crescent, in 
 broad daylight, the sky of palest turquoise blue, 
 and Venus, like a little silver boat, sailing in it. 
 They were both remarkable for a kindliness and 
 generosity which always impelled them to share 
 their pleasures. ... S. A. C. BOND."
 
 70 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 What is said by Mrs. RICHARD BOND precisely 
 expresses my own recollections of many visits, 
 and of the extreme kindness of the astronomers 
 to their young guests. I remember, as if it were 
 yesterday, seeing the brilliant star Alpha Lyrse 
 through the large telescope, and recall, if not the 
 substance, certainly the manner of GEORGE BOND'S 
 comments on what I was seeing. Everything 
 seemed quite intelligible to me because it was so 
 intelligibly and simply explained. This particu- 
 lar visit must have been previous to 1860. 
 
 Cambridge seemed a very learned place to the 
 generation of boys to which I belonged. There 
 was, first and most important of all, the observa- 
 tory; then the Botanic Garden near it, with its 
 wise and kind director, Doctor GRAY; the Nau- 
 tical Almanac office was domiciled in a little 
 brick building on the main street, and we all had 
 a speaking acquaintance, at least, with some of 
 the mathematicians; Admiral DA vis's house was 
 full of curiosities brought home from his sea 
 voyages; Professor AGASSIZ'S back yard was at 
 that time occupied by delightful turtles, and 
 entrance was free to all his young friends. He 
 was very kind to small boys who brought him 
 fossil ferns, etc., from their fathers' coal mines, I 
 remember; and he always walked around our
 
 George Phillips Bond 71 
 
 games of marbles on the earthen sidewalks. My 
 recollection is, that the President of the College 
 and Professor PEIRCE did not take this trouble, 
 and that we children excused the lack of consid- 
 eration on account of their high dignity and the 
 abstraction which was suited to a great "geome- 
 ter" a word we had just learned. 
 
 The days at the observatory passed one like 
 another. The nights were full of interest and of 
 achievement. The whole history of BOND'S short 
 and busy life is written in the paragraphs of this 
 chapter, and in the text of the memoirs which he 
 printed. A list of them is given in an appendix, 
 and some account of their contents in Chapter V. 
 He was just launched in his career when he died, 
 at the age of forty years. If his life had continued 
 for a generation longer, it is certain that the 
 quantity of his work would have been immensely 
 greater. Its quality would not have fallen below 
 the standards he had already reached. It should 
 be mentioned that BOND was very anxious to 
 secure for Cambridge the fine 18J-inch equatorial 
 with which CLARK discovered the companion to 
 Sirius in 1862. Negotiations for the purpose 
 were in progress when it was bought by the 
 Dearborn Observatory, then at Chicago. The 
 failure to secure this fine instrument was a great
 
 72 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 disappointment to him. He visited Europe in 
 1863 to report on the cost of a large telescope 
 for Cambridge. 
 
 BOND made two voyages to Europe, in 1851 and 
 1863, and extracts from the diaries which he kept 
 are given in the following chapter. 
 
 No proper estimate of BOND'S career can be 
 formed that does not take into account the fact 
 that, during the last third of his life, he was 
 subject to the unrelenting enmity of two promi- 
 nent American men of science. They and their 
 friends were able to hamper him in many 
 material ways; and he felt their hostility keenly. 
 
 In these pages I have omitted every line 
 referring to such subjects which could be left out 
 with justice. But it is necessary to make this 
 passing reference to a state of feeling which 
 existed. His nature was serious and grave, and 
 he held to his moral standards with a fidelity 
 which he perhaps exacted too rigidly from others 
 whose standards were very different. He was 
 absolutely without fear, but could be harassed by 
 small things. During many months his health 
 was failing; during the whole of his career he 
 was overworked in his science, and concerned 
 about pecuniary cares for his family and for the 
 observatory. It is impossible to understand him
 
 George Phillips Bond 73 
 
 as a man without taking this constant and irri- 
 tating opposition into account. 
 
 From my perusal of his entire existing corre- 
 spondence, I have gained the impression that his 
 uncompromising sense of truth and justice led 
 him, at times, to be something less than perfectly 
 just to others when their natures were utterly 
 different from his own. He had ample provoca- 
 tion. There is not a shadow of doubt that he 
 was perfectly satisfied in his own mind of the 
 entire justice of the course of action which he 
 consistently followed. At the beginning of his 
 service as director he made a manly and gener- 
 ous effort to compose his difference with PEIRCE,* 
 but failed in the attempt, through no fault of 
 his own. In another relation he rejected an oppor- 
 tunity of compromise which presented itself, and 
 there is no question but that he felt it a plain 
 duty to do so, though another man, in his place, 
 might have done differently. The criticisms of 
 OTTO STRUVE on his father's observations on the 
 Orion nebula gave the impulse which led to his 
 own splendid work on the same object. 
 
 It is necessary to say a few words here in 
 regard to the National Academy of Sciences and 
 of its failure to include BOND in its membership. 
 
 '' See Chapter IV, letters of March 10 and March 12, 1859.
 
 74 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 In the year 1863, on the proposal of several 
 American men of science, of whom AGASSIZ, 
 BACHE, GOULD and PEIRCE were the most active, 
 the Congress of the United States incorporated 
 the National Academy of Sciences. This body was 
 " to consist of not more than fifty " members, to 
 have power to make its own rules, and to fill 
 vacancies in the membership. The selection of 
 names for the incorporators was made by a few 
 persons, and BOND was not invited to be one of 
 the original fifty. Following the model of the 
 Paris Academy of Sciences, the National Academy 
 organized sections, as follows:* 
 
 CLASS OF MATHEMATICS AND PHYSICS. 
 SECTION I MATHEMATICS. 
 
 J. G. BARNARD, WILLIAM CHAUVENET, 
 
 H. A. NEWTON, BENJAMIN PEIRCE, 
 
 THEODORE STRONG, JOSEPH WINLOCK. 
 
 SECTION III ASTRONOMY, GEOGRAPHY AND 
 
 GEODESY. 
 
 STEPHEN ALEXANDER, ALEXIS CASWELL, 
 
 J. H. C. COFFIN, CHARLES H. DAVIS, 
 
 J. M. GILLISS, BENJAMIN A. GOULD, 
 
 ARNOLD GUYOT, LEWIS M. RUTHERFORD, 
 
 JOHN RODGER&. 
 
 * Annual of the National Academy of Sciences for 1863.
 
 George Phillips Bond 75 
 
 Other astronomers and geodesists were placed 
 in other sections, as, Physics A. D. BACHE and 
 W. H. C. BARTLETT; Mechanics J. E. HILGARD, 
 JOSEPH SAXTON. 
 
 There is no question whatever that BOND'S 
 name should have been included among the 
 nineteen names of American astronomers and 
 geodesists just enumerated. His place was in 
 Section III Astronomy, Geography and Geodesy 
 though his contributions in mathematics were 
 considerable, as compared to those of some of the 
 members of Section I. He was still a -young 
 man thirty-eight years of age but there were 
 younger men than he in the list. There are cer- 
 tainly not more than half a dozen names among 
 the nineteen just mentioned which stood for any- 
 thing like the achievement and capacity which 
 had already been manifested by BOND at the date 
 of the organization of the academy. This is per- 
 fectly patent to all at the present time, and, of 
 course, it was perfectly well known then to the 
 director of the chief observatory in the country 
 and to the professor of astronomy in its oldest 
 university. 
 
 It was felt by BOND and his friends that his 
 name had been omitted through the influence of 
 a very few personal enemies, and there is no
 
 76 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 doubt that he was justified in so thinking. His 
 relations to the Academicians, as such, were never 
 cordial. He was not a member when he died in 
 1865, though there is no question whatever that, 
 had he lived, his colleagues would have selected 
 him for the honor at an early day, as they did 
 other prominent men of science who had been 
 passed over in the first selection. He was an 
 honored member of the American Academy of 
 Boston, a corresponding member of the Royal 
 Bavarian Academy of Sciences of Munich, a 
 Foreign Associate of the Royal Astronomical 
 Society of London, etc. 
 
 At its February meeting of 1865 the Royal 
 Astronomical Society of London formally awarded 
 its gold medal to BOND for his splendid memoir 
 on the great comet of 1858, which is published 
 in Volume III of the Annals of the Harvard Col- 
 lege Observatory, and for his other works. The 
 official notification of the award reached Cam- 
 bridge a few days after BOND had succumbed to 
 the wasting disease from which he had suffered 
 so long.* But his friends in London had pri- 
 
 * BOND'S last observation was on August 24, 1864 the occul- 
 tation of ft Scorpii. From this time until his death, his whole 
 energy was given to the preparation of his memoir on the 
 great nebula of Orion, which he did not live to finish.
 
 George Phillips Bond 77 
 
 vately informed him some weeks previously that 
 the award was to be made. 
 
 At the request of his daughters, Professor HALL, 
 for five years an assistant in the observatory, has 
 written the following paper. Professor HALL'S 
 memorandum is interesting in a double sense, as 
 it throws light not only upon the history of the 
 observatory under the BONDS, but upon his own 
 history as well. 
 
 MY CONNECTION WITH THE HARVARD OBSERVA- 
 TORY AND THE BONDS 1857-62. 
 
 While teaching school in Northern Ohio in 
 1856-57 I decided to undertake astronomical studies, 
 and corresponded with Professor W. C. BOND of the 
 Harvard Observatory, and with Doctor BRANNON 
 of the Michigan University. From both I received 
 kind letters, and Professor BOND held out the 
 inducement of a small salary for assistance in his 
 observatory. My wife and I reached Cambridge 
 in the last part of August, 1857. We had a kind 
 reception from Professor W. C. BOND. Professor 
 G. P. BOND was absent on a visit to New Hamp- 
 shire. I was set to work making observations for 
 time, and was shown how to use the transit circle, 
 to read the chronograph sheets, to work out the 
 instrumental constants, and to compare and rate 
 the chronometers. Professor BOND was very kind 
 and pleasant, so that under his guidance I made 
 good progress. I worked hard, and spent most of 
 my time at the observatory. After a month or six
 
 78 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 weeks Professor G. P. BOND returned. He seemed 
 a little surprised to find an assistant in the observ- 
 atory, and doing so much work. He had a free 
 talk with me, and found out that I had a wife, 
 twenty-five dollars in cash, and a salary of three 
 dollars a week. He told me very frankly that he 
 thought I had better quit astronomy, for he felt 
 sure I would starve. I laughed at this, and told 
 him my wife and I had made up our minds that 
 we were used to sailing close to the wind, and felt 
 sure we would pull through. He appeared satisfied. 
 Afterwards I worked a great deal with him as an 
 assistant for recording and reducing his obser- 
 vations. 
 
 Professor W. C. BOND was in poor health when 
 I entered the observatory, and he died early in 
 1859. He had shown me how to manage the transit 
 instrument, the clock, chronograph and battery, 
 and how to handle and compare watches and chro- 
 nometers so as not to disturb their rates. I think 
 he had not received a special training in astron- 
 omy and mathematics, and that his knowledge of 
 theoretical astronomy was not extensive; but he 
 was very skillful in the use of instruments, and 
 was a careful and excellent observer. He was a 
 kind and conscientious Christian gentleman. 
 
 Professor GEORGE P. BOND succeeded his father 
 as director. He was very active during my stay 
 at the observatory in making experiments and 
 observations in photographing the stars, in photo- 
 metric observations, and in his work on the nebula 
 of Orion. His work on the Comet of DONATI, in 
 1858, was a very complete investigation of the phy- 
 sical appearances of that great comet. I assisted 
 Professor BOND in all this work and in the reduc- 
 tions, besides pushing on my own studies. I have 
 a very distinct recollection of how cold my feet
 
 George Phillips Bond 79 
 
 were when he was making his winter observations 
 on Orion. I sat in the small alcove of the great 
 dome behind a black curtain, and noted on the chro- 
 nometer the transits of stars when Professor BOND 
 called them out, and wrote down also the readings 
 for declination. For some of the brighter stars 
 which were observed on the chronograph I had to 
 note the click of the key, and my record was com- 
 pared with that of the chronograph down stairs. 
 I became so expert that the difference rarely 
 exceeded a tenth of a second, and for the fainter 
 stars the chronograph was not used. Sometimes 
 I was called to the telescope to examine a very faint 
 star, or some configuration of the nebula. Profes- 
 sor BOND had one of the keenest eyes I have ever 
 met with. His work on this great nebula forms 
 an epoch in its history. 
 
 His experiments in photography were among 
 the earliest in what has now become such an impor- 
 tant branch of astronomy. Professor BOND indulged 
 great hopes that photography would render much 
 aid in the measurement of double stars and clus- 
 ters. We made and measured a great number of 
 photographs of Mizar (see Astronomische Nachrich- 
 ten, Vols. 47 and 48). 
 
 In his photometrical work, Professor BOND com- 
 pared the light of the sun and moon with that of 
 the planets and several stars. He was very ingeni- 
 ous in his photometric methods, and in carrying 
 them out to get results. 
 
 Professor GEORGE P. BOND had received, evi- 
 dently, a much more complete training than his 
 father. While he had not that familiar knowledge 
 of mathematical formulas which distinguishes the 
 professional mathematician, he had what is better: 
 He was thoughtful and ingenious in his investiga- 
 tions. He liked to study things in their actual
 
 80 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 relations, and had the spirit of an inventor. His 
 style of mind led him to original work. He was 
 the first to apply the method of mechanical quad- 
 ratures directly to the rectangular equations of 
 motion, a method afterward discovered and elabo- 
 rated by ENCKE. He was among the first to take 
 up photography and carry it out to practical results. 
 His ability has not, I think, been sufficiently recog- 
 nized; but he was a shy and reserved man, made 
 so, perhaps, by the condition of his health. 
 
 Although I was poor and worked hard, I was 
 not sick a single day during those five years in 
 Cambridge. They are for me a pleasant remem- 
 brance of hope and struggle, and I was fortunate in 
 having to deal with two such honorable men as the 
 BONDS. ASAPH HALL. 
 
 WASHINGTON, 1895, March 20. 
 
 OBITUARY NOTICE OF GEORGE P. BOND.* 
 
 " GEORGE PHILLIPS BOND, the worthy successor of 
 his father, the first director of the Cambridge Observ- 
 atory, died of consumption on the 17th of February 
 last, a few months less than forty years old. He 
 was born at Dorchester, on the 20th of May, 1825, 
 and was graduated at Harvard University in the 
 summer of 1845. He began to make observations 
 as early as the year 1842, at the temporary observ- 
 atory on Quincy street, where he soon took the place 
 of his deceased brother, W. C. BOND. Jr., a young man 
 of high promise as an astronomer. After gradua- 
 tion, and upon the permanent establishment of the 
 observatory, GEORGE BOND took the post of assistant 
 
 * From the Proceeding* of the American Academy of Arts 
 and Sciences, May 30, 1865.
 
 George Phillips Bond 81 
 
 observer, which he held until 1859, when, upon the 
 death of his lamented father, he was called to suc- 
 ceed him as director. Thus his whole life, even 
 from boyhood, was devoted to astronomical labors in 
 connection with the observatory which the BONDS, 
 father and son, have made illustrious. Upon these 
 devolved the heavy task of organizing the new 
 establishment, and of carrying it on with means in 
 slender proportion to its work. Suffice it to say that 
 the high position which the Observatory took under 
 the direction of the elder BOND was maintained 
 under the younger. To its interest, and to scientific 
 labors in connection with his official duties, he gave 
 himself, from first to last, with entire devotion. 
 
 "The most important of his scientific investiga- 
 tions are: 
 
 " 1. Those relating to the mathematical theory of 
 some portions of astronomy, especially his papers 
 on " Cometary Calculations," and the "Method of 
 Mechanical Quadratures" (in which he anticipated 
 a valuable improvement afterwards given indepen- 
 dently by ENCKE), and that on the "Use of Equiva- 
 lent Factors in the Method of Least Squares." To 
 this category belong in part his investigations upon 
 Saturn's rings, which form the first step toward the 
 present state of the problems connected with that 
 system. 
 
 " 2. The reduction of the observations made for 
 the United States Coast Survey Chronometric Expe- 
 ditions between Cambridge and Liverpool, effected 
 under his direction. Upon these depend the most 
 trustworthy American longitudes. 
 
 " 3. The observations of zones of small stars. He 
 mainly prepared the plan for observing and reduc- 
 ing these zones, and even graduated the mica scales 
 employed in them. He also made many of the 
 observations most of the published portion, and 
 a large share of those still in manuscript.
 
 82 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 " 4. The two works on the comet of DON ATI and 
 the nebula of Orion are, however, his most impor- 
 tant contributions to astronomical science. The 
 former commanded the general admiration of 
 astronomers, as a full and faithful monograph of 
 the physical phenomena of that celebrated comet, 
 and was crowned with the highest honors of the 
 Royal Astronomical Society in the recent award of 
 its gold medal. The latter work understood to 
 be complete as to the researches, but the exposition 
 of which his waning strength did not permit him 
 to finish, it is hoped may, in the main, yet be 
 given to the world, to vindicate the essential accu- 
 racy of his father, and to reflect additional lustre 
 upon his own memory. The spirit and personal 
 characteristics of Professor BOND may be expressed 
 in few words. He was a remarkably patient and 
 industrious, as well as skillful, investigator, and was 
 ever anxious that his works should possess the qual- 
 ities, now so imperatively demanded, of unity and 
 completeness. That he did so much for science, 
 and did it so well, during the few years that were 
 allotted to him, must have been partly owing to an 
 extreme reluctance to dissipate his powers by begin- 
 ning new works while old ones were still unfin- 
 ished. Science to him was not a pastime, but a 
 serious calling, to be pursued with the utmost con- 
 scientiousness and singleness of purpose. These 
 characteristics were strikingly exemplified in the 
 latter months of his life, in the perseverance and 
 earnestness with which, under great physical weak- 
 ness and constant suffering, he continued to the 
 last his work upon the nebula of Orion, dictating 
 to and directing his amanuenses long after the 
 strength to write was gone from him. He was ever 
 watchful of the interests of the institution commit- 
 ted to his charge, and strict in the performance of 
 every duty. All who knew him well can testify to
 
 George Phillips Bond 83 
 
 the great simplicity, purity and uprightness of his 
 character. He was deeply penetrated with the 
 spirit of Christianity, and was a devout member of 
 the Episcopal Church. 
 
 " He visited Europe first in 1851, and again in 
 1863. In 1851 he observed the total eclipse of that 
 year in Sweden, and visited the principal observa- 
 tories of the North of Europe. In 1863 he spent a 
 few months in England and Germany, renewing 
 personal intercourse with old friends and corre- 
 spondents, and forming new ties, too soon, alas! to 
 be severed." 
 
 Among the obituary notices of BOND, the follow- 
 ing paragraphs from the American Journal of Science 
 (written by Hon. WILLIAM MITCHELL, chairman of 
 the Board of Visitors, H. C. O.), are selected for 
 printing: 
 
 " It is seldom that astronomical science has 
 received a more severe blow than that occasioned 
 by the death of GEORGE PHILLIPS BOND, of Har- 
 vard College, Phillips Professor of Astronomy, and 
 director of the observatory connected with that 
 institution. After a lingering illness of more than 
 a year, during which his ardor in the study of the 
 heavens led him oftentimes to exposures entirely 
 incompatible with the state of his health, he closed 
 a useful and unblemished life on the 17th of Feb- 
 ruary, eight days after his .compeer, Captain GIL- 
 LISS. 
 
 "As an accurate and truthful observer of astro- 
 nomical phenomena, he was, without question, 
 unequaled by any one in this country, and among 
 the first in the world. In his short career he 
 contributed many valuable papers of original
 
 84 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 discoveries and calculations to various periodicals 
 and institutions in this and other countries. 
 
 " His greatest work, and that which gave him 
 honor the world over, is his account of the Donati 
 comet, which constitutes the third volume of the 
 Annals of the observatory. To this the palm of 
 unrivaled excellence has been freely awarded by 
 the astronomical observers of Europe. Well trained 
 by his lamented and distinguished father, and 
 taking advantage of the best telescope mounted in 
 so high a southern latitude, he explored with 
 searching scrutiny the great nebula of Orion, a 
 work which he pursued with untiring zeal and 
 anxiety in his latter days; and while we fear his 
 waning strength may have left it incomplete in 
 form, we are assured, and rejoice in the assurance, 
 that abundant ability remains in the observatory 
 to prepare it for publication. 
 
 " We might dwell much longer on his astronom- 
 ical history, but the necessary brevity of this notice 
 requires that we should turn to his private life. It 
 is rare, indeed, that so many virtues are blended in 
 any man. His innocent, unpretending manners, 
 his perfect absence of vanity or pretension, crowned 
 with an unwavering Christian faith and deep sense 
 of religious obligation, secured for him, not the 
 mere respect, but the kindest regard of all who had 
 the happiness of his acquaintance." 
 
 The Board of Visitors to the observator} 7 made 
 its annual visitation on November 30, 1864, and 
 prepared its report for signature. Before the report 
 was signed, BOND had died at his post. In an 
 addendum to their report, the Visitors say : 
 
 " On the occasion of our official visit in Novem- 
 ber, his usual report was not prepared; the state of
 
 George Phillips Bond 85 
 
 his health had rendered it impossible. A sort 
 of brief of what the report was intended to be, was 
 before him, when he gave verbally, and with intense 
 anxiety, a minute account of the transactions of 
 the preceding year. It will always be recollected 
 by the committee as a most impressive occasion. 
 
 " No possible doubt existed in the minds of any 
 one of them that he was listening to the last official 
 accounts of their inestimable friend; and they now 
 bear willing testimony to the ability and fidelity 
 with which he constantly performed all the duties 
 of his office; enlarging, strengthening and per- 
 petuating the admirable work of his lamented 
 father; giving to the observatory a high rank among 
 kindred institutions in this country and in Europe, 
 and contributing, in no trifling degree, to the eleva- 
 tion and honor of Harvard College. . . . Although 
 it is strictly the province of the committee to speak 
 of Professor BOND in reference to his official charac- 
 ter, they feel bound to allude to his private life 
 and moral worth, to those qualities of the heart 
 that specially endeared him to all who had the 
 happiness to know him. With the name of GEORGE 
 PHILLIPS BOND will always be associated goodness 
 as well as greatness. During the lifetime of Profes- 
 sor BOND, your committee were oftentimes restrained 
 in the full expression of their conviction of his great 
 usefulness, lest it might savor of adulation; but 
 that restraint no longer exists, and they can freely 
 say that his short life was an ornament to the moral, 
 and a shining light to the scientific world." 
 
 At a meeting of the wardens and vestry of 
 Christ Church, Cambridge, the following resolu- 
 tions were unanimously adopted : 
 
 WHEREAS, It has pleased Almighty God to call 
 home the soul of our beloved friend and associate
 
 86 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 GEORGE PHILLIPS BOND, late a warden of this 
 parish : 
 
 Resolved, That we, the wardens and vestry of 
 Christ Church, for ourselves and on behalf of the 
 fellow-worshipers of the deceased, desire to testify 
 our deep appreciation of his exceeding nobleness 
 and purity of character, his absorbing and unself- 
 ish devotion to duty, his unobtrusive Christian 
 humility and self-abnegation; 
 
 That we recognize in the life and labors of Pro- 
 fessor BOND an admirable union of wide and accu- 
 rate scientific attainments with the most absolute 
 and implicit Christian faith, extreme modesty and 
 ingenuousness of disposition, and a prompt and 
 glad recognition of merit wherever and however 
 displayed.
 
 CHAPTER III 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM THE DIARIES OF GEORGE BOND 
 DURING TWO VISITS TO EUROPE 1851 AND 1863 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM THE DIARY OF 1851.* 
 
 BRENT, DEVONSHIRE, June 2, 1851. 
 
 I RECEIVED to-day a card of invitation to visit 
 Greenwich Observatory with the Committee of 
 Examination, on the 7th. Letters also arrived 
 from Messrs. HIND and SHEEPSHANKS, a pamphlet 
 from Lord ROSSE, cards from the American Minister 
 and Mrs. RUSSELL STURGIS, etc. 
 
 LONDON, June 4th. 
 
 I went to-day, for the second time, to the great 
 exhibition, with RICHARD [BOND]. Anyone who 
 is not satisfied would better find another world to 
 live in than ours, where the art of man can go no 
 farther than it has done in the contents of the Crys- 
 tal Palace. To examine the articles is hardly a 
 greater entertainment than to see the vast interior 
 filled with people, not crowded, but walking about 
 in all parts. The effect of the trees standing in the 
 
 * At this time BOND was twenty-six years of age.
 
 88 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 inside of the building is strikingly beautiful. I 
 stayed there from 10 A. M. to 4 P. M. A month of 
 such days would carry one pretty well through 
 with it. Be as fastidious as you please, you may 
 pass by one section after another by the hour, heed- 
 less of their contents, and yet at the end of that 
 time you will be at some place where you ma} 7 
 revel in the new and interesting scenes still sur- 
 rounding you, different from, but not less beau- 
 tiful than, those you have passed. It is the most 
 luxurious kind of sight-seeing ever imagined. 
 The Arabian Nights are thrown far into the shade 
 by the realities of the Crystal Palace. 
 
 [LONDON], June 7th. 
 
 I went, yesterday, to the observatory at Green- 
 wich, and there met Lord ROSSE, Professor QUETE- 
 LET, M. MATHIEU, the Dean of "Ely, J. C. ADAMS, 
 Mr. SIMMS, Mr. JOHNSON of Oxford, Sir J. HER- 
 SCHEL, Mr. AIRY, Mr. MAIN, Mr. SHEEPSHANKS, Mr. 
 HIND, Sir JOHN LUBBOCK, Professor MILES, Doctor 
 WHEWELL, Mr. DAWES and Colonel SABINE. There 
 were nearly a hundred present. The new zenith 
 sector had just been mounted. The wires are in 
 front of the object glass, together with the frame 
 which carries them, and a prism to reflect the rays 
 to the eyepiece. The rays pass from an object near 
 the zenith, through the object glass, are reflected at 
 half the distance to the focus from quicksilver,
 
 Diaries of George Bond 89 
 
 back through the object glass to the prism in front, 
 thence at right angles to the e} r epiece. The transit 
 through the field takes thirty seconds. 
 
 For the application of the electro-magnetic 
 method to the new transit circle, the break circuit 
 key is on the telescope close to the eye end. 
 
 At the dinner about forty were present. A 
 white-bait dinner turbot, salmon, etc. from six 
 to ten o'clock. I notice that the most distinguished 
 scientific men are bad, hesitating speakers, except, 
 perhaps, Sir JOHN HERSCHEL. Doctor LLOYD, Mr. 
 AIRY, Mr. ADAMS, etc., are instances. 
 
 PARIS, June 23, 1851. 
 
 After French and breakfast I took a cab for No. 7 
 Rue St. Thomas d'Enfer, to call on LEVERRIER. He 
 was at home, and I sent my letter of introduction 
 by the servant. Presently I was in the presence of 
 the great savant. In appearance he is decidedly 
 the man I should have wished to find him; but 
 most unlike a Frenchman. He has an undeniable 
 Anglo-Saxon face, or Norman, rather, which he calls 
 himself. He is from Cherbourg. He is well made 
 and good looking, with light hair, about thirty 
 years old, or less.* In the frankness of his manners, 
 in the absence of all assumed dignity, and in other 
 points of resemblance, he is not unlike Mr. ADAMS. 
 
 * Born at St. Lo, March 11, 1811.
 
 90 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 His straightforward way of expressing himself, and 
 absence of all ostentation render him what I should 
 call accessible. The moment we met my first 
 impression was how much more he is like an 
 American or an Englishman than a Frenchman. 
 He speaks English about as well as I speak French, 
 but we had not much trouble in understanding 
 each other. He gave me a ticket for entrance to 
 the National Assembly, of which he is a member. 
 Finding that I had not been to the observatory, 
 he proposed to take me there, first giving me an 
 invitation to his house on Wednesday next to meet 
 M, FAYE. We went to the observatory together, 
 and there met M. FAYE and M. VILLARCEAU, stayed 
 there about two hours, and then left to go to the 
 Assembly with M. VILLARCEAU, thence to the meet- 
 ing of the celebrated Academy of Sciences. I went 
 to the Institute later. The proceedings were admir- 
 ably conducted in an appropriate and dignified 
 manner. The hall where the sessions are held is 
 wainscoted with oak, and has a fine oak floor. The 
 walls are ornamented with pictures, busts, and 
 statues of distinguished men. The number of per- 
 sons present was perhaps two hundred. 
 
 As M. LEVERRIER did not reach the meeting till 
 it was more than half through, M. FAYE presented 
 the daguerreotype of the moon and the engraving 
 of Saturn. The announcement of the first produced
 
 Diaries of George Bond 91 
 
 a sensation such M. VILLARCEAU assured me 
 as he had scarcely ever before witnessed at a meet- 
 ing of the Academy. Soon after M. LEVERRIER 
 entered, and instead of taking the highest seat, he 
 came and sat by me. I am sure from the pains he 
 took to get there that he intended it as a compli- 
 ment, and I certainly esteem it a very high one. 
 
 June 25th. 
 
 At half past eight last evening I went to M. LEVER- 
 RIER'S, and there met Messrs. FAYE, VILLARCEAU 
 and FOUCAULT. The latter is a very small man. 
 He says he derived the first impression of his cele- 
 brated experiment three or four years ago on con- 
 sidering the motion of the centrifugal pendulum, 
 while engaged in attempting to obtain a regulator 
 for uniform motion. 
 
 M. LEVERRIER took me to his study, where his 
 great calculations have all been made. He showed 
 me his unpublished works, an immense mass of 
 calculations relative to comets; a new theory of the 
 sun, carrying the perturbations to the thousandth of 
 a second. This theory has not yet been compared 
 with observations. To do so he has formed anew a 
 fundamental catalogue of stars. He spoke of Nep- 
 tune and of Professor PEIRCE. That the remarks of 
 the latter have irritated him to the last degree is 
 plainly evident, and much to be regretted. His 
 impressions of Professor PEIRCE'S position are, I
 
 92 Jfemorial of the Bonds 
 
 infer, taken from the Sidereal Messenger, as he con- 
 tinually confounds what Professor PEIRCE has writ- 
 ten with what Professor MITCHEL has written, 
 always mentioning the two names together. He 
 showed me all his original computations for the 
 discovery of Neptune, and selecting the portion 
 including the discussion of the limits, he pointed 
 to it, saying that if it had not been for that Pro- 
 fessors P. and M. (always together) would have had 
 nothing to say. He took pencil and paper to show, 
 how between the distances of 30 and 37,* there was 
 a point where the formulae became indeterminate, 
 yet that this was an indeterminateness of form 
 only, and to illustrate this he assumed a term in 
 the perturbation to be represented by ^sin(a-f6), 
 showing that development in a series of powers of 
 a to t~, or including the terms of a" t z , avoided the 
 whole difficulty. He then turned to page 159 of 
 his memoir, and there showed that he had repre- 
 sented the same thing there. Here he said was the 
 error of Professors PEIRCE and MITCHEL, for, said 
 he, they had not noticed that the form only of the 
 perturbation, and not the perturbation itself, passed 
 through infinity. They could not have read his 
 memoir, or else they did not understand it. His 
 language showed how much his feelings were 
 excited while dwelling on this topic. 
 
 *The sun's distance from the earth = 1.
 
 Diaries of George Bond 93 
 
 The engraving of Saturn he is going to have 
 copied on a large sheet to take to his lectures at 
 the Sorbonne, where he is Professor of Theoretical 
 and Practical Astronomy. 
 
 M. BIOT was very desirous of having a plate of 
 Saturn, which I shall send at the first opportunity. 
 M. FOUCAULT first conceived the idea of his experi- 
 ment three or four years ago, but though convinced 
 that there would be a time of rotation, it was not 
 till recently that he recognized the effect of latitude. 
 
 IPSWICH, July 3d. 
 
 To-day I addressed the British Association for 
 the Advancement of Science, the matter having 
 been arranged yesterday by Mr. WHEWELL, Presi- 
 dent of the Physical Section, Mr. AIRY and Colonel 
 SABINE. It was very good fortune to have the 
 honor of explaining the apparatus for observing 
 by electro-magnetism to H. R. H. Prince ALBERT. 
 After I had read what I had intended for the occa- 
 sion, the Prince, at the instance of Mr. WHEWELL, 
 came to the apparatus and examined it with atten- 
 tion. His questions were intelligent, and he seemed 
 readily to understand the design of the invention. 
 He was desirous of knowing the process of reading 
 off the results, and comprehended at once the way 
 of effecting this by double entry. 
 
 In the course of the day Sir DAVID BREWSTER 
 and Colonel REID advised strongly that [the
 
 94 Memorial of tfie Bonds 
 
 chronograph] should be placed in the great exhi- 
 bition, and offered every facility for getting it 
 there. We shall probably enter it, as they all gave 
 out strong hints that it would be well received. 
 I exhibited the daguerreotypes of the moon. 
 
 LONDON, July 5, 1851. 
 
 Just after I had finished the explanation of the 
 spring-governor [chronograph] and had sat down 
 at the table to write an abstract, I was delighted to 
 meet Dr. [ASA] GRAY, our next-door neighbor at 
 home. [Dr. and Mrs. GRAY] are now living at Kew, 
 and invite us to come there on Wednesday after- 
 noon. Received invitations to go to Shrubland on 
 Saturday, from Sir W. and Lady MIDDLETON, and 
 from Lord WROTTESLEY, to visit him at his place 
 near Wolverhampton. To-day we had in the same 
 car with us the Duke of Argyle. I am satisfied 
 that the officers of the association interested in 
 astronomy have not allowed an opportunity to pass 
 of assisting us in illustrating the operation of the 
 new method of observing. In consequence of the 
 earnest desire expressed by Sir DAVID BREWSTER 
 and Colonel REID, who are on the Committee of the 
 Great Exhibition for Philosophical Apparatus, we 
 shall remove [the chronograph] to the Crystal 
 
 Palace as soon as possible. 
 
 HAMBURG, July 14th. 
 
 To-day I went to call on M. RUEMKER, of the
 
 Diaries of George Bond 95 
 
 Hamburg Observatory, which is connected with 
 the Navigation School. He is between fifty and 
 sixty, or sixty perhaps,* hesitates much in talking, 
 but understands English and speaks it very well. 
 He was very kind, invited me to his house, and, 
 indeed, seemed very desirous of having me go 
 there to stay. We went over the observatory, 
 where I saw r a transit by the former REPSOLD, now 
 dead, and a transit-circle by his son, whom I saw 
 at work with his dividing apparatus. In the after- 
 noon I went to Altona, and saw Doctor PETERSEN 
 and the observaton 7 . 
 
 SCHUMACHER'S library is on sale, 5000 volumes, 
 said to be in admirable condition, for 3000 rix- 
 thalers. I must see to this. Doctor PETERSEN tells 
 me of several who are going to Gothenberg,t AIRY, 
 Mr. CARRINGTON of Durham, and Professor AGARDH 
 of Lund. He therefore advises me to go to Kalmar 
 or Carlscrona, where Professor OLUFSEN of Copen- 
 hagen is going. 
 
 Madame RUEMKER is English, and gave me much 
 information as .to the personal history of distin- 
 guished astronomers. HANSEN of Gotha is a very 
 amiable character, was once a watchmaker; BESSEL 
 was thin in person, hollow cheeks, etc., and worked 
 himself to death ; D'ARREST is very young ; BESSEL. 
 
 Born at Stargard in 1788. 
 
 t To observe the total solar eclipse of 1851.
 
 96 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 looked fourteen years for comets and found none, 
 Doctor PETERSEN, fifteen years, at the end of which 
 long period he told me he one night, after observ- 
 ing Neptune, passed his telescope over the sky for a 
 minute and found one, and soon after, in a year 
 or two, two more. I returned to the hotel at 10 
 p. M., REPSOLD accompanying me home. 
 
 Tuesday, July 15th. 
 
 I spent most of the day in company with M. 
 RUEMKER and lady, M. REPSOLD and Doctor PETER- 
 SEN, and a Doctor or Professor JONES, a literatus. Mr. 
 RUEMKER is one of the real hard-working men, and 
 reminds me of father in some of his ways. Doctor 
 PETERSEN I like much; he seems so perfectly 
 simple. 
 
 Tuesday, July 17, 1851. 
 
 I tried to navigate the streets from the Dirch- 
 strasse to the observatory, and at last succeeded. 
 The first night I spent in Hamburg I acquired the 
 erroneous impression that the sun set in the east. 
 I cannot get rid of it, and my only method of find- 
 ing my way is to go in the- wrong direction, which 
 
 is always right. 
 
 HAMBURG, July 21, 1851. 
 
 A party of six or eight Englishmen visited the 
 observatory accompanied by Doctor PETERSEN. 
 Four of them, among whom are Captain BLACK- 
 WOOD and Mr. HUMPHREYS, propose to go to 
 Sweden to see the eclipse, to Carlscrona, Kalmar,
 
 Diaries of George Bond 97 
 
 or Christianstad, or in that region. At 7 P.M. came 
 Mr. HIND and Mr. DAWES, also on their way to Swe- 
 den, but not decided as to where to go. Wishing, 
 however, to reach Christianstad, or Kalmar, and 
 thence the interior, they are at the eleventh hour. 
 I was busy to-day in packing, for the telescope 
 which I take with me in the trunk occupies more 
 than all the spare room. 
 
 Friday, August 8th. 
 
 At about seven I went on board the transport 
 steamer to take us from Cronstadt to St. Petersburg. 
 A cold, comfortless passage up the Neva to the cus- 
 tomhouse pier; here we waited half an hour for 
 our passports. But I met Mr. ROSENCRANTZ of the 
 observatory at Poulkova, most kindly sent by M. 
 STRUVE to conduct me directly to Poulkova. This 
 was a great relief to me, and I cannot be too grate- 
 ful for the kindness. ... A carriage was ready 
 for us in the street, and before noon I was at the 
 observatory. I am truly grateful to M. STRUVE and 
 his son for the kindness they have shown to me. 
 The former, in the course of the afternoon, explained 
 to me the method of using the great prime vertical 
 transit, his favorite instrument. In the evening I 
 observed, in company with M. OTTO STRUVE, with 
 the great refractor. At that time the atmosphere 
 was not favorable. Later in the evening there was 
 a decided improvement, but having been awake at
 
 98 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 3 A.M., and that almost without previous rest, I 
 was quite tired, and went to my room. 
 
 POULKOVA, Sunday, August 10, 1851. 
 
 I awoke very late this morning, it being past 
 nine when I got up. I am pleased to see here more 
 regard paid to the day than is usual, I think, on 
 the continent. Most of the family went to church. 
 At dinner there was a large family party. The 
 fruit and vegetables are supplied from the gardens 
 of the observatory. The raspberries in the garden 
 where I w r as this morning are the finest I have 
 ever seen. 
 
 POULKOVA, August 11, 1851. 
 
 In the evening I observed, with M. OTTO STRUVE, 
 with the great refractor until past midnight. He 
 detected a companion of /3 Aquilae. I am entirely 
 satisfied with the performance of the great refractor. 
 
 POULKOVA, August 12, 1851. 
 
 I witnessed to-day the process of level-making, 
 which is carried on in the atelier of the observatory 
 to great perfection. 
 
 In the afternoon I went to the prime vertical 
 room, and saw M. STRUVE make the complete obser- 
 vation of a passage of i Draconis east and west, in 
 the four positions of the instrument. This is one
 
 Diaries of George Bond 99 
 
 of the stars (three) employed in the series now in 
 progress for determining nutation. 
 
 I saw i Draconis with the prime vertical instru- 
 ment, most excellently defined. 
 
 In the evening I observed till midnight, with 
 M. OTTO STRUVE, with the great refractor. The 
 vision was not good, hut the appearance of the stars 
 entirely similar to that in the Cambridge refractor. 
 But I have not yet had a favorable night. The 
 effect of an unsteady atmosphere on close double 
 stars is precisely as with us. Looked at X Cygni, 
 dist. 0".5. I could with some difficulty determine 
 its position 124. M. OTTO STRUVE gave 116, and 
 appeared, from greater experience in double star 
 observations, to see it more easily, and to observe 
 the measures of position and distance much more 
 quickly than I.* By practice, he has acquired a 
 facility in steadying the motion of the telescope 
 with his finger so as not to be so much incommoded 
 by the irregularities of the clock as those less in 
 practice. The going of the Munich clocks, compared 
 with that at the Liverpool Observatory, is insuffer- 
 ably bad. I speak as well of ours at Cambridge as 
 of that at Poulkova, but the latter ifiay be scarcely 
 as regular as the one at Cambridge. Both have 
 great imperfections, a Lyrse, has the same color of 
 
 * OTTO STRUVE'S place for 1851-57 is p= 103.l; s = 0".53.
 
 100 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 brilliant blue or violet as always seen; it must 
 belong to the star. At present the most difficult 
 double star is No. 365 of O. STRUVE'S catalogue, or 
 3130 2, dist. 0".25. 
 
 There are, besides M. OTTO STRUVE, two assist- 
 ants in the dome; one soldier-servant to turn the 
 dome, etc., and one assistant to record. 
 
 PULKOVA, Wednesday, August 13th. 
 This forenoon I was in the apartment of M. 
 STRUVE, and saw him go through the process of 
 computing the observation made yesterday on 
 i Draconis. I have the original computation to 
 take home with me. The precision of the results 
 is nothing short of wonderful. Yet one must be 
 convinced that tenths of a second of arc take the 
 position here that seconds have hitherto done else- 
 where. 
 
 With the prime vertical instrument three stars 
 only are observed in the year, and one only at a 
 time, according to the season. Eight complete 
 determinations of each in a year are considered 
 sufficient. I ^recorded with M. STRUVE his obser- 
 vations for this day's passage of i Draconis. The 
 image of the star I saw, as on yesterday, most per- 
 fectly defined power 270 or 300. I think better 
 definition I never saw.
 
 Diaries of George Bond 101 
 
 Yesterday I heard from M. STRUVE an anecdote 
 about Sir W. HERSCHEL'S marriage, which this 
 memorandum will be sufficient to remind me of. 
 He has a profound respect, even admiration, for 
 the works of Sir W. HERSCHEL. It delights me 
 also to hear him speak of AIRY and Sir J. H., and 
 of their private characters especially. AIRY knows 
 many of the English poets by heart and SCHILLER 
 also. Neither BESSEL nor HANSEN received a uni- 
 versity education, and ENCKE did not graduate, 
 being obliged to leave by reason of war. HANSEN 
 is regarded as the first theoretical astronomer living. 
 KNORRE of Nicolaief stands very high. DENT'S 
 clocks are preferred at Poulkova to KESSELS', and 
 his chronometers are thought to be much the best. 
 
 POULKOVA, August 14, 1851. 
 
 In my morning walk after breakfast with M. 
 STRUVE I was greatly interested in his account of 
 the grand works now in progress in the observa- 
 tory. First, the fundamental catalogue of 500 stars, 
 on each twenty-four observations by transit, six in 
 each position, and then the object [and eye ends of 
 the instrument are interchanged]. Then the cata- 
 logue by the meridian circle, to be [reduced] differ- 
 entially with the fundamental stars. M. OTTO 
 STRUVE has determined the constants of precession. 
 
 In the afternoon I went, as on yesterday and the
 
 102 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 day before, to the prime vertical room with Profes- 
 sor STRUVE to observe the passage of . Draconis. I 
 have gone through the process of leveling to-day, 
 and I am assured by M. STRUVE that I am the first 
 who has done so since the instrument was mounted 
 in 1839, twelve years ago. 
 
 Early in the evening I went to the dome with 
 M. OTTO STRUVE, and observed till 3 A. M. Besides 
 double star observations (one favorably situated we 
 agreed precisely in), we saw BRORSEN'S new comet; 
 then Neptune's satellite, on which we made a good, 
 series of observations: O. STRUVE, position 30, 
 distance 14".7 ; G. P. B., position 28, distance 
 15".7, about, as near as I now remember. After- 
 wards I proposed to look at Saturn; before leaving 
 the dome we did so. 0. STRUVE inspected it first, 
 and I perceived instantly that he was seeing the 
 new ring for the first time, and with entire cer- 
 tainty. I suspected so before he spoke. 
 
 Friday, August 15, 1851. 
 
 I went to bed at p A. M. It was already strong 
 twilight. After breakfast M. STRUVE and OTTO 
 STRUVE had a long discussion on the new appear- 
 ances about the ring of Saturn. We went to the 
 library, and all the works bearing upon the subject 
 were referred to. Professor S. is decidedly of opinion 
 that the ring is in process of change, the width
 
 Diaries of George Bond 103 
 
 increasing, as he said immediately on referring to 
 our engraving, compared with those of Sir W. HER- 
 SCHEL and the older astronomers. Indeed, the fact 
 seems beyond question, and is in strong confirma- 
 tion of the theory that they are in a fluid state. 
 The manner in which the discussion could be made 
 here shows the value of an observatory library. In 
 a quarter of an hour we were in possession of a great 
 mass of evidence on the subject. 
 
 M. STRUVE says that the strongest internal evi- 
 dence exists in Sir "W. HERSCHEL'S writings that he 
 had prosecuted a search for Neptune, and missed it 
 only because it was too far south in declination. 
 He himself at Dorpat made an examination, with 
 the same object in mind. 
 
 POULKOVA, Monday, August 18th. 
 
 The history of a collection of works from Pekin, 
 in China, now in the Poulkova Library, is quite 
 singular. In the time of PETER the Great, while 
 in the midst of a war with Sweden, a fortress in the 
 Russian dominions, but on the frontier of China, 
 was defended for two or three years by a few hun- 
 dred Cossacks against seventy thousand Chinese. 
 When it capitulated, the latter were so struck with 
 admiration at the defense that they spared the 
 lives of the garrison, on condition that they should
 
 104 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 become a bodyguard to the Emperor. To this they 
 consented, on the condition that they might have 
 sent from Russia a mission of the Greek Church. 
 The mission thus established has continued down 
 to the present time. Every year is sent overland 
 to Pekin a deputation from the Greek Church in 
 Russia. They have an astronomer attached to the 
 Embassy. Two of these have been educated at 
 Poulkova. One of them, when there, drew up a 
 list of astronomical works transferred to the mis- 
 sion from the mission of the Jesuits when they were 
 expelled. In this list M. STRUVE found many rare 
 works, and the Minister of Public Instruction, on 
 hearing this, ordered them to be transferred to 
 Poulkova, where they now are. 
 
 POULKOVA, August 21, 1851. 
 
 In the evening we observed in the dome till 
 2 A.M., when it clouded suddenly. I cannot decide 
 even now upon the relative capabilities of our 
 telescopes without a very fine night. The difference 
 is certainly not great. My impression would be 
 rather in favor of the Poulkova. The purple seems 
 not so evident in it. When the image is out of focus, 
 the image is oval. 
 
 BERLIN, August 28, 1851. 
 
 After dinner, at 4:30 P.M., I went again to 
 Mr. FAY'S. He was not at home. Then to the
 
 Diaries of George Bond 105 
 
 observatory before dusk. I met M. ENCKE and M. 
 GALLE. I went over the observatory, and then 
 had about an hour's talk with Professor ENCKE 
 about his method of computing an orbit of a 
 planet, which he is about to publish in the next 
 Jahrbuch. He does not believe much either in the 
 new ring of Saturn, or in the new method of 
 observing by the electro-magnetic telegraph. They 
 will work their own way. 
 
 BERLIN, August 29, 1851. 
 
 I took the daguerreotypes of the moon and 
 Professor AGASSIZ'S letter and memoir, and sent my 
 letter to M. ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT. We were 
 introduced to the presence of the great philosopher. 
 The first subject was the eclipse. He showed to 
 me the various diagrams sent to him, which agree 
 in the main features with what I have already seen. 
 He is deeply interested in the subject. He showed 
 me the daguerreotype of the eclipse and the corona.* 
 It was, however, on a very small scale. The corona 
 extended 8', and was unequal in different parts of 
 its circumference. M. ENCKE had spoken to me of 
 it, and it is regarded as of great value. But it suf- 
 fered in comparison with our plate, which I after- 
 wards presented to M. VON HUMBOLDT. He was 
 greatly delighted with it. I saw some beautiful 
 specimens of photographs upon paper. 
 
 Probably the one by BUSCH of Konigsberg.
 
 106 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 LEIPSIC, September 2, 1851. 
 
 I went next to Doctor D'ARREST'S. Such a 
 strange, old, out-of-way place as I found him in! 
 In looking up his room I roused a couple of the 
 queerest beings students of theology and philoso- 
 phy, or something of the kind. I found him after 
 some little trouble a youngish man of thirty 
 or more,* unassuming, with a remarkable head, 
 both metaphorically and physically. After leaving 
 him, having seen the instruments which are 
 mounted one hundred feet high a good equatorial 
 of six-inch aperture I had just time to reach my 
 hotel and leave for the train to Halle. Doctor 
 D'ARREST kindly accompanied me there and to the 
 residence of Doctor ROSENBERGER. The latter is a 
 fanatical royalist, and, notwithstanding his fame, 
 says of himself that he is not fitted for astronomy. 
 He may be fifty years old.f 
 
 Returned to the station to a smoke and beer 
 until the time for the train, when I parted from 
 Doctor D'ARREST, a true German man of science! 
 How much he loves astronomy for its own sake 
 may be inferred from his doing what he does for a 
 salary of forty pounds. ENCKE receives but thir- 
 teen hundred thalers, GAUSS but one thousand thal- 
 ers. Doctor GOULD, he told mo, was probably 
 to take Doctor GOLDSCHMIDT'S place as Second 
 
 * D'ARREST was born 1822. fBorn 1800.
 
 Diaries of George Bond 107 
 
 Professor of Astronomy at Gbttingen, GAUSS being 
 the first. 
 
 GOTHA to CASSEL. Wednesday, September 3, 1851. 
 
 At 9 A.M. I went about a mile outside of the 
 town to see Professor HANSEN.* A pleasant old gen- 
 tleman, as almost all the great men are. He showed 
 me his manuscript of the new lunar tables as far as 
 completed. They will be completed in two or three 
 years; but he will publish an ephemeris for 1852. 
 There are one hundred and forty inequalities from 
 the sun, and a new one of 1".3 from Mars. He 
 thinks it possible that the magnetic influence of 
 the earth may affect the moon's motion a reflex 
 action of the effect produced by the moon on the 
 earth's magnetism. The arguments of the tables 
 are in days, from which a great advantage is derived 
 in computing a number of places at equal intervals. 
 Each argument is carried to s . 003 of time, when 
 necessary to give the inequalities to 0".01 of arc, so 
 that the sun shall be exact to O'M of arc. He 
 expects the errors of the tables not to exceed 1".0, 
 one second of arc. Observations used since 1750, 
 down to 1839, at which period he has STRUVE'S 
 Dorpat observations. The tables will not be 
 ready for the press before the above-mentioned 
 time. This form has some resemblance to that of 
 CARLINI'S tables of the sun. Professor HANSEN'S 
 
 Born December 8, 1795.
 
 108 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 tables of the sun, he told me, are now printing at 
 Copenhagen, by the Royal Society of Sciences there. 
 I went into the little observatory, and saw a little 
 contrivance for using only seventy-two [divisions] 
 upon the circle (for every 5), and another arc of 
 5 used differentially, so that there can the more 
 easily be formed a table of corrections of this arc 
 of 5 for the error of division. 
 
 GOTTINGEN, September 4, 1851. 
 
 At ten I went to the observatory to see Professor 
 GAUSS. It is a little singular that the landlord 
 should not have known where he lived. He knew 
 Doctor GOLDSCHMIDT, or rather had known him.* 
 GAUSS had just left the house, to be at home at eleven. 
 I walked half a mile or more into the country to 
 spend the time, returning at eleven. He had not 
 come back. I returned to my room, and presently 
 after some one knocked at my door, and in walked 
 Doctor GOULD, who, singularly enough, had arrived 
 from Altona at two in the morning, and I at four. 
 Our rooms were almost opposite to each other. He 
 appears well, and must have improved since leaving 
 home. At dinner there were six Americans, four 
 students, besides Doctor GOULD and myself. After 
 dinner I repaired once more to the observatory, 
 and spent half an hour in conversation with 
 GAUSS, and gave him the last daguerreotype of the 
 
 Died February, 1851, (ct. 44.
 
 Diaries of George Bond 109 
 
 moon I bad left. It was the best of the first series. 
 He showed me daguerreotypes of his son and grand- 
 son now living in America in St. Louis; he has 
 another son there also. He showed me his library, 
 which can scarcely contain above 700 or 1000 vol- 
 umes. He had COOPER'S works; Merry Mount, a 
 history of the country about Boston before its 
 settlement, published in 1849; also FROTHINGHAM'S 
 Siege of Boston, with which he seemed much taken. 
 He brought out also Doctor BOWDITCH'S translation 
 of the Mecanique Celeste. 
 
 Shortly before leaving he spoke of Mr. PEIRCE'S 
 position with respect to what he said about the dis- 
 covery [of Neptune] being accidental. He thought 
 that the calculations of both ADAMS and LEVER- 
 RIER rested on an " infirm" basis, inasmuch as the 
 assumed distances were so wide of the truth. That 
 the discovery was accidental, and might have failed 
 because the planet could have been 30 from the 
 predicted place. 
 
 Staid up in Doctor GOULD'S room until near one 
 o'clock in the morning, talking of various subjects. 
 He had just seen GAUSS, who had intimated to him 
 the probability of his taking his professorship after 
 his death. This is certainly no small honor, offered 
 as it is to an American, and by such a man as 
 GAUSS, while there are so many in Germany who
 
 110 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 would be glad of the situation, D'ARREST among 
 others, whom Doctor GOULD mentioned as equally 
 fitted for it. 
 
 GENKVA, September 14, 1851. 
 
 I think I must go to Chamounix, to try whether 
 it may be possible to discern the red flames on 
 the sun's disc, by occulting all but the very edge 
 upon one of the lofty peaks. It seems to me not 
 altogether impossible. Certainly an experiment 
 worth trying, and a new application of the "Aiguil- 
 les." 
 
 GENEVA, Monday, September 15, 1851. 
 
 I went to see Professor PLANTAMOUR, and was 
 never more puzzled to find my way than to Hotel 
 de Ville 74. Found M. PLANTAMOUR a young man 
 of thirty, and very good looking for a savant. I 
 went over the observatory and saw the meridian 
 circle by GAMBEY. The axis may be too long, 
 otherwise a good instrument in appearance. The 
 equatorial has circles of nearly two and a half feet ; 
 axis "supported above and below the telescope, as 
 with the English plan. Telescope of four or five feet, 
 four-inch aperture; object glass very much injured 
 by efflorescence, so that they are about purchasing a 
 new one of five-inch aperture of MERZ. M. PLAN- 
 TAMOUR had commenced anew calculations on 
 BIELA'S Comet, but has discontinued them, till its 
 next appearance.
 
 Diaries of George Bond 111 
 
 BONN, October 1, 1851. 
 
 I went in search of Professor ARGELANDER, and 
 in trying to find the observatory came to the 
 Minster and stepped into it, but saw nothing to 
 detain me more than a minute. With some trouble 
 I at last found the observatory, which is a large 
 and not a bad-looking building, recently erected, 
 I should think. I met Professor ARGELANDER, and 
 saw the two principal instruments the transit 
 circle now used for zones of stars to Declination 
 31 south, which are nearly complete, and the 
 transit used for the northern zones. They can 
 observe three stars in a minute at the utmost for a 
 short time. On one paper is recorded the right 
 ascension, by Professor A., and on another the 
 declination, by the assistant. There are seven 
 columns on each sheet, and the place where the 
 times are entered thus denotes on which of the 
 seven wires the transit was taken. The piers are 
 cased with wood, to prevent their being affected 
 by changes of temperature from the body. This 
 alone shows that Professor A. belongs to the Poul- 
 kova school. Instruments by PISTOR and MARTINS 
 of Berlin I did not like them so well as REP- 
 SOLD'S. I saw Mr. SCHMIDT, the assistant. Professor 
 ARGELANDER has no confidence in electro-magnet- 
 ism applied to observing. Mr. S. praised very
 
 112 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 highly the daguerreotype of the moon taken at 
 Kb'nigsberg at the eclipse, a copy of the original 
 which I saw at Berlin. 
 
 LONDON to CAMBRIDGE. October 16, 1851. 
 
 I started at 7} A.M. for the Shoreditch terminus, 
 to take the train for Cambridge, as by appointment 
 with Professor CHALLIS. . . . 
 
 The Times I had bought at the station con- 
 tained the agreeable intelligence that a Council- 
 medal had been awarded to the spring-governor 
 chronograph at the great exhibition, and a prize- 
 medal to Mr. WHIFFLE for the daguerreotype of 
 the moon. . . . 
 
 I found Professor CHALLIS at home, and at his 
 lady's suggestion and invitation, I took up my 
 abode at his house. From eleven to near two I 
 was with Professor CHALLIS examining the instru- 
 ments. A very nice method is made use of by him 
 for observing the form of the pivots of the transit, 
 applicable to all similar instruments. A brass end 
 piece may be attached to the extremities of either 
 pivot, in which a small, finely marked dot is made, 
 and as the transit rotates, the co-ordinates of this 
 dot are observed by a micrometer microscope.* 
 
 There are two assistants, but the reductions can 
 with difficulty be brought up with the observations, 
 
 *This method is now used in the meridian circles of Stras- 
 burg, Mt. Hamilton, etc.
 
 Diaries of George Bond 113 
 
 so that Professor CHALLIS is half inclined to give 
 up continuous meridional observations for awhile 
 until the printing is in a good stage of progress. 
 Then to the great equatorial. The method of 
 adjusting the lenses of the object glass upon each 
 other is entirely successful. The dome is a good 
 example of lightness of thin zinc on iron braces. 
 In the afternoon I walked into the town to the 
 lodge of the Master of Trinity. Met there Professor 
 MILLER and Professor LISTING of Gb'ttingen, and then 
 went to the great hall where the college dine. At 
 the head of the table Doctor WHEWELL, on his right 
 Lord CAVENDISH, next the Vice-Master, Professor 
 SEDGWICK, myself, Professor LISTING, Professor MIL- 
 LER. On the left of Doctor WHEWELL, Lord FRED- 
 ERIC GOWER, son of the Duke of Sutherland, and 
 
 Lord , etc. At the next table the Masters of 
 
 Arts, the Bachelors of Arts, descending to under- 
 graduates. The hall is a fine specimen of the olden 
 times, with its noble oak roof and ceiling. After 
 dinner the upper ten retired to the apartments of 
 the Master, there remaining for an hour with con- 
 versation, dessert, etc. Then we inspected the por- 
 traits of NEWTON and other distinguished men, 
 belonging to the fine suite of rooms assigned to the 
 Master. Later in the evening I went again to the 
 observatory. A large party there. Among them 
 the Provost of Eton College and one or two
 
 114 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 university dignitaries. Three noblemen Doctor 
 WHEWELL, Mr. ADAMS, etc., assembled for a look 
 through the great telescope, the scene a perfect 
 counterpart of what we have at home on similar 
 occasions. I had no fair opportunity of seeing 
 through the telescope, as the atmosphere was de- 
 cidedly bad, and on that account retired at eleven, 
 after a good opportunity of conversing with Mr. 
 ADAMS. He has recently detected errors in BURCK- 
 HARDT'S tables of the moon's parallax, amounting 
 to 5", both plus and minus. He was led to the 
 detection by the article of HENDERSON'S on the 
 lunar parallax, by an unaccountable discrepancy 
 between results which should have been identical,, 
 derived from BURCKHARDT'S and from DAMOISEAU'S- 
 tables. The former, after applying Mr. ADAMS'S 
 corrections, agrees with the latter, the mean correc- 
 tion being V. 3, which is precisely the mean discrep- 
 ancy. This extraordinary defect of these tables 
 affects all the parallaxes of the Nautical Almanac, etc., 
 of the Berlin Ephemeris. In PLANA'S theory is a term 
 of 2", with an erroneous sign. In LINDENAU'S of 
 Venus, the secular terms are so entirely wrong that 
 the calculated term may be double its true value,, 
 from its being obtained from too short an interval. 
 
 CAMBRIDGE, October 17, 1851. 
 
 After breakfast at 9 A.M., at which Mr. ADAMS 
 was present, I went to the dome and saw Arcturus*
 
 Diaries of George Bond 115 
 
 the atmosphere being very tranquil. The appear- 
 ance of a star in it is quite of a different character 
 from that in the Munich glasses, which have a 
 family likeness. The pink on one side of the focus, 
 and the green on the other, are of a much purer, 
 and more decided hue, than in the latter, yet I can- 
 not say that the definition was inferior. The disk 
 is smallest between the green and purple, and very 
 nicely centered, which must be ascribed to the means 
 possessed in the Northumberland equatorial for 
 bringing the lenses to very exact relative adjust- 
 ment. The brightness of the pink and green seems 
 perhaps to indicate that the dispersive powers for 
 the different colors are not similarly proportioned 
 in the crown and flint lenses to those of the material 
 used for the Munich lenses. The going of the clocks 
 is much better than ours. 
 
 About 1 P. M. left with Mr. ADAMS for the town. 
 On our way we had a long conversation about Nep- 
 tune. He gives it decidedly as his belief, that the 
 direction was the element most likely to be correctly 
 given, and that it would be possible to show, inde- 
 pendently of trial, in other words by analysis, that 
 the change of direction of the major semi-axis on 
 different hypotheses would be smaller than the 
 corresponding changes in eccentricity, etc. I under- 
 stood him to say that he was impressed with this 
 before the calculations were completed, and that a
 
 116 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 first trial, with simply a circular orbit, gave a place 
 differing only 10 from subsequent results, and that 
 the errors in the other elements would always tend 
 to cancel each other and give, comparatively, a true 
 direction. 
 
 Secondly That there is no assumed distance to 
 be found between the true place of Neptune and that 
 calculated by LEVERRIER and ADAMS, where the 
 observations would not be better satisfied the nearer 
 the truth was approached. That LEVERRIER'S limits 
 are vitiated, from the fact that terms, of which, from 
 three hypotheses, no knowledge could be gained, 
 and were of necessity omitted, were actually of very 
 sensible amount. 
 
 Thirdly That the reason LEVERRIER has since 
 given why his limits failed namely, that a wider 
 range of error ought to have been assigned to the 
 earliest observations, is set aside by Professor 
 PEIRCE'S showing that Neptune satisfies them very 
 exactly. 
 
 Fourthly That neglected terms in the pertur- 
 bations of Neptune on Uranus were very sensible in 
 amount, and that LEVERRIER'S limits were unwar- 
 rantable on that account. 
 
 We went to the library of Trinity College, a 
 fine room, and saw the statue of NEWTON by 
 ROUBILIAC, also the statue of BYRON by THOR- 
 WALDSEN the most exquisitely beautiful profile
 
 Diaries of George Bond 117 
 
 I ever saw, but it is said not to be faithfully 
 like BYRON. I saw also the cast from the face of 
 NEWTON. In most of the busts and pictures the 
 lips are compressed, but ROUBILIAC represents the 
 mouth just parted. Last night I remarked, spon- 
 taneously, a resemblance between the features of 
 Mr. ADAMS and NEWTON'S. The nose is very like, 
 and the mouth much the same. I was a little 
 struck afterwards at hearing that others remark 
 the same. I dined in Mr. A's room with him, Pro- 
 fessor CHALLIS, Mrs. CHALLIS and their son. Mr. A. 
 is Proctor, and among his insignia of office is a sort 
 of pole-ax, and a standard measure much the worse 
 for age and wear. Previous to dinner Mr. A. had 
 taken me to King's College Chapel, through the 
 noble interior, more beautiful and grand than I 
 can describe, upon the stone roof, and yet higher 
 on the wooden roof above all, in a state of preserva- 
 tion no one would think possible after four centu- 
 ries. I left just in time for the last omnibus, having 
 spent the day no less agreeably than profitably. 
 Mr. ADAMS, indeed, has given the whole of it to me. 
 
 IRELAND, October 24, 1851. 
 
 Arrived at DOOLEY'S Hotel (inn) about sunset, 
 and, as the evening was clear, I went almost imme- 
 diately to the castle (Parsonstown). I met Lord 
 ROSSE, who very kindly invitee? me to stay at the 
 castle. I saw first the telescopes, and after dinner
 
 118 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 found the younger Mr. STONEY looking at Saturn 
 with the three-foot speculum. The speculum had 
 just been polished and placed in the tube a day or 
 two previously, before it was quite complete, as 
 the figure, they said, is slightly elliptical (in order 
 to give Mr. LAWRENCE an opportunity of seeing the 
 moon, which, however, clouds entirely prevented). 
 The evening was pretty clear, and not unfavorable, 
 though the images were in too much commotion 
 for a trial \i. e. test] of the telescope. However, 
 the two inner satellites were seen without the least 
 difficulty, as well as the division of the ring and 
 its shadow on the ball. I saw no distortion, wings 
 of light, nor defect of any kind that might not have 
 resulted from the ordinary atmospheric disturb- 
 ances, with so large a reflecting area. This charac- 
 terizes the nature of the imperfections of definition, 
 which, though better than I had expected to find, 
 was certainly inferior to that of the large refractors 
 on nights below the average. Yet I think I have 
 seen states of atmosphere when our telescope has 
 defined much worse. We then went to the six-foot 
 and saw the nebula in Andromeda, and I spent suffi- 
 cient time on this object, on which I am at home, 
 as it were, to acquire an adequate conception of the 
 amount of light collected; but this, as it is a neces- 
 sary consequence of the aperture, it is not needful 
 to dwell on. What was of much more importance,
 
 Diaries of George Bond 119 
 
 was to observe the very remarkable increase in the 
 number of very small stars close to the nucleus, 
 convincing as to the superiority in resolving power 
 of this telescope over ours, on which before I was 
 doubtful, as I thought that our better definition 
 would more than compensate for loss of light. But 
 a long and careful examination of the region of 
 the nucleus convinced me to the contrary. Indeed 
 I could not but admire the numbers of small stars 
 brought in sight. The elder Mr. STONEY assured me 
 before that the great speculum was not by any means 
 in high condition. Nothing that I saw led me to 
 suppose the six-foot inferior to the three-foot, though 
 undoubtedly it is so. The difference is less at any 
 rate than the proportionate difficulties of construc- 
 tion. Both of the telescopes are in use, it seems, in 
 favorable weather, almost constantly. The younger 
 Mr. STONEY is now taking his brother's place. Very 
 high powers are used; the ordinary one with the 
 six-foot is 465, and the lowest 220. But very large 
 fields are given, and, of course, the boundaries of 
 the field are indistinct, and would be so under 
 any circumstances. In forming an opinion of the 
 performance of these instruments, this must be 
 remembered. After midnight it clouded up. 
 
 PAKSONSTOWN, IRELAND, October 25, 1851. 
 I breakfasted 10 A.M., a very proper hour after 
 a long day's travel and up to 2 A. M. After breakfast
 
 120 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 I went with his lordship through the machine 
 shops and foundry, where the specula are made. 
 Everything bears witness to the great amount of 
 work gone through with before attaining the results 
 for which the place is renowned. There are piles 
 of models and plans, from the earliest efforts up 
 to the present moment. It is well to see that a vast 
 amount of real work has been first gone through 
 with, and I constantly meet with evidence of the 
 mechanical ingenuity of Lord ROSSE in contriv- 
 ances suggested by him. He was with me nearly 
 all day, and his knowledge of mechanics reminds 
 me of Mr. BORDEN'S. By a most fortunate coinci- 
 dence, they appointed to-day for polishing a three- 
 foot telescope. It takes six hours, and the whole 
 process is so completely by machinery that the super- 
 intendence of a competent person occasionally to 
 moisten the rouge and to watch the process, rather 
 than to take part in it, is all that is necessary. 
 Constant improvements are being applied. " Well 
 enough " is not an admissible term. They now are 
 on the point of trying to cast specula with honey- 
 comb backs, to get rid of weight and flexure. A 
 small steam engine carries the polisher, etc. The 
 six-foot mirror, which is thickest and heaviest, has 
 the advantage in flexure. I saw the whole process 
 to the completion. I spent the evening with both 
 Mr. STONEYS at the telescopes till 3 A.M., when it
 
 Diaries of George Bond 121 
 
 entirely clouded. Saw with the three-foot the new 
 ring of Saturn, not well; and with the six-foot, 
 among other objects, the cluster in Perseus, and was 
 impressed with the contrast of colors of the stars 
 brought out by the light of the instrument. The 
 night grew very unfavorable, and before 3 A.M. 
 clouded entirely. 
 
 LIVERPOOL (Mr. LASSELL'S OBSERVATORY), | 
 October 30, 1851. f 
 
 Later in the evening we repaired to the dome 
 and looked at Saturn. The state of the atmosphere 
 was unfavorable, but I was entirely satisfied of the 
 excellence of the telescope, making allowance for 
 the atmosphere. In point of definition it must be 
 allowed as a rival of the great refractors, and in 
 light (two feet aperture) surpassing them. The air 
 was too bad for the severer tests of double stars. 
 The new means used for counterpoising all parts of 
 the mirror is thought a great improvement. On 
 the whole, after seeing pretty thoroughly Lord 
 ROSSE'S operations, and acquiring at least an idea 
 of the high degree of excellence of Mr. LASSELL'S 
 specula, I am disposed to think that, in the hands 
 of those who, like them, apply so much attention 
 and care to the subject, the reflectors are in a fair 
 way to eclipse the refractors, in definition as well 
 as light, when very large. The new ring of Saturn 
 was plainly seen ; its breadth we both agreed [to be]
 
 122 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 less than that of the outer ring, yet occupying nearly 
 half the distance between the ball and the inner 
 edge of the bright ring. The dark space, including 
 the new ring, is less than the breadth of the old 
 ring. We both agreed on this.* We looked at 
 Uranus and saw four, perhaps five, satellites. I 
 think the greater light tells on the performance 
 here. 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM THE DIARY OF 1863. f 
 
 Left Boston 11 A. M., April 15, 1863, by steamship 
 Canada, Captain Grace. A light head wind to 
 Halifax 4 A.M., Friday, April 17th. 
 
 AT SEA, April 19th. 
 
 A light southeast wind. We are sailing at 
 eleven and one half knots. To-day we met the 
 Persia, bound for New York. She signaled having 
 seen ice in longitude 43. 
 
 Iron steamers observe azimuths of the sun with 
 the compass twice a day. The captain considers 
 the lighthouse system of Massachusetts Bay excel- 
 lent. He has heard pilots complain of the new 
 dioptric light as not being so good as the old one 
 
 * Modern measures confirm these early, but careful, esti- 
 mates. 
 
 tThe journey of 1863 was undertaken for the purpose of 
 determining the cost of an objective of large size for the Har- 
 vard College Observatory.
 
 Diaries of George Bond 123 
 
 in fog and snow. It does not throw the light up on 
 the fog above it, so as to show its position. The 
 green light carried by steamers is seen from one to 
 two miles farther than the red. 
 
 AT SEA, April 20th. 
 
 A warm southerly wind. Seven icebergs are in 
 sight at once. We saw twenty or more last even- 
 ing. The course was altered to avoid two of them, 
 which we passed within one eighth of a mile. 
 Those on the leeward side were brilliantly white in 
 the sun, the spray dashing over them changing 
 their aspect remarkably as they passed. One of 
 them at first seemed a mere square block, or table, 
 thirty or forty feet above water, as it passed it 
 changed to a mass of turreted peaks. Another was 
 very beautiful, with sides jutting over the water in 
 a curve mushroom-like. 
 
 AT SEA, April 23d. 
 
 We are just half way over, and to-day I saw a 
 petrel, but no gulls or other birds. Very fine 
 weather and a fair wind the ship making her 
 best. It has been, with the exception of the 21st, 
 good weather since losing sight of ice. 
 
 April 24th. 
 
 English sea birds were first seen this morning. 
 They do not fly so heavily as our common gull. 
 The wings are tipped with black. 
 
 About four years ago the Canada, in the day- 
 time, going eleven or twelve knots in a dense fog,
 
 124 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 struck full against an iceberg. The bowsprit 
 touched first, and was carried away; then the 
 figurehead and all the light work was destroyed; 
 but, fortunately, her way was stopped before any 
 damage was done below water line. The engines 
 were reversed a moment before and diminished the 
 speed about one knot. 
 
 April 26th. 
 
 Arrived at Liverpool, Sunday, 8 p. M. 
 
 LIVERPOOL, April 27th. 
 
 I went to-day to the observatory and found Mr. 
 HARTNUP. His son, JOHN HARTNUP, is now attached 
 to the observatory. All the arrangements seemed 
 very neat, but Mr. H. complains that little time is 
 left for astronomy after attending to 200 chronom- 
 eters and the Meteorological Record. The self- 
 registering wind curves are very effective. I saw 
 evident spots of efflorescence on the object glass 
 (by MERZ) of the equatorial, just as on ours. Mr. 
 HARTNUP has no difficulty in getting all necessary 
 provisions for ordinary expenses. He thinks $1000 
 
 small for our observatory. 
 
 BIRMINGHAM, April 28th. 
 
 I arrived at Birmingham at 12:30, and at 1:45 
 returned on the line as far as "Spoil Lane," where 
 CHANCE Bros. & Co. have their great glass works. 
 I saw Mr. JOHN CHANCE, and he gave me the fol- 
 lowing information: 
 
 They have a department specially devoted to
 
 Diaries of George Bond 125 
 
 optical glass, of which the manufacture is a secret. 
 The demand for photographic camera lenses is very 
 great. They made two discs of 29-inch, which I 
 saw in the great exhibition of 1851, and they have 
 on hand two discs (one crown and a flint to match)* 
 of 25-inch diameter, and *a flint of 20-inch. The 
 latter, with a crown to match it, would cost in its 
 present state 600 for the pair, and one inch might 
 add 100 to the cost, but could not be made to 
 order under six months' notice. The following are 
 the dimensions of those discs which I saw and 
 examined carefully: 
 
 (A)f Disc of crown: diameter 25J inches full, 
 2f inches thick. 
 
 (B)t Disc of flint: diameter 25^1^. 
 (C) Disc of flint: diameter 20| to 20|=lf. 
 
 (A), density 2.50; (B) and (C), 3.60. 
 
 (A) weighs about 100 pounds, (B) about 140 
 pounds. 
 
 (A) was [put in place for examination], and as 
 the edge had been ground and polished with oppo- 
 site parallel faces on the edge (as were also the 
 
 *An object glass is usually composed of two lenses one 
 double-convex lens of crown glass, one plano-concave of flint 
 glass. 
 
 t These are probably the discs used in 1870 for Mr. NEWALL'S 
 25-inch, refractor, now at Cambridge, England. It is under- 
 stood that the price of the rough glass was 1000, and the total 
 cost of the instrument mounted, complete, 3950.
 
 126 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 others), by looking through, with light from the 
 window opposite, there was good chance for detect- 
 ing strife. It appeared to me that this disc was of 
 high quality, for, after thorough exploration, I 
 could detect none of any moment, indeed I might 
 say none at all, for those noticed were mere faint 
 wisps and very small, attached to the usual specks 
 or bubbles. 
 
 Next we looked at (B). This is less transparent 
 than (A), and I think inferior to it, though Messrs. 
 CHANCE have a high opinion of both, and consider 
 them of better quality than that furnished by Mr. 
 CLARK. The flint, they say, gives far more diffi- 
 culty than crown, and to make to order discs of 
 large size, say exceeding twelve inches, they need 
 from six months to one or two years' notice. The 
 difficulty is, that to make large optical glass, even 
 for a single lens, they must interrupt their other 
 business, and cannot fill orders in their regular 
 branches of trade. This they more than once- 
 alluded to as a serious matter. There is not 
 demand to warrant them in undertaking the man- 
 ufacture on a large scale, but if not limited as to 
 price, for 10,000 to 50,000, they said they could 
 make discs of thirty inches. 
 
 (C), I thought, had a decided defect, but it was 
 impossible to be assured of the real optical value of 
 either disc by such trial as could be made.
 
 Diaries of George Bond 127 
 
 The Messrs. CHANCE appeared very frank, and 
 as to the test afforded by mere inspection, I should 
 be disposed to rely on their judgment. They deal 
 largely with VOIGTLANDER for cameras. Plates of 
 one half inch thick by twelve inches they sell in 
 large quantities, to be cut up by opticians. They 
 have discs of eight inches, which are unsalable,- 
 simply because the glass is not of the usual tint. 
 One that I saw was violet. 
 
 There are now at least two parties in treaty for 
 the 25-inch disc, and they mentioned Mr. CLARK as 
 having lately made inquiries for a disc of twenty 
 inches. Mr. NEWALL, an engineer of wealth, will 
 probably purchase the 25-inch, and they expect 
 COOKE of York, soon, to examine them. They 
 would scarcely undertake to make a 20-inch to 
 order at less than six months' or one years' 
 notice. 
 
 The general establishment of the Messrs. CHANCE 
 
 o 
 
 is immense. Glasshouses cover twenty-six acres, 
 and alkali works some eight more. In the glass- 
 works they employ 1600 workmen, and in the 
 alkali 600. Total, 2200. They are changing their 
 furnaces to melt by gas, instead of by coal. This 
 is creating a revolution in glass making, as the 
 color of the glass is improved. They make the 
 " French lens" for light-houses in fact, the whole 
 dome of the light, revolving machinery, etc. and
 
 128 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 they have for this an establishment and machine 
 shops like a locomotive factory. 
 
 LONDON, April 29th. 
 
 Left Birmingham this noon. The country be- 
 tween there and London is indescribably beautiful. 
 
 I tried to recognize what the peculiarities in the 
 landscape were which make it so different from 
 ours. I think one is, that not a square rod of 
 ground has been left in a state of nature. The 
 fields are all smooth and garden-like as far as the 
 eye can reach. The hazy atmosphere has some- 
 thing to do with the effect. The color of the build- 
 ing materials is also quite different; no bright tints 
 all dingy red, or clay or stone color. The soil is 
 mostly reddish, which I have noticed brings out 
 the green of the grass and the complementary 
 colors. The style of building is also quite differ- 
 ent. We have no such country bumpkins as the 
 
 laborers in the fields. 
 
 LONDON, May 1st. 
 
 I drove to the Crystal Palace to-day. The 
 building is a marvel as to size and imposing effect; 
 the grounds, too, are pleasant, but the contents 
 of the building and the display of articles are 
 altogether inferior, and not to be mentioned in 
 comparison with the Exposition of 1851. 
 
 LONDON, May 3d. 
 
 I went to-day to the service in Westminster 
 Abbey. There was a large congregation, and being
 
 Diaries of George Bond 129 
 
 late I was too far outside to hear perfectly. The 
 chanting of the responses was beyond description 
 impressive, filling the temple with a mighty tide of 
 heavenly sound. One does not need to distinguish 
 perfectly the words uttered, in order to bow the 
 head and worship there. I love the old abbey 
 better every time I look on it. 
 
 LONDON, May 5th. 
 
 I went this morning to Palace Garden Terrace 
 for Professor MAXWELL, and found him at home. 
 At the Royal Society, Saturday evening, I saw his 
 apparatus to illustrate the motions of a ring of 
 thirty-six satellites about Saturn. He does not 
 think the constitution of satellites conforms with 
 the aspect of the ring. He has discussed the sub- 
 ject of the ring being a disintegrated solid. He 
 states that the loss of force by friction and heat 
 would not be appreciable to observation, supposing 
 there were perpetual collisions. So loss by friction 
 of a fluid would be inappreciable. He doubts if a 
 ring of satellites would satisfy the observed aspect. 
 
 He referred to the aspect of the moon at full 
 having the rim brightest, as probably an indication 
 of a rough surface of large blocks not fine sand. 
 
 I saw to-day Mr. JAMES and WM. SIMMS. The 
 latter showed me object glasses of eight inches in 
 process of construction. He thinks the bubbles of 
 no consequence. Merz flint is quickly affected by
 
 130 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 the English climate. CHANCE says the bubbles 
 come from stirring when the glass is melted, and, 
 when not stirred, stride will show themselves. MERZ 
 manufactures his own glass. I saw Colonel STRANGE, 
 who had come to look at a casting just from the 
 mold, of an aluminum bronze circle for a theodolite 
 for the India survey. It is the largest casting of 
 the bronze yet executed, and proved to be a very 
 good one, though Mr. SIMMS had just told me that 
 the metal was difficult to cast, being viscid. The 
 color was very fine, like gold, but tarnishes if han- 
 dled. The bronze is exceedingly tenacious. It 
 costs five times as much as bell metal. Its light- 
 ness, rigidity and small expansibility are recom- 
 mendations for a large meridian circle. In the 
 afternoon I went to Crawford, where I met Mr. DE 
 LA RUE. The country was surpassingly beautiful, 
 and the season one of the earliest on record. Craw- 
 ford is a fine place. On the way from the railroad 
 station we passed over Hounslow Heath, now a 
 lovely garden. We drove through a noble avenue 
 of oaks, and such lawns, shrubbery and walks! like 
 fairy land. 
 
 I saw the photographic process. Mr. DE LA RUE 
 uses cadmian collodion. He has an exhausted air 
 plate holder; the plates are small, circular, two and 
 one half inches. His telescope is a reflector, thirteen 
 inches aperture, ten feet focus. He has now a STEIN-
 
 Diaries of George Bond 131 
 
 HEIL mirror, not yet tested. He thinks a reflector 
 has advantages as to curvature of the image, besides, 
 there is less absorption of actinic energy. OTTO 
 STRUVE was here two weeks ago. He has very strong 
 opposition to contend against. The Academy al- 
 leged the cause that he is a German, and there is 
 an intense manifestation of nationality in Russia 
 just now. DE LA RUE'S stereoscopic pictures of the 
 moon in various phases have the distortion of look- 
 ing ellipsoidal, the longer axis to the eye, or a little 
 below it, when seen as in the telescope. The pho- 
 tographs are certainly very fine, and bear magnify- 
 ing exceedingly well. He attributes it to the use 
 of the cadmian collodion, and in not using silver 
 in developing, only pyrogallic acid. His draw- 
 ings of Saturn, Mars and comets are very numerous, 
 and excellently well done, evidently with great 
 fidelity; note a stereoscope of Saturn a striking 
 thing. The shadows of Saturn's ball on the ring 
 are singularly like ours. 
 
 LONDON, May 7th. 
 
 I went this morning to St. James' Hall, the din- 
 ing club of the Royal Society, and there met Gen- 
 eral SABINE, Professor MILLER of King's College; 
 Professor TYNDALL, Professor SHARPIE, Doctor Ro- 
 GET and others. After dinner I went to the rooms 
 of the Royal Society to the regular meeting. Gen- 
 eral SABINE was in the chair; Professor SHARPIE on
 
 132 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 his right, Professor STOKES on his left. I met there 
 Professor MAXWELL and THOS. GRAHAM, Master of 
 the Mint, and saw also Professor HURST (tall and 
 thin), and Professor SYLVESTER (stout and jolly). 
 
 LONDON, May 8th. 
 
 This morning I went with General SABINE to 
 Richmond, through the deer park, to Kew Observ- 
 atory. The whole magnetic apparatus is now excel- 
 lently arranged, very compact and effective. It 
 can all be comprised easily in a small observing 
 building of the cheapest construction, about twenty- 
 five feet square. . . . 
 
 Thence I went to Kew Gardens with General 
 SABINE by the Deodor avenue. Everything is 
 extremely beautiful. It is impossible to conceive 
 of a garden more complete and beautiful. In the 
 museum I noticed a half-length crayon of Doctor 
 GRAY and Doctor TORREY, taken when young. In 
 the great palm house many of the trees have been 
 topped or cut down for want of room. There is a 
 new conservatory of half-hard}' plants of temperate 
 climates. 
 
 I returned to London as far as Vauxhall with 
 SABINE, who asked me to dinner, but I was already 
 engaged for the Royal Astronomical Society Club 
 at Freemasons' Tavern. There I saw Mr. DUNKIN, 
 Mr. AIRY, Mr. WHITBREAD, M. P., Colonel STRANGE 
 and Sir CHARLES BRIGHT, who invited me to see
 
 Diaries of George Bond 133 
 
 the cable proposed for the deep sea, five times 
 heavier than that used hitherto. The telegraph 
 now extends to Bagdad. Mr. CARRINGTON, Admi- 
 ral MANNERS, EDWIN CLARKE, C. E., R. HODGSON, 
 PRITCHARD, SELWYN, VIGNOLLES, C. E. WALKER, 
 HIND, Doctor LEE and Mr. BUCKINGHAM were pres- 
 ent. The last named has an achromatic worked 
 by WRAY from discs rejected by the French Govern- 
 ment. It was exhibited in the exhibition of 1862. 
 One small part is defective. It has a crown of 
 twenty-nine inches, but the flint is not good. 
 
 At the club dinner Mr. AIRY was in the chair, 
 Bishop COLENSO at his right. He alluded to Profes- 
 sor SOPHOCLES'S work on the modern Greek as 
 evincing great learning, and was generally very 
 complimentary to American science. It was a full 
 meeting, about sixty or seventy present. 
 
 GREENWICH, May 12th. 
 
 This morning I went to Greenwich, and met 
 Mr. AIRY at the station on his way to London. I 
 spoke to him of Professor SOPHOCLES'S work on 
 modern Greek, and told him it must be that pub- 
 lished by the American Academy. He assented, 
 and called it a very remarkable work. 
 
 At Greenwich I was shown by Mr. STONE, the 
 first assistant, and Mr. CARPENTER over the principal 
 part of the buildings the great equatorial (the 
 framework enormous) the dome a light, flat-roofed
 
 134 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 cylinder. The best form of all is, I think, DE LA 
 RUE'S a simple, square, flat-roofed building. The 
 object glass was very much dimmed by [atmos- 
 pheric] action, apparently on the flint lens. There 
 was a general cloudiness, and undoubted spots of 
 efflorescence, like those on our great object glass, 
 but ours is in a far better condition. 
 
 I examined the great transit circle. The illumi- 
 nation is very good; no trouble here with quick- 
 silver tremor, but much was experienced with the 
 reflex zenith tube, which is now obviated by using 
 wooden boxes or frames suspended one inside the 
 other, three of them, by strips of India rubber 
 8 x 1 J x ^ inches. The result is perfect. 
 
 The transit circle is, I fear, in danger of having 
 too much to do with all the galvanic connections. 
 I saw the register apparatus. They rule the sheets 
 in advance by ink from a pen like ours, and then 
 use the punctures; but the record is obviously far 
 less regular than the spring-governor. Some of 
 the dots are very faint, and must be quite trouble- 
 some to read off. 
 
 The manuscript room is fireproof, with slate 
 shelves, a capital thing. Here are collected all the 
 manuscripts of observations and computations from 
 the founding of the observatory, all bound, labeled 
 and in perfect order. The volumes of Mr. AIRY'S 
 correspondence are appalling. One set of recent
 
 Diaries of George Bond 135 
 
 date contains a letter of the Astronomer Royal, in 
 which he states the items of his correspondence on 
 the subject of "Sales of Gas Commissions Act" to 
 have amounted to 431 notes, letters, or longer docu- 
 ments, among them long letters and one report of 
 thirty pages. He writes all these himself, and has 
 no private secretary. Nearly his whole time is 
 necessarily consumed in correspondence and in the 
 direction of affairs. Matters outside the province of 
 the observatory or of astronomy consume much time. 
 
 BONN, May 17th. 
 
 I called on Professor ARGELANDER at 9 A. M. At 
 the observatory I saw the principal instruments. 
 The meridian circle is by PISTOR and MARTINS, Ber- 
 lin. He uses now only one circle, but would use two 
 for fundamental work. The pivots are only one 
 inch in diameter, and the level, which is a hanging 
 one, rests on parts [of the pivots], say an inch distant 
 from the y. "When the level is set on, it is swung 
 pretty forcibly backward and forward to give it a 
 firm bearing. The microscopes are supported on 
 brass arms. Professor ARGELANDER doubts whether 
 they are better than in stone, as in streams of air 
 of different temperatures they are liable to distor- 
 tions different from the circle. He thinks the idea 
 of covering the piers with cloth a good one. He 
 does not like gas, as it has injured the circle 
 divisions by tarnishing. I saw the same thing at
 
 136 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 Greenwich, where they complained of it also. The 
 building and the outside grounds are in excellent 
 order; within, indications are that appearances are 
 not considered of much account. Professor ARGE- 
 LANDER spoke of the desirability of making a com- 
 prehensive star-catalogue to include all scattered 
 positions of stars in the Astronomische Nachricltten 
 and elsewhere. He mentioned that HOEK of Ley- 
 den is engaged on a reference catalogue, citing 
 places where stars are to be found. BESSEL was 
 very fond of hunting, and used to go into the 
 country on Saturda}' nights to hunt on Sundays. 
 He worked very hard, but went often into society. 
 He was not a good teacher, and used to tell ARGE- 
 LANDER not to attend his lectures, that he could 
 use his time to better advantage. His habit was, 
 in whatever subject he was engaged upon, to study 
 up specially on that alone, and he had little idea 
 of teaching the general principles simply. 
 
 At social entertainments he used to have a little 
 table set for himself, in case of his leaving to 
 observe. He was lively and very amiable. He 
 lectured eight hours a week at Konigsberg. D'AR- 
 REST is subject to melancholy. SCHWERD, at Speyer, 
 near Mannheim, is ingenious in mechanical inven- 
 tions. He is getting old, and has affection or dizzi- 
 ness of the head, preventing observing. KAISER is 
 getting into years, and is subject to headaches.
 
 Diaries of George Bond 137 
 
 SCHONFELD, FoRSTER and WiNNECKE are among the 
 most promising of the young men. 
 
 REPSOLD of Hamburg and PISTOR and MARTINS 
 of Berlin are the best instrument makers. ARGE- 
 LANDER likes SCHWERD'S photometer much better 
 than STEINHEIL'S, which is complicated. He thinks 
 he would prefer smaller, rather than larger, circles 
 to his meridian circle. They are about three feet. 
 He has a fine instrument for extra meridional 
 observations of distances of stars apart. He pro- 
 poses in this way to determine R. A. differences of 
 a few stars, independent of time, but flexure is a 
 great difficulty. The level tube is freely exposed 
 to the air. I saw the comet-seeker of "Sternver- 
 zeichniss" a very plain, unpretending instrument. 
 One observer could not continue the observations 
 much beyond an hour and twenty minutes, from 
 fatigue. They have observed as many as thirty 
 stars in one minute and 1200 in an hour. 
 
 MANNHEIM, May 18th. 
 
 I called this evening on Professor SCHONFELD, 
 and had two hours' conversation with him. He 
 showed me his " Nebelflecke" two copies of which he 
 has sent to H. C. Observatory, through booksellers. 
 The Government did not allow him sufficient means 
 to publish his observations in full. Professor ARGE- 
 LANDER also complained that for want of means 
 his charts were not as well printed as he desired.
 
 138 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 I understood him to say that he furnished the 
 money himself. He has a certain amount allowed 
 yearly for the observatory, and although it is in 
 form appropriated to different objects, yet what he 
 saves in one department he can spend in another. 
 
 SPEYER, May 19th. 
 
 I went to Speyer to-day at 9:25 to see Professor 
 SCHWERD and the photometer. Such extraordinary 
 old battered doorways or gates to the private houses, 
 as if they were intended to stand a siege of a week 
 or more! Generally in German towns people seem 
 to walk in the middle of the streets, in preference to 
 the sidewalks, when there are any. The streets are 
 clean, except the gutters, which perform the office 
 of sewers. Professor SCHWERD speaks not a word 
 of English. I saw first in his garden a little box 
 4x4x8 feet high, his photometric observatory! 
 and a little octagonal building ten or twelve feet in 
 diameter, where is mounted the meridian circle by 
 REICHENBACH & ERTEL, Munich (the elder ERTEL, 
 the younger has lately died). SCHWERU and ARGE- 
 LANDER both thought the recent work of the estab- 
 lishment inferior. With this instrument the polar 
 catalogue was observed. It reads by verniers to 4", 
 but much closer by estimation. I noticed that 
 SCHWERD had altered the level y's (hanging level) 
 so that they rested on the part of the pivot over 
 the point of contact of the pivot on the ?/'s attached
 
 Diaries of George Bond 139 
 
 to the stone; whereas at Bonn the level rests on 
 parts of pivots inside their points of support. He 
 also added the counterpoise to make the pivots bear 
 equally on each y. The circle is perhaps of twenty 
 inches, and is graduated as a finder on the edge 
 and finely on its face as silver. I do not think the 
 counterpoise for flexure of the tube can be an 
 advantage, as it must act irregularly at zenith. 
 Professor SCHWERD explained his photometer at 
 length. The instrument had been taken apart, but 
 by drawings and looking at different parts I could 
 understand it readily. 
 
 SCHWERD is making two, one for Poulkova and 
 one for Wilna, the cost 2450 thalers not high, I 
 suppose, considering the amount of work, including 
 the clockwork. The optical part was made by 
 MERZ the rest in his own workshop. 
 
 Speyer is one of the oldest German towns, and 
 is mentioned by Roman authors, perhaps by CAESAR. 
 The cathedral has been two or three times restored, 
 and now the interior has a modern look, being 
 finely painted and adorned with pictures of scenes 
 from the Old and the New Testament, well executed. 
 The ceiling is in color and gilt. Outside, in the 
 gardens adjoining, you come now and then on 
 older ruins, and there are many marks of an older' 
 building about the cathedral itself.
 
 140 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 MUNICH, May 21st. 
 
 To-day I went to MERZ'S Optical Institute. I 
 found SIEGMUND MERZ and saw MERZ senior, who is 
 apparently about seventy years old.* They showed 
 me various object glasses to illustrate the effect of 
 efflorescence. Some had round spots, like those on 
 our object glass, though not so large others irreg- 
 ular streaks of the same nature, perhaps but much 
 more extensive than any seen on our object glass. 
 I saw an object glass of 16-inch, French, and 6-foot 
 focus on trial. This also showed much more action 
 than ours. In another room I saw two finished 
 object glasses of 14-inch, French, one of which was 
 the companion of ours or of Poulkova, and the 
 other the companion of that made for Lisbon under 
 the supervision of M. OTTO STRUVE, which was con- 
 sidered an excellent glass. A third was of 16-inch, 
 French. This, MERZ said, was good as to perform- 
 ance, but in one part it had a stria which, though he 
 did not really consider it of importance, would pre- 
 vent him from selling it, as wnen noticed it might 
 injure the reputation of the establishment. I 
 observe that on this point they seem very sensitive. 
 I saw the flint lens of the 18-inch, French (curves 
 for focal length 27-foot, French). MERZ considers 
 it of very fine quality, and on careful examination 
 
 * GEORGE MERZ, born 1793. From 1818 he was an assistant 
 to FRAUENHOFER (who died in 1826), and from that time on- 
 wards he was the head of the Munich Optical Institute.
 
 Diaries of George Bond 141 
 
 I found it remarkably transparent and nearly white 
 in color. It is unusually free from bubbles of much 
 size. I saw the crown glass partly ground, but this 
 had the surface marked with one or two pretty deep 
 seams, and it is doubtful if they would come out in 
 the grinding. In another room were two or three 
 discs of crown of 18-inch diameter of different 
 colors, some bluish. These had large notches, 
 two inches long, scooped out of them, often to the 
 depth of one half the disc, probably for the removal 
 of striae. There was a large block of crown, 
 10x12 inches, of irregular shape, considered of 
 fine quality, which was to be pressed, in a semifluid 
 state, into the shape of a disc. This is an important 
 part of the process. Flint heats more readily, and 
 becomes of the right consistency for pressing, while 
 crown glass is more refractory in this part of the 
 process, and sometimes, by repeated heating, be- 
 comes brittle, so that for very large discs the crown 
 is more difficult to make than the flint, although, 
 perhaps, easier in the rough mass. I saw two or 
 three 15-inch discs in the rough, some of which 
 had been examined. 
 
 MERZ now undertakes lenses of moderate size, 
 under 10-inch, with ratio **** = & He has made, 
 or is making, one for Hamburg an equatorial. 
 
 This afternoon I drove out to Bogenhausen and 
 found Doctor LAMONT at home, in the workshop of
 
 142 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 the observatory in the midst of work. He showed 
 me first a new transit, not yet finished, designed 
 for zones. 
 
 I saw an old two-foot circle by REICHENBACH, 
 fitted up- to be used for latitude observations in 
 a new verification of geographical positions for the 
 meassurement of degrees. 
 
 Doctor LAMOXT has a meridian circle of REICH- 
 ENBACH'S his first large one made about 1818. 
 It is in very good keeping, though Doctor LAMONT 
 fills the observatory and covers all his instruments 
 with ingenious contrivances of his own this among 
 the rest. I saw the nadir reflection of wires excel- 
 lently. The mercury is only about 0.04 inch deep, 
 and is in a copper or brass disc, to which it adheres 
 slightly. Doctor LAMONT is confident that 0.02 inch 
 is deep enough to insure horizontality. It comes 
 to rest in twenty or thirty seconds. 
 
 Doctor LAMONT is unmarried, and works very 
 hard evidentl} r . He is much of a mechanician, 
 and works himself in the workshop at the observ- 
 atory. He lives rather secluded from society, and 
 is un pen angulaire in his ways. But he evidently 
 has great resources of mechanical invention and 
 theoretical knowledge. Astronomical observations, 
 as well as those of magnetism and meteorology,
 
 Diaries of George Bond 143 
 
 were evidently in progress, but it was equally evi- 
 dent that the amount of labor undertaken must be 
 beyond the possibility of accomplishment without 
 a large staff of observers. 
 
 S. MERZ has the distinct impression that the 
 manufacture of the large discs is a profound secret 
 resting with the elder MERZ and SIEGMUND. But 
 STEINHEIL, who uses CHANCE'S glass, says it is 
 better than MERZ'S; that the latter follows the old 
 rule to the letter, and compasses no new or original 
 conceptions for improving upon FRAUNHOFER'S 
 method. 
 
 I saw MERZ to-day. He is prepared to under- 
 take object glasses of eighteen inches to twenty-one- 
 inches, French measure, with ratio of aperture to- 
 focal length n. He thinks that a provision for tilt- 
 ing, or otherwise altering the relative positions of 
 lenses, is inexpedient, a good deal of trouble, and 
 not much use. The time for making a large lens 
 say eighteen inches, French, would not be less than 
 a 3^ear and a half, and probably two or three. The 
 increase of weight for a lens of eighteen inches 
 aperture, 21-foot focus, Paris, over one of four- 
 teen inches and twenty-one feet, with a cell in 
 both cases, would be twenty pounds. He can be 
 quite sure of making a large disc if sufficient time 
 be allowed. Here, as in other points, is an indica- 
 tion of his following a method similar to CHANCE'S..
 
 144. Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 The thickness of a crown lens for aperture 
 eighteen inches, focus twenty-one feet, Paris, would 
 be determined by the accidental quality of the glass. 
 It is not likely, however, to differ outside the lim- 
 its 1.5 inches to 2.0 inches. 
 
 The flint lens need not be quite so thick viz. 
 about one third inch thick in the center, and per- 
 haps one and one half inches at the edge. Together 
 the lenses would be scarcely two inches thick at 
 thickest. 
 
 There seems to be no objection to mounting the 
 tube in [our] old mounting; but MERZ appears to 
 think more alteration necessary in the counterpoises 
 than we do. The bedplate is not solid for the 
 entire length under the present tube, and might be 
 adapted to a new one. 
 
 MERZ has not as much power to adapt himself 
 to new circumstances as CLARK has. 
 
 MEMORANDA OF COST OF FURNISHING A LARGE 
 OBJECT GLASS (o. & S. MERZ). 
 
 MUNICH, May 22, 1863. 
 
 Cost of object glass in its cell simply, without tube, aper- 
 ture 18 inches, Paris measure. Focal length 21 feet, 
 Paris, 42,000 florins = 18, 000 gold. 
 
 Time required to construct it, 1J to 3 years. 
 
 Aperture 18 inches, focus 27 feet, 36,000 florins =815,000 gold. 
 
 Tube and finder 1,075 florins = $450 additional. 
 
 Aperture 19 inches, focus 14x19 = 22 feet (about), 
 
 51,000 florins = 821,900 gold.
 
 Diaries of George Bond 145 
 
 The 1 inch additional would therefore increase the price by 
 about $3900. 
 
 MERZ, 18.5 inches, English, $16,000. 
 
 CLARK, about 8,000 gold. 
 
 N. B. All the above prices are for the apparatus at Munich, 
 and do not include transport to New York or Boston. 
 
 MUNICH, May 23d. 
 
 S. MERZ called at 9 : 30. Last evening he had 
 calculated the price for an object glass eighteen 
 inches, French, 21-foot focus = 36,000 florins = 
 $16,000 gold. This was very close to what I had 
 anticipated; but I was also persuaded that he 
 would abate it decidedly to secure the work. I told 
 him that CLARK'S object glass had been offered to us 
 for $11,400 currency at gold premium, or $7000 to 
 $8000 gold. He said that on the basis of an a 
 priori estimate their prices would be as stated, and 
 as such it might prove too high. He proposed no 
 reduction, and I did not ask any. I simply told him 
 of CLARK'S offer, and mentioned incidentally that I 
 was going to see STEINHEIL. Soon after M. STEINHEIL 
 (the son) came in to accompany me, and MERZ left. 
 
 I was greatly pleased with STEINHEIL'S estab- 
 lishment. They had made out a list of things to 
 show me. The first was the adjustments of the 
 4-inch object glass of the new construction (im- 
 proved from GAUSS). One of its advantages is 
 the scope allowed for adjustment by the interval 
 between the lenses.
 
 146 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 It will take two years from date of order to 
 make an 18-inch French aperture. The new con- 
 struction will cost one third more than the old. 
 
 PRICES FOR THE OLD CONSTRUCTION. 
 (7 Florins = 15 Francs.) 
 
 Aperture. Focus. Florins. 
 
 9-inch 9 1,915 
 
 12 " 13 4.220 
 
 15 " 16 7,872 
 
 18 " 20 13,171 
 
 Flint of very high density is apt to effloresce. 
 
 MERZ is making an object glass for the Hamburg 
 equatorial, 9.5-inch aperture, 9.5-foot focus = 4 It 
 has prisms of flint, with a very large proportion of 
 lead, showing the line D of the spectrum triple by 
 a single prism of 60. KIRCHHOFP uses these prisms. 
 
 MERZ has the reputation of following, without 
 deviation, FRAUNHOFER'S methods. He is very 
 reticent as to his processes. STEINHEIL polishes 
 with glass on glass and iron on glass. The grind- 
 ing is by hand, the polishing by machinery. The 
 surfaces are frequently tested. 
 
 I was struck with the frankness of the STEIN- 
 HEILS, father and son, and the readiness they man- 
 ifested to show me all their processes, although I 
 had in no way intimated that I had any proposal 
 for a large object glass, or any order in contempla- 
 tion which might induce them to think it for their 
 interest to be attentive.
 
 Diaries of George Bond 147 
 
 All speak of STEINHEIL as a man of genius and 
 very eminent. Besides being proficient in painting 
 and music, he has lately given special attention to 
 acoustics. His two sons are highly intelligent. 
 
 MUNICH, May 23d. 
 
 This evening I went to VON MARTINS' to dine with 
 Madame VON M., Doctor BEZOLD, a privat docent, 
 Professor SEIDEL and their nephew. AGASSIZ was a 
 pupil of VON MARTINS. It is plain that VON MAR- 
 TINS has a sound estimate of his position and char- 
 acter. He is a shrewd man. I was quite prepared 
 for his opinion, expressed in the strongest terms, of 
 Dr. ASA GRAY'S high standing. He has a weakness 
 for collecting violins, and showed us a number by 
 various makers. The peculiar form of the instru- 
 ment is essential is many centuries old but the 
 reason no one can tell. I returned home with Pro- 
 fessor SEIDEL and Doctor BEZOLD. 
 
 PARIS, June 3d. 
 
 I went to-day to the observatory. The interior 
 is in admirable condition as to appearance, fine 
 polished oak floors, etc. I saw the principal instru- 
 ments, among others the Foucault mirror of 15-inch 
 to 20-inch, French. One is in contemplation of 
 46-inch, French. It rests on an air bag, which is 
 inflated at pleasure until the figure assumed by 
 the mirror is satisfactory. I saw, also, the two 
 29-inch discs by CHANCE & Co., the largest ever
 
 148 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 made, and examined them, though the light was 
 not suitable. I was very favorably impressed with 
 the quality of the glass. M. LEVERRIEK stated that 
 the crown lens was perfect not a defect could be 
 found on the closest inspection. The flint is very 
 good, but not equal to the crown. STEINHEIL was 
 a member of the committee who examined one of 
 these discs in the London Exhibition in 1857, and 
 he told me it was very good. They have no pres- 
 ent intention of working these lenses, being occu- 
 pied with the mirrors and with the establishment 
 of an observatory in the south of France. The new 
 transit-circle, of the size and after the style of the 
 Greenwich, has just been mounted, and M. EICHENS 
 is still occupied upon it. Illumination of divisions 
 by means of prisms is excellent. Divisions cut 
 with a steel point look very nicely cut. As with 
 the Greenwich instrument, there is no provision 
 made for reversal. M. LEVERRIEK will not use 
 reflection from nadir for collimation, nor determi- 
 nations from collimators, "because in the nadir 
 and the horizon the collimation error is not the 
 same as in ordinary positions of the telescope." 
 The instrument is of cast iron, about twelve feet 
 long. LEVERRIER showed no liking for the electric 
 method for ordinary observations; thinks it no 
 more accurate than the old method, and liable to 
 greater changes of personal equation.
 
 Diaries of George Bond 149 
 
 The clock used for telegraphic signals has a grid- 
 iron pendulum, and the circuit is broken directly 
 by the pendulum acting on an inclined plane, as 
 long ago in America. In adopting the principle 
 of the relay magnet setting off a strong by means 
 of a weak circuit, M. LEVERRIER seemed, as I 
 understood him, to be under the impression that 
 the idea was a new one. I think the standard 
 clock is not put on any magnetic circuit whatever. 
 To-night it was proposed to communicate signals 
 for differences of longitude with Strasburg and 
 Brest, and all the preparations had been made. 
 M. LEVERRIER invited me to be present, but I was 
 convinced that this would endanger an interruption 
 of the course of observations, and declined, subse- 
 quently sending a note to thank him for the cour- 
 tesy, and explaining my motives. I know that in 
 my case I would thank no one to disturb similar 
 operations by even his bare presence.
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 SELECTIONS FROM THE CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 GEORGE BOND 1852-1865 
 
 IN this chapter a selection from the letters of 
 GEORGE BOND is given. It is impossible to 
 print anything more than a selection. Those letters 
 have been chosen which exhibit the activity of the 
 observatory, throw light on BOND'S own researches, 
 or serve as documents for that History of Astron- 
 omy in America which is still to be written. Let- 
 ters dealing with the details of scientific work must 
 needs be omitted in this place. They are of inter- 
 est to astronomers, but they require too much eluci- 
 dation to be read by non-professionals. The com- 
 mentary would usually require to be as extended 
 as the text. Occasionally BOND has explained his 
 plans and his work in familiar letters to friends, 
 and such letters are always printed in full. His 
 whole correspondence contains singularly few para- 
 graphs which do not deal with scientific matters. 
 The only rays of humor come in stray passages in 
 the letters of that very accomplished and learned 
 man, Doctor PETERS, Director of the Hamilton Col- 
 lege Observatory; and these often cannot be quoted,
 
 Correspondence of George Bond .151 
 
 as they frequently relate to very personal affairs. 
 One of BOND'S most faithful correspondents in Eng- 
 land was Mr. R. C. CARRINGTON, Secretary of the 
 Royal Astronomical Society, 1857-62. 
 
 From 1851 onwards many letters passed between 
 them. Nearly every letter is of interest to the pro- 
 fessional astronomer, and for that very reason is 
 too technical to find a place in this collection. 
 They are full of details relating to CARRINGTON'S 
 two important works (his catalogue of polar stars 
 and his observations of the solar spots) and of the 
 work going on at Harvard at the same time. A 
 number of very interesting letters exchanged with 
 the Rev. W. R. DAWES (mostly relating to the dusky 
 ring of Saturn) must be omitted here also, on account 
 of their technicality. The case is similar with the 
 correspondence between BOND and Prof. W. A. NOR- 
 TON, of Yale College (on the theory of the internal 
 constitution of comets). 
 
 One may say that nearly all of BOND'S published 
 work is to be found, in embryo, in his correspon- 
 dence; and conversely, that there is comparatively 
 little in his correspondence which may not be 
 found in his printed memoirs. Astronomers, then, 
 will lose relatively little by the rigid exclusion of 
 his purely scientific letters, which it has been neces- 
 sary to make. They are in a position to consult 
 his scientific writings, and to follow in them the
 
 152 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 processes of his mind. The chief loss will be to 
 nonprofessional readers who are not familiar witli 
 his published work.* 
 
 During the year 1858 BOND conducted a large 
 correspondence with astronomers all over the world 
 in relation to the theory of the great comet of 1858, 
 and for the purpose of collecting all observations 
 and measures made of the nucleus and envelopes, 
 and all drawings of the tail. These letters of BOND'S 
 are highly interesting, as they show him in the 
 very midst of his work, and exhibit the processes 
 of his thinking. They are, however, entirely too 
 special to be printed here. The correspondence 
 of this and other years has been copied by his 
 daughters, who have most kindly presented their 
 copies of the original letters to and from BOND to 
 the Lick Observatory, with the sanction of the 
 Director of the Harvard College Observatory, Pro- 
 fessor EDWARD C. PICKERING. The sheets have been 
 uniformly bound in volumes and deposited in our 
 library, where they will be carefully preserved and 
 always available to astronomers in future years. 
 
 I have omitted the many letters of condolence 
 written to BOND on the death of his father,f because 
 
 * A list of his scientific writings is given in Appendix II. 
 
 t By Professors BRUENNOW, CASWEL.L, GIBBES, HUBBARD, 
 MITCHEI>, NORTON, PETERS and others ; by President or 
 ex-Presidents JOSIAH QUINCY, EDWARD EVKRKTT, JAMES 
 WALKER, of Harvard College; by Captains WHIPPLE and
 
 Correspondence of George Bond 153 
 
 they are chiefly important as throwing light on the 
 character of the latter; and because the biograph- 
 ical sketch printed in another chapter of this book 
 gives a more complete and symmetric presentation. 
 They, one and all, exhibit the high esteem felt for 
 the character of the elder BOND and friendly inter- 
 est in the career of his son. 
 
 PROFESSOR J. F. EXCKE TO GEORGE BOND. 
 
 (TRANSLATION.) 
 
 BERLIN, May 19, 1852. 
 Most Honored Sir: 
 
 Director HANSEN writes to me on May 15th 
 to say that you have written to him that the 
 method of calculating the perturbations from the 
 original equations for rectangular coordinates, 
 which I printed as new in the November number 
 of the Monatsberichte of the Berlin Academy had 
 been already published by you on May 29, 1849, in 
 the Memoirs of the American Academy. ... I 
 at once looked at your paper "On Some Applica- 
 tions of the Method of Mechanical Quadrations," 
 and found that your method and mine are, in fact, 
 entirely identical in form. ... It is not possible 
 for me in the least to contend as to the priority [of 
 your paper]; and I therefore hastened to make a 
 communication to the Academy [on the subject], in 
 which your rights are fully acknowledged. On the 
 other hand, 1 can assure you that I had not the 
 slightest idea that you had discovered this method 
 before me, otherwise I should have declared it at 
 
 GEORGE MEADE and Colonel GRAHAM of the Engineer Corps 
 of the Army; by Captain WILKES, Lieutenants MAURY and 
 GILLJSS of the Navy, etc.
 
 154 Memorial of the Sands 
 
 once. ... In the present case, before I printed 
 my memoir, I communicated my method, by-letter 
 and at length, to Hofrath GAUSS, Professor AIRY 
 and Director HANSEN. and since it appeared to all 
 of these gentlemen to be new, I considered that 
 nothing similar could have been published. You 
 will see from this that I could not have had the 
 intention to deprive anyone of his just rights. 
 [The rest of Professor ENCKE'S letter is taken up 
 with the development of one point of the method 
 in a rigorous manner, to remove a doubt expressed 
 by BOND in his paper.] . . . 
 
 Let us hope that the method will be often em- 
 ployed, so that graduall} r , step by step, we may 
 come to understand our solar system. With the 
 highest respect, Your obedient, 
 
 J. F. ENCKE, 
 
 Director of the Berlin Observatory. 
 
 To HON. WILLIAM MITCHELL, NANTUCKET, PROM 
 GEORGE BOND. 
 
 CAMBRIDGE, July 6, 1857. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 I have for some months past been engaged 
 in preparing for publication my reports on the Coast 
 Survey Chronometric Expeditions, and my anxiety 
 to get finally through with them has prevented me 
 from writing to you earlier with relation to the 
 photographic experiments which have been made 
 and are now in progress at our observatory. Your 
 request to be kept informed in matters of this kind 
 I will now comply with, in season, I hope, to be of 
 service in posting up MARIA* on the subject before 
 she leaves for Europe. 
 
 *Miss MARIA MITCHELL, afterwards Professor in Vassar 
 College.
 
 Correspondence of George Bond 155 
 
 As far as I am informed, the attempt to photo- 
 graph the fixed stars by their own light has been 
 made nowhere else up to the present date. The 
 rumor of a daguerreotype of a nebula, made in Italy 
 some years since, was unfounded, and worth about 
 as much as P. SEECHI'S so-called lunar photograph 
 of more recent date, a photographic copy of an 
 India ink drawing! 
 
 About seven years since (July 17, 1850,) Mr. 
 WHIPPLE obtained daguerreotype impressions from 
 the image of a Lyrse formed in the focus of the 
 great equatorial, and subsequently from Castor, 
 thus establishing a simple, but not uninteresting 
 fact the possibility of such an achievement. On 
 these occasions a long exposure of one or two min- 
 utes was required before the plate was acted upou 
 by the light, and in this interval the irregularities 
 of the Munich clockwork were so large as to destroy 
 the symmetry of the images, while the smaller 
 stars of the second magnitude would not " take " 
 at all. 
 
 For some years after Mr. WHIPPLE gave his 
 attention to photographs of the moon and sun, and 
 the stars were left to themselves. But improve- 
 ments in the art progressed rapidly; the prepara- 
 tions were more sensitive, the artists had acquired 
 more experience. At the same time the principle 
 of the spring-governor had been thoroughly tested, 
 and found to supply a great desideratum in im- 
 parting a sidereal motion to the telescope incom- 
 parably more uniform than that attained by the 
 Munich mechanism. If you have been present 
 (I have not) at some of the more recent meetings 
 of the American Association, you may have heard 
 this same spring-governor (the same which regu- 
 lates our electric apparatus) condemned in public 
 thoroughly used up, you may say, by men who 
 consider themselves high authorities. After being
 
 156 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 annihilated by the demonstrations of Professors 
 PEIRCE, BARTLETT, GOULD, etc., it is inexcusably 
 perverse in continuing to do its work perfectly, 
 obstinately defiant of theory and mathematics, but 
 conforming exactly with good common sense. 
 
 On page 294 of the Coast Survey Report, 1855, 
 Doctor GOULD, in his anxiety lest the observator}' 
 of Harvard should gain any credit for the inven- 
 tion of the governor, commits a ridiculous blunder 
 in comparing it with the Munich clock, which it 
 resembles as it would anything else that has wheels 
 a wheelbarrow or handcart, for instance. But 
 neither talking nor writing nor false reasoning will 
 change the nature of what is true, and so our clock 
 keeps pace with the stars perfectly, and we exu'lt in 
 a final triumph. But to return, Messrs. WHIPPLE 
 and BLACK recommenced their trials on other 
 images (taken by the collodion process) in March 
 of the present year, and they are still in progress. 
 The expense of time, chemicals, etc., is far more 
 considerable than one would have anticipated 
 each night, in fact, opens new vistas requiring 
 exploration. The field for experiment is too vast 
 to be at once occupied, even if we were provided 
 with unlimited means. But the results already 
 obtained in the disconnected attempts we have 
 thus far been enabled to make, are of the highest 
 interest, and suggest possibilities in the future 
 which one can scarcely trust himself to speculate 
 upon. Could another step in advance be taken 
 equal to that gained since 1850, the consequences 
 could not fail of being of incalculable importance 
 in astronomy. 
 
 The same object, a Lyrse, which in 1850 required 
 100 s to impart its image to the plate, and even 
 then imperfectly, is now photographed instantane- 
 ously with a symmetrical disc perfectly fit for exact 
 micrometer measurement. We then were confined
 
 Correspondence of George Bond 157 
 
 to a dozen or two of the brightest stars, whereas 
 now we take all that are visible to the naked eye. 
 Even from week to week we can distinguish decided 
 progress. 
 
 Of the beauty and convenience of the process 
 you will scarcely form a correct idea without wit- 
 nessing for yourself, which I hope you will be able 
 to do before long. 
 
 On a fine night the amount of work which can 
 be accomplished, with an entire exemption from 
 the trouble, vexation and fatigue which seldom fail 
 to attend upon ordinary observations, is aston- 
 ishing. 
 
 The plates once secured, can be laid by for 
 future study by daylight and at leisure. The rec- 
 ord is there, with no room for doubt or mistakes as 
 to its fidelity. As yet, however, we obtain images 
 only from stars to the sixth magnitude, inclusive. 
 To be of essential service to astronomy, it is indis- 
 pensable that great improvements be yet made, 
 and these, I feel sure, will not be accomplished 
 without a deal of experimenting. To do this prop- 
 erly we need for at least a year to come the services 
 of the excellent artists who have hitherto literally 
 given us their assistance, expensive materials and 
 instruments. They should be liberally remuner- 
 ated, and feel at liberty, when the prospect is good 
 for a fair night, to give up their day's business and 
 come to the work fresh and fit to spend the whole 
 night at the telescope. As matters are at present, 
 they come to the observatory thoroughly exhausted, 
 for it generally happens that the best nights are 
 preceded by their busiest days. They make no 
 charge for their time, costly chemicals and instru- 
 ments, and as they are volunteers, we" have no claim 
 on them, and cannot, in conscience, require more 
 of men utterly exhausted .than they have done. 
 But could we but press this matter on, we should
 
 158 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 soon be able to say what we can and what we can- 
 not accomplish in stellar photography 'the latter 
 limits we certainly have not reached as yet. At 
 present the chief object of attention must be to 
 improve the sensitiveness of the plates, to which I 
 am assured by high authorities in chemistry there 
 is scarcely any limit to be put in point of theory. 
 Suppose we are able finally to obtain pictures 
 of seventh magnitude stars. It is reasonable to 
 suppose that on some lofty mountain and in a purer 
 atmosphere we might, with the same telescope, 
 include the eighth magnitude. To increase the 
 size of the telescope threefold in aperture is a prac- 
 ticable thing if the money can be found. This would 
 increase the brightness of the stellar images, say 
 eightfold, and we should be able then to photograph 
 all the stars to the tenth and eleventh magnitude, 
 inclusive. There is nothing then so extravagant 
 in predicting a future application of photography to 
 stellar astronomy on a most magnificent scale. It 
 is even at this moment simply a question of find- 
 ing one or two hundred thousand dollars to make 
 the telescope with and to keep up the experiments. 
 
 What more admirable method can be imagined 
 for the study of the orbits of the fixed stars, and 
 for resolving the problem of their annual parallax 
 than this would be if we could obtain the impres- 
 sions of the telescopic stars to the tenth magnitude! 
 Consider, too, that groups of ten, or fifty even, if 
 so many occur in the compass of the field, will 
 be taken as quickly as one alone would be, perhaps 
 in a few seconds only, and each mapped down with 
 unimpeachable accuracy ! 
 
 It would be useless for me to attempt to describe 
 in a letter the processes and results in detail. Can 
 you not come up and see for yourself? I am going 
 away about the 15th of August, and till then we 
 shall be at work on the subject. Please say to
 
 Correspondence of George Bond 159 
 
 MARIA that two or three copies of our volume on 
 Saturn will be sent to her as soon as they come 
 from the binders (they were promised to-day), and 
 some veritable star photographs. Please give my 
 regards to her and to other members of your 
 family, and believe me, Very truly yours, 
 
 G. P. BOND. 
 Hon. WM. MITCHELL. 
 
 P. S. I find I have forgotten to allude to two 
 important features in stellar photography one is 
 that the intensity and size of the images taken in 
 connection with the length of time during which 
 the plate has been exposed measures the relative 
 magnitudes of the stars. The other point is, that 
 the measurements of distances and angles of posi- 
 tion of the double stars from the plates, we have 
 ascertained by many trials on our earliest impres- 
 sions, to be as exact as the best micrometric work. 
 Our subsequent pictures are much more perfect, 
 and should do better still. G. P. B. 
 
 SIR G. B. AIRY TO GEORGE BOND. 
 
 ROYAL OBSERVATORY, GREENWICH, ) 
 LONDON, S. E., 1857, November 6. J 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 I have to thank you very heartily for a paper 
 on the use of equivalent numbers in the applica- 
 tion of the method of least squares. I had used 
 the method myself on some few occasions, but I 
 never published anything on it, and so far as I 
 know no other person has published it. 
 
 Your paper, however, has delighted me; it is the 
 most reasonable treatise on the subject that I have 
 seen for a long time. 
 
 The example of the substitution of round 
 numbers for exact numbers is very clear. The-
 
 160 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 exhibition of the great alteration produced in 
 the resulting roots of the equations, which, as you 
 demonstrate, are very nearly as trustworthy as those 
 given by the exact theoretical numbers, will at first 
 shock many readers, but cannot fail ultimately to 
 interest them. I am, dear sir, 
 
 Your faithful servant, 
 (Signed) G. B. AIRY. 
 
 FROM J. HOMER LANE TO GEORGE BOND. 
 
 WASHINGTON, D. C., October 23, 1858. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 It has occurred to me, and independently to 
 Mr. TAYLOR, a chief examiner in the Patent Office, 
 that a stereoscopic image of the moon might be 
 obtained by taking advantage of her librations.* 
 Not only might we expect the stereoscopic effect of 
 solidity, but Mr. TAYLOR well suggests that a stere- 
 oscopic view, by the increased power of interpreta- 
 tion it will afford, may even lead to new discoveries 
 respecting the physical peculiarities of the moon's 
 surface. We think, therefore, the attempt to mul- 
 tiply stereoscopic views will be well worth consider- 
 able pains-, and understanding that you have been 
 paying attention to the production of photographs 
 of the moon, we thought proper to address you, 
 witli the hope that you may have it in your way 
 to make experiments on the subject. It is a matter 
 which will, of course, require considerable time, it 
 being necessary to select two corresponding epochs, 
 which, while they present to the observer in suffi- 
 cient degree the effect of libration, also have the 
 sun at the zenith of the same point of the moon's 
 surface, that the illumination may be identical. I 
 
 [*See a paper by Doctor DE LA RUE, in Report B. A. A. S., 
 1859, p. 148. J
 
 161 
 
 need not enlarge on details, the mere suggestion 
 being sufficient. It may not be impossible to make 
 a selection from pictures already obtained, if they 
 are sufficiently numerous. 
 
 Respectfully yours, 
 
 J. HOMER LANE. 
 
 To DR. J. H. ARMSBY, TRUSTEE OF THE DUDLEY 
 OBSERVATORY, ALBANY, FROM GEORGE BOND. 
 
 CAMBRIDGE, January 20, 1859. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 I am fully sensible of the honor conferred by 
 the invitation of the trustees of the Dudley Observ- 
 atory, communicated in your letter of the 17th 
 inst., but must decline accepting it.* 
 
 The present board of trustees I consider perfectly 
 competent to manage all the affairs of the institu- 
 tion properly coming under their charge. An 
 astronomer fit to direct its scientific operations 
 can stand in no need of a special "scientific coun- 
 cil," and may find their control offensive or other- 
 wise troublesome. 
 
 You will readily infer from the expression of 
 these views the reasons of my unwillingness to act 
 as a member of the proposed conference. But that 
 there may be no room for misapprehension, allow 
 me to add that I have full confidence in the judg- 
 ment of the gentlemen named in your letter, and 
 believe that Professor MITCHEL, who is understood 
 to be the choice of the trustees as director, will fill 
 
 * Doctor AKMSBY'S letter is not to be found among BOND'S 
 papers. It was an invitation to be present at Albany at a con- 
 ference between the trustees of the Dudley Observatory and 
 invited astronomers, to consult upon the future policy of the 
 Dudley Observatory, from the directorship of which Doctor 
 GOULD had lately been removed.
 
 162 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 that office with honor to the observatory and to the 
 satisfaction of those who have contributed to it& 
 establishment. Very truly, 
 
 G. P. BOND. 
 
 FROM PRESIDENT WALKER, OF HARVARD COLLEGE, 
 TO GEORGE BOND. 
 
 QUINCY STREET, February 28, 1859. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 I have the pleasure to inform you that the 
 corporation on Saturday elected you to succeed 
 your father as Director of the Observatory and 
 Phillips Professor of Astronomy. The election 
 must be confirmed by the Overseers, who will meet 
 on Wednesday, March 9th.* 
 
 Faithfully yours, 
 
 JAMES WALKER. 
 
 GEORGE BOND TO HON. WM. MITCHELL. 
 
 March 10, 1859. 
 
 Now that my position at the observatory is; 
 settled, I wish to compose matters, if possible, with 
 Professors PEIRCE and BACHE, so far as can be 
 without a compromise of independence. This con- 
 tention and perpetual hostility of interests is a 
 miserable occupation for men who are capable of 
 better things. G. P. BOND. 
 
 *The election was duly confirmed; BOND was, at this time,, 
 thirty-four years of age.
 
 Correspondence of George Bond 163 
 
 To PROFESSOR BENJAMIN PEIRCE FROM GEORGE 
 BOND. 
 
 OBSERVATORY OF HARVARD COLLEGE, \ 
 March 12, 1859. j 
 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 You do not need to be reminded that the 
 mutual confidence and friendship which once sub- 
 sisted between us has for some time past been dis- 
 turbed, if not wholly interrupted. 
 
 There can be little use in dwelling upon the 
 circumstances which have occasioned this unfortu- 
 nate difference; perhaps it would be better if they 
 were forgotten. 
 
 My object now is to propose and to open the 
 way for a return to a better state of feeling. 
 
 No one can appreciate more highly than I do 
 the advantages which would accrue to the observa- 
 tory from your cooperation with it. Both your 
 position and attainments are such as to enable you 
 to render most valuable aid, and they must always 
 ensure a respectful consideration of your opinion 
 and advice. 
 
 Any assistance which I can give in aid of your 
 scientific investigations, by furnishing the results 
 of observations, or in other ways, shall be freely 
 extended, but a cordial and earnest cooperation can 
 be brought about only by a mutual consent to give 
 up past differences. On my part nothing shall be 
 wanting to accomplish that end. 
 
 Respectfully yours, 
 
 G. P. BOND. 
 
 [No reply to this letter is to be found in Profes- 
 sor BOND'S papers, and it is believed that none was 
 received]. 
 
 Among many letters of congratulation the 'fol- 
 lowing, from the Hon. EDWARD EVERETT, formerly
 
 164 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 President of Harvard College, is printed as repre- 
 sentative: 
 
 FROM HON. EDWARD EVERETT TO GEORGE BOND. 
 
 BOSTON, 14th of March, 1859. 
 My Dear Sir: 
 
 Your favor of the 8th came duly to hand 
 while I was in New York. I am greatly indebted 
 to you for it, and will endeavor to make use of the 
 materials so kindly furnished by you in such a 
 way as not to discredit your father's memory. 
 
 I hope it is not too late for me to congratulate 
 you on being chosen in his place. I took a great 
 interest in the election, which at one time seemed 
 to be threatened with opposition, and in common 
 with other friends exercised what influence I 
 possessed to procure a right result, which, however, 
 I must say, was brought about by the merit and 
 undoubted qualification of the successful candidate. 
 Wishing you much happiness and continued 
 success in your labors, I remain, dear sir, 
 
 Sincerely your friend, 
 
 EDWARD EVERETT. 
 
 FROM PROF. C. C. FELTON TO GEORGE BOND. 
 
 CAMBRIDGE, March 23, 1859. 
 My Dear Sir: 
 
 Mr. BUTLER* stated in his speech in opposition 
 to the grant for the museum, that " the people of the 
 State had built the observatory; but that though it 
 was built with their own money, it had been shut 
 in their faces, and that a letter had been written 
 by a member of the legislature, asking permission 
 
 * BENJAMIN F. BUTLER?
 
 Correspondence of George Bond 165 
 
 to visit it, but the letter had never even been 
 answered." 
 
 As all the first part of the statement I know to 
 be a lie, I infer that the story about the letter is 
 also. But I do not venture to contradict it without 
 authority. Will you have the kindness to inform 
 me whether any such letter has ever been received? 
 I have some thought of answering his slanders 
 generally. Yours very truly, 
 
 C. C. FULTON. 
 
 To PROF. C. C. FELTON FROM GEORGE BOND. 
 
 OBSERVATORY OF HARVARD COLLEGE, "I 
 March 24, 1859. / 
 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 In reply to your note of yesterday, allow me 
 to say that no letter, to my knowledge, has ever 
 been received by my father or by the authorities of 
 the college, certainly none by myself, from any mem- 
 ber of the present legislature, asking permission to 
 visit the observatory. A communication or an inti- 
 mation of the kind addressed to either of us would 
 assuredly have met with proper respect. 
 
 It is possible that among the numbers whose 
 curiosity to see the famous comet of October last, 
 through the great telescope, was unavoidably dis- 
 appointed, there may have been members of the 
 legislature, though I can recall no such instance; 
 but they have no reason to complain of their exclu- 
 sion on an occasion when both our college officers 
 and our contributors, who, and not " the people of 
 the State," have built the observatory, uniformly 
 manifested their consideration and good sense by 
 relinquishing greatly superior claims. 
 
 In both the particulars mentioned in your note, 
 Mr. BUTLER exposes himself to a rebuke, which I
 
 166 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 hope you will not omit the opportunity of adminis- 
 tering. Yours truly, 
 
 G. P. BOND. 
 
 To PROF. W. A. NORTON FROM GEORGE BOND. 
 
 May 5, 1859. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 Your letter of the 12th ult. came duly to hand. 
 I agree with you, that the axis stripe of Donati 
 does not accord with the idea of a tail formed like 
 a cone with a large hollow within. It is more 
 probable that it is much flattened and was pre- 
 sented broadways to us. This, at all events, would 
 best account for the sharp outlines of the stripe. 
 
 If we consider how small the nucleus is, and 
 the amount of light reflected from the tail, which 
 is constantly being replenished from the nucleus, 
 it cannot be doubted that the particles of the tail 
 must be exceedingly minute in mass, but quite 
 considerable in the aggregate of their surfaces. It 
 is equally evident that they are under the influence 
 of some other force than gravitation. 
 
 We have, then, in the tails of comets an excess- 
 ively minute subdivision of matter accompanied 
 by a deviation in the motion of the constituent 
 particles from the gravitation path. As the only 
 necessary consequence of subdivision is increased 
 surface, the simplest inference from the facts seems 
 to be that surface as well as mass is concerned in 
 the mutual action of the heavenly bodies. The 
 surface force may be universal, but still, in most 
 cases, insensible to our means of observation. 
 
 There are difficulties in the way of determining 
 the mass of the nucleus as you propose. The 
 force may not be common to all the particles of the 
 sun and nucleus. And, moreover, the nucleus is not 
 in the focus of a parabola, having its vertex at the
 
 Correspondence of George Bond 167 
 
 vertex of one of the well-defined envelopes (though 
 I think it approaches this condition for the outer 
 nebulosity), and representing as nearly as possible 
 the outline of the envelope. The outline of the 
 latter, in its most definite stage, approaches to a 
 semicircle on the side next the sun, with the 
 nucleus in the center, rather than to a parabola. 
 This fact, taken in connection with the uniform 
 rise of the envelope towards the sun, looks more 
 like a rise of strata of mist in an atmosphere than 
 anything else, and does not accord with the theory 
 on which you have computed the mass, if I rightly 
 apprehend it. 
 
 I should add that the idea of a surface force was 
 first suggested to me by a paragraph in your arti- 
 cle, p. 102. Very truly yours, 
 
 G. P. BOND. 
 
 FROM GEORGE BOND TO R. C. CARRINGTON. 
 
 OF HARVARD 
 June 11, 1859. 
 
 OBSERVATORY OF HARVARD COLLEGE, \ 
 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 I have just received yours of the 26th ult., 
 and am so much interested in the photograph 
 which you had the kindness to send that I cannot 
 help sitting down at once to thank you for the 
 favor. Here is a very singular fact. The camera 
 lens, with its short focus, affords a strong image of 
 the nebulosity of the tail [of DONATI'S Comet] at a 
 point where the intensity of the light was probably 
 a thousand times less than that of the nucleus. 
 And this, too, in seven seconds; whereas, with our 
 object glass of probably eight or ten times the area, 
 we barely obtained an impression of the nucleus 
 itself in 360 seconds on the . following day, Septem- 
 ber 28th. Assuming the camera to have 12-inch 
 focus and five-inch aperture, the intensity of its image
 
 168 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 of an object would not be so much as sixty times 
 greater than the intensity of an image of the same 
 object in the focus of our object glass. Now, in the 
 case of star images, I have found that the time of 
 exposure is nearly in the inverse ratio of the inten- 
 sity of the light that is, by increasing the area of 
 the object glass twice, the image forms in half 
 the time, so that we should conclude that in the 
 camera the nucleus would form an image, if of a 
 sensible area, in ^ of the time required in the large 
 telescope, or in-^* = 6 8 ; but that the incomparably 
 fainter nebulosity of the remote parts of the tail 
 should give so distinct an image in only seven 
 seconds is a very interesting fact.* 
 
 I have long thought that there was a kind of 
 sympathy in the photographic action, light acting 
 at one point rendering neighboring points more 
 sensitive, and that possibly a star image slightly 
 out of focus might "take" more quickly than when 
 reduced to a minimum area. If this thing be true, 
 then a poor telescope would be better than a good 
 one, which would be introducing a new principle 
 in practical economy !f 
 
 Yours very truly, 
 
 G. P. BOND. 
 
 * Until this letter became known, the historians of astronom- 
 ical photography supposed the first comet photographs to be 
 those of 1881. 
 
 t BOND'S "principle" can be illustrated by photographing 
 the Milky Way with objectives which are well and poorly cor- 
 rected, respectively ; or by using a good lens in focus and then 
 slightly out of focus. The amount of false nebulosity increases 
 with the badness of the lens employed or with the inaccuracy 
 of its focusing.
 
 Correspondence of George Bond 169 
 
 To WILLIAM LASSELL FROM GEORGE BOND. 
 
 OBSERVATORY OF HARVARD COLLEGE, 
 
 CAMBRIDGE, U. S., June 16, 1859. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 It is gratifying to hear that your giant tele- 
 scope is so far advanced. Can you not make some 
 provision, while it is being completed, for applying 
 it to celestial photography? . . . 
 
 With my best remembrances to the members of 
 vour family, Very truly yours, 
 
 G. P. BOND. 
 
 FROM DR. F. BRUENNOW TO GEORGE BOND. 
 
 ANN ARBOR, June 23, 1859. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 Doctor PETERS writes to me that you com- 
 plained to him of the scarcity of good standard 
 stars for your zones. 
 
 It would give me great pleasure if my observa- 
 tions can be of any service to you, and if you send 
 jne a list of such stars as you want to Albany, I 
 will determine their positions carefully, as soon as 
 they can be observed in the meridian. With great- 
 est regard, Yours ever truly, 
 
 BRUENNOW. 
 
 To GENERAL EDWARD SABINE FROM GEORGE BOND. 
 
 OBSERVATORY OF HARVARD COLLEGE, 
 
 CAMBRIDGE, U. S., June 24, 1859. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 In a small book " On the Calculation of Solar 
 Eclipses," by WHISTON, London, 1724, there is an
 
 170 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 account of some determinations of dip and varia- 
 tion made at Boston, N. E., in 1722. WHISTON 
 promised the publication of the details, and says 
 that the original journals are in the hands of 
 "SAMUEL MOLYNEUX, Esq., Secretary to the Prince 
 of Wales, and Fellow of the Royal Society." 
 
 Do you know whether these or any other as 
 early determinations of the dip in America are 
 accessible, whether in print or in manuscript? 
 
 WHISTON gives 74 45' as the dip at London, and 
 68 22' at Boston ; about 6 less than our present 
 value. His accounts, however, are obscure as to 
 the degree of reliance which can be placed on the 
 results. Respectfully and truly yours, 
 
 "G. P. BOND. 
 
 GENERAL SABINE TO GEORGE BOND. 
 
 LONDON, July 18, 1859. 
 My Dear Sir: 
 
 ... I will not fail to make the inquiry 
 you suggest about WHISTON'S original journals for 
 dip and variation at Boston in 1722. His (WHIS- 
 TON'S) dip in London, in 1720, agreed remarkably* 
 well with GRAHAM'S determination in 1724, which 
 was 74 42'. I remain faithfully yours, 
 
 EDWARD SABINE. 
 
 To DR. C. H. F. PETERS FROM GEORGE BOND. 
 
 OBSERVATORY OF HARVARD COLLEGE, \ 
 CAMBRIDGE, July 12, 1859. / 
 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 The comet photograph is a good illustration 
 of the importance of experimenting further in this
 
 field. With our large telescope we could only pro- 
 cure an image of the nucleus in 6 m , while this 
 artist, with a small camera, got a picture of the 
 vastly fainter portions of the tail in but a few 
 seconds. 
 
 The arrangement by which both MITCHEL and 
 BRUENNOW remain directors, each of two observa- 
 tories, seems an odd one. . . . 
 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 G. P. BOND. 
 
 FROM PROF. W. A. NORTON TO GEORGE BOND. 
 
 NEW HAVEN, July 15, 1859. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 I learn that Professor PEIRCE, at a recent 
 meeting of the Boston Academy, communicated a 
 determination of the density of the nucleus of 
 DONATI'S Comet, and criticised my calculations or 
 theoretical views. Will you do me the favor to 
 inform me of the substance of his objections? I 
 do not see how he can have made such a calcula- 
 tion without making use of my theory of repulsion 
 exerted by the nucleus. I take it he does not 
 claim to be the author of this theory. I under- 
 stand that he makes the density of the nucleus 
 of DONATI'S Comet 9, instead of from 5 to 6, as I 
 do. . . . Very truly yours, 
 
 W. A. NORTON. 
 
 FROM REV. W. R. DA WES TO GEORGE BOND. 
 
 HOPEFIELD LODGE, \ 
 
 HADDENHAM THAME, 28th July, 1859. j 
 
 My Dear Sir: 
 
 As our friend, Mr. ALVAN CLARK has, to our 
 great regret, left us, and sails from Liverpool on
 
 172 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 Saturday, the 30th, I am requesting him to take 
 charge of the accompanying rough copies of my 
 sketches of DONATI'S Comet. 
 
 I am greatly obliged to you for the copy of your 
 " Account of DONATI'S Comet." I have perused it 
 with intense interest. The illustrations are also 
 excellent. 
 
 I feel much gratified that you consider my obser- 
 vations of the cornet useful. ... I am greatly 
 pleased with the new equatorial which Mr. CLARK 
 has brought me and erected in my observatory. 
 The ingenious application of your esteemed father's 
 " spring-governor " seems to produce an equability 
 of movement in the driving clock much superior 
 to anything which I had previously seen. 
 
 Believe me to remain, my dear sir, 
 
 Yours very truly, 
 
 W. R. DA WES. 
 
 FROM PROFESSOR JOSEPH HENRY TO GEORGE BOND. 
 
 CAMBRIDGE, August 26, 1859. 
 My Dear Professor : 
 
 If you find you cannot procure the means of 
 preparing and publishing your paper on the comet, 
 write to me on the subject, and I will make an 
 arrangement for the expenses of the work. 
 
 It would give me much pleasure to see you or 
 any of your family at Washington. 
 
 With kind regards to your mother, brother and 
 sister, I remain, Very truly your friend, 
 
 JOSEPH HENRY.
 
 Correspondence of George Bond 173 
 
 To DR. C. H. F. PETERS FROM GEORGE BOND. 
 
 OBSERVATORY OF HARVARD COLLEGE, ) 
 
 CAMBRIDGE, Mass., September 27, 1859. / 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 I have just written to GILLISS on the subject 
 of the new parallax expedition* that I have no 
 confidence that more will come of it than a satis- 
 factory confirmation of ENCKE'S value. If the 
 twenty-eight direct comparisons with northern 
 micrometer observations (cited in the Report Astr. 
 Ex., p. Ixx) are deserving of no confidence (see the 
 remark at foot of p. Ixx), then ten times as many, 
 equally bad, would not contribute any important 
 accession to our present knowledge of this element. 
 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 G. P. BOND. 
 
 To AUGUST SoNNTAGf FROM GEORGE BOND. 
 
 OBSERVATORY OF H. C., January 9, 1860. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 Enclosed you will find observations of Mnen- 
 osyne, with which your ephemeris agrees as well, 
 probably, as you could hope. 
 
 If it were not too much like a waste of time, it 
 might be well to overhaul the report on the Chili 
 Expedition. 
 
 The assertion that its failure is due to the want 
 of northern cooperation has not the slightest founda- 
 tion. The thirty results, on p. Ixx, must be reckoned 
 as fair specimens of the work which an unlimited 
 
 * Proposed at this time, but not carried out. 
 t Assistant Astronomer at the Dudley Observatory; Astron- 
 omer to Doctor KANE'S Arctic Expedition, 1853-55.
 
 174 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 cooperation could accomplish. Now it is a fair 
 statement to say that if thirty observations of aver- 
 age goodness have " such a large mean error and 
 striking nonaccordance as to render any reliance 
 upon them impossible" (Rep., p. Ixx), then an 
 unlimited number will not furnish a result appre- 
 ciably better than the first thirty. 
 
 Look at the diameters of the wires of the Santi- 
 ago equatorial by daylight and at night. The 
 diameters of Mars and Venus! The rejection of 
 the Athens observation, because Doctor GOULD has 
 applied the parallax with a wrong sign, and the 
 wholesale rejection of northern and southern obser- 
 vations together, is the adopted result. 
 
 But I have no room for more. 
 
 Truly yours, 
 (Signed) G. P. BOND. 
 
 For your own edification, just assume the prin- 
 ciples for the assignment of weights given in Rep. 
 Chili Exped., p. ccliii which seems reasonable, 
 and try how much the weight of the final result 
 could have been increased by an infinite number 
 of northern observations. 
 
 Is it not as follows? 
 
 Northern Obs. 239. Southern 564 Act. Wt. 591 
 
 " 00 564 " 598 
 
 "CO " oo "600 
 
 To DOCTOR F. BRUENNOW FROM GEORGE BOND. 
 
 'ORY OF HARVARD 
 February 21, 1860. 
 
 OBSERVATORY OF HARVARD COLLEGE, ) 
 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 The results of our photographic experiments 
 conduct to a very interesting suggestion viz. that 
 Jupiter gives strong indications of analogy to the
 
 Correspondence of George Bond 175 
 
 sun in physical constitution of atmosphere, and is, 
 chemically speaking, self-luminous, or approaches 
 that condition so remarkably that this inference is 
 the most probable one that can be drawn. 
 
 The comparison of the photographic peculiari- 
 ties of Jupiter, sun and moon led me to inquire 
 into the analogies existing between the belts and 
 the spots of Jupiter, and the distribution of th& 
 solar spots in zones or belts. Both bodies have 
 faculre. The resemblances in point of distribution 
 and proper motion are very striking. The idea 
 then occurred, that if chemical action were going^ 
 on at the surface of Jupiter, there would be a reflex 
 action between it and the sun; the sympathy we 
 recognize so universally in other connections. I 
 found that the maxima and minima of the solar 
 spots occur at about the perihelia and aphelia of 
 Jupiter as far back as 1826, but beyond this there 
 is no satisfactory coincidence with WOLF'S period. 
 In conversation with Mr. SAFFORD, I had planned 
 an investigation of the representation of the solar 
 spot curves by periodic terms of sine and cos, of true 
 anomalies of all planets, the coefficients to vary 
 as^. To my surprise, last night I found that WOLF 
 had, from altogether different considerations, sus- 
 pected some such relations. 
 
 Optically Jupiter has certainly a higher intrin- 
 sic brilliancy than it should have. I estimate it 
 at ^5= I of that of the moon. Next full moon I will 
 test this by a better method. I wish you would 
 make some estimates. 
 
 There is another very singular matter bearing 
 on this question. For ten or twelve years past my 
 father and myself have studied the phenomena of 
 the transits of Jupiter's satellites. We have seen 
 them projected on the disc as black as the shadows. 
 It is impossible to admit the explanation that this 
 results from dark spots on the satellites, for reasons-
 
 176 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 which I cannot stop to explain, but which will 
 readily occur to you when you study, and above 
 all see, the phenomenon. The first satellite I have 
 never seen black, but only dusky or dark; when on 
 a dark belt, it disappears. All the satellites enter 
 and pass off bright, even when fairly entered on 
 the disc, showing the great contrast between the 
 central and marginal parts of the disc in point of 
 brilliancy. The eye alone is quite unequal to 
 recognizing the full strength of the contrast. 
 
 There is one objection to the hypothesis of Jupi- 
 ter's self-luminosity, besides the intensity of the 
 shadows of the satellites, and that is their complete 
 disappearance in eclipse, though they should be 
 illuminated by the native light of Jupiter on the 
 side opposite the sun. However, I find the amount 
 of this illumination is small, although the area of 
 Jupiter's surface presented to the first satellite is 
 1400 times that of our full moon, yet the total 
 quantity of light reflected will amount at best to 
 only j\ of that which the satellite gets from the sun. 
 However the question of optical or visible self- 
 luminosity may turn out the chemical side of the 
 question is still stronger. 
 
 I mean to try whether the aurora, which is the 
 earth's native light, has not a similar property, viz. 
 more of chemical than of luminous energy, as we 
 should anticipate from analogy, if Jupiter's light be 
 auroral. 
 
 I do not advance any theory on the subject, but 
 the facts are curious, and should direct attention to 
 a comparison of the aspects and the two bodies of 
 Jupiter and sun. Yours very truly, 
 
 G. P. BOND. 
 
 Compare VAUGHAN'S and THOMPSON'S theories, 
 in which all bodies of great mass and sufficient 
 density should be suns. It was this that first led 
 me to try our late photographic experiments.
 
 Correspondence of George Bond 177 
 To DR. F. BRUENNOW FROM GEORGE BOND. 
 
 March 20, 1860. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 I quite agree with you in withholding entire 
 confidence in the new planet discovery . . . without 
 more evidence.* 
 
 What a discouraging search Mr. TUTTLE has had 
 for comets for eighteen months past. He has been 
 constantly at work during the whole time. ... 
 
 GEORGE BOND. 
 
 FROM E. C. HERRICK TO GEORGE BOND. 
 
 YALE COLLEGE, NEW HAVEN, 
 
 March 26, 1860. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 I am very desirous to hear if you have seen 
 the planet Vulcan this afternoon. From 4 h 55 m 
 onward to sunset clouds wholly intercepted our 
 view. From 3 p. M. to 4 h 55 m we had several fair 
 views of the sun, amid the gathering clouds, but 
 among the many spots there was no apparent 
 planet. I hope you had a better sky. 
 
 For nearly a month past four or five of us have 
 been watching the sun in the hope of detecting the 
 transit of LESCARBAULT'S inter-mercurial planet. 
 With the uncertainty as to the exactness of the 
 period of 19.7 days, I thought it best to observe 
 during March and the early part of April. But 
 since receiving the data which WOLF has brought 
 to light there appears to be strong ground for sup- 
 posing the period to be 19.27 days. This gives a 
 possible transit March 7th, and a, probable one to-day 
 
 * LESCARBAULT'S Vulcan. 
 M
 
 178 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 at 5:30 P. M. of our time. The former day was 
 clouded here wholly, but an observation may have 
 been secured in Europe. The transit of to-day was,, 
 of course, invisible there. 
 
 On the 8th inst. I commenced a letter to you. 
 relative to the subject of watching for this planet, 
 asking more particularly that if you intended 
 searching therefor you would look especially 
 between 9 A. M. and 3 p. M., when our telescope is- 
 unfortunately unable to command an altitude suffi- 
 cient to reach the sun, but hesitating to trouble 
 you in the business, I threw the sheet aside. I 
 now regret that I did not last week call your atten- 
 tion to the probable transit of to-day, lest th& 
 matter should have escaped your notice. 
 Yours truly, 
 
 EDWARD C. HERRICK. 
 
 P. S. In our ignorance of the ellipticity of Vul- 
 can there must be some uncertainty as to the day 
 of the March transit, and I propose that we con- 
 tinue the watch for a week longer. 
 
 The following extracts from a long report exhibit 
 the condition and requirements of the Harvard 
 College Observatory at the beginning of GEORGE 
 BOND'S activity as director. The notes in [ ] show 
 the final dispositions made up to 1897. 
 
 To J. INGERSOLL BOWDITCH FROM GEORGE BOND. 
 
 OBSERVATORY OF HARVARD COLLEGE, \ 
 CAMBRIDGE, March 31, 1860. J 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 To place the observatory in a position of 
 complete efficiency, we need, as you well know, a
 
 Correspondence of George Bond 179 
 
 considerable addition to our funds, larger, perhaps, 
 than we can expect to obtain at present. 
 
 The most urgent necessity relates to the subject 
 of printing. For the last twelve or thirteen years 
 the great refractor has been in constant service, and 
 has furnished an extensive collection of observa- 
 tions in those departments of astronomy which 
 afford the most appropriate field for the employ- 
 ment of an instrument of its class. The material 
 thus accumulated acquires peculiar interest and 
 importance from the superior size and excellent 
 qualities of the telescope. There are, besides, con- 
 tributions from the less noted instruments the 
 transit, small equatorial, etc., which should be 
 included in the plan of publication. 
 
 I will mention specifically the following as sub- 
 jects for future volumes. Those marked with an 
 asterisk are in a condition of forwardness, as respects 
 arrangement and discussion of the original notes, 
 which would admit of their being put immediately, 
 or with little delay, into the hands of the printer 
 or engraver. Others will require more labor in 
 their preparation, though the observations them- 
 selves are complete, with the exception of the third 
 series of zones, now in progress. 
 
 SUBJECTS FOR PUBLICATION. 
 
 * Zone Catalogue of 5000 Stars, between Dec. + 20' 
 
 and -f- 40'. [Annals H. C. 0., Vol. II, part 2 
 (1867).] 
 
 Zone Catalogue of 5000 Stars between Dec. -j- 40' 
 and -|- 1 00' (observations now in progress). 
 [Annals H. C. O., Vol. VI (1872).] 
 
 * Meridian Transits, Moon Culminations, and Stand- 
 
 ard Catalogue. [ Annals H. C. 0., Vol. IV, parts 
 1 (1863) and 2 (1878).] 
 
 * Observations on the Solar Spots. (These consist 
 
 principally of drawings, to the number of two
 
 180 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 hundred and fifty, executed in 1847-48-49 by 
 the late director.) [Annah H. C. 0., Vol. VII 
 (1871).] 
 
 Observations on Comets, Asteroids, Double Stars, 
 Nebulae, and Miscellaneous Observations. 
 
 * Observations and Drawings of the Great Nebulae 
 of Orion and Andromeda, and of the Cluster 
 in Hercules. [Annals H. C. 0., Vol. V (1867).] 
 
 Observations on the Physical Aspect of Venus, Mars 
 and Jupiter, and on the Satellites of Jupiter. 
 The drawings of Jupiter will number nearly 
 150, showing details of the structure of the 
 belts during the past twelve years. 
 
 Determination of the Solar Parallax from Observa- 
 tions of Venus and Mars; Satellites of Neptune 
 and Saturn; Specimens of Astronomical Photog- 
 raphy, Stellar Photography, etc.; Meteorolog- 
 ical and Magnetic Observations. 
 
 Eclipses and Occultations, including an account of 
 the total eclipse of the Sun, observed at Lilla 
 Edet, Sweden. 
 
 Description f and Drawings of the Great Comet of 
 DONATI, with illustrations from other bodies 
 of this class. [Printed in Vol. Ill of the Annals 
 H. C. 0. (1862).] 
 
 The foregoing, with other materials not men- 
 tioned, would fill eight or ten quarto volumes of 
 300 or 400 pages. 
 
 Provision for meeting current expenses, such 
 as fuel, lights, stationery, repairs, care of grounds 
 and buildings, etc. 
 
 We cannot now afford fuel to heat our library 
 in the winter, and I often put on my great-coat, 
 
 t During the administration of Professor WINLOCK an ex- 
 amination of all the records of the observatory was made, and 
 with the publication of Vol. VIII of the Annals, in 1876, it was 
 considered that all the available work of the observatory before 
 1866 had been printed. See the Annals, Vol. VIII, page 47.
 
 Correspondence of George Bond 181 
 
 and sit in an out-of-doors' temperature, when I 
 want to consult the books. The expense of keep- 
 ing the grounds in neat condition is borne by the 
 director. 
 
 In the event of the erection of any new build- 
 ing or instrument, as for instance, of a telescope 
 and building expressly designed for experiments 
 in photographing the heavenly bodies, or of a small 
 magnetic observatory, etc., there would be occa- 
 sion for additional outlays. 
 
 Without provision for the above, the observa- 
 tory cannot be considered as being in a position of 
 fall activity, and is not on an equal footing with 
 similar institutions in Europe, which are mostly 
 under government patronage. 
 
 I shall now mention several particulars, in 
 respect of which the operations of the observatory 
 might be extended to great advantage, if the means 
 were at command. 
 
 First A new meridian instrument of the best 
 construction estimate, $6000. 
 
 Second A small magnetic observatory, $1000. 
 
 Third It would be a great attraction to the stu- 
 dents of the University, and calculated to exercise a 
 most beneficial influence upon their education, if 
 they could have free access to such facilities for the 
 exploration and study of celestial phenomena as an 
 observatory affords. By an arrangement which has 
 been in force for twelve years past, the Senior Class 
 of Undergraduates have made an annual visitation 
 to the observatory, in five or six divisions. 
 
 This provision is a very inadequate one to meet 
 the wants of the students; . . . but ineffectual as it 
 is to satisfy their reasonable desires, it is at the same 
 time impossible to give them larger privileges 
 without encroaching most seriously upon the regu- 
 lar work of the observatory.
 
 182 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 . . . I propose for a remedy that a telescope of 
 the finest quality and largest dimensions supe- 
 rior, if possible, to the great refractor now the chief 
 ornament of the observatory should be mounted 
 on the grounds and devoted to the instruction of 
 the students, primarily in the various objects of 
 planetary and stellar Astronomy. 
 
 If the students and other visitors were admit- 
 ted only at certain days and hours, much val- 
 uable use might be made of the telescope by hav- 
 ing reference in its construction and mounting to 
 photographic purposes, for which it could be 
 employed, perhaps, on certain days, or after mid- 
 night or some other late hour. 
 
 Fourth The application of photography to 
 astronomical purposes stands greatly in need of 
 further development. It has already afforded most 
 valuable results, and there is every reason to sup- 
 pose that it will one day become a great power in 
 the investigation of the most interesting problems 
 of astronomy. The experiments must be made on 
 a liberal scale, and the whole time of an artist 
 should be devoted to the subject. 
 
 It would be certain to repay the outlay if an 
 astronomer of experience, furnished with a good 
 telescope and photographic apparatus, should visit 
 different parts of the world (high table-lands and 
 mountains), and experiment on the advantages 
 of a pure and tranquil atmosphere. It is under- 
 stood that photography succeeds better in Califor- 
 nia than here, and better here than in Europe. 
 Now a few essays in California, at an expense of a 
 few thousand dollars, might prove of inestimable 
 advantage to the science. The Russian Govern- 
 ment has just appropriated nearly $40,000 for an
 
 expedition to Persia, to try the effect of a pure 
 atmosphere on the visibility of celestial objects, but 
 they make no mention of the most important 
 means of extending our researches, namely, pho- 
 tography. Why should we always have to wait 
 for the example of the governments of Europe in 
 encouragement of scientific enterprises? If our 
 observatory had possessed the means, we should 
 have sent off an expedition of this kind years ago; 
 it was actually proposed, but, of course, nothing 
 could be accomplished without money. We might 
 now, with equal means, get our expedition to the 
 interior of California, secure the best of the results 
 and get back before the Russians have started. 
 
 The last matter which I will dwell upon relates 
 to further provision for the support of the observ- 
 ers attached to the institution. 
 
 There are three, and at times, four assistants; 
 their annual compensation averages less than $500 
 a year. I am ashamed to have them remain for 
 such a miserable pittance, but do not know how to 
 keep up the work expected from the observatory 
 without them. If this is to be extended, and addi- 
 tional instruments brought into use, there must be 
 provision made for the proper support of the 
 astronomers. 
 
 The observatory can now depend, for its ordin- 
 ary expenses of all description, the salaries of five 
 observers, the purchase of books and instruments, 
 fuel, lights, stationery, repairs, etc., upon an annual 
 income of $5200, which is about half as much as 
 is needed. 
 
 Thanking you most cordially for the interest 
 you have always manifested in the welfare of the 
 observatory, I remain yours, very truly, 
 
 G. P. BOND.
 
 184 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 RECAPITULATION. 
 
 ITEMS MOST NEEDED TO SECURE PRESENT EFFICIENCY OF 
 OBSERVATORY. 
 
 1st Printingand engraving of arrears of observations in 
 
 past years 20.000 
 
 2d For annual publication of Annals, fund giving 
 
 income of $2,500, 50,000 
 
 3d Fund for contingent expenses, income $500 a year, 10,000 
 
 80,000 
 
 ITEMS DESIRABLE FOR INCREASING ITS OPERATIONS. 
 
 1st A new meridian instrument of the best construc- 
 tion, estimate, 6,000 
 
 2d A small magnetic observatory, 1,000 
 
 3d Cost of a telescope and tube of the largest size and 
 
 best quality 12,000 
 
 Mounting, clockwork, micrometer, etc., .... 5,000 
 
 Building, pier, observing chair, etc 5,000 
 
 Annual compensation of assistant, 500 per an- 
 num. Fund, 10,000 
 
 4th Photographic experiments for five years, 1,000 
 
 per year, 5,000 
 
 Compensation of artist for same period, at 1,000 
 
 a year, 5,000 
 
 5th To increase present income by 5,000. Capital, . . 100,000 
 
 Total, 229,000 
 
 To G. B. AIRY FROM GEORGE BOND. 
 
 September 28, 1857. 
 
 . . . My father requests your acceptance of 
 the enclosed plate exhibiting a line photographed 
 by a. Lyrse, as it passed the field of the equatorial 
 by its diurnal motion, the telescope remaining 
 fixed. You will perceive that your idea for the 
 self-registration of transits and zenith distances 
 can be perfectly realized for this particular star. 
 
 You will notice considerable fluctuations in 
 the intensity and regularity of the line, to be 
 ascribed parti} 7 to changes of refraction, partly per- 
 haps to the fact that contiguous portions of the 
 plate are not equally sensitive to the action of light ; 
 but it is possible that the phenomenon of twinkling
 
 Correspondence of George Bond 185 
 
 may have some part in determining the character 
 of the line traced by the star. 
 
 It seems now highly probable that, by taking 
 advantage of the aids which the art of photogra- 
 phy has placed within our reach, a grand impulse 
 might be given to astronomy. By the employment 
 of electro-magnetism the astronomer has been 
 relieved from dependence upon the sense of hear- 
 ing and the mental faculties which used to be called 
 into exercise in estimating small fractions of time. 
 Photography may be enlisted in aid of, or even as 
 a substitute, for the eye. 
 
 It is to be supposed that these first attempts 
 are susceptible of great improvement. We can 
 certainly have larger telescopes. I believe that a 
 liberal expenditure of money will solve all the 
 mechanical difficulties in the way of constructing 
 a telescope of four times the aperture of ours. We 
 should then photograph instantaneously stars ~ as 
 bright as a Lyrse and, as I estimate, in less than 
 one minute, stars of the 8th or 9th magnitude, 
 without reckoning upon any improvement in the 
 preparation and treatment of the plates. Certainly 
 we have a right to expect much from chemistry in 
 furtherance of the same end. 
 
 We have also yet to try the effect of using the 
 telescope in a purer atmosphere; on an elevated 
 mountain, for instance. . . . 
 
 To R. C. CARRINGTON FROM GEORGE BOND. 
 
 February 29, 1800. 
 
 . . . I noticed the unexpectedly rapid action 
 of Jupiter in photography on the first occasion that 
 it was taken, nine or ten years ago. On March 22, 
 1851, I find the following memorandum referring 
 to the time of exposure of the plates. It is noted 
 that it was "about as long as the moon required,
 
 186 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 or not much longer." We have since confirmed 
 this on several occasions, and DE LA RUE comes to 
 much the same conclusion. Within a month or 
 two past, I have engaged Mr. WHIPPLE to photo- 
 graph the sun, moon and Jupiter. The central 
 regions of sun and Jupiter have decidedly the most 
 intensity, whereas the margins of the moon act first. 
 A photograph of a cannon ball painted white was 
 more uniform in action than either of the three 
 above-named objects, but it most resembled the 
 moon. ARAGO mentions a similar result for flat 
 discs. Mars is brightest on the limbs, and Venus 
 also; but the latter, not being seen in opposition, 
 does not furnish as safe a comparison as Mars or 
 the moon. Thus far, then, we find that Jupiter and 
 the sun rank together in the distribution of light on 
 their surfaces. 
 
 Sunlight at Jupiter is 2 l of the intensity that it 
 is at the earth or the moon, and we should expect, 
 with a similar reflecting surface, that Jupiter would 
 show only about 2 l of the chemical intensity of the 
 moon, whereas its central parts almost equal the 
 average surface of full moon. (The intensities are 
 in the ratio of 4 to 5, about.) So we must suppose 
 Jupiter to be either chemically self-luminous, or else 
 that it has a very peculiar property of light, reflec- 
 tion affording j|X 27=22 times actinic intensity of 
 moonlight. This may be possible; its surface pre- 
 sented to us is gaseous, the moon is solid. 
 
 The spots, or faculse, on Jupiter remind us of 
 the sun, and it is curious to notice how the 
 discordances in the sun's rotation from proper 
 motion of spots is paralleled in the case of Jupiter's 
 rotation, which fluctuates between 9 h 50 m and 
 9 h 56 m , a very decided inequality. Then again, 
 the question of the recurrence of spots in the same 
 region is not established, though suspected with 
 both bodies.
 
 The arrangement of sun spots in zones and 
 their prevalence in low latitudes, accords with Jupi- 
 ter's belt action. 
 
 I have seen Jupiter's bright regions mottled 
 like the sun, and compared the two to each other, 
 years ago. Jupiter's spots are sometimes not dusky 
 simply, but black, at any rate so-called, though we 
 must not lay too much stress on an expression 
 adopted perhaps hastily. The transit of Jupiter's 
 satellites as black spots I have often witnessed. 
 These always enter and pass off bright, as seen pro- 
 jected on the margin of the disc. The old explana- 
 tion, which attributed the appearance to dark spots 
 on the satellites, will not meet the facts, by any 
 means. The first satellite is not black, or even 
 always dark, excepting on a bright zone. 
 
 The grand objection to the idea of Jupiter's self- 
 luminosity is the darkness of the shadows cast by 
 the satellites, but it is a question how much defect 
 of light in an object projected on a bright back- 
 ground will cause it to look black, especially when 
 it subtends only a very small angle. 
 
 Perhaps if the side of Jupiter turned away from 
 the sun be bright, we ought to see the satellites in 
 eclipse. Here is another difficulty. Then again, 
 SEIDEL makes Jupiter, Venus and Mars have equal 
 "albedo," which militates against the idea that 
 Jupiter is any more self-luminous than Venus, for 
 instance. I think there must be an error in the 
 Monthly Notices of the Astronomical Society for 
 January, 1860, page 102, as regards the albedo of 
 Saturn and Mars. The latter is fainter than Saturn, 
 allowing for distance from sun and areas of illu- 
 minated surface. 
 
 I have been looking into the relation between 
 the period of sun spots and the position of the prin- 
 cipal planets as, in case of extensive chemical action 
 going on in their atmospheres a reflex action on
 
 188 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 the sun, a sympathy between them, might be antic- 
 ipated. At first all was promising up to 1826, as 
 Jupiter's perihelia and aphelia answer tolerably to 
 maxima and minima of spots, but previous to 1826 
 there is too much divergence. . . . 
 
 At all events, Jupiter should be studied hence- 
 forth with special reference to the relation between 
 the physical constitution of its atmosphere and 
 that of the sun. 
 
 To PROFESSOR ALEXIS CASWELL FROM GEORGE BOND. 
 
 OBSERVATORY OF HARVARD COLLEGE, 
 
 May 14, 1860. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 The report of the early success of photo- 
 graphing stars at Rome may be true, but I know of 
 two instances of supposed photographs of celestial 
 objects taken at the Collegio Romano proving to be 
 photographic copies from drawings. One of these is 
 alluded to by Mr. HUNT, in his Researches on 
 Light, as an instance of the direct impressions of 
 the light of the nebula of Orion. The other is a 
 copy from an india-ink drawing of the lunar crater 
 Copernicus. If the Roman astronomers procured 
 veritable photographs of any of the celestial bodies 
 before the experiments of Mr. WHIPPLE at Cam- 
 bridge, the accounts have no doubt been published, 
 but I have never seen or heard of them, excepting 
 as above stated.* Very truly yours, 
 
 G. P. BOND. 
 
 *No photographs were made at Rome before those made by 
 BOND and WHIPPLE.
 
 Correspondence of George Bond 189 
 
 To MR. BLACK FROM GEORGE BOND. 
 
 OBSERVATORY OF HARVARD COLLEGE, 
 
 CAMBRIDGE, September 15, 1860. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 Learning that you are proposing to take 
 photographic views from a balloon, I should be 
 glad to have you try to ascertain in how much less 
 time the upper surface of a dense cloud in full sun- 
 shine will make a strong negative than the land- 
 scape view of the earth requires. 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 G. P. BOND. 
 
 FROM DR. C. H. F. PETERS TO GEORGE BOND. 
 
 HAMILTON COLLEGE OBSERVATORY, \ 
 CLINTON, N. Y., April 15, 1861. j 
 My Dear Sir: 
 
 I am in such a state of political excitement 
 to-day that I rather should not write a letter, but I 
 am so much in debt with you that I cannot delay 
 writing any longer. The engraving of the comet is 
 exceedingly beautiful, and if they are all of the same 
 perfection, your work on DONATI'S Comet will 
 astonish the world in the view of artistic perfection. 
 
 Corrected, but not quite definitive elements of 
 Titania I sent to BRUENNOW, who now ought to 
 have a little more activity with the Notices, since 
 the Journal has laid down its arms. We are arrang- 
 ing longitude determinations between here and Ann 
 Arbor for the last week of this month. 
 
 Without being really ill, 1 have been continu- 
 ally not well the whole winter; but now, with
 
 190 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 spring, I begin to dig a little in the garden,* and 
 hope I shall be better. I should like very much to 
 show you our place when the leaves are on the 
 trees. Can you not contrive to make us a visit for 
 a few days, perhaps when you are going to your 
 annual beaver-hunting. Sincerely yours, 
 
 C. H. F. PETERS. 
 
 P. S. I must go down to the village and hear 
 what are the latest news whether it is really true 
 that Fort Sumter treacherously has surrendered. 
 
 To WILLIAM LASSELL FROM GEORGE BOND. 
 
 CAMBRIDGE, May 18, 1861. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 I have lately communicated to the Astro- 
 nomical Society an account of a spiral, or rather a 
 whirl, character in the light of the great nebula in 
 Orion, which I am entirely certain you will recog- 
 nize with your large telescope; and having once 
 caught the idea, you will fill up the details with 
 greater certainty than I have done.f 
 
 My time of late has been much occupied in an 
 extensive collection of observations on the great 
 comet of 1858, for which the engravings are now 
 mostly completed; a specimen is inclosed. 
 
 Yours very truly, 
 
 G. P. BOND. 
 
 * Doctor PETERS was an enthusiastic botanist skilled in 
 this as in so many things and his famous roses grew all over 
 the walls of his observatory. 
 
 t BOND'S expectation was fully carried out in LASSELL'S 
 splendid drawing made at Malta with the four-foot reflector.
 
 Correspondence of George Bond 191 
 
 To E. H. WHITNEY FROM GEORGE BOND. 
 
 CAMBRIDGE, July 9, 1861. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 In reply to yours of the 8th, I am quite 
 unable to say what would be the effect of a colli- 
 sion with the tail of the comet. 
 
 As a mere matter of opinion, I fancy we should 
 be quite unconscious of the event, and know it only 
 from astronomical calculation. Probably contact 
 with the nucleus might be disastrous somewhat 
 worse than meeting with a cannon ball in full 
 career of a few millons of tons weight. But this 
 is mere conjecture; we only know as a scientific 
 fact, that the tails of comets are attenuated beyond 
 any substance with which we have to do on the 
 earth. Respectfully yours, 
 
 G. P. BOND. 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM A LETTER TO R. C. CARRINGTON 
 FROM GEORGE BOND. 
 
 January 3, 1862. 
 
 . . . Enclosed are two articles by Mr. SAFFORD. 
 One on the proper motion of Sirius in declination, 
 confirming BESSEL'S hypothesis deduced from the 
 right ascensions alone viz. that the star circulates- 
 about an invisible companion. 
 
 The article on the mass of Neptune shows that 
 STRUVE'S mass from the satellite, viz. 1*=^, is 
 decidedly discordant. You will find in the Bulletins 
 of the St. Petersburg Academy some remarks of 
 O. STRUVE respecting our observations on the sat- 
 tellite, from which I found the value M= ig L. 
 
 He insinuates that they are defective, but gives 
 no evidence, excepting that they differ systemati- 
 cally from his; and LEVERRIER seems to have 
 acquiesced by accepting his mass. Mr. SAFFORD'S-
 
 192 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 result is M=,^, independently computed from the 
 perturbations of Uranus, and satisfying them in a 
 way which settles the question decisively against 
 STRUVE.* 
 
 FROM DR. C. H. F. PETERS TO GEORGE BOND. 
 
 HAMILTON COLLEGE OBSERVATORY, 
 
 CLINTON, N. Y., 1862, January 13. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 It is long since anything has struck me so 
 much as 'your handsome construction of the cate- 
 nary shape of DONATI'S Comet, by which fact you 
 have laid a firmer basis the first firm basis for 
 the theories of comet tails. It is curious that the 
 nucleus occupies a kind of focus in the catenary 
 though this curve has no focus. . . . 
 
 It seems, however, that the catenary represents 
 the level surface of the forces emanating from the 
 nucleus and from the sun, and thus must give the 
 law of these forces, which is expressed in the dis- 
 tances of the nucleus from the surface. 
 
 We have to bear in mind, however, that the 
 curve only represents the outline of the nebulous 
 envelope. How are now the famous drawings 
 made at the Dudley Observatory represented by 
 your catenary? 
 
 From BRUENNOW I have not heard for about two 
 months. A number of the Notices, arrived Satur- 
 day night, shows, however, that he is alive. Why 
 the Notices do not appear quicker, I do not under- 
 stand. He has had communications from me since 
 October, enough almost for a whole number. The 
 end of the solar eclipse, on the 31st of December, 
 
 * The mass of Neptune, from modern observations, is Tsfeff.
 
 Correspondence of George Bond 193 
 
 was not observed here for clouds. I got a chance, 
 however, before the end to see the sun eclipsed, 
 and was particularly surprised to find the moon to 
 be surrounded by a yellow-brown fringe of two or 
 three seconds in width. This was not visible on 
 the (inner) edge of the sun. 
 
 I used the polarizing eyepiece, which shows the 
 sun perfectly white. Yours very truly, 
 
 C. H. F. PETERS. 
 
 To PROFESSOR, E. LOOMIS FROM GEORGE BOND. 
 
 OBSERVATORY OF HARVARD COLLEGE, 1 
 CAMBRIDGE, February 11, 1862. / 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 I inclose for insertion in [SILLIMAN'S] Journal 
 a notice of the discovery of the new asteroid and 
 observations upon the companion of Sirius, lately 
 detected by Mr. CLARK with his 18|-inch object glass. 
 
 The discovery of a companion of Sirius so soon 
 after the publication of Mr. SAFFORD'S investigations 
 on its motion, which completed the evidence of the 
 existence of an (hitherto) invisible companion, is 
 quite remarkable. I had before sent you a copy of 
 his article. Yours truly, 
 
 G. P. BOND. 
 
 FROM GEORGE BOND TO M. OTTO VON STRUVE. 
 
 OBSERVATORY OF HARVARD COLLEGE, 
 CAMBRIDGE, Mass., U. S. A., October 28, 1862. 
 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 . . . [Acknowledgments of publications, etc.] 
 For these very valuable donations I desire to offer 
 my best thanks to the astronomers, and especially
 
 194 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 to your venerable father, to whom we have in past 
 years been greatly indebted for similar favors. 
 
 The account of the Poulkova observations upon 
 the great comet of 1858 I have studied with great 
 interest. A truly admirable collection, honorable 
 to the renowned institution from which it has ema- 
 nated, and to the astronomers engaged in its pro- 
 duction. It would have been well for cometary 
 science if something of the same skill and industry 
 had been more generally exhibited in other observa- 
 tories. 
 
 With my best respects to your father. 
 
 Respectfullv, 
 
 G. P. BOND. 
 
 FROM DR. C. H. F. PETERS TO GEORGE BOND. 
 
 HAMILTON COLLEGE OBSERVATORY, ^ 
 CLINTON, N. Y., 1862, November 20. j 
 
 My Dear Sir: 
 
 It has become my sorrowful duty to announce 
 to you that I have committed the blunder to in- 
 crease the number of the already too numerous 
 asteroids by one more.* I saw it first on the 12th 
 inst., but clouds prevented anything more than 
 rough drawing into the chart. On the 15th, how- 
 ever, I obtained the following good positions. 
 
 Yours very truly, 
 
 C. H. F. PETERS. 
 
 'Doctor PETERS is the discoverer of no less than forty-eight 
 of these small planets.
 
 Correspondence of George Bond 195 
 
 TRANSLATION OF A LETTER FROM PROFESSOR GALLE 
 TO GEORGE BOND. 
 
 BRESLAU, November 25, 1862. 
 Honored Sir: 
 
 I can no longer delay expressing in a few 
 words my pleasure and my most sincere thanks for 
 such a valuable gift. At the first hasty glance at 
 the work I was surprised in an unusual degree at 
 the extraordinary beauty of the drawings of the 
 comet, which are marked by a truthfulness to 
 nature which I, for my part, have hitherto sought 
 for in vain in the most celebrated works upon such 
 subjects. The tone of coloring, the gradations of 
 brightness, the drawings of the details of the head 
 of the comet, all give in the most faithful manner 
 the appearance and the peculiar impression which 
 these wonderful heavenly bodies make upon an 
 unprejudiced mind through a good telescope. 
 Science is enriched by the addition of these mono- 
 graphs to your work, and therefore our thanks are 
 due to you, first of all, for the excellence attained 
 in the drawings, then to the artist for their execu- 
 tion, and indeed to all who have enabled you to 
 publish the book in such perfection. In fact, I 
 think that the manner in which the drawings have 
 been executed could hardly be surpassed, and must 
 serve as a model for all similar undertakings. 
 Figures of such a character form so much more 
 reliable a groundwork for a theory of these heavenly 
 bodies, when, like these, they give the impression 
 of perfect freedom from bias in favor of any 
 theory. 
 
 I have perhaps already been too prolix in my 
 discussion, and therefore must refrain for the pres- 
 ent from enlarging upon the text, although there
 
 196 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 also is a rich and valuable store to repay closer 
 study. 
 
 With the highest respect, 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 J. G. GALLE. 
 
 To DR. C. H. F. PETERS FROM GEORGE BOND. 
 
 CAMBRIDGE, January 7, 1863. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 What you say of the financial prospects with 
 which you begin the new year, nearly completes 
 the list of the twenty-five observatories started 
 (not founded) within the past twenty years in the 
 United States and left to die of want. Now if we 
 except the National Observatory, no doubt we have 
 here at Cambridge the one best provided for among 
 them all. Yet I can say, from bitter experience, 
 that the charge of it has been from the beginning 
 a perpetual vexation of spirit, for the want of proper 
 means of support. 
 
 I am weary to death of this new, original and 
 undeniably American idea of cultivating science 
 by withholding all the aid which the rest of the 
 world has hitherto thought requisite, and then 
 haunting the unhappy astronomer with a dismal 
 ghost of popular reputation and newspaper notoriety. 
 
 Excepting that in this community there are 
 those who will do what the State neglects, out of 
 pure largeness of views, we should long ago have 
 made one on the list of failures, and have added 
 another warning against the repetition of the folly 
 of a new observatory. Truly yours, 
 
 G. P. BOND.
 
 Correspondence of George Bond 197 
 
 FROM DR. C. H. F. PETERS TO GEORGE BOND. 
 
 HAMILTON COLLEGE OBSERVATORY, 
 
 CLINTON, N. Y., 1863, February 1. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 In the last week I have been . . . work- 
 ing my solar spot observations out of the rough. 
 Of 7000 positions,* nearly half are still on the chro- 
 nograph sheets. This makes, as each position has 
 been observed four times, together with accessory 
 measures of dimensions, groups, etc., about 16,000 
 chronograph readings yet to be made. I must try 
 to overcome this physical impossibility until the 
 month of April, when my year is out, and I am 
 going to take leave of absence, the trustees not being 
 willing to pay salary. Lately for a day I was in 
 Albany to speak with a lawyer about the payment 
 of my last year's salary. The trustees here, too, 
 will find that there are " fighting" astronomers. 
 (These last things entre nous.) 
 
 Yours very truly, C. H. F. PETERS. 
 
 FROM DIRECTOR OTTO STROVE TO GEORGE BOND. 
 
 (TRANSLATION.) 
 
 POULKOVA, March 3, 1863. 
 Very Honored Colleague: 
 
 Severe labor and illness consequent thereon 
 are the causes of my not having answered your 
 esteemed letter of the 28th October, and expressed 
 at the same time my cordial thanks for the 
 
 * These and other extensive series of observations were left 
 unpublished at Dr. PETERS' death* It is greatly to be desired 
 that those who have his manuscripts in charge will arrange to 
 have them edited and printed as a tribute to his memory and 
 on account of their intrinsic value.
 
 198 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 valuable collection of your publications which 
 shortly followed that letter. 
 
 In the collection your great work, Account of 
 the Great Comet of 1858, has naturally attracted 
 the chief attention. It is incontestably the finest 
 monograph of a comet that astronomical literature 
 can show, and its contents so carefully, so circum- 
 spectly, elaborated will certainly contribute essen- 
 tially to establish our views upon the physical 
 constitution of comets in general, and of the one 
 here treated of in particular. I was especially 
 struck with the analogy between your observations 
 and mine as to the comprehension of the phe- 
 nomena of the head of the comet. In November 
 last I had the honor of sending to you a copy of 
 my paper on the nebula of Orion by the American 
 Consul, Mr. TAYLOR, with the request that he 
 would transmit it to you as quickly as possible, as 
 I believed that it would be particularly interesting 
 to you. I was very anxious to obtain your opinion 
 upon it, as you are the only person beside myself 
 who has studied the subject so thoroughly as to be 
 able to form a competent judgment upon it. 
 
 The similar optical power of the telescopes used 
 by us has already repeatedly been the cause of our 
 laboring upon the same objects, and naturally we 
 have either quickly opposed or confirmed each 
 other more or less in our results. If God grants us 
 the power of future work, this will still be the case, 
 and I believe that science will be the gainer by it 
 so long as we keep her advancement sincerely in 
 view, and do not allow jealousy to disturb our 
 judgment. That I have followed this fundamental 
 principle you will readily perceive in both papers, 
 the transmission of which I hereby announce to 
 you. In the first I have indeed been obliged to
 
 Correspondence of George Bond 199 
 
 express a rather severe criticism upon the cata- 
 logue of the stars in the nebula of Orion, published 
 by your late father, and also in the other, I have 
 not altogether agreed with the results given in 
 your otherwise so distinguished work upon the 
 Rings of Saturn, but in neither have I withheld my 
 recognition of what was really deserving. In like 
 manner, you also in your latest work upon the 
 comet have extracted what was good in our observa- 
 tions, and I beg of you to accept my hearty thanks 
 for these indications of good will. 
 
 This subject reminds me, also, of the discrep- 
 ancy in our results upon the mass of Neptune. It 
 does certainly appear at present as if Mr. SAFFORD'S 
 theoretical researches confirmed the value found by 
 you. However, I do not consider this matter 
 finally determined yet, for proof is still wanting 
 that Neptune alone has produced those perturbations 
 in the path of Uranus, which are explained by the 
 adoption of your estimate. 
 
 With the highest regard, 
 
 Yours most truly, 
 
 OTTO STRUVE. 
 
 To DIRECTOR OTTO STRUVE FROM GEORGE BOND. 
 
 OBSERVATORY OF HARVARD COLLEGE, "} 
 CAMBRIDGE, Mass., U. S., America. >- 
 July 15, 1863. J 
 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 The acknowledgment of your interesting let- 
 ter of March 3d, which reached me in due course, 
 has been delayed longer than I could have wished, 
 as indeed has been too much the case with all my 
 correspondence, by the necessity which I have been 
 of late subjected to, of devoting much time to 
 observatory duties, which have hitherto devolved
 
 200 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 upon my assistants. Circumstances, chiefly aris- 
 ing from the unhappy civil war which desolates 
 our country, have deprived the observatory of the 
 services of Mr. COOLIDGE, Mr. HALL and Mr. TUT- 
 TLE. 
 
 The servant of ordinary work has enlisted, and 
 within the past week even the pupil whom we had 
 taken for instruction to supply the place of more 
 skillful assistants, has been drafted into the army. 
 Mr. SAFFORD alone remains at his post; but I hope 
 we shall be able to rescue our new adjunct, and 
 if blessed with returning health myself, I am 
 still confident that we can maintain a respectable 
 activity, more especially as we have the strong con- 
 fidence of the community, which has been our 
 principal reliance for material support. We have, 
 also, through the liberality of a merchant of Bos- 
 ton, an accession to our funds for publication, which 
 is very acceptable. 
 
 Before this letter reaches you, our latest publica- 
 tions, viz. the Observatory tieport for 1862, and 
 Annals, Vol. IV, Part I, ought to have come to your 
 hands. They were transmitted in May last, via 
 Leipsic. I regret to say, that the collection of 
 Poulkova publications kindly promised in your 
 letter has not been received. These delays are 
 exceedingly vexatious, and I fear that, as you have 
 sometimes mentioned, the packages have been 
 placed in the hands of our government diplomatic 
 agents; and that the difficulty lies in that quarter 
 since recent regulations have very stringently for- 
 bidden the use of the government dispatch-bags 
 for any other than official papers. 
 
 I beg to suggest that it might be well to entrust 
 any package designed for our observatory to some 
 one of the large booksellers in St. Petersburg, to be 
 forwarded to London, via Leipsic, the package to 
 be addressed to HENRY TOOKE PARKER, 3 Ladbroke
 
 Gardens, Kensington Park, London, care Messrs. 
 WILLIAMS and NORGATE, booksellers, London. I 
 believe that parcels once in the hands of Doctor 
 FLUEGEL, of Leipsic, who acts as agent of the Smith- 
 sonian Institution of Washington, are safely trans- 
 mitted; but the delay is often very great. My 
 recent experience, as well as enquiries directed to 
 this subject in England and on the Continent, have 
 led me to request Mr. PARKER of London to act as 
 a receiving and distributing agent of the observa- 
 tory, and arrangements have been made by which 
 all parcels sent to him from the Continent will be 
 forwarded to us. He has assured me that he can 
 avail himself of the extensive business connections 
 of Messrs. WILLIAMS and NORGATE with the prin- 
 cipal continental booksellers, to establish a safe and 
 prompt means of communication between our 
 observatory and those of Europe. He has instruc- 
 tions to pay all necessary charges, and will, I 
 believe, do everything in his power to secure the 
 objects in view. 
 
 Among the Poulkova publications which you 
 mention as having been sent, but which have not 
 come to hand are, the notice of the observations upon 
 Saturn in 1862, the WEISSE catalogue, the notice of 
 observations for the parallax of Mars, and the 
 memoir on the nebula of Orion. Should you not 
 shortly receive from me an acknowledgment of their 
 arrival, I fear we must have to conclude that they 
 have been lost on the way. 
 
 With the memoir on the nebula of Orion I sup- 
 plied myself while on a short tour in Europe, from 
 which I have just returned. I have as yet been 
 able to give to it only a hasty perusal, which has 
 given me the impression that in the references to 
 my father's observations and catalogue you have 
 expressed a criticism, severe, perhaps, but in its 
 tone quite altered from that which characterizes
 
 202 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 the passages upon the same subject published in 
 1857 in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronom- 
 ical Society. I am certain that you will not regret 
 this when you come to know all the circumstances 
 of the case. It will not be possible for me, within 
 the limits of a letter, to enter upon explanations, 
 which can, indeed, only be properly done when the 
 original observations are published in detail. This 
 I propose shortly to accomplish, if health is granted 
 to me, for I am persuaded that they have an extent, 
 and have been conducted with an amount of care 
 and labor which do not at all appear in the very 
 imperfect statement of results presented in the 
 memoir. My chief difficulty is to comprehend how 
 the numbers published in the catalogue came to be 
 deduced as the results of the measurements actually 
 made. I have not yet succeeded in finding the 
 manuscripts of the reductions. I think, however, 
 that all the observations are acceptable, and that 
 the greater part have never been reduced, or even 
 alluded to in the memoir. 
 
 In regard to the variability of the nebula, I 
 have not yet made such a comparison of our 
 observations at different epochs as the subject 
 would require. 
 
 The disturbing influence of atmospheric changes 
 renders this a most perplexing question. I can 
 speak with more confidence of the variable char- 
 acter of several of the stars in its neighborhood, or 
 immersed in its light, but even here the influence 
 of the masses of nebulosity is such as to make 
 every prevention necessary to avoid deception. 
 Still, I cannot avoid concluding from my own com- 
 parisons alone, and quite independent!}' of your 
 results, that there are a sufficient number of well- 
 established instances of variability to awaken very 
 special interest. 
 
 I look forward with impatience to the time when
 
 Correspondence of George Bond 203 
 
 at least a partial release from duties which now 
 require all my attention will leave me at leisure to 
 take up the discussion of our observations upon the 
 nebula, preparatory to their publication. In refer- 
 ence to Mr. SAFFORD'S discussion of the mass of 
 Neptune from the perturbations of Uranus, I am 
 sorry to say that he has been obliged for the pres- 
 ent to defer the publication of the details of the 
 investigation, because our reduced force at the 
 observatory has made its current work press more 
 heavily on those remaining, and left no time for 
 excursions beyond its strict routine. 
 
 When in Europe, I was told by Professor ARGE- 
 LANDER (whom I saw only a week or two after you 
 left Bonn) that you had of late suffered from ill- 
 health, and your letter also intimates the same. 
 I earnestly hope that this may prove only a tempo- 
 rary drawback to your activit}'. 
 
 With my best regards to your father, 
 I am with much respect, 
 
 Very trulv yours, 
 
 "G. P. BOND. 
 
 FROM PROF. J. CLERK-MAXWELL TO GEORGE BOND. 
 
 GLENLAIR HOUSE, DALBEATTIE, SCOTLAND, 1 
 1863, August 25. / 
 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 I shall study what you say about Saturn in 
 your letter when I see your drawings and observa- 
 tions. I have no doubt that the time is coming 
 when we shall know more about the heavenly 
 bodies than that they attract each other from a dis- 
 tance. In Saturn's ring we certainly have a very 
 wonderful object to examine,, and when we come 
 to understand it we shall certainly know more 
 mechanics than we do now.
 
 204 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 Your observations of comets' tails go far to ren- 
 der them legitimate subjects of speculation, and I 
 think that when we have mastered the theory of 
 these tails we shall know more about what the 
 heavens are made of. I think the heavenly spaces 
 are by no means empty, since, as THOMSON has 
 shown, a cubic mile of sunlight, even at the earth's 
 distance, is worth, mechanically, 12,050 foot-pounds; 
 and a cubic foot of space near the sun can contain 
 energy equal to .0038 foot-pound, at least. This is 
 under ordinary circumstances, and gives an esti- 
 mate of the amount of strain which the medium 
 has been for ages subjected to, without in any way 
 giving way. But we have no reason to believe 
 that if the sun's heat were increased 1000-fold, the 
 medium would be unable to transmit it, or w r ould 
 break down under the forces applied. We have there- 
 fore no knowledge of the ultimate strength of the 
 heavenly medium; but it is well able to do all that 
 is required of it, whether we give it nothing to do 
 but to transmit light and heat, or whether we make 
 it the machinery of magnetism and electricity also, 
 and at last assign gravitation itself to its power. 
 
 If we could understand how the pressure of a 
 dense body could produce a linear pressure radiat- 
 ing out in straight lines from the body, and keep up 
 this kind of pressure continually, then gravitation 
 would be explained on mechanical principles, and 
 the attraction of two bodies would be the conse- 
 quence of the repulsive action of the lines of pres- 
 sure in the medium. 
 
 For instance, in the case of a body [P] at a dis- 
 tance from the sun [S], the equation to the lines of 
 force would be [diagram omitted] : 
 
 Pcos0+r 2 sin 1 '0 = C. 
 
 Where r is the distance from P, and the angle 
 which r makes with PS.
 
 Correspondence of George Bond 205 
 
 There are two sets of lines separated by the sur- 
 face of revolution whose equation is got by making 
 c=p. r 2 = - This surface has the^ general shape 
 
 of a paraboloid of revolution, but suggests the 
 appearance of a comet's tail, being more like a 
 catenary than a parabola near the head. Is there 
 anything about a comet to render its lines of 
 force visible, and not those of a planet which are 
 stronger? I think that visible lines of gravitating 
 force are extremely improbable, but I never saw 
 anything so like them as some tails of comets. 
 What HERSCHEL says about the repulsive action of 
 the sun leaves unexplained the fact that the motion 
 of the nucleus is that of a body gravitating toward 
 the sun with a force neither more nor less than that 
 of ordinary matter. If there were at any time in 
 the comet matter which was not gravitating, or not 
 gravitating to the same extent as earthly matter, 
 then the path of the comet would be less curved to 
 the sun than if it were made of ordinary matter, 
 and therefore calculations depending upon the 
 common value of the sun's attractive power would 
 not give the true path of comets. 
 
 I have nothing yet to send you, but we are 
 making a report on electrical measurements for 
 the British Association which I will send you 
 when I get copies, and if you will inform me of 
 any electrical men in America, I will bring forward 
 their claim to have copies of the Standard Coil of 
 Electrical Resistance. We have hopes of producing 
 coils next winter, the resistance of which is known 
 to within a small fraction in electromagnetic units. 
 Such coils may be employed in measuring electro- 
 motive forces, in determining the mechanical 
 equivalent of heat, and in other researches. The 
 present measures of resistance in absolute units vary 
 by six or seven per cent., but I think we are already 
 safe within one-half of one per cent., and I see how
 
 206 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 to make determinations quite as exact as we can 
 determine the size of our coil in meters. 
 
 In the course of our work we have had to obtain 
 a constant velocity of rotation. This was secured 
 by means of a governor invented by Mr. FLEEMING 
 JENKIN; but we propose to make a new governor, 
 combining the principles of Professor W. THOMSON 
 and Mr. JENKIN; we hope to get good results, com- 
 parable with clockwork. I have been studying the 
 mathematical principles of governors, and I have 
 been able to detect the sources of irregularities in 
 the motion, and I hope to correct them. We mean 
 to expose the new governor to severe tests by sud- 
 den variations of driving power, and if we find it 
 answer I hope it will be taken into consideration 
 in devising moving power for large equatorials. 
 The dynamics of governors is exceedingly interest- 
 ing, on account of the number of conditions which 
 may be introduced by various arrangements of the 
 machinery, and the different and sometimes oppo- 
 site effects of these on the stability of the motion. 
 
 I am exceedingly obliged to you for your kind- 
 ness in sending the books. I hope to be able to 
 say so again when I have read the part about 
 Saturn. I think the visibility of the ring under 
 oblique sunshine shows that its surface is very 
 rough, the roughness not being like that of paper 
 or sandstone, but like that of a wilderness of sharp 
 rocks, so that we, being on the same side as the 
 sun, see nearly every spot of sunshine, while most 
 of the shadows are hid by their respective objects. 
 ARAGO'S test of the solidity of a heavenly body by 
 polarized light supposes the solid body to be as 
 smooth as a rough bar of iron, if not actually 
 polished, whereas the smoothest part of our earth 
 is a paved street, and even the sea is generally too 
 rough to polarize much light. 
 
 With much respect, yours truly, 
 
 J. CLERK-MAXWELL.
 
 Correspondence of George Bond 207 
 FROM PROFESSOR SCHOENFELD TO GEORGE BOND. 
 
 (TRANSLATION). 
 
 MANNHEIM, 1863, December 16. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 The first occasion for these lines is the expres- 
 sion of my thanks for your last letter and its enclo- 
 sure of [the places of] new nebulse 2 which was very 
 welcome. I shall, it is true, be able to observe only 
 a part of them with my telescope. . . . Please 
 accept, therefore, my heartiest thanks, and the assur- 
 ance that I should hardly have ventured the request 
 for these positions had I been able to estimate the 
 length of the list. 
 
 Your opinion, that it is probable that the- 
 nebulse as a class are not separated from the fixed 
 stars by relatively great distances, I agree with 
 entirely. 
 
 Above all else, the manifold nature of the Magel- 
 lanic clouds in which single and double stars, 
 star clusters of every degree of condensation and 
 nebulae of every degree of resolvability are found 
 commingled seems to me entirely irreconcilable- 
 with the contrary view; not to speak of such 
 remarkable combinations as we find in h (399) and 
 other nebulae. I think, indeed, that there would 
 not be so much opposition to the theory that 
 nebulae and fixed stars together constitute a single 
 system, if the doctrine of the development of nebulae 
 into perfect stars, which HERSCHEL connected with 
 it, had excited less opposition. Nevertheless, it 
 seems to me that the two theories can be consid- 
 ered independently; the latter I cannot fully under- 
 stand, while the former seems very plausible. 
 
 The successive parts of my observations I shall, 
 of course, send to you as well as to the observa- 
 tory; but my hope to be able to complete the col- 
 lection of the material for the second section this 
 winter seems, unfortunately, unlikely to be realized,.
 
 208 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 as the summer and autumn have been very unfa- 
 vorable. 
 
 . . . As to the newly-established AstronomiscJie 
 Gesellscha/t, it seems to meet with the approval 
 necessary to increase its resources. Up to the pres- 
 ent time it has ninety-four members, a number of 
 whom are not astronomers. Many of the more 
 influential older German astronomers seem, how- 
 ever, to hold themselves aloof. For instance, 13. 
 PETERS, HANSEN and ENCKE have not joined. 
 (ENCKE has, moreover, resigned the directorship of 
 the Berlin Observatory and has retired.) On the 
 other hand, among the members, in addition to 
 those already known to you, are GERLING, SCHWERD, 
 MAEDLER, LITTROW, SEIDEL, BRUENNOW and almost 
 all the younger German astronomers. Besides, as 
 you will have noticed in the constitution, the mem- 
 bership is not limited to Germany. We count, as 
 members, nearly all the Italian astronomers (except 
 only PLANA, DONATI and SECCHI, I think), several 
 Swedes, a few Frenchmen (not well known to me 
 otherwise), WOLF and PLANTAMOUR among the 
 Swiss, and among the English, Professor ADAMS, 
 besides Captain OOM in Lisbon. In fact, the society 
 transcends the boundaries of Europe Doctor 
 MONTY in Tifiis and Doctor NEWMANN in Peking 
 (astronomer of the Russian society in that place) 
 are members. In the name of the society, I express 
 to you my heartiest thanks for the interest with 
 which you regard it. ... As the society has 
 now extended itself beyond the limits of Europe, 
 I hope you will not consider it impertinent of me 
 to remark that, if the great distance does not deter 
 you, there is no obstacle on our part to your becom- 
 ing an active member. On the contrary, I am con- 
 vinced that not only I, but all other members, would 
 consider it an honor to welcome you as a fellow- 
 member. It is true, I feel the society cannot offer
 
 Correspondence of George Bond 209 
 
 you much, aside from its publications and reports, 
 as you will [not] have much opportunity to take 
 part in its meetings. 
 
 The consciousness that you are supporting a 
 good cause may, however, be a motive for joining. 
 Our science is surely in no sense national, but 
 rather cosmopolitan. In case you should be in- 
 clined to join us, let me add that, until the close of 
 this year, the mere statement is sufficient. I have 
 postponed my letter so long, however, that little of 
 the year is left. But if you send the statement a 
 few days later, under date of December 31, 1863, it 
 will answer; and if not, the admission will, of 
 course, follow, through the unanimous vote of the 
 directors. I beg you, therefore, to overlook my 
 freedom in this matter, and to give me the pleasure 
 of an early and favorable reply. 
 
 My wife and I never think of your visit with us 
 without pleasure, and I am sincerely glad to have 
 become personally acquainted with you. My wife 
 requests me to send her best regards to yourself 
 and to your daughters. I am, 
 
 Yours most sincerely, 
 
 E. SCHOENFELD. 
 
 FROM HON. WILLIAM MITCHELL* TO GEORGE BOND. 
 
 LYNN, January 26, 1864. 
 
 I enclose, my dear fellow, the autograph of a 
 distinguished citizen of Boston, the ex-president 
 of the college and a member of the Observatory 
 Committee.t It was offered as an addition to the 
 
 * A member of the Board of Visitors 1849-65, chairman of 
 the board 1857-65; member of the Board of Overseers 1857-65. 
 He was a Quaker, an amateur astronomer of ability, and the 
 father of MARIA MITCHELL. 
 
 fThe member referred to is ex-president EDWARD EV- 
 ERETT. 
 
 O
 
 210 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 report which I had prepared, and it was unani- 
 mously accepted. The remarks which he made at 
 length in its support were of a most flattering char- 
 acter, and they met the hearty response of every 
 member of the board. 
 
 Very truly and ever thine. 
 
 WM. MITCHELL. 
 
 " The committee, in conclusion, beg here to per- 
 form a grateful duty in bearing testimony to the 
 diligence, fidelity and success with which the Direc- 
 tor of the Observatory continues to fill his arduous 
 and responsible duties. It affords them much satis- 
 faction to know that his rank among the. most 
 distinguished living observers is fully recognized 
 by the most eminent astronomers and scientific 
 bodies of Europe." 
 
 FROM GEORGE BOND TO DR. C. H. F. PETERS. 
 
 CAMBRIDGE, July 2, 1864. 
 My Dear Sir: 
 
 It was a pleasure to us all to recognize again 
 your handwriting not the least to the little girls, 
 who insist that I should write to ask you to make 
 a visit to Cambridge, in which I cordially join. 
 We should have notes to compare, and you must 
 have collected much information which would be 
 of mutual interest. . . . 
 
 Mr. ROGERS,* of Alfred Centre, who was formerly 
 a pupil in astronomy here, has been staying at the 
 observatory, for the sake of study and practice, for 
 a few months past. He has the true zeal and entire 
 honesty of character, which I must say does seem 
 to be a trait not over-prominent among American 
 
 * WILLIAM A. ROGERS, for many years assistant Harvard 
 College Observatory and Professor of Colby University.
 
 savants. As a case in point, what do you think 
 
 of of publishing that article on , 
 
 in Silliman's Journal for March, 1863, as an original 
 
 method? When , in the same journal for 
 
 July, 1864, reproduces the same, " faithfully " trans- 
 cribed from Doctor BRUENNOW'S lectures at Ann 
 Arbor in 1858, at which was one of the audi- 
 tors. You will see that has appropriated 
 
 from BRUENNOW, without a syllable of acknowledg- 
 ment, the whole substance of the method, embel- 
 lishing it with a little fancy work of his own, 
 which amounts to nothing but a flimsy conceal- 
 ment of the outrage. 
 
 You have seen, of course, Dr. TAPPAN'S state- 
 ment of affairs at Ann Arbor, which led to his and 
 BRUENNOW'S resignation. 
 
 Believe me very truly yours, 
 
 G. P. BOND. 
 
 [The blanks in the printed letter were filled in 
 the original.] 
 
 FROM GEORGE BOND TO DR. HENRY DRAPER. 
 
 OBSERVATORY OF HARVARD COLLEGE, \ 
 CAMBRIDGE, Mass., November 15, 1864. / 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 Through the kindness of Mr. FOLSOM, I have 
 received, in perfect condition, the magnificent pho- 
 tograph of the moon, with the accompanying 
 memoir, which you have presented to the observa- 
 tory. Please accept my best thanks for this fine 
 specimen of your successful labors in celestial pho- 
 tography. You seem to have surrounded yourself 
 with advantages quite unrivaled. Chief among 
 them, I should reckon that of joining to your own
 
 212 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 knowledge of the theory of the chemical process 
 involved, the fruit of your father's long experience 
 and profound researches. 
 
 Will you allow me to suggest to you the great 
 importance of attaining such a degree of sensitive- 
 ness in the plates that they will furnish, at moder- 
 ate exposures, images of telescopic stars? There is 
 no method known of determining the distance and 
 angle of position of double stars, which is so exact 
 as that by photography; but our experiments at 
 this observatory have been arrested at about the 
 sixth seventh magnitude. I believe that we 
 shall never know how much may be accomplished 
 in astronomy by this beautiful art, until some one 
 imbued like yourself with zeal and the knowledge 
 which comes only from practical experience, shall 
 transfer his apparatus to more favored skies, whose 
 atmospheric disturbances shall be less annoying 
 than here. 
 
 In our climate the case is absolutely hopeless. 
 Through seventeen years, during which I have 
 constantly used a large telescope, it has never 
 afforded me a glimpse of the image of a celestial 
 object not sensibly deteriorated by undulations in 
 our atmosphere. Respectfully yours, 
 
 G. P. BOND. 
 
 FROM DR. HENRY DRAPER TO GEORGE BOND. 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK, November 21, 1864. 
 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 I have just received your note, and am much 
 pleased to find that the photograph has reached 
 you in good, condition. I shall write to thank Mr. 
 FOLSOM for the trouble he has taken, as soon as I 
 can procure his address.
 
 Correspondence of George Bond 213 
 
 The remarks you make, concerning the atmos- 
 phere in which we have to work here, coincide 
 with those that I have been compelled to make 
 in some recent papers for the London journals. 
 I do not see the way to doing much better at this 
 level. 
 
 ... It has seemed to me probable that the 
 best place for celestial photography would be some- 
 where on the west coast of South America near 
 the equator, for instance, in the neigborhood of 
 Quito, and at a considerable altitude above the sea. 
 In this locality, the nights on which it has been 
 worth while to work at the moon in the past two 
 years have only been three or four in number, and 
 even on these, a bright star would exhibit some 
 flickering motion. I have never seen an occasion 
 on which the full optical power of the 15J-inch 
 mirror could be realized, and images obtained 
 equal to those seen when only a short column 
 of air is used, as in testing the figure at the centre 
 of curvature. 
 
 The cost, however, of an expedition to a distance 
 is greater than an amateur could meet, to say noth- 
 ing of the time required. I trust that we may 
 soon see the capabilities of photography applied to 
 astronomy thoroughly investigated. 
 
 My attention has already been attracted to stellar 
 photography by the excellent results you obtained 
 and published. I have made and mounted, equa- 
 torially, a nine-inch mirror for studying that branch 
 of the subject, but have not as yet had a fair oppor- 
 tunity of using it. 
 
 With many thanks for the kind expressions con- 
 tained in your letter, I remain, 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 HENRY DRAPER.
 
 214 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 To PROFESSOR ASAPH HALL FROM GEORGE BOND. 
 
 January 7, 1865. 
 
 My disease makes progress, and leaves me little 
 hope of putting the materials of my work on Orion 
 to which I had devoted so much labor into 
 condition such that another could prepare them for 
 press. In truth, I am becoming resigned to the 
 idea that most of it is destined to oblivion. 
 
 I had planned to accomplish something consid- 
 erable, and this is the end. " It is not in man that 
 walketh to direct his steps." 
 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 G. P. BOND. 
 
 FROM DR. C. H. F. PETERS TO GEORGE BOND. 
 
 HAMILTON COLLEGE OBSERVATORY, 1 
 February 1, 1865. j 
 
 My Dear Sir: 
 
 A few days ago I learned that your health is 
 very bad. This has put me into the greatest anx- 
 iety, for you may surely believe there are few who 
 appreciate and esteem you as much as I do. You 
 will pardon me, therefore, if I suggest and urge 
 upon you the necessity of dwelling for some time 
 in a warmer climate, abstaining for a little time 
 from such hard working as you do, and living 
 entirely for regaining your physical health. I beg 
 you, for the sake of science, for your children, for 
 your friends. Go as soon as possible, at least before 
 the poisonous thaws of spring set in.
 
 Correspondence of George Bond 215 
 
 I beg you, once more, consider my suggestion, 
 which flows from sincere friendship. 
 
 Yours very truly, 
 
 C. H. F. PETERS. 
 
 FROM THE FOREIGN SECRETARY OF THE ROYAL 
 ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY TO PROFESSOR GEORGE 
 BOND. 
 
 ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, 1 
 
 SOMERSET HOUSE, LONDON, 10 February, 1865.* j 
 
 My Dear Sir: 
 
 I have the pleasing duty of forwarding to 
 you the gold medal of the Royal Astronomical 
 Society, which has been awarded to you this day, 
 " for your work on the Comet of DONATI, and for 
 your other astronomical labors." 
 
 I profit by this opportunity to assure you of the 
 high esteem in which you are held by the Fellows 
 of the Royal Astronomical Society, and of the inter- 
 est which they take in your scientific pursuits. Be 
 assured of my respect and kind regard, and believe 
 me, my dear sir, Yours most truly, 
 
 R. H. MANNERS, 
 
 Vice-Admiral, Foreign Secretary of R. A. S. 
 
 P. S. I will take care to send you the Presi- 
 dent's address to the society, on the reasons for 
 awarding the medal, as soon as it is printed. 
 
 * BOND died on the 17th of February, 1865, before this letter 
 reached him. Private advices from his friends in London, 
 Doctor DE LA RUE and others, had informed him of the 
 intended award, however.
 
 THE SCIENTIFIC WORK OP WILLIAM AND 
 GEORGE BOND* 
 
 IN order to understand the services which were 
 rendered by the BONDS to the science of their 
 country, it is necessary to picture to ourselves the 
 conditions which existed in America during the 
 first portions of the present century, and to glance 
 at the work of individuals and of the earliest insti- 
 tutions and centres of influence. It requires an 
 individual to create and organize an institution. 
 It is impossible, even in the briefest sketch, not to 
 emphasize the debt of American science and learn- 
 ing to the intelligent interest and patronage of our 
 early Presidents WASHINGTON, JOHN ADAMS, JEF- 
 FERSON, MADISON, MONROE, JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 
 The powerful impetus given by them and through 
 them has shaped the liberal policy of our govern- 
 ments, National and State, towards education and 
 towards science. Sir LYON PLAYFAIR, in his 
 address to the British Association for the Advance- 
 
 *The first pages of this chapter were printed in Science 
 for June 18, 1897, under the title " The Beginnings of American 
 Astronomy."
 
 Scientific Work of the Bonds 217 
 
 ment of Science (1885), has recognized this influ- 
 ence in the truest and most graceful way. He said : 
 
 " In the United Kingdom we are just beginning 
 to understand the wisdom of WASHINGTON'S Fare- 
 well Address to his Countrymen (1796), when he 
 said : ' Promote, as an object of primary import- 
 ance, institutions for the increase and diffusion of 
 knowledge; in proportion as the structure of a gov- 
 ernment gives force to public opinion, it is essential 
 that public opinion should be enlightened.'" 
 
 Until the Revolution (1776) American science 
 was but English science transplanted, and it looked 
 to the Royal Society of London as its censor and 
 patron. WINTHROP, FRANKLIN and RITTENHOUSE 
 were, more or less, English astronomers. FRANKLIN 
 was the sturdiest American of the three. As early 
 as 1743 he suggested the formation of the Ameri- 
 can Philosophical Society of Philadelphia. JOHN 
 ADAMS founded the American Academy of Arts 
 and Sciences in Boston in 1780. These two socie- 
 ties, together with Harvard College (founded in 
 1636), Yale College (1701), the University of Vir- 
 ginia (founded by JEFFERSON in 1825) and the U. S. 
 Military Academy at West Point (1801) were the 
 chief foci from which the light of learning spread. 
 
 The leading school of pure science was the 
 Military Academy at West Point, and it continued 
 to hold this place till the Civil War (1861).
 
 218 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 From its corps of professors and students it gave 
 two chiefs to the United States Coast Survey; and 
 the Army, particularly the Corps of Engineers, 
 provided many observers to that scientific estab- 
 lishment, besides furnishing a large number of 
 professors and teachers of science to the colleges of 
 the country.* The observatory of the Academy was 
 founded by BARTLETT in 1841, and considerable 
 work was done there only a small part of which is 
 published. The Coast Survey was a school of astro- 
 nomical practice for army officers, and their experi- 
 ence was utilized in the numerous boundary surveys 
 of 1830-50. Col. J. D. GRAHAM, of the Engineers, 
 for example, was astronomer of the survey of 
 the boundary between Texas and the United 
 States in 1839-40; commissioner of the northeast 
 boundary survey, 1840-43; astronomer of the north- 
 west boundary survey, 1843-47; of the boundary 
 survey between the United States and Canada, 
 1848-50; of the survey of the boundary between 
 Pennsylvania and Virginia, 1849-50; of the bound- 
 ary survey between Mexico and the United States, 
 1850-51. The names of BONNEVILLE, TALCOTT, 
 CRAM, EMORY and other army officers are familiar 
 
 * Civil occupations of graduates of the United States Mili- 
 tary Academy, 1802-78: presidents of universities and col- 
 leges, 35; principals of academies and schools, 27; regents and 
 chancellors of educational institutions, 11; professors and 
 teachers, 119, etc., etc.
 
 - Their Scientific Work 219 
 
 in this connection, and their work was generally of 
 a high order. It was in such service that TALCOTT 
 invented, or re-invented, the zenith telescope, now 
 universally employed for all delicate determinations 
 of latitude. The mechanical tact of Americans 
 has served astronomy well. The sextant was in- 
 vented by THOMAS GODFRAY, of Philadelphia, in 
 1730, a year before HADLEY brought forward his 
 proposal for such an instrument.* The chrono- 
 graph of the BONDS, the zenith telescope of TAL- 
 COTT, the break-circuit chronometer of WINLOCK 
 are universally used. The diffraction gratings of 
 RUTHERFURD were the best to be had in the world 
 till they were replaced by those of ROWLAND. The 
 use of a telescope as a collimator was first proposed 
 by RITTENHOUSE. The pioneer opticians of the 
 United States were HOLCOMB (1826), FITZ (1846 or 
 earlier), CLARK (1845), SPENCER (1851). Only the 
 CLARKS have a world-wide reputation. WUERDE- 
 MANN, instrument-maker to the United States Coast 
 Survey (1834), had a decided influence on observ- 
 ers and instrument-makers throughout the United 
 States, as he introduced among us extreme German 
 
 * In 1700 Sir ISAAC NEWTON sent drawings and descriptions 
 of a reflecting sextant to HALLEY for his advice. At HAL- 
 LEY'S death these were found among his papers. HADLEY'S 
 device (1731) was undoubtedly derived from NEWTON'S manu- 
 script. The Royal Society of London granted 200 to GODFRAY 
 for his reflecting quadrant.
 
 220 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 methods where extreme English methods had 
 formerly prevailed. 
 
 The system of rectangular land surveys, which 
 proved so convenient for the public lands east of 
 the Rocky mountains, was devised and executed 
 by MANSFIELD, a graduate of the Military Academy. 
 
 The list of army officers who became distin- 
 guished in civil life as professors in the colleges of 
 the country, is a very large one. COURTENAY (class 
 of 1821 at West Point) was professor of mathematics 
 at the University of Pennsylvania, 1834-36, and at 
 the University of Virginia 1842-43, and the author 
 of admirable text-books. NORTON (class of 1831) 
 became professor at New Haven, and wrote a very 
 useful text-book of astronomy in 1839; and the 
 list could be much extended. The excellent train- 
 ing in mathematics at West Point (chiefly in French 
 methods) early made itself felt throughout the 
 whole country. The mathematical text-books of 
 PEIRCE, of Harvard, and of CHAUVENET, of Anna- 
 polis, brought the latest learning of Europe to Ameri- 
 can students. MITCHEL (class of 1829 at West Point) 
 was the only graduate who became a professional 
 astronomer (1842-61). His direct service to practi- 
 cal observing astronomy is small, but his lectures 
 (1842-48), the conduct of the Cincinnati Observatory 
 (1845-59), and his publication of the Sidereal Messen- 
 ger (1846-48), together with his popular books,
 
 -Their Scientific Work 221 
 
 excited an intense and wide-spread public interest 
 in the science, and indirectly led to the foundation 
 of many observatories. He was earl} 7 concerned in 
 the matter of utilizing the electric current for longi- 
 tude determinations, and his apparatus was only 
 displaced because of the superior excellence of the 
 chronograph devised by the BONDS. His work was 
 done, under immense disadvantages, in a new com- 
 munity (Ohio), but the endowment of astronomical 
 research in America owes a large debt to his energy 
 and efforts. 
 
 The Navy and the United States Naval Academy 
 (founded by BANCROFT, 1845, at the suggestion of 
 CHAUVENET), were very active in astronomical work. 
 CHAUVENET (Yale College, 1840) published a text- 
 book of trigonometry, in 1850, which had an 
 important share in directing attention to rigid, 
 elegant and general methods of research. His 
 Astronomy (1863) is a handbook for all students. 
 WALKER, GILLISS, COFFIN, HUBBARD, FERGUSON, 
 KEITH, YARNALL, WINLOCK, MAURY, WILKES, were 
 all connected with the Navy, more or less inti- 
 mately. WALKER'S career was especially brilliant. 
 He graduated at Harvard College in 1825, and 
 established the observatory of the Philadelphia 
 High School in 1840. He was the leading spirit in 
 the Naval Observatory at. Washington, 1845-47, 
 and introduced modern methods into its practice
 
 222 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 at the beginning. From the observatory he went 
 to the Coast Survey to take charge of its longitude 
 operations, and he continued to direct and expand 
 this department until his death, in 1853. To him, 
 more than to any single person, is due the idea of 
 the telegraphic method ("the American method") of 
 determining longitude. His able assistant in this 
 work was GOULD, who succeeded to the charge of it in 
 1853. WALKER'S researches extended to the field of 
 mathematical astronomy, also, and his theory of 
 Neptune (then newly discovered) marks an impor- 
 tant step forward. His investigations and those of 
 PEIRCE were conducted in concert, and attracted 
 general and deserved attention. 
 
 The Coast Survey began its work in 1817, under 
 HASSLER, a professor from West Point, who im- 
 pressed upon the establishment a thoroughly scien- 
 tific direction. BACHE, his successor (a grandson of 
 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN), was a graduate of West 
 Point in the class of 1825, and took charge of the 
 survey in 1843. He is the true father of the insti- 
 tution and gave it its practical efficiency and high 
 standard. He called around him the flower of 
 the army and navy, and was ably seconded by the 
 permanent corps of civilians, assistants of the sur- 
 vey (WALKER, SAXTON, GOULD, DEAN, BLUNT, POUR- 
 TALES, BOUTELLE, HlLGARD, SCHOTT, GoODFELLOW,. 
 
 CUTTS, DAVIDSON, and others).
 
 - Their Scientific Work 223 
 
 SILLIMAN'S (and DANA'S) American Journal of 
 Science had been founded at New Haven in 1818, 
 and served as a medium of communication among 
 scientific men. A great step forward was made in 
 the establishment of the Astronomical Journal by 
 Doctor GOULD, on his return from Europe at the 
 close of 1849.* Sillimaris Journal was chiefly con- 
 cerned with the non-mathematical sciences though 
 it has always contained valuable papers on mathe- 
 matics, astronomy and physics; especially from the 
 observers of Yale College OLMSTED, HERRICK, 
 BRADLEY, NORTON, MASON, NEWTON, LYMAN and 
 others. In MASON, who died in 1840, at the age of 
 twenty-one, the country lost a practical astronomer 
 of the highest promise.f 
 
 GOULD'S Journal was an organ devoted to a 
 special science. It not only gave a convenient 
 means of prompt publication, but it immediately 
 quickened research, and helped to enforce stand- 
 ards already formed, and to establish new ones. 
 
 The Astronomical Notices of BRUENNOW (1858-62) 
 might have been an exceedingly useful journal 
 with an editor who was willing to give more 
 attention to details, but, in spite of BRUENNOW'S 
 charming personality and great ability, it had 
 
 * The Astronomische Nachrichten had been founded in Altona 
 by SCHUMACHER in 1821. 
 
 t See the International Review, vol. 10, page 585.
 
 224 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 comparatively little influence on the progress of 
 American science. 
 
 The translation of the Mecanique Celeste of LAP- 
 LACE, by NATHANIEL BOWDITCH; the supercargo of 
 a Boston ship (1815-17), marks the beginning of 
 an independent mathematical school in America. 
 The first volume of the translation appeared in 
 1829. At that time there were not more than 
 two or three persons in the country who could 
 read it critically. The works of the great math- 
 ematicians and astronomers of France and Ger- 
 many LAPLACE, LAGRANGE, LEGENDRE, OLBERS, 
 GAUSS, W. STROVE, BESSEL were almost entirely 
 unknown. BOWDITCH'S translation of the Mecan- 
 ique Celeste, and still more, his extended com- 
 mentary, brought this monumental work to the 
 attention of students and within their grasp. His 
 Practical Navigator* contained the latest and best 
 methods for determining the position of a ship at 
 sea, expressed in simple rules. American naviga- 
 tors had no superiors in the first half of this cen- 
 tury. One of the sister ships to that on which 
 BOWDITCH was supercargo was visited at Genoa by 
 a European astronomer of note (Baron DE ZACH), 
 
 * First edition, 1802. "SUMNER'S Method in Navigation" 
 (1843) a very original and valuable contribution from a Boston 
 sea captain and M AURY'S Wind and Current Charts, begu n in 
 1844, are two other notable contributions from a young country 
 to an art as old as commerce.
 
 - Their Scientific Work 225 
 
 who found that the latest methods of working 
 lunar distances to determine the longitude, were 
 known to all on board, sailors as well as officers. 
 His bewilderment reached its climax when the 
 navigator called the negro cook from the galley 
 and bade him expound the methods of determin- 
 ing the longitude to the distinguished visitor. On 
 BOWDITCH'S own ship there was " a crew of twelve 
 men, every one of whom could take and work a 
 lunar observation as well, for all practical purposes, 
 as Sir ISAAC NEWTON himself." Such crews were 
 only to be found on American ships (where all 
 were cousins, and each had a share in the voyage.) 
 in the palmy days of democracy. These anec- 
 dotes may serve as illustrations of the intellectual 
 awakening which came about so soon as our coun- 
 try was relieved from the pressure of the two wars 
 of 1776 and 1812. 
 
 An early visitor, Baron HYDE DE NEUviLLE(1805), 
 felt " an unknown something" in the air; "a new 
 wind blowing." This new spirit, born of freedom, 
 entered first into practical life, as was but natural; 
 science felt its impulse next, and, last of all, a litera- 
 ture was born. EMERSON hailed it in 1837 "as the 
 sign of an indestructible instinct. Perhaps the time 
 is already come he says when the sluggard intel- 
 lect of this country will look from under its iron lids 
 and fill the postponed expectation of the world with
 
 226 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 something better than the exertions of mechanical 
 skill. Our day of dependence, our long apprentice- 
 ship to the learning of other lands draws to a close. 
 The millions that around us are rushing into life 
 cannot always be fed with the sere remains of for- 
 eign harvests." 
 
 BENJAMIN PEIRCE, a graduate of Harvard in the 
 class of 1828, had been concerned with the transla- 
 tion of the Mecanique Celeste, and was early familiar 
 with the best mathematical thought of Europe. He 
 became professor in Harvard College in 1833, and 
 after the death of BOWDITCH, in 1838, he was easily 
 the first mathematical astronomer in the country. 
 His instruction was precisely fitted to develop 
 superior intelligences, and this was his prime use- 
 fulness. Just such a man was needed at that time. 
 Beside his theoretical researches on the orbits of 
 Neptune and Uranus and the moon, his studies on 
 the theory of perturbations, and his works on pure 
 mathematics and mechanics, he concerned himself 
 with questions of practical astronomy, although 
 the observations upon which he depended were 
 made by others. He was the consulting astronomer 
 of the American Ephemeris and Nautical Almanac 
 from its foundation in 1849, and its plans were 
 shaped by him to an important degree. 
 
 His relative, Lieutenant DAVIS, U. S, N. (the trans- 
 lator of GAUSS'S Theoria Motus Corporum Ctelestium
 
 - Their Scientific Work 227 
 
 (1857), was placed in charge of the Ephemeris, 
 and the members of its staff (RUNKLE, FERREL, 
 WRIGHT, NEWCOMB, WINLOCK and others) most 
 effectively spread its exact methods by example 
 and precept. Professor PEIRCE undertook the cal- 
 culations relating to the sun, Mars and Uranus in 
 the early volumes of the Ephemeris. As a com- 
 pliment to her sex, Miss MARIA MITCHELL was 
 charged with those of Venus; Mercury was com- 
 puted by WINLOCK, Jupiter by KENDALL, Saturn by 
 DOWNES, Neptune by SEARS WALKER. 
 
 The Smithsonian Institution was founded in 
 1846, and JOSEPH HENRY was called from Princeton 
 College to direct it. There never was a wiser choice. 
 His term of service (1846-78) was so long that 
 his ideals became firmly fixed within the establish- 
 ment and were impressed upon his contemporaries 
 and upon a host of younger men. The interests of 
 astronomy were served by the encouragement of 
 original research by subsidies and otherwise, by 
 the purchase of instruments for scientific expedi- 
 tions, by the free exchange of scientific books 
 between America and Europe, and by the publi- 
 cation of the results of recondite investigations. It 
 is by these and like services that the institution is 
 known and valued among the wide community of 
 scientific men throughout the world. But this 
 enumeration of specific benefits does not convey
 
 228 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 an adequate idea of the immense influence exer- 
 cised by the institution on the scientific ideals of 
 the country. It was of the first importance that 
 the beginnings of independent investigations 
 among Americans should be directed towards right 
 ends and by high and unselfish aims. In the forma- 
 tion of a scientific and, as it were, of a moral stand- 
 ard, a few names will ever be remembered among 
 us; and no one will stand higher than that of 
 HENRY. His wise, broad and generous policy, and 
 his high personal ideals were of immense service 
 to his colleagues and to the country. The present 
 volume contains a letter of his (Chapter IV, dated 
 August 26, 1859), which is an illustration of his 
 generous anticipation of scientific needs. 
 
 The establishment of a National Observatory in 
 Washington was proposed by JOHN QUINCY ADAMS 
 in 1825; but it was not until 1844 that the United 
 States Naval Observatory was built by Lieutenant 
 GILLISS of the navy, from plans which he had pre- 
 pared. By what seems to have been an injustice, 
 GILLISS was not appointed to be its first director.* 
 This place fell to Lieutenant M. F. MAUEY. 
 
 GILLISS had been on detached service for some 
 years, and a rigid construction of the rules required 
 that he should be sent to sea, and not remain to 
 launch the institution which had been built and 
 
 * GILLISS was, however, director during the years 1861-65.
 
 - Their Scientific Work 229 
 
 equipped by his efforts. The first corps of observers 
 at Washington (1845) contained men of first-class 
 ability WALKER, HUBBARD, COFFIN. GILLISS'S 
 work on Capitol Hill (1838-42) had shown him to 
 be one of the best of observers, as well as one of 
 the most assiduous, and his study and experience 
 in planning and building the observatory had been 
 of great service to him. 
 
 To the men just named, with PEIRCE, GOULD and 
 CHAUVENET, and to their coadjutors and pupils, we 
 owe the introduction of the methods of GAUSS, 
 BESSEL and STRUVE into the United States; and it is 
 due to their influence that American astronomy is 
 the child of German, and not of English science. 
 The most natural evolution might seem to have 
 been for Americans to follow the English practice 
 of MASKELYNE and POND; but the break caused 
 by the War of Independence, by the War of 1812, 
 and by the years necessary for our youthful gov- 
 ernments to consolidate (1776-1836) allowed our 
 young men of science to make a perfectly unbiased 
 choice of masters. The elder BOND received his 
 impetus, however, from British sources during his 
 visit to England in 1815. GILLISS visited France 
 for study (1835) before he took up his duties at 
 Washington. The text-books of WILLIAM BOND 
 and GILLISS were the Astronomies of PEARSON 
 (1824-29) and VINCE (1797-1808). The younger
 
 230 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 BOND and his contemporaries, on the other hand, 
 were firmly grounded in the German methods, 
 then, as now, the most philosophical and thorough. 
 It was not until 1850, or later, that it was indis- 
 pensable for an American astronomer to read the 
 German language, and to make use of the memoirs 
 of BESSEL, ENCKE, STRUVE, and the text-books of 
 SAWITSCH and BRUENNOW.* This general acquaint- 
 ance with the German language and methods came 
 nearly a generation later in England. The tradi- 
 tions of PIAZZI and ORIANI were brought to America 
 by the Jesuit Fathers of Georgetown College (1844), 
 of whom SECCHI and SESTINI are the best known. 
 The dates of the foundation of a few observa- 
 tories, etc., of the United States may be set down 
 here. Those utilized for the observation of the 
 transit of Venus in 1769 were temporary stations 
 merely. The first college observatory was that of 
 Chapel Hill, North Carolina (1831); Williams Col- 
 lege followed (in 1836); Hudson Observatory, Ohio 
 (1838); the Philadelphia High School (1840); the 
 Dana House Observatory of Harvard College (1840); 
 West Point (1841); the United States Naval Ob- 
 servatory (1844); Georgetown College Observatory 
 (1844); the Cincinnati Observatory (1845); the new 
 Observatory of Harvard College (1846); the private 
 observatory of L. M. RUTHERFORD (1848); the 
 
 *BOWDITCH learned German in 1818, at the age of forty-five.
 
 - Their Scientific Work 231 
 
 Observatory of Ann Arbor (1854); the Dudley 
 Observatory (1856) and that of Hamilton College 
 (1856). 
 
 The foregoing outline will serve to indicate the 
 situation of the astronomy of the country during 
 the first half of the present century. A little atten- 
 tion to the dates will enable the reader to place an 
 individual or an institution on the proper back- 
 ground. It must be constantly kept in mind that 
 the country was very young, and that public inter- 
 est in astronomical matters was neither educated 
 nor very general. The first business of the elder 
 BOND was to establish an observatory at Harvard 
 College; and we have seen that the Dana House 
 served its purpose for the earlier years (1840-46). 
 
 It was not long, however, before the final plan 
 was conceived, and by the generous help of the 
 community it was soon executed. In 1846 the 
 present observatory was completed. It was fur- 
 nished in 1847 with the 15-inch equatorial tele- 
 scope, at that time the largest that had been made. 
 The Imperial Observatory of Russia (Pulkowa) had 
 one of like dimensions, but these two were by far 
 the most perfect, as well as the largest instruments 
 existing. Other needed instruments were provided 
 and mounted. The minor apparatus was on hand. 
 The observatory was endowed. Important series
 
 232 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 of observations had already been commenced. All 
 this had been done in a few years by the two BONDS. 
 A complete observatory of the first class had been 
 created. A significant word in regard to the 
 services of the BONDS in this respect is to be found 
 in the Eloge of WINLOCK,* written by Professor 
 LOVERING of Harvard, who knew them well. He 
 says: "Their lives, consecrated to astronomy, 
 founded the observatory and won for it the sym- 
 pathy and support of the community. Affection 
 for them, and respect for their disinterested zeal, 
 inspired the liberal endowments which strength- 
 ened its early growth. Because the men were there 
 the institution was born and lived." 
 
 The observatory was now in existence. The 
 great telescope was mounted in June, 1847. It 
 remains to show how it was used during the 
 eighteen remaining years of their directorship. 
 The full list of the papers printed by them may be 
 found in the appendices, and it will be interesting 
 to turn to these lists and to point out a few of the 
 most important works. 
 
 Nearly every astronomical observation has for 
 its object to determine the position of some heavenly 
 body (as a planet) at a given time. By making a 
 second observation of the same sort at a subsequent 
 
 * Biographical Memoirs, National Academy of Sciences, Vol. 
 I, p. 333.
 
 Their Scientific Work 233 
 
 time, the motion of the planet becomes known, and 
 from a sufficient number of such observations, its 
 orbit can be determined. The instrument chiefly 
 used for observations of the sort is a meridian circle, 
 so-called. This is a telescope at right angles to a 
 horizontal axis, having the axis placed exactly in 
 an east and west line. The telescope can revolve, 
 and its central line will trace out the meridian 
 upon the celestial sphere. The angle through 
 which it revolves is measured by a circle graduated 
 into degrees, minutes, etc., fastened to the horizon- 
 tal axis and turning with it. As the divisions of 
 the circle move past a fixed pointer, the angle is 
 indicated. 
 
 Every star passes the meridian once daily in 
 its course from rising to setting, and just at the 
 moment of its passage it can be seen in transit. 
 The observation of a star for position with the 
 meridian circle consists in setting the telescope at 
 the right altitude just before the star transits. It 
 will enter the field of view of the telescope at its 
 east side, and move rapidly across the field and 
 disappear on the west side. The field of view of the 
 telescope has a spider thread fixed horizontally 
 (W in the figure). 
 
 a * 
 
 6 * W 
 
 As the star enters at a, for example, the telescope 
 must be gently moved until the star is at b and
 
 234 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 travels along the thread. The circle is now read. 
 Suppose it to indicate 10 0' 0". If a second star 
 subsequently travels along the thread when the 
 circle reads 20 0' 0", then one of these stars is 
 exactly 10 north of the other. The observation 
 has fixed the difference of their altitudes. 
 
 Besides the horizontal thread (W) in the eye- 
 piece, there are several vertical threads, one of 
 which (I) is shown in the next figure. What we 
 wish to know is, the exact instant (hour, minute, 
 second and decimal of a second) at which the star 
 crosses the thread I. The method of determining 
 this up to the year 1850 was as follows: 
 
 i 
 
 A clock was placed near the observer, who heard 
 each of its beats (a second apart) distinctly. If the 
 star was on the thread at the exact instant of a 
 clock-beat, the second corresponding to that beat 
 must be written down, as 17 8 .0. The observation 
 was made. In general, the transit will not occur 
 on the exact beat, but at the seventeenth second 
 (for example) the star will be at some point in the 
 field, as a; while at the eighteenth beat the star 
 will have crossed the thread and will be seen at b.
 
 - Their Scientific Work 235 
 
 It has moved over the distance a b in a second. The 
 thread is (say) six tenths of the distance a b from a. 
 Hence the transit occurred at 17 8 .6. Several threads 
 (seven or nine) are observed in this way for every 
 star, and the average of the observed times is taken, 
 so as to obtain a little greater precision; but for the 
 purpose of illustration we may confine our atten- 
 tion to a single thread at I. A certain star crossed 
 it at l h O m 17 8 .6, let us say. Some other star crosses 
 it at l h 32 m 20 8 .7. This second star is 32 m 3M east 
 of the first; east since it comes later to the thread. 
 By our observations we have shown one star to be 
 10 north of the other; and their distance east and 
 west to be 32 m 3 s . 1. 
 
 Starting from any one star as Sirius, for exam- 
 ple we can fix the place of every star in the sky 
 with reference to it. Such, in very brief abstract, 
 is the method of fixing star positions. It consists 
 of two parts, one of which is very simple. Any 
 intelligent lad can be taught in a night to place 
 the horizontal wire so that a star will travel along 
 it. But it requires long practice to estimate, and 
 remember, the relative positions of the star at two 
 successive clock-beats, and to refer these positions of 
 the moving star to the fixed thread without error.* 
 
 * Moreover, every observer is found to have a physiological 
 idiosyncracy in such estimations. Instead of seeing the star at 
 a, for example, he will see it a little to the right (or left), so 
 that his observations will differ by a little from those of
 
 236 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 It will be obvious that a method of observing 
 which would do away with most of the difficulties 
 of such observations and make the transits as easily 
 observed as the altitudes, would be of the highest 
 value to practical astronomy. It was precisely such 
 a method that was perfected by the BONDS in their 
 " spring-governor," or, as it is called to-day, their 
 chronograph: Before giving the history of this 
 invention, we may briefly describe its use without 
 going into details. 
 
 Suppose that we have a horizontal cylindrical 
 barrel or drum which is caused, by clockwork, to 
 revolve once in one minute of time. Let us wrap 
 a sheet of paper around the barrel and rest a pen 
 upon the paper. The pen itself rests on a carriage 
 which moves slightly (say the tenth of an inch per 
 minute) lengthwise along the barrel while the latter 
 is turning. Now, if the pen marks, it will trace a 
 smooth spiral line on the paper, round and round, 
 and each complete revolution of the barrel will 
 correspond exactly to one minute of time. Let us 
 suppose, further, that the pen is fastened to an 
 
 another astronomer. This constant physiological difference of 
 two persons in estimating the same phenomenon is their rela- 
 tive personal equation. This term personal equation has 
 found its way into literature and into common speech, with a 
 slightly altered meaning. It is generally used to denote an 
 individual's departure from an absolute standard his total 
 idiosyncracy. In astronomy there are few absolute standards, 
 and the term is employed to denote the idiosyncracy of one 
 observer relative to another, each person being fallible.
 
 10s 
 
 THE CHKONOHRAPH INVENTED BY THE BONDS. 
 
 6s 
 
 28 
 
 Os 
 
 -10 m 
 -llm 
 -12m 
 -13m 
 
 PART OF A CHRONOORAPHIC RECORD. 
 
 N. B. The rattle at 12 in is to call attention to an observation to come. At 4.4s 
 a star crossed wire I. and at H.4s it crossed wire II.
 
 - Their Scientific Work 237 
 
 .electro-magnet, and that the standard clock is con- 
 nected to the magnet by a telegraph wire so that 
 the clock can (automatically) telegraph its beats to 
 the magnet. At every signal the magnet will move 
 the pen slightly to one side and produce a slight 
 indentation in the (otherwise) smooth spiral. The 
 distance on the paper between any two consecu- 
 tive indentations is precisely one second of time. 
 We have turned time into space, a second into a 
 distance. One more step is required. Let a short 
 telegraph line run from the magnet to a signal-key 
 in the observer's hand. When he presses the key 
 the magnet is affected and the pen moves so as to 
 make a little indentation in the spiral trace. The 
 shape of the indentation corresponding to the 
 observer's signal is a little different from those 
 corresponding to the clock beats. The observer's 
 signal generally falls between two signals from the 
 clock. It is sixty-five hundredths of the distance 
 from the seventeenth to the eighteenth beat, let us 
 say. The observation time is then 17 8 .65. The 
 accompanying cuts will illustrate the description. 
 
 Such is the outline of a most valuable invention 
 which has been of priceless value to practical astron- 
 omy, and which has countless other applications.* 
 
 *For example, the velocity of projectiles is measured by 
 allowing them to break two wire targets, one just in front of 
 the muzzle of the gun, the other 100 yards away. The rupture 
 of each target records a signal on the chronograph. The
 
 238 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 Much fatigue is spared by the new method. 
 Observing nights can be made longer. There are 
 no errors of record. The clock, not the astronomer, 
 writes down the time. The record on the chrono- 
 graph is permanent, and the sheets may be bound, 
 like a book, for future reference. The personal 
 equations are smaller and more constant, also. 
 
 Moreover, two clocks may be made to record on 
 the same sheet, and thus compared. One of the 
 clocks may be in New York and the other in San 
 Francisco, and their records will faithfully exhibit 
 their difference of time. But the difference of time 
 is nothing but the difference of longitude; and here 
 we have a perfect method of determining positions 
 of places on the earth. Wherever the telegraphic 
 wire runs, we may transmit the signals of a clock. 
 This is the "American" method of determining 
 longitude, first practiced over the line from Balti- 
 more to Washington in 1844, and since then em- 
 ployed in every country of the globe from England 
 to Brazil, from the Cape of Good Hope to the Indies. 
 A slight modification in the apparatus permits the 
 method to be used on ocean cables, and the most 
 distant countries of the world have been united by 
 these bonds. 
 
 distance apart of the signals shows how long the projectile 
 required to move 100 yards. The principle of this method is 
 the same as that of the astronomer's chronograph. The appa- 
 ratus is more refined, however.
 
 - Their Scientific Work 23 
 
 In an official report to the chief of the United 
 States Coast Survey in 1851, Mr. SEARS WALKER 
 gives the history of the use of the electric current 
 in registering observations, and of the various steps 
 which led to the invention of the chronograph. I 
 have found among the papers of GEORGE BONI> 
 what I suppose to be the original of WALKER'S 
 memorandum, in BOND'S handwriting, and it is 
 printed below. In a somewhat fuller form it is 
 given in the Annals of the Harvard College Observ- 
 atory, Vol. I, page xxiv. 
 
 The following is an abstract of the history of the 
 invention, recently brought into use in America, by 
 which electro-magnetism is introduced as an agent 
 in the determination of differences of terrestrial 
 longitude, and for various astronomical purposes in 
 which the exact noting of time enters as an impor- 
 tant element. 
 
 On the 9th of June, 1844, Captain CHARLES 
 WILKES, U. S. N., made the first experiment for 
 determining longitudes, by means of the electro- 
 telegraph, between Washington and Baltimore,, 
 with chronometers rated at each place. 
 
 On the 10th of October, 1846, star signals were 
 first exchanged between the Washington Observa- 
 tory and that of the Central High School of Phila- 
 delphia. The outfit of telegraph junction lines 
 and apparatus was made by the Coast Survey. . . . 
 
 The experiment was made under the charge of 
 SEARS C. WALKER, Esq., one of the assistants of the 
 Coast Survey, who, from that time to the present, 
 under an appointment from Professor A. D. BACHE, 
 LL. D., superintendent, has had uninterrupted
 
 240 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 charge of this work. The apparatus used this 
 evening was devised and constructed by JOSEPH 
 SAXTON, Esq. The star signals, or taps on a make- 
 circuit ringer key at the instant of the passage of a 
 star over a wire of a transit instrument, were made 
 that night by Lieutenant J. J. ALMY, U. S. N., and 
 were recorded by the ear of Mr. WALKER and Lieu- 
 tenant J. M. GILLISS, U. S. N., at Washington, and 
 Professor E. 0. KENDALL, director of the Philadel- 
 phia High School Observatory at Philadelphia. 
 The longitude between the two stations by this 
 night's work agrees within 8 .2 with the average of 
 all the work done since. 
 
 On the 27th of July, 1847, coincidence of beats 
 of solar and sidereal chronometers were, for the 
 first time, tried between Philadelphia and Jersey 
 Cit}\ These coincidences were noted at each place 
 by comparison of a solar and sidereal timekeeper. 
 The circuit of the telegraph line was closed tempo- 
 rarily every ten secqnds by the astronomer at one 
 of the stations, and the receiving magnet beats were 
 heard sensibly at the same instant of absolute time 
 at both stations. The date of coincidences of these 
 magnet beats with the stationary clock beats (the 
 one being at solar, the other at sidereal time) were 
 recorded at both stations. This experiment was 
 repeatedly performed that year by Mr. WALKER, 
 assisted at Philadelphia by Professor E. O. KEN- 
 DALL, director, and at Jersey City by Professor E. 
 LOOMIS. 
 
 In July and August, 1848, an extensive series of 
 star signals and clock signals by coincidences were 
 exchanged between the Harvard Observatory at 
 Cambridge, Mass., and the observatory in the gar- 
 den of the late PETER STUYVESANT in New York 
 City. The work was under the charge of Mr. 
 WALKER. Mr. BOND was the observer at Cam- 
 bridge, and Professor E. LOOMIS at New York City.
 
 - Their Scientific Work 241 
 
 During these experiments Mr. BOND conceived the 
 idea of using an automatic circuit interrupter.* 
 
 October 26, 1848, Professor 0. M. MITCHELL,! at 
 the suggestion of Mr. WALKER, prepared a circuit 
 interrupter with an ordinary eight-day clock, and 
 used it to graduate the running fillets of paper 
 upon a MORSE register fillet. It was not used in 
 the work with Philadelphia, clouds having pre- 
 vented work on the 27th, proposed for the purpose. 
 The same mode which Professor MITCHELL used 
 had been proposed by JOSEPH SAXTON, Esq., in 
 1846, but has not been adopted by Professor BACHE 
 and Mr. WALKER, from apprehension of injury to 
 the performance of the astronomical clock which 
 must be used for the purpose. 
 
 October 26, 1848, Dr. J. LOCKE [of Cincinnati] 
 was requested by Mr. WALKER to undertake experi- 
 ments to obviate some difficulties which it was sup- 
 posed might result from the deflagration of the 
 clock pallets. 
 
 On the 17th of November, 1848, Mr. WALKER 
 extended a junction wire from the Cincinnati tele- 
 graph office so as to embrace Doctor LOCKE'S clock 
 
 * Such a clock was made by Mr. BOND in February, 1850. 
 WILLIAM BOND TO HON. WILLIAM MITCHELL. 
 
 HARVARD OBSERVATORY, I 
 My Dear Friend : - CAMBRIDGE, February 15, 1850. j 
 
 I have finished my electric clock, and it operates perfectly, 
 breaking and restoring circuit in accordance with the beats of 
 the clock; Doctor LOCKE'S objection, "deflagration," which he 
 made the ground of his reinvention, is evidently a mere bug- 
 bear. In the meantime, Mr. AIRY, in an address to the Royal 
 Astronomical Society, has given the whole credit of the deter- 
 mination of differences of longitude by means of the magnetic 
 telegraph to Doctor LOCKE.' What will WILKES, WALKER, 
 LOOMIS and BACHE think of this summary and monstrous 
 assertion ? 
 
 fThe name is now spelled with a single 1. 
 Q
 
 242 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 at his house, fitted up as a circuit breaker, with a 
 tilt-hammer struck by the teeth of the escapement 
 wheel. Mr. WALKER, also, acting for the Coast Sur- 
 vey, engaged the use of the line from Louisville to 
 Pittsburg to try the experiment with Doctor LOCKE'S 
 contrivance. No astronomical nor clock signals 
 were exchanged this evening, and no attempt was 
 made to determine longitudes. In this experiment 
 Doctor LOCKE'S clock graduated a fillet of paper, as 
 delivered by the MORSE register. 
 
 January 19, 1849, the first actual experiment of 
 the automatic imprint of star signals on a time 
 scale was made between Philadelphia and Cincin- 
 nati. The telegraph line from Philadelphia to Cin- 
 cinnati was engaged for use of the Coast Survey by 
 Mr. WALKER. The automatic clock interrupter was 
 furnished by Doctor LOCKE, of Cincinnati. The 
 star signals were given by Professor KENDALL at 
 Philadelphia, and recorded at both places. The 
 Cincinnati Observatory, in the absence of Professor 
 MITCHELL, could not be used for the purpose of 
 longitudes. 
 
 The longitudes of Cambridge, New York and 
 Philadelphia were determined on the 23d of Jan- 
 uary, 1849, by star-transit signals given for the 
 same star as it passed the meridians of these three 
 stations. These signals were recorded at Washing- 
 ton, Philadelphia and Cambridge. The arrange- 
 ments were under the charge of Mr. WALKER. The 
 circuit-breaking clock was prepared by Mr. WALKER, 
 on Doctor LOCKE'S plan, and located at Philadel- 
 phia. The same clock contained a tilt-hammer 
 interrupter for making signals by the teeth of the 
 hour wheel every two minutes. This instrument 
 was invented in the year 1847 by J. J. SPEED, Esq.,. 
 president of the telegraph company in Detroit, 
 Michigan. 
 
 The detection of a delav in the transmission of
 
 Their Scientific Work 243 
 
 the galvanic inducing wave proportional to the 
 space traversed, was made by Mr. WALKER imme- 
 diately after examining and comparing together 
 the registers of the four stations above mentioned. 
 
 The consideration of this phenomenon led him 
 to the discovery of the velocity of the- galvanic 
 wave. A velocity of 15,400 miles per second is 
 given by him as the most probable result. 
 
 In the summer of 1849 Professor MITCHELL pro- 
 posed the use of a revolving disc of type metal to 
 receive the records. Mr. SAXTON'S plan of making 
 the records upon a sheet of paper rolled upon a 
 cylinder seems that which combines the most prac- 
 tical advantages. Mr. SAXTON proposed to break 
 the circuit by a tilt-hammer struck by a piece of 
 glass projecting from the middle of the pendulum 
 which acts as a circuit breaker; he also contrived 
 an apparatus for making on the sheet the O m , 5 m , 
 10 m , etc., by the omission of one or two breaks 
 respectively. Mr. SAXTON'S apparatus has been in 
 use ever since at the Seaton station;* its only defect 
 is the want of uniformity in the time of revolution 
 of the cylinder. 
 
 On the 12th of April, 1850, Mr. BOND submitted 
 to Professor BACHE a model of an invention made 
 with a view to remedy this remaining defect. This 
 instrument has been named the spring-governor, f 
 A perfect working instrument was ordered for the 
 use of the Coast Survey by the superintendent at 
 that time. The model was completed and reported 
 upon in November, 1860. [Here Mr. WALKER'S 
 printed report says, " Mr. BOND'S machine surpasses 
 in excellence all devices of the kind yet tried in 
 the Coast Survey Service."] The cylinder, covered 
 
 * United States Coast Survey Station in Washington. 
 
 fThis instrument is now universally known as the chrono- 
 graph. The only material change is one of name. The name 
 spring-governor applies only to the regulating device.
 
 244 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 with paper, revolves once in a minute, and measures 
 time with the precision of an astronomical clock. 
 The sheet when taken off, after being graduated by 
 the clock, has the minute column vertical; the 
 seconds are marked off horizontally on each minute 
 scale. The eye seizes on the appropriate hour, 
 minute and whole second, as in an ordinar} r astro- 
 nomical table of double entry; the fraction of a 
 second may be estimated to a tenth by the eye, or 
 read to a hundredth by a graduated hour scale. A 
 year's work of an ordinary observatory may be 
 bound up in a volume of a few hundred pages, 
 and forms a permanent and legible record of the 
 actual dates of the imprinted transit signals. [Here 
 Mr. WALKER'S printed report says, " Mr. BOND'S 
 method is likely to supersede all other methods yet 
 known."] 
 
 By means of the line connecting the observatory 
 of Cambridge with Boston, the time for the use of 
 the shipping and for the railroads throughout New 
 England is now regularly transmitted. By merely 
 passing the circuit through the clock at Cambridge, 
 its beats are thus given at any time (our clock has 
 been adopted for the signals) through a distance of 
 one or two hundred miles. 
 
 The courtesy with which the telegraph compan- 
 ies in different parts of the United States have met 
 applications for the use of their lines for scientific 
 purposes has very greatly contributed to the suc- 
 cess which has attended these operations. 
 
 A description of the electro-magnetic apparatus 
 which has for some time past been in use at the 
 Harvard Observatory, has been published in the 
 Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 
 for May, 1851. 
 
 The mechanical idea of the " spring-governor " 
 the regulating device of the chronograph is to
 
 Their Scientific Work 245 
 
 be credited to W. C. BOND and his two sons, RICHARD 
 and GEORGE, working in concert. It is probable 
 that the very first conception was due to RICHARD 
 BOND. The medal of the Exhibition of 1851, and 
 other rewards, were given to the firm of WILLIAM 
 BOND & Son. 
 
 An extract from one of GEORGE BOND'S letters on 
 the subject may find an appropriate place here. 
 
 GEORGE BOND TO HON. WILLIAM MITCHELL. 
 
 CAMBRIDGE, December 30, 1850. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 3d Electro-magnetism was in use for determin- 
 ing differences of longitude some time before it 
 was applied to astronomy proper. The invention 
 was not, I take it, a sudden happy thought of any 
 one; but has been gradually developing for two or 
 three years. The idea first suggested had not the 
 defmiteness since realized, because everything 
 remained to be done before it could be made prac- 
 tically useful. 
 
 The first step towards this end was the plan pro- 
 posed by W. C. BOND for the break-circuit clock. 
 The next desideratum was supplied by the spring- 
 governor. 
 
 S. C. WALKER has, from the first, been actively 
 engaged in experimenting -always in correspond- 
 ence with the telegraph offices, arranging with 
 them for the use of the lines, devising new plans 
 for observing and agitating the subject in various 
 ways. But I do not suppose that he knows himself 
 whether he or W. C. B. first suggested the idea 
 of observing by electro-magnetism. One thing I
 
 246 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 am certain of is, that we never heard the names of 
 Professor MITCHELL and Doctor LOCKE in connec- 
 tion with the subject, till after the whole ground 
 had been gone over at Cambridge. 
 
 In one of last year's numbers of the Proceedings 
 of the Royal Astronomical Society, is an abstract 
 of an address of Mr. AIRY, on observing by electro- 
 magnetism, which stands sadly in need of a good 
 sifting. 
 
 4th The recording cylinder may as well be at 
 New York as in Cambridge, provided the connec- 
 tion is good. Very truly yours, 
 
 G. P. BOND. 
 
 To sum up the whole matter, we may say that 
 the "American" method of determining the differ- 
 ence of longitude of two places (by comparing clocks 
 at the two stations by means of signals over a tele- 
 graphic circuit) was first employed by Admiral 
 WILKES in 1844. The great possibilities of this 
 method were at once seen by all astronomers. To 
 bring the method to perfection it was necessary (a) 
 to adapt the astronomical processes then in use to 
 this particular problem. This was done by WALKER, 
 and subsequently, under his direction, by GOULD, 
 and by their adjuncts in the Coast Survey Service. 
 At WALKER'S death (1853) GOULD was placed in 
 charge of the longitude bureau of the Coast Survey, 
 and was the first to extend the method to determin- 
 ing differences of longitude over ocean cables (1866). 
 The longitude of Washington from Greenwich was
 
 Their Scientific Work 247 
 
 fixed at 5 h 8 ra 12 S .39, but the figures contain an 
 uncorrected error, due to the application of a per- 
 sonal equation with a wrong sign. Subsequent 
 longitude campaigns were made in 1870 and 1872 
 by officers of the Coast Survey, and the results for 
 the longitude of Harvard College Observatory, as 
 deduced by HILGARD, are: 
 
 1866 H. C. O. Greenwich = 4" 44 m 30 8 .99 
 
 1870 30.98 
 
 1872 30.98 
 
 Which gives for the longitude of Washington 5 8 12 .09 
 
 The agreement of the three separate longitudes 
 for H. C. 0. from the three campaigns is almost too 
 close. It is interesting to remark that in one of 
 the later campaigns of the Coast Survey the longi- 
 tude of America was determined not only from 
 Greenwich, but from Paris as well. The difference 
 of the two results gave, therefore, the longitude of 
 Paris from Greenwich (9 m 21 S .09). In the British 
 Nautical Almanac for 1872 this difference is given 
 as 9 m 20 S .63, so that the exact relative position of 
 these neighboring observatories was determined 
 through America, by Coast Survey parties, for the 
 first time. 
 
 W. C. BOND and his son employed the method 
 of telegraphic longitudes in the determination of 
 the positions of Quebec, Montreal, Fredricton (N.B.), 
 Halifax, Clinton, Portland, .Bangor, etc., and Har- 
 vard College Observatory became practically the
 
 248 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 centre of longitude for the United States, though, 
 of course, the final reference was to Washington, as 
 it should be. 
 
 From January, 1852, onwards, time signals from 
 a standard clock at Cambridge were regularly trans- 
 mitted to Boston for the convenience of mariners, 
 jewelers, etc. Such signals had been transmitted 
 for several years previously. 
 
 The second point to be attended to was (6) to 
 obtain an automatic signal from the standard clock 
 at each station, and to transmit it to the recording 
 apparatus. This problem was solved by SEXTON, 
 BOND, LOCKE and others. WALKER was the first to 
 state the requirements clearly, I believe. 
 
 The third point was (c) to devise a suitable 
 registering apparatus (chronograph). Various ex- 
 periments by SEXTON, LOCKE and others were of 
 value. The chronographic disc of MITCHEL, if 
 properly made, would have been satisfactory, 
 though it has some inconveniences. 
 
 The spring-governor chronograph of the BONDS 
 was, however, far superior in several respects to 
 MITCHEL'S device, and with its invention the me- 
 chanical problem was completely and intelligently 
 solved. 
 
 One of the first problems for American observers 
 was to find out the longitude of America from 
 Europe. When the first Atlantic cable was laid
 
 - Their Scientific Work 249 
 
 (1858) an accurate method of comparing clocks 
 was at hand. Before that time it was necessary to 
 use less exact methods. The telegraphic longitude 
 of the Harvard College Observatory, referred to 
 Greenwich, has been determined by the United 
 States Coast Survey, from three separate campaigns, 
 to be 4 h 44 m 30 S .9S, as we have seen. From a series 
 of moon culminations at Harvard during the years 
 1843-45, it was fixed at 4 h 44 m 28 S .47; from all the 
 eclipses and occultations observed at Dorchester and 
 Harvard during the years 1820-40, the longitude 
 resulted as 4 h 44 m 32M6. It is also possible to 
 determine the longitude in a different way namel} r , 
 by actually transporting a large number of chro- 
 nometers from one point to another. Such chro- 
 nometric expeditions were carried out on a magnifi- 
 cent scale during the years 1848-55 by W. C. BOND, 
 acting for the United States Coast Survey. The 
 best result for the longitude from chronometers 
 was 4 h 44 ra 30MO. The last three results were of 
 the highest precision that could be attained by the 
 old methods, particularly the chronometric value, 
 based as it is on many voyages and scores of chro- 
 nometers. The difference between the early values 
 and what is now known to be the final longitude 
 is to be attributed entirely to (unavoidable) defects 
 in methods. The observations before 1866 were 
 very numerous and very carefully made (the greater
 
 250 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 part of them by W. C. BOND), and they were elabo- 
 rately reduced, partly by GEORGE BOND, and finally 
 discussed by WALKER. The following paragraphs 
 from LOOMIS'S Recent Progress of Astronomy in the 
 United States, p. 301 (1856), describe the chrono- 
 metric campaigns in detail. 
 
 Advantage has been taken of the frequent pas- 
 sage of steamers between Boston and Liverpool to 
 make a thorough comparison of the times of those 
 ports by means of chronometers. For this purpose, 
 as soon as a steamer arrives in Boston, its chronom- 
 eters are taken to Cambridge Observatory for com- 
 parison, where they remain until the steamer is 
 ready to return.* Upon arriving in Liverpool, the 
 chronometers are taken to the Liverpool Observa- 
 tory and their errors determined. This method of 
 comparison has been systematically pursued since 
 1844. During the year 1846, forty-two such com- 
 parisons were made. In 1848 the longitude of the 
 Cambridge Observatory from Greenwich was deter- 
 mined by Mr. BOND, from the transportation of 116 
 chronometers, in thirty-four voyages of the Cunard 
 steamers from Liverpool to Boston, to be 4 h 44 m 
 30 8 .5. The longitude deduced from lunar occulta- 
 tions and solar eclipses is 4 h 44 m 31 8 .9. During 
 the year 1849 eighty-seven additional comparisons 
 were made, the results of which differ nearly two 
 seconds of time from those previously obtained by 
 astronomical observations. The mean result of 175 
 chronometers was 4 h 44 m 30M, and it was believed 
 that this result could not be one second in error. 
 The final result of the chronometric expeditions of 
 
 * The chronometers were, in fact, taken to the offices of WM. 
 BOND & Son in Boston, and remained there till the next 
 voyage. Telegraphic signals from the Cambridge Observatory 
 clock were received at the Boston office.
 
 SATURN: August 30, 1848. 
 
 SATTRN: January 9, 1855.
 
 -Their Scientific Work 251 
 
 1849, 1850 and 1851 was 4 h 44 m 30 S .66. During 
 the progress of these expeditions, more than four 
 hundred exchanges of chronometers have been 
 made. 
 
 The large -equatorial was employed during the 
 years 1847-56 in a study of the planet Saturn, 
 which led to remarkable results. In 1848 the ring 
 was presented to the earth and sun so as to dis- 
 appear, or to be visible simply as a thin bright 
 line; while in 1856 it was much inclined and fully 
 illuminated, so as to assume its maximum width. 
 The year 1848 was a suitable time to search for 
 new satellites therefore, and on September 15th and 
 16th GEORGE BOND mapped the known satellites, 
 together with a faint object, which was, in fact, a 
 satellite, and which, on the other hand, might have 
 been a small star. On September 18th WILLIAM 
 BOND observed early in the evening, but the star was 
 not noticed. Later on his son made a new diagram, 
 and the faint object was again recorded. On Sep- 
 tember 19th diagrams were made by both observ- 
 ers, which contained the faint object in question, and 
 measures conclusively proved it to be a new satellite, 
 since it moved among the stars along with the 
 planet. This was the new satellite Hyperion.* 
 
 * W. C. BOND is often named (alone) as the discoverer. The 
 honor really belongs to both observers. If the discovery is to 
 be assigned to a single person, then it must be credited to 
 GEORGE BOND.
 
 252 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 The satellites of Saturn, arranged in the order 
 of their distances (semi-diameter of the ball of 
 Saturn = 1.0), are 
 
 1. Mimas, distance 3.3 ; discovered by HERSCHEL in 1797 
 
 2. Enceladus, " 4.3; " " " in 1789 
 
 3. Tethys, " 5.3; " " CASSINI in 1684 
 
 4. Dione, " 6.8; " " " in 1684 
 
 5. Rhea, " 9.5; " " " in 1672 
 
 6. Titan, " 20.7; " " HUYOHENS in 1755 
 I.Hyperion, " 26.8; " " the BONDS in 1848 
 8. lapetus, " 64.4; " " CASSINI in 1671 
 
 The names of the BONDS will be forever associated 
 with those of their great predecessors, and with 
 the planet Saturn on more than one account.* 
 
 The following letter from WILLIAM BOND to the 
 President of Harvard University gives an account 
 of the discovery of Hyperion. 
 
 OBSERVATORY, CAMBRIDGE, \ 
 
 September 25, 1848. j 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 On the evening of the 16th of this month a 
 small star was noticed, situated nearly in the plane 
 of Saturn's ring, and between the satellites Titan 
 and lapetus. It was regarded at the time as acci- 
 dental. It was, however, recorded, with an esti- 
 mated position in regard to Saturn. 
 
 The next night favorable for observation was 
 the 18th, and while comparing the relative bright- 
 ness of the satellites, the same object, similarly 
 
 *Mr. WILLIAM LASSELL, the discoverer of the satellite of 
 Neptune and of two faint satellites to Uranus, is also an inde- 
 pendent discoverer of Hyperion. He first noticed it on Sep- 
 tember 18th, and on the following night satisfied himself that 
 it was attendant on the planet.
 
 Their Scientific Work 253 
 
 situated in regard to the planet, was again noticed, 
 and its position more carefully laid down. But 
 still, at the time, we scarcely suspected its real 
 nature. 
 
 From accurate measurement on the evening of 
 the 19th, the star being found to partake of the 
 retrograde motion of Saturn, that portion of the 
 heavens toward which the planet was approaching 
 was carefully examined, and every star near its 
 path for the two following nights laid down on a 
 diagram, and micrornetric measures of position and 
 distance with objects in the neighborhood were 
 taken. 
 
 The evening of the 20th was cloudy. On the 
 21st the new satellite was found to have approached 
 the primary, and it moved sensibly among the 
 stars while under observation. Similar observa- 
 tions were repeated on the nights of the 22d and 
 23d. Its orbit is exterior to that of Titan. It is less 
 bright than either of the two inner satellites dis- 
 covered by Sir WM. HERSCHEL. Respectfully, 
 
 W. C. BOND. 
 
 To PRESIDENT EVERETT. 
 
 The ring of Saturn was observed by GALILEO, 
 who could not explain the phenomenon which .he 
 saw. It was left to HUYGHENS to describe it accu- 
 rately: "Saturn is girdled by a thin, plane ring, 
 nowhere touching, inclined to the ecliptic." CAS- 
 SINI had shown that the ring was divided into two 
 parts by a broad, empty division. In 1850 (October 
 10) GEORGE BOND recorded the presence of a third 
 faint, veil-like ring attached to the inner one of 
 the known rings, but much fainter, which has
 
 254 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 been called the dusky-ring or crape-ring of Saturn* 
 It is easily seen in comparatively small telescopes, 
 and had been seen previously by other observers, 
 though no proper attention was paid to the 
 observation. Subsequent observations at Cam- 
 bridge and elsewhere fully confirmed its existence, 
 and measures fixed its dimensions. 
 
 The oppositions of 1847-56 were devoted by the 
 BONDS to observations, drawings and measures of 
 Saturn, and a vast mass of material accumulated, 
 the most important part of which is printed in the 
 Harvard College Observatory Annals, Volume II. 
 No such thorough-going examination of a planet 
 had ever been made. The observations just named, 
 the discovery of the dusky-ring, the observation of 
 various vacant (dark) spaces in the bright rings 
 themselves, parallel and similar to the principal 
 division, the fact that the dusky-ring was trans- 
 parent (as the edges of the ball of Saturn could be 
 seen through it), and other points, called attention 
 to the necessity for a complete theory of the consti- 
 tution of the rings to account for the extraordinary 
 character of the phenomena. 
 
 In the Astronomical Journal of May 2, 1851, 
 GEORGE BOND has a paper, which was first read at 
 
 *Annals H. C. O., Vol. II, p. 46. The first drawing of the 
 new ring was made on November llth by GEORGE BOND. It 
 was first seen elsewhere by Rev.W. R. DAWES, November 25th.
 
 - Their Scientific Work 255 
 
 the meeting of the American Academy on April 
 15th, in which he recites the previous theories of 
 the rings, and, using the analysis of LAPLACE as a 
 starting point, shows that the ring cannot be a 
 continuous solid, and that the hypothesis, that the 
 whole ring is in a fluid state, " presents fewer diffi- 
 culties." 
 
 In the Journal of June 16th Professor PEIRCE 
 prints a paper on the constitution of Saturn's ring, 
 which was read at the meeting of the American 
 Association for the Advancement of Science, in Cin- 
 cinnati, and which, in substance, was given as a 
 supplement to the paper of BOND on April 15th, in 
 the form of verbal remarks at the meeting of the 
 American Academy in Boston. In his work on 
 Analytical Mechanics PEIRCE developed his theory 
 more fully. 
 
 Professor PEIRCE says: "Mr. BOND'S argument 
 for the fluidity of Saturn's ring is chiefly derived 
 from observation; whereas I have undertaken to 
 demonstrate from purely mechanical considera- 
 tions, that it cannot be solid." " Mr. BOND'S bold 
 and ingenious theory" it is called. 
 
 The following brief historical statement from 
 NEWCOMB'S Popular Astronomy* will show that,, 
 while both authors made a distinct step forward in 
 
 * The foot-notes are not Professor NEWCOMB'S.
 
 256 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 proving that Saturn's rings could not be a continu- 
 ous solid, both came to an erroneous conclusion in 
 supposing them to be fluid. 
 
 NEWCOMB says: "The astronomers of two cen- 
 turies ago saw nothing surprising in the fact of a 
 pair of rings surrounding a planet and accompany- 
 ing it in its orbit, because they w r ere not acquainted 
 with the effects of gravitation on such bodies as 
 the rings seemed to be. But when LAPLACE inves- 
 tigated the subject he found that a homogeneous 
 and uniform ring surrounding a planet could not 
 be in a state of stable equilibrium.* Let it be 
 balanced ever so nicely, the slightest external force, 
 the attraction of a satellite or of a distant planet, 
 would destroy the equilibrium, and the ring would 
 soon be precipitated upon the planet. He there- 
 fore remarked that the rings must have irregulari- 
 ties in their form, such as HERSCHEL supposed that 
 he had seen ; but he did not investigate the ques- 
 tion whether, with those irregularities, the equi- 
 librium would really be stable. The question w r as 
 next taken up in this country by Professors PEIRCE 
 and BOND. The latter started from the supposed 
 result of observations that new divisions show 
 
 * Mecanique Celeste, BOWDITCH'S translation, Vol. II, pp. 
 492-519, where LAPLACE'S conclusion is, that " the rings are 
 irregular solids of unequal widths in the different parts of 
 their circumferences, so that their centers of gravity do not 
 coincide with their centers of figure."
 
 - Their Scientific Work 257 
 
 themselves from time to time in the ring, and 
 then close up again.* 
 
 He thence inferred that the rings must be fluid, 
 and, to confirm this view, he showed the impossi- 
 bility of even an irregular solid pair of rings ful- 
 filling all the necessary conditions of stability and 
 freedom of motion. 
 
 Professor PEIRCE, taking up the same subject 
 from a mathematical point of view, found that no 
 conceivable form of irregular solid ring would be 
 in a state of stable equilibrium; he therefore 
 adopted BOND'S view that the rings were fluid. 
 Following up the investigation, he found that even 
 a fluid ring would not be entirely stable without 
 some external support, and he attributed that sup- 
 port to the attractions of the satellites; but as 
 LAPLACE did not demonstrate that irregularities 
 would make the ring stable, so PEIRCE merely fell 
 back on the attractions of the satellites as a sort of 
 forlorn hope, but did not demonstrate that the fluid 
 ring would really be stable under the influence of 
 their attraction. Indeed, it now seems very doubt- 
 ful whether this attraction would have the effect 
 supposed by PEIRCE. 
 
 The next, and we may say the last, important 
 
 * This is undoubtedly the case, as is shown by BOND'S and 
 other observations. See the drawing of /Saturn of 1855 in this 
 book, page 251.
 
 258 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 step was taken by Prof. J. CLERK-MAXWELL, of 
 England, in the ADAMS' prize essay for 1856.* He 
 brought forward objections which seem unanswer- 
 able against both the solid and the fluid ring, and 
 revived a theory propounded by CASSINI about the 
 beginning of the last centur} r . This astronomer 
 considered the ring to be formed by a cloud of 
 satellites, too small to be separately seen in the 
 telescope, and too close together to admit of the 
 intervals between them being visible. This is the 
 view of the constitution of the rings of Saturn now 
 most generally adopted. The reason why the ring 
 looks solid and continuous is, that the satellites are 
 too small and too numerous to be seen singly. 
 They are like the separate little drops of water of 
 which clouds and fog are composed, which to our 
 eyes seem like solid masses. In the dusky ring the 
 particles may be so scattered that we can see through 
 the cloud." The views of MAXWELL and Hmx,. 
 which were derived from pure theory, have recently 
 received a striking confirmation from the spectro- 
 scopic observations of Doctor KEELER at Allegheny, 
 and of Professor CAMPBELL at the Lick Observatory. 
 Having this general view of the whole history 
 of the researches on the constitution of Saturn's 
 rings from HUYGHENS' time until now, we can see 
 
 * And, independently, by G. A. HIRN. MAXWELT/S essay is 
 reprinted in his Scientific Papers, Vol. I, p. 288.
 
 - TJieir Scientific Work 259 
 
 what BOND'S share in the progress has been. LA- 
 PLACE and HERSCHEL* had left it possible to believe 
 that the rings were solid. BOND'S observations 
 (1848-51) made it evident that this could not be the 
 case. The memoirs of PEIRCE and BOND suggested 
 the subject of the ADAMS' prize essay of 1856. 
 
 Astronomers will be interested in noting that 
 the method of determining the parallax (of Mars) 
 by differential observations in right ascension east 
 and west of the meridian, was independently pro- 
 posed by the BONDS, and carried into effect at the 
 Harvard College Observatory in 1849-50, ten years 
 before its adoption elsewhere. Chapter I contains 
 a letter of W. C. BOND on this point, t 
 
 During the years 1855 to 1872 the observatory 
 published in its Annals various catalogues of faint 
 stars situated near to the equator. The first cata- 
 logue was of 5500 stars, the second of 4484 stars, 
 the third of 6100 stars, or 16,084 stars in all. The 
 places of these fixed stars were determined, so that 
 any moving star (planet) should be detected and 
 discovered. The first object was to discover new 
 
 * " We may certainly affirm that the ring is no less solid than 
 the ball." Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of 
 London, 1790, p. 5. 
 
 t The method was first employed by CASSINI and FLAMSTEED 
 in 1672. BOND'S results are given in the Astronomical Journal, 
 Vol. 5, p. 53.
 
 260 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 asteroids, though such zones have other uses. Two 
 asteroids were discovered at Harvard College 
 Observatory in 1861 and 1862. The first thirty 
 asteroids were discovered in Europe. No. 31 
 (Euphrosyne) was found, in 1854, by FERGUSON, at 
 Washington; No. 50 (Virginia) by FERGUSON, in 
 1857; No. 55 (Pandora) in 1858, by SEARLE, at the 
 Dudley Observatory; No. 60 (Echo) by FERGUSON, 
 in 1860; No. 66 (Maid) by H. P. TUTTLE, at the 
 Harvard College Observatory, in 1861; No. 72 
 (Feronid), 1861, was the first of the forty-eight 
 asteroids discovered by PETERS, at Clinton ; No. 73 
 (Clytie) was found by TUTTLE, at Harvard, in 1862; 
 No. 79 (Eurynome) was the first of the twenty-two 
 asteroids found by WATSON, at Ann Arbor; and 
 from 1862 onwards PETERS and WATSON, in Amer- 
 ica, PALISA, LUTHER, BORRELLY and others, abroad, 
 swelled the list until it has attained its present large 
 proportions. 
 
 In the earlier years of the observatory GEORGE 
 BOND searched assiduously for comets; and eleven 
 comets were independently discovered by him. He 
 was anticipated, however, in his discovery of unex- 
 pected comets, by European observers, by a few 
 days, or even hours, in every case except that of the 
 second comet of 1850, discovered August 29th. The 
 return of ENCKE'S comet, in 1848, was observed by
 
 -Their Scientific Work 261 
 
 BOND two or three days before it was seen in 
 Europe. On June 2, 1845, and April 11, 1849, 
 comets were discovered by him on the nights of 
 their discovery in Europe, but a few hours later. 
 In later years BOND ceased to search for new 
 comets, as he found that his eyes were suffering 
 from the strain. 
 
 He was assiduous, also, in calculating the ele- 
 ments of the orbits of new comets, and had com- 
 puted more than a score of comet orbits before 1851. 
 The first orbit of Hyperion was due to him, also. 
 Two of the TUTTLES (C. W. and H. P.) were succes- 
 sively assistants at the observatory, and five comets 
 were discovered by the latter. I believe it is not 
 generally known that HORACE TUTTLE discovered 
 the great comet of 1858 sometime before it was 
 found by DONATI. It was very faint, and among a 
 number of nebulae. Before the discovery was made 
 absolutely sure by measures of position, it was 
 announced from Europe. 
 
 The invention of photography by DAGUERRE 
 (in 1839) opened the way to an immense step in astro- 
 nomical progress. The daguerreotype was first 
 employed to photograph the moon by Prof. JOHN 
 WILLIAM DRAPER, of New York, on March 23, 
 1840, but the exposure was very long (twenty min- 
 utes). A daguerreotype of the solar eclipse of 1842
 
 262 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 was taken by MAJOCCHI in Milan, and of that of 
 1851 by BUSCH of Koenigsberg. In April, 1845, on 
 the advice of ARAGO, MM. FOUCAULT and FIZEAU, 
 of the Paris Observatory, made daguerreotypes of 
 the sun. In 1849 (December 18) the first daguer- 
 reotype of the moon was made at the Harvard Col- 
 lege Observatory by Messrs. WHIPPLE and BLACK, 
 under the direction of the BONDS. The telescope 
 was not corrected for the photographic rays, and, 
 therefore, under no circumstances could perfect 
 results be obtained, but after a few trials pictures 
 of the moon were secured, which were exceeding!}' 
 interesting. The best of them were taken to 
 Europe by GEORGE BOND in 1851, and created a 
 veritable furore* The first photograph of a star 
 (a Lyrse) was made at the Harvard College Observ- 
 atory on July 17, 1850, and enough was done to 
 show that the photographic method was very suit- 
 able for fixing the relative positions of double stars, 
 for the determination of stellar parallax, for mak- 
 ing star maps, etc. A letter of GEORGE BOND'S 
 (dated July 6, 1857), on the general subject of astro- 
 nomical photography, is printed in full in Chapter 
 IV. A part of it is reprinted here, and it will be 
 seen that in 1857 BOND thoroughly understood the 
 whole question. He is the father of celestial 
 
 *In 1852 the exposure on the full moon was between five 
 and six seconds for the best results.
 
 - Their Scientific Work 263 
 
 photography. Doctor LEWIS RUTHERFORD'S splen- 
 did work did uot begin till later. His observatory 
 was built in 1856; he turned his attention to pho- 
 tography in 1858; and his earliest photograph of the 
 moon was taken in June of the latter year. Doctor 
 HENRY DRAPER was still later in the field, 1863. 
 Doctor DE LA RUE'S first photographs of the moon 
 were made in 1852, after having seen the Harvard 
 College results. It was not until 1857 that he began 
 his series of most successful lunar photographs. 
 The suggestion to use the large telescope for photog- 
 raphy was made by the younger BOND, and most 
 of the work at the telescope was done by him. 
 The photographic manipulations were all made by 
 Messrs. WHIPPLE and BLACK, who gave their time 
 and service without payment in a very disinterested 
 manner. 
 
 After reciting the history of the subject, BOND'S 
 letter goes on to say: 
 
 The results already obtained are of the highest 
 interest, and suggest possibilities in the future 
 which one can scarcely trust himself to speculate 
 upon. Could another step in advance be taken 
 equal to that gained since 1850, the consequences 
 could not fail of being of incalculable importance 
 in astronomy. The same object, a Lyrse, which in 
 1850 required 100 seconds to impart its image to 
 the plate, and even then imperfectly, is now photo- 
 graphed instantaneously with a symmetrical disc, 
 perfectly fit for exact micrometer measures. We 
 then were confined to a dozen or two of the brightest
 
 264 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 stars, whereas now we take all that are visible to 
 the naked eye. Even from week to week we can 
 distinguish decided progress. Of the beauty and 
 convenience of the method, you will scarcely form 
 a correct idea without witnessing for yourself, which 
 I hope you will be able to do before long. On a 
 fine night the amount of work which can be accom- 
 plished, with entire exemption from the trouble, 
 vexation and fatigue that seldom fail to attend upon 
 ordinary observations, is astonishing. The plates, 
 once secured, can be laid by for future study by day- 
 light and at leisure. The record is there, with no 
 room for doubt or mistake as to its fidelity. As yet, 
 however, we obtain images only from stars to the 
 sixth magnitude, inclusive. To be of essential service 
 to astronomy, it is indispensable that great improve- 
 ments be yet made, and these I feel sure will not be 
 accomplished without a deal of experimenting. 
 
 But could we but press the matter on, we should 
 soon be able to say what we can and what we can- 
 not accomplish in stellar photography. The latter 
 limits we certainly have not yet reached. At pres- 
 ent the chief object of attention must be to im- 
 prove the sensitiveness of the plates, to which, I 
 am assured by high authorities in chemistry, there 
 is scarcely any limit to be put in point of theory. 
 Suppose we are able finally to obtain pictures of 
 seventh -magnitude stars. It is reasonable to sup- 
 pose that, on some lofty mountain and in a purer 
 atmosphere, we might, with the same telescope, 
 include the eighth-magnitude. To increase the 
 size of the telescope three-fold in aperture is a prac- 
 ticable thing, if the money can be found. This 
 would increase the brightness of the stellar images, 
 say eight-fold, and we should be able then to pho- 
 tograph all the stars to the tenth and eleventh 
 magnitude, inclusive. There is nothing, then, so 
 extravagant in predicting a future application of
 
 - Their Scientific Work 265 
 
 photography to stellar astronomy on a most mag- 
 nificent scale. It is, even at this moment, simply a 
 question of finding one or two hundred thousand 
 dollars to make the telescope with and to keep up 
 the experiments. 
 
 What more admirable method can be imagined 
 for the study of the orbits of the fixed stars and 
 for resolving the problem of their annual parallax 
 than this would be, if we could obtain the impres- 
 sions of the telescopic stars to the tenth magnitude? 
 Consider, too, that groups of ten, or fifty even, if so 
 many occur in the compass of the field, will be 
 taken as quickly as one alone would be perhaps 
 in a few seconds only and each mapped out with 
 unimpeachable accuracy. 
 
 I have not alluded to two important features in 
 stellar photography. One is, that the intensity and 
 size of the images, taken in connection with the 
 length of time during which the plate has been 
 exposed, measure the relative magnitudes of the 
 stars. The other point is, that the measurements of 
 distances and angles of position of the double stars 
 from the plates, we have ascertained by many trials 
 on our earliest impressions, to be as exact as the best 
 micrometric work. Our subsequent pictures are 
 much more perfect, and should do better still.* . . . 
 HARVARD COLLEGE OBSERVATORY, 1857, July 6. 
 
 Every line of this letter shows that BOND under- 
 stood the entire capabilities of the photographic 
 
 * In the Observatory Notebook of April 30, 1857, BOND says : 
 "Any considerable improvement in the sensitiveness of the 
 present photographic processes will revolutionize practical 
 astronomy such an improvement as will enable us to take 
 stars of the tenth magnitude in a second or two." It will be 
 observed that mountain observatories are proposed ; and that 
 the last paragraph contains the germ of a photographic pho- 
 tometry. BOND was the first observer to determine the relative 
 brightness of stars by photography. See Astronomische Nach- 
 richten, vol. 49, col. 8i.
 
 266 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 methods, in 1857, exactly as they are understood 
 to-day. His knowledge was based on hundreds of 
 experiments, extending over eight years. This 
 letter was first printed in the Publications of the 
 Astronomical Society of the Pacific, in November, 
 1890. Since that time, certainly, there has been no 
 excuse for denying to BOND his just deserts. It is 
 to him that astronomers must look as the true 
 founder of photographic astronomy. The path that 
 he traced out has been followed with brilliant suc- 
 cess by a host of investigators of talent or of 
 genius, and nowhere with more success than at the 
 Harvard College Observatory in recent years. 
 But it is the simplest justice to acknowledge his 
 priority. This can be done without in the least 
 detracting from a profound admiration for those 
 who followed in his footsteps. 
 
 The third volume of the Annals of the Harvard 
 College Observatory, published in 1862, is entirely 
 devoted to the observations made by BOND (and 
 others) upon the great comet of 1858, and to a dis- 
 cussion of the comet with the object of throwing 
 light upon the mysteries of its physical constitu- 
 tion. The text is accompanied by a series of very 
 remarkable steel plates (one of which is repro- 
 duced in the frontispiece of the present volume), 
 which represent in the most faithful manner the
 
 - Their Scientific Work 267 
 
 appearances of the comet to the eye and in the 
 telescope. Nothing of anything like this excellence 
 had ever been done before; now that we have 
 photography to aid us, nothing of the sort will 
 ever be done again. It stands alone, and is and 
 will remain unique of its class. 
 
 The great comet of 1858 was discovered while 
 it was yet a faint object, by Doctor DONATI, of 
 Florence. Its whole history was remarkable. It 
 was visible to the naked eye for no less than 112 
 days (August 19th to December 9th), and in the 
 telescope 275 days (June 2, 1858, to the 4th of the 
 following March). Its motions were such as to 
 present it, a splendid object in the west, near the 
 bright star Arcturus during its period of greatest 
 brilliancy. It was so bright that processes taking 
 place within its head and the surrounding envel- 
 opes were readily followed. Such an opportunity 
 for a thorough investigation had not presented 
 itself for long years, and there has been no comet 
 since 1858 which was anything like so favorably 
 situated. The opportunity was unique. The 
 comet was studied by astronomers all over the 
 world, and their results were presented in the 
 fullest form. There is no memoir approaching 
 BOND'S in completeness. The fundamental mystery 
 of cometic constitution was not solved by him, nor is 
 it solved to-day; but every phenomenon of the
 
 268 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 comet's development was elaborately described, and 
 many important and original conclusions were 
 drawn. Of the fifteen chapters of the volume, ten 
 were devoted to the phenomena of the tail (tails) 
 and three to the nucleus and envelopes. The form of 
 the head of the comet was elaborately studied, and 
 its shape determined to be that of a catenary curve, 
 rather than that of a parabola. The phenomena 
 of the production of the successive envelopes from 
 the nucleus led BOND to conclusions which were 
 doubted at first, but which were subsequently veri- 
 fied (by him) in the case of the bright comet of 
 1861.* The next bright comet that appears (may 
 it come soon) will be studied with the enormous 
 advantage of photographic registration. We have 
 already reason to believe that such a study will go 
 far towards providing a satisfactory theory of the 
 constitution of these enigmatic bodies. 
 
 The memoir of BOND will provide a ready test 
 of any such complete theory, which must not only 
 account for the observed appearances, but also for 
 those of the comet of 1858, as laid down in this 
 volume. It is not practicable to convey to the non- 
 professional reader an adequate idea of the merit 
 
 * BOND was in the habit of saying that this cornet so fully 
 upheld and illustrated his theory of the formation of the envel- 
 opes, etc., that, once having the idea, he could afford to throw 
 away all his work on the DONATI Comet, and deduce every 
 conclusion from the phenomena presented by the comet of 1861.
 
 - Their Scientific Work 269 
 
 of this great work without going into details for 
 which there is no room here. It may suffice to 
 say, that the opinion of astronomers is unanimous 
 that no such satisfying investigation of a comet is 
 known, and that the highest award of the Royal 
 Astronomical Society of London (its gold medal) 
 was rightly adjudged to BOND for his memoir. 
 
 The engraving which is here reproduced may 
 serve as an index of the beauty as well as of the 
 completeness of this monumental work, when it is 
 remembered that this plate is but one among many. 
 
 The list of GEORGE BOND'S papers, in the Appen- 
 dix, contains several on purely mathematical sub- 
 jects, which can only be referred to here. His 
 paper on Mechanical Quadratures was printed in 
 1849, when he was twenty-four years of age, and it 
 anticipates, by two years, a part of the papers of 
 ENCKE on the same subject. A letter of ENCKE'S 
 (dated May 19, 1852) will be found in Chapter IV, 
 in which BOND'S priority is very handsomely 
 acknowledged. 
 
 In September, 1860, BOND communicated to the 
 American Academy two papers on photometry, 
 which demand a notice here. Their titles were, 
 (1) On the Light of the Moon and of the Planet 
 Jupiter, (2) Comparison of the Light of the Sun and 
 Moon. The correspondence in Chapter IV contains
 
 270 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 some references to these works. The extracts 
 which follow will exhibit the plan of the research. 
 
 On the 22d of March, 1851, several daguerreo- 
 type pictures of Jupiter were obtained on plates 
 exposed at the focus of the great refractor. The 
 belts were faintly indicated; but the most inter- 
 esting fact in connection with the experiment, apart 
 from its having been, as is believed, the first 
 instance of a photographic impression obtained 
 from a planet, was the shortness of the time of the 
 exposure, which was nearly the same as for the 
 moon, whereas, considering the relative distance of 
 the two bodies from the sun, it was to have been 
 expected that the light of the moon would have had 
 twenty-seven times more intensity than that of 
 Jupiter, supposing equal capacities for reflection. 
 The experiments were repeated on the 8th and 9th 
 of October, 1857, by Mr. WHIPPLE, using the collo- 
 dion process, with a like result.* 
 
 From many experiments, BOND found that 
 " Jupiter reflects, out of a given quantity of incident 
 light, fourteen times more of the chemical [photo- 
 graphic] rays than the moon does. The distribu- 
 tion of light over the discs of Jupiter and the moon 
 presented, in the photographs, a decided contrast; 
 the former is brightest near the center, the latter 
 near the margin. "f 
 
 BOND'S experiments show that the moon ab- 
 sorbs about ten parts out of every eleven of the- 
 
 * The energetic action of Jupiter's light was also remarked' 
 by Dr. DE LA RUE, in England, in December, 1857. 
 
 t Jupiter has a dense atmosphere; the moon has none, or 
 very little. Photographs of Mars are like those of the moon, 
 not like those of Jupiter, in this respect, as was remarked by 
 BOND, and this fact of observation has an important bearing 
 on the question of the atmosphere of Mars. It indicates that 
 the atmosphere of that planet is exceedingly thin.
 
 -Their Scientific Work 271 
 
 light which falls upon it, while Jupiter actually 
 reflects, according to his figures, more light than it 
 receives i. e. is to a small degree self-luminous. 
 Measures were made of the relative brightness of 
 Venus and Jupiter, etc., using the flame of a lamp 
 as a standard of comparison. 
 
 In his second paper, the brightness ef the sun 
 and moon were compared through the intermedia- 
 tion of a Bengal light flame. His conclusion was, 
 that the light of the sun (seen visually, not pho- 
 tographically) was equal to that of 470,980 full 
 moons. In such delicate experiments as these r 
 where the physiology of the eye plays its part, as 
 well as the physics of the apparatus employed, there 
 are many pitfalls, all of which have not been 
 avoided in the research in question. The flames 
 of the standard lamp and of the Bengal light are by 
 no means constant, even for short times. The back- 
 ground on which the sun is projected is very 
 different from the night-sky behind the moon, and, 
 finally, the colors of sun, moon, Jupiter and Mars 
 are very different. Some of these points are dis- 
 cussed by BOND, and he gives his final conclusions 
 with due reserve, also. The same subject has been 
 carefully worked over by ZOELLNER with exceeding 
 care. In the nature of the case, all results of this sort 
 are subject to large errors (say five per cent., or even 
 ten). ZOELLNER'S figure for the relative brightness
 
 272 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 (visual) of the sun and moon is 618,000 ; and he 
 finds that while the moon reflects ^ of the light 
 which falls upon it * (such light as the eye can 
 appreciate), Jupiter reflects ^, or three and one half 
 times as much. BOND'S conclusion was, that Jupiter 
 reflects eleven times as much (visual), and fourteen 
 times as much (photographic). 
 
 While BOND'S general conclusions are correct, it 
 is certain that his figures are too high. These 
 memoirs are of considerable value in several direc- 
 tions, especially for BOND'S conclusions as to the 
 nature of the lunar surface. 
 
 u If the full moon were polished perfectly smooth, 
 we should not see its limb [circumference] at all, 
 but only an image of the sun, formed by reflection 
 from its surface; the visibility of its outline, then, 
 is entirely due to its asperities, and the particular 
 way in which these are disposed will have a great 
 effect on the distribution of its light." " It may be 
 worth while to notice, too, that the moon is little, 
 if at all, exposed to the disintegrating action of 
 water or of an atmosphere; hence it is not unlikely 
 that its surface, instead of presenting the dull, 
 weather-worn aspect of the earth, may rather resem- 
 ble that of bright, fresh -fractured rocks, with their 
 usual crystalline lustre." 
 
 These two papers may be called highly sug- 
 gestive, rather than final. 
 
 * About the same amount as is reflected by dark sandstone 
 rock.
 
 - Their Scientific Work 273 
 
 In the year 1848 WILLIAM BOND had printed 
 a paper which contained a part, only, of his obser- 
 vations on the great nebula of Orion. The paper 
 had merit, but it was open to criticism in several 
 respects. OTTO STRUVE, in his memoir on the same 
 object, criticised it with some severity, and it was 
 partly on this account that GEORGE BOND took up 
 the study of the nebula of Orion in 1857. It was his 
 object to make a thorough-going investigation of 
 the nebula in all respects, to vindicate the reputa- 
 tion of the observatory and to leave behind him 
 a complete monograph. The observations on the 
 nebula were interrupted by the work on the Comet 
 of DONATI, and were not resumed for some years. 
 
 The work was never finished, though it was pur- 
 sued by BOND with feverish anxiety in the midst 
 of hindrances of various kinds, and when his con- 
 stitution was already broken by a mortal disease. 
 After his death his observations were edited by 
 Professor SAFFORD, some time assistant in the 
 observatory, and they were printed in Volume V 
 of the Annals. Even in this fragmentary and 
 unsatisfactory form, BOND'S memoir on the nebula 
 is far the most complete that exists. If he had 
 lived to finish it, we should have had another 
 model to follow, like the monograph on the comet 
 of 1858. 
 
 During the years 1874-80 I employed the 26-inch
 
 274 Memorial, of the Bonds 
 
 telescope at Washington, when it could be spared to 
 me, in an examination of the nebula of Orion* and 
 thus became entirely familiar with the work of all 
 the observers who have examined this brilliant 
 object, from the time of HUYGHENS (1656) down to 
 the present day. Their published observations 
 were studied in detail, and in the case of BOND I 
 had the advantage, not only of his printed observa- 
 tions, but also of his manuscript notebooks, which 
 were kindly put at my disposition by Professor 
 PICKERING, director of the Harvard College Observ- 
 atory. In many places in my Monograph, I have 
 expressed my admiration for the thoroughness of 
 BOND'S work, which was done with a 15-inch tele- 
 scope and revised by me with the Washington 
 instrument, which collected three times as much 
 light. The following quotation from my paper of 
 1880 will serve to show the judgment I was led to 
 form of BOND'S exactness and minute care and 
 accuracy in his admirable study of the nebula. 
 
 " I am acquainted with but one drawing of the 
 nebula which is entirely above criticism that of 
 the late G. P. BOND. He was himself a skilled 
 artist, and he had been familiar with the nebula 
 for fifteen or twenty years. He made scores of 
 drawings, in white on black, and the reverse, in 
 colors, etc. Each of these was revised and re-revised 
 many times. The final drawing in water-color 
 
 * Monograph of the central parts of the nebula of Orion, 
 Washington Astronomical Observations for 1878, Appendix I.
 
 - Their Scientific Work 275 
 
 was copied by Mr. WATTS, a skillful engraver, 
 who himself was extremely familiar with the neb- 
 ula, from repeated views and studies of it through 
 the Harvard refractor. The revisions of the orig- 
 inal plate lasted many months, and I have myself 
 examined from fifteen to twenty 'final' revises of 
 the plate. Color, form and relative brilliancy were 
 all successively and exhaustively criticized, and 
 Professor BOND expressed himself as fully satisfied 
 with the plate in ever}* essential feature. Add to 
 this, that with the exception of a few points, else- 
 where considered, this engraving has been con- 
 stantly satisfactory to me in my very frequent 
 comparisons of it with the nebula, even under the 
 severest criticism which I could apply." 
 
 BOND'S catalogue of 1101 stars in the nebula was 
 carefully revised for the portions which I had under 
 examination, and his conclusions as to situation, 
 brightness, etc., of the stars, were verified. His 
 catalogue, made with a 15-inch telescope, contains 
 almost every star visible in the much more power- 
 ful instruments used by LASSELL, Lord ROSSE and 
 myself. The first photograph of the nebula of 
 Orion was made by Dr. HENRY DRAPER in 1880, 
 and in 1882 he obtained (with an exposure of 137 
 minutes) a most satisfactory representation of its 
 central regions. Such an autographic chart affords 
 a severe test of all previous visual work, such as 
 that of BOND. A careful comparison of the photo- 
 graphs with BOND'S drawing only shows in a new 
 light the astonishing fidelity of the latter.
 
 APPENDIX 
 
 LIST OF THE SCIENTIFIC WRITINGS OF WILLIAM 
 CRANCH BOND 
 
 (COMPILED BY MRS. RICHARD F. BOND) 
 
 Occultations of Aldebaran and o- Leonis, observed at 
 Dorchester, 1829-30. Astr. Nachr. viii, 1831, pp. 
 351-354; mentioned, also, in a letter from R. T. 
 PAINE, A. N. viii, pp. 349, 350; noticed, also, by 
 WUBM in A. N. ix, pp. 138-140. 
 
 Occultations and Eclipses, observed at Dorchester, 
 Mass. Am. Acad. Mem.. New Ser. i, 1833, pp. 
 79-83. 
 
 Observations on the Comparative Rates of Marine 
 Chronometers. Am. Acad. Mem., New Ser. i, 1833, 
 pp. 84-90. 
 
 A Chart, representing tbe extraordinary variations of 
 the magnetic declination during the term day, on 
 the 29th of May last [1840], prepared from obser- 
 vations at the magnetic observatory at Cambridge. 
 Am. Phil. Soc. Proc. i, 1841, p. 293; presented 
 by Professor BACHE at the meeting of Nov. 6, 1840. 
 
 Transit of Mercury, May 8, 1845. Am. Acad. Proc. i, 
 1848, pp. 14-16; read by Professor PEIRCE, Aug. 
 12, 1846. 
 
 Moon Culminations, observed at Cambridge Observa- 
 tory, corrected for collimation, level and azimu- 
 thal deviation of the transit instrument, and for 
 clock rate and error on sidereal time. Am. Acad. 
 Proc. i, 1848, pp. 5-13; read by Professor PEIRCE, 
 Aug. 12, 1846.
 
 Writings of W. C. Bond 277 
 
 Transit of Mercury, May 8, 1845, pp. 14-16; Observa- 
 tions on the Comets of 1845 and 1846, pp. 17, 18; 
 Solar Eclipse of May, 1845, p. 19; Solar Eclipse 
 of Apr., 1846, pp. 20, 21; Notes on Meteors, pp. 
 21, 22.Am.-Acad. Proc. i, 1848, pp. 14-22; read 
 by Professor PEIKCE, Aug. 12, 1846. 
 
 Observations on the New Comet [discovered by DE 
 Vico], first seen in this country by my son, 
 GEORGE P. BOND, Feb. 26, 1846. Astr. Nachr. 
 xxiv, 1846, pp. 91, 92. 
 
 Observations on the New Planet [Neptune']. Astr. 
 Nachr. xxv, 1847, pp. 231-234, 301, 302. 
 
 Observations and Elements of DE Vice's Fourth 
 Comet (Feb. 20, 1846). 5. A. S. Monthly Not. 
 vii, 1847, pp. 92, 93, 187. (First seen in America 
 by G. P. B., Feb. 26, 1846.) 
 
 Observations of Neptune. R. A. S. Monthly Not. vii, 
 1847, pp. 157-225, 256-307. 
 
 Observations of Comet of May 19, 1846. .R. A. S. 
 Monthly Not. vii, 1847, pp. 187-188. 
 
 Observations of HIND'S Second Comet, March, 1847. 
 R. A. S. Monthly Not. vii, 1847, p. 273. 
 
 Observations on the Planet Neptune, 1846-47. Am. 
 Acad. Proc. i, 1848, pp. 50, 51; communicated 
 Jan. 27, 1847. 
 
 Observations on the Comet of March 4, 1847, pp. 69, 70; 
 Moon Culminations, observed at Cambridge (1840- 
 42), pp. 70-103; Moon Culminations, observed at 
 Dorchester (1838-39), pp. 104-128. Am.Acad.Proc. 
 i, 1848, pp. 69-128; communicated Mar. 16, 1847. 
 
 Observations on the Planet Neptune, near its quad- 
 rature, p. 168; Observations on MAUVAIS'S Comet 
 of July 4, 1847, pp. 169, 170; Moon Culminations, 
 observed at Cambridge (1846-47), pp. 170-174, 
 175-177. Am. Acad. Proc. i, 1848, pp. 168-177; 
 communicated Oct. 5, 1847. 
 
 Observations on Miss MITCHELL'S Comet of Oct. 1, 
 1847, p. 183; Observations on LASSELL'S Satel- 
 lite of Neptune, p. 184. Am. Acad. Proc. i, 1848, 
 pp. 183-184; communicated Nov. 2, 1847.
 
 278 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 Nebula in Orion, resolved by the new telescope in the 
 observatory of Harvard College. Am. Journ. Sci. 
 and Arts, Ser. 2, iv, 1847, pp. 426, 427. 
 
 Description of the Nebula about the Star Orionis. 
 Am. Acad. Mem., New Ser. iii,' 1848, pp. 87-96, 
 plate; read before the Academy, Apr. 3, 1848. 
 
 Results of Recent Observations on the Planet Jupiter 
 and on the Nebulae Herschel, Nos. 1357 and 1376, 
 and the Great Nebula of Orion. Am. Acad. 
 Proc. i, 1848, pp. 325, 326; communicated Mar. 
 7, 1848. 
 
 "Mr. BOND Communicated a Farther Notice, respect- 
 ing the third satellite of Jupiter." Am. Acad. 
 Proc. i, 1848, pp. 327-329; communicated April 
 4, 1848. 
 
 Brief Account of the Large Refracting Telescope. 
 Astr. Nachr. xxvi, 1848, pp. 167-172; letter to 
 E. EVERETT, July 26, 1847, sent by him, with a 
 notice of G. P. B's discovery of a comet, to the 
 editor. 
 
 Residual Differences between the Theoretical and 
 Observed Longitudes of Uranus. Astr. Nachr. 
 xxvii, 1848, pp. 203, 204. 
 
 Observations of the Comet of Oct., 1847 (MARIA MITCH- 
 ELL'S), pp. 287, 288; Observations on LASSELL'S 
 Satellite of Neptune, Beilage zu No. 618, Oct., 
 1847. Astr. Nachr. xxvi, 1848, pp. 287, 288, and 
 Beilage. 
 
 Notice of the Discovery of a Comet by G. P. BOND 
 [the fifth discovered by him], July 14, 1847. 
 Astr. Nachr. xxvi, 1848, pp. 171-172 [MAUVAIS'S 
 Comet]. 
 
 Announcement of the Discovery of a new Satellite of 
 Saturn, by G. P. BOND, Sept. 16, 1848. R. A. S. 
 Monthly Not. ix, 1849, pp. 1, 2, 404. 
 
 Description of the Observatory at Cambridge, Mass. - 
 Am. Acad. Mem., New Ser., iv, 1849, pp. 177-188, 
 plates; communicated to the Acad. Nov. 8, 1848. 
 
 Discovery of an Eighth Satellite of Saturn, Sept. 16, 
 1848. Astr. Nachr. xxviii, 1849, pp. 25, 26.
 
 Writings of W. C. Bond 279 
 
 Letter to the Secretary, concerning the proposed chro- 
 
 nometric expedition to determine the longitude 
 
 of the Observatory of Harvard College. R. A. S. 
 
 Monthly Not. ix, 1849, p. 151. 
 Letters on Same Subject to Mr. HARTNUP, of 
 
 the Liverpool Observatory. R. A. S. Monthly 
 
 Not. xv, 1855, p. 215. 
 MAUVAIS'S Third Comet, Apr. 21, 1848. R. A. S. 
 
 Monthly Not. ix, 1849, p. 10. 
 Observations on HIND'S Changing Star, and loss of 
 
 three stars near Procyon, in 1848. Mentioned, 
 
 but not given in full, in R. A. S. Monthly Not. ix, 
 
 1849, p. 18. In xi, pp. 20-27, G. P. B's discovery of 
 
 the ring of Saturn is discussed, in connection with 
 
 observations of LASSELL and DAWES; and in xii, p. 
 
 155 (1852), a note from W. C. B. is quoted in 
 
 regard to the divisions of the ring. 
 ENCKE'S Comet, Aug.-NoV 1848. #. A. S. Monthly 
 
 Not. ix, 1849, pp. 10, 106-107. 
 PETERSEN'S Second Comet [discovered independently 
 
 by G. P. B., Nov. 25, 1848]. R. A. S. Monthly Not. 
 
 ix, 1849, pp. 26, 107. 
 SCHWEIZER'S Comet [discovered a few hours later by 
 
 G. P. B., April 11, 1849]. 5. A. S. Monthly Not. 
 
 ix, 1849, pp. 128, 162, 163. 
 Observations on FAYE'S Comet. R. A. S. Monthly Not. 
 
 xi, 1850-51, p. 63. 
 Appearance of Saturn's Ring, etc., R. A. S. Monthly 
 
 Not. x, 1849-50, pp. 16-22. 
 Observations of Parthenope. R. A. S. Monthly Not. xi, 
 
 1850-51, p. 9. 
 Observations of PETERSEN'S Third Comet. R. A. S. 
 
 Monthly Not. xi, 1850-51, pp. 15, 16. 
 Report on Longitude, Telegraphic and Chronometric 
 
 Operations. Coast Survey Report, 1851, pp. 34, 
 
 35 
 Elements of BRORSEN'S Comet. Gould's Astr. Journ. 
 
 ii, 1851, p. 62 
 On the New Ring of Saturn. Am. Journ. Sci. and 
 
 Arts, Ser. 2, xii, 1851, pp. 133, 134.
 
 280 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 Occultations of Stars Observed in 1846, 1847, 1848, 
 
 1849, 1850, continued from vol. iii of the Memoirs 
 of the American Academy. Gould's Astr. Journ. 
 i, 1851, pp. 173-175. 
 
 Discovery of Comet by G. P. BOND, Aug. 29, 1850, pp. 
 213, 214; Observations on PETERSEN'S Comet, 1850, 
 pp. 215, 218; Observations on BRORSEN'S Comet, 
 
 1850, pp. 221, 222. Astr. Nachr. xxxi, 1851, pp. 
 213-222. 
 
 Comet of Aug. 29, 1850, (BOND'S) Observations. Astr. 
 Nachr. xxxi, 1851, pp. 337-338, 357-358; dis- 
 covered by G. P. BOND. 
 
 Observations of the FAYE Comet. Astr. Nachr. xxxii, 
 
 1851, pp. 63-64. 
 
 Observations of PETERSEN'S Comet, made at the Cam- 
 bridge Observatory. Gould's Astr. Journ. i, 1851, 
 pp. 78, 79-96, 110, 111. 
 
 Observations of the Comet, of Aug. 29, 1850, etc. 
 Gould's Astr. Journ. i, pp. 141-142. 
 
 Positions of the Comet of August last, etc. Gould's 
 Astr. Journ. i, p. 155. 
 
 Moon Culminations, observed at H. C. 0., etc. Gould's 
 Astr. Journ. i, p. 191. 
 
 Occultations of Aldelaran, Jupiter and Regulus, in 
 1848, 1849 and 1850. Gould's Astr. Journ. i, 1851. 
 p. 112. 
 
 Moon Culminations, observed at Cambridge, pp. 
 141-143; Double Stars, observed at Cambridge, 
 1848-49, pp. 144, 145. Am. Acad. Proc. ii, 1852, 
 pp. 141-145; communicated Feb. 6. 1849. 
 
 Observations on the Satellite of Neptune, 1847-48, pp. 
 136,137; Observations on ENCKE'S Comet, 1848, 
 pp. 138, 139; Observations on the Eighth Satel- 
 lite of Saturn (Hyperion), 1848-49, pp. 139, 140; 
 Observations on PETERSEN'S" Second Comet, 1848, 
 p. 140. Am. Acad. Proc. ii, 1852, pp. 136-140; 
 communicated Feb. 6, 1849. Astr. Nachr. xxxi, 
 1851, pp. 35-42. 
 
 Moon Culminations, observed at Harvard Observatory, 
 July, Aug., 1849. Gould's Astr. Journ. i, 1851, p. 
 191; ii, 1852, p. 63.
 
 Writings of W. (7. Bond 281 
 
 Observations on MAUVAIS'S Comet of July 4, 1847. 
 Am. Acad. Proc. ii, pp. 1, 2, 1852; continued from 
 i, p. 169; communicated May 30, 1848. 
 
 Divisions of the Ring of Saturn extract of a note. 
 R. A. S. Monthly Not. xii, 1852, p. 155. 
 
 ENCKE'S Comet. R. A. S. Monthly Not. xii, 1852, pp. 
 134, 135. 
 
 Observations of ENCKE'S Comet, Jan., 1852. Gould's 
 Astr. Journ. ii, 1852, pp. 91-104. 
 
 Missing Star, Sept. 24, 1851. Gould's Astr. Journ. ii r 
 1852, p. 104. 
 
 Observations on the First Cornet of 1852. Gould's 
 Astr. Journ. ii, 1852, p. 174. 
 
 Observations upon ENCKE'S Comet, made at the Ob- 
 servatory of Harvard College, Cambridge, U. S., 
 with the great refractor. Astr. Nachr. xxxiv, 
 
 1852, pp. 51-52, 225-228. 
 
 Observations on the Comet I of 1852, made at the 
 Observatory of Harvard College, Cambridge, U. S. 
 (May and June, 1852). Astr. Nachr. xxxv, I853 r 
 pp. 49, 50. 
 
 Report on Moon Culminations. Coast Survey Report, 
 
 1853, appendix xxxii, p. 84.* 
 
 Records of Spring Governor. Ibid. pp. 85-86. 
 
 Observations on a New Ring of the Planet Saturn. Am. 
 Acad. Mem., New Ser. vi, pp. 111-112; plate; com- 
 municated April 15, 1851 (with a paper on the rings, 
 by G. P. B.); also, in Gould's Astr. Journ. ii, p. 5. 
 
 Second Comet of 1854. Gould's Astr. Journ. iii, 1854, 
 p. 189. 
 
 Extract from a Letter Giving Observations, etc., of 
 VAN ARSDALE'S Comet. R. A. S. Monthly Not. 
 xiv, 1854, p. 167; Gould's Astr. Journ. iii, 1854, 
 pp. 159-160. 
 
 Moon Culminations. Coast Survey Report, 1854, ap- 
 pendix xxxvii, p. 120.* 
 
 Chronometric Longitude Expedition. Coast Survey 
 Report, 1855, appendix xliii, pp. 275-276. 
 
 Moon Culminations and Chronometric Longitude 
 Expedition. Coast Survey Report, 1856, appen- 
 dix xxii, p. 181.
 
 282 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 History and Description of the Astronomical Observa- 
 tory of Harvard College [with reports from 1846 
 to 1855]. Annals Harvard College Observatory, 
 i, 1856, p. 1; illus. 
 
 Zone Catalogue of 5500 Stars [0 to + 3 20']. Ibid, i, 
 1855, p. 2. 
 
 Observations on the Planet Saturn. Ibid, ii, 1857, p. 
 1 ; plates. 
 
 Observations of Isis 42, Aug.-Dec., 1856. Gould's Astr. 
 Journ. v, p. 40. 
 
 Observations of Polyhymnia, by G. P. BOND. Gould's 
 Astr. Journ. v, p. 48. 
 
 Observations of Isis and Polyhymnia, made at Harvard 
 College Observatory. Astr. Nachr. xlvi, 1857, pp. 
 11, 12. 
 
 [Letter Describing Their Achievements in Stellar Pho- 
 tography.] R. A. S. Monthly Not. xvii, 1857, pp. 
 230-232. 
 
 Moon Culminations, etc. Coast Survey Report. 1857, 
 appendix xxviii, p. 310-311. 
 
 Solar Parallax Deduced from Right Ascension Obser- 
 vations on Mars East and West of the Merid- 
 ian, near the Opposition of 1849-50. Gould's 
 Astr. Journ. v, 1858, p. 53; letter dated April 28, 
 1857. 
 
 First Comet of 1858. Gould's Astr. Journ. v, 1858, 
 p. 101. 
 
 Places of the Third Comet of 1858. Gould's Astr. 
 Journ. v, 1858, p. 134. 
 
 Fifth Comet of 1858 (DONATI'S). Am. Journ. Sci. and 
 Arts, Ser. 2, xxvi, 1858, pp. 433-434. 
 
 Observations for Coast Survey Longitude. Coast Sur- 
 vey Report, 1858, p. 33; appendix xxii, p. 189. 
 
 Entdeckung Eines Cometen [Sept. 5, 1855, by H. P. 
 TUTTLE]. Astr. Nachr. xlix, 1859, pp. 141, 142. 
 
 Occultations of the Pleiades, etc. Astr. Nachr. Hi, 1860, 
 pp. 75-78. 
 
 Observations of Solar Spots, 1847-1849, portrait and 
 plates. Annals Harvard College Observatory, vii, 
 1871. Published bv Professor Jos. WINLOCK.
 
 Writings of W. C. Bond 283 
 
 BOND, W. C. AND G. P., GRAHAM, J. D., [COMMUNICATED 
 BY] BENJ. PEIRCE. 
 
 The Latitude of the Cambridge Observatory, in Massa- 
 chusetts, determined from transits of stars over 
 the prime vertical, observed during the months 
 of December, 1844, and January, 1845. Am.Acad. 
 Mem., New Ser. ii, 1846, pp. 183-203; given, also, 
 in Astr. Nachr. xxv, 1847, pp. 97, 98. 
 
 LOVERING, JOSEPH, AND BOND, W. C. 
 
 An Account of the Magnetic Observations Made at 
 the Observatory of Harvard University, Cam- 
 bridge. Am. Acad. Mem., New Ser. ii, 1846, pp. 
 1-84; plates; also, Sturgeon Ann. Electr. viii, 1842, 
 pp. 27-49, 89-112, 186-202. 
 
 BOND, W. C. AND G. P., AND OTHERS. 
 
 [Observations on the Eclipse of the Sun, Apr. 25, 
 1846.] Astr. Nachr. xxiv, 1846, p. 196. 
 
 BOND, W. C. [AND G. P.] 
 
 Observations on the Comet of Mar. 4, 1847. Astr. 
 Nachr. xxv, 1847, pp. 355, 356. 
 
 BOND, W. C., W. C., JR., AND G. P. 
 
 Occultations and Eclipses Observed at Dorchester and 
 Cambridge, Massachusetts. Am. Acad. Mem., 
 New Ser., iii, 1848, pp. 67-74; communicated to 
 the Acad.', Aug. 12, 1846. 
 
 BOND, W. C. AND G. P. 
 
 Observations on the Belts and Satellites of Jupiter, and 
 on certain nebulae, Feb., 1848. Astr. Nachr. xxx, 
 1850, pp. 93-96. 
 
 [The Reports of the U. S. Coast Survey for many years 
 contain notes and reports from W. C. BOND, which 
 have not been separately indexed here. E. S. H.]
 
 284 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 LIST OP THE SCIENTIFIC WRITINGS OF GEORGE 
 PHILLIPS BOND 
 
 (COMPILED BY MRS. RICHARD F. BOND) 
 
 Discovery of a Comet, March 4, 1847, and observa- 
 tions. Am. Journ. Sci. and Arts, iii, 1847, p. 443. 
 
 An Account of the Nebula in Andromeda. Am. Acad. 
 Mem., New Ser., iii, 1848, pp. 75-86; plate; read 
 before the Academy, March 7, 1848. 
 
 Some Methods of Computing the Ratio of the Dis- 
 tances of a Comet from the Earth. Am. Acad. 
 Mem., New Ser., iii, 1848, pp. 97-128; communi- 
 cated to the Academy, April 4, 1848. 
 
 On Some Applications of the Method of Mechanical 
 Quadratures. Am. Acad. Mem., New Ser., iv, 
 1849, pp. 189-208; communicated to the Academy 
 May 29, 1849; reviewed by ENQKE in Astr. Nachr. 
 xxxiv, 1852, pp. 349-360." 
 
 Substance of a Lecture Describing the Apparatus for 
 Observing Transits by Means of a Galvanic Cur- 
 rent, now used at the Observatory of Cambridge, 
 U. S. R. A. S. Monthly Not. xi, 1851, pp. 163-165. 
 
 On the Phenomena Attending the Disappearance of 
 the Rings of Saturn. Gould's Astr. Journ. i, 1851, 
 pp. 19-21. 
 
 On the Great Comet of 1844-45. Gould's Astr. Journ. 
 i, 1851, pp. 97-103. 
 
 Discovery and Observations of BOND'S Comet, Aug. 29, 
 1850. R. A. S. Monthly Not. xi, 1851, pp. 
 12-14, 63-110. [The first to bear his name, though 
 the seventh or eighth of actual discovery.] 
 
 A Method of Finding the Distance of a Comet from 
 the Earth. Gould's Astr. Journ. i, 1851, pp. 115- 
 116. 
 
 Letter Announcing His Discovery of a Telescopic 
 Comet, Aug. 29, 1850, with position and ele- 
 ments. Gould's Astr. Journ. i, 1851, pp. 118- 
 141, 142, 155. 
 
 On the Rings of Saturn. Am. Journ. Sci. and Arts, 
 Ser. 2, xii, pp. 97-105.
 
 Writings of G. P. Bond 285 
 
 Comet of CHACORNAC (I, 1852); Discovered Independ- 
 ently by G. P. B. May 19, 1852. #. A. S. Monthly 
 Not. xii, 1852, p. 203. 
 
 Entdeckung und Beobachtungen des Cometen I, 1852 
 auf der Cambridger, U. S., Sternwarte. Astr. 
 Nachr. xxxiv, 1852, pp 333, 334. 
 
 Solar Eclipse of July 28, 1851. Gould's Astr. Journ. ii, 
 1852, pp. 49-51; observed in Sweden by G. P. B., 
 and in Cambridge by W. C. B. 
 
 Appearance of the Ring of Saturn, 1851. Gould's Astr. 
 Journ. ii, 1852, p. 112. 
 
 First Comet of 1852. Gould's Astr. JournAi, 1852, p. 131. 
 
 Observations on the Satellites of Saturn. Gould's Astr. 
 Journ. ii, 1852, pp. 132-135. 
 
 Zone Catalogue of 5500 Stars, between the equator 
 and 20' north declination, observed 1852-53. 
 Annals Harvard College Observatory (1), ii, 1855. 
 
 Zone Catalogue of 4484 Stars, between 20' and 
 40' north declination, observed 1854-55. An- 
 nals Harvard College Observatory (2), ii, 1867. 
 
 Zone Catalogue of 6100 Stars, between 40' and 
 1 0' north declination, observed 1859-60. An- 
 nals Harvard College Observatory (6), 1872. 
 
 On the Rings of Saturn. Am. Acad. Mem., New Ser. 
 5, i, 1853, pp. 113121; plate; communicated Apr. 
 15, 1851, with a paper by W. C. B., announcing 
 the discovery of the new (dusky) ring; also, in 
 Gould's Astr. Journ. ii, 1851, pp. 5-10. 
 
 Report on Chronometer Expeditions for Determining 
 Difference of Longitude between Cambridge and 
 Liverpool. Coast Survey Report, 1853, appendix 
 xxxiv, pp. 88,* 89.* 
 
 Report of Chronometric Expeditions of 1849-50-51. 
 Coast Survey Report 1854, appendix xlii, pp. 
 138*-142.* 
 
 Chronometric Expedition. Coast Survey Report, ap- 
 pendix xxiii, pp. 182-191. 
 
 Observations on the Planet Saturn, 1847-57; illus. 
 Annals Harvard College Observatory, 2, i, 1857. 
 (With W. C. Bond.)
 
 286 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 On the Use of Equivalent Factors in the Method of 
 Least Squares. Am. Acad. Mem., New Ser., VI, i, 
 1857, pp. 179-212; communicated Apr. 15, 1856. 
 
 Diagrams of the Planet Saturn, with explanations and 
 results of observations, 1852, 1854, 1855. Am. 
 Acad. Proc. iii, 1857, pp. 186, 187; presented Feb. 
 13, 1855. 
 
 Discussion of Observations for the Isodynamic, Iso- 
 gonic and Isoclinal Curves of Terrestrial Magnet- 
 ism on and near the Line of the Boundary Sur- 
 vey betweeen the U. S. and Mexico, 1849, 1850, 
 1851 and 1852. Am. Acad. Proc. iii, 1857, p. 186; 
 presented Feb. 13, 1855. A continuation of obser- 
 vations given in Am. Acad. Mem. V, i, 1849, by 
 Major W. H. EMORY. 
 
 Disturbance of the Horizontality of the Axis of the 
 Great Equatorial at Cambridge, p. 194; Effect of 
 the Moon's Attraction on the Motion of a Pendu- 
 lum, p. 194. Am. Acad. Proc. iii, 1857, p. 194; 
 presented May 8, 1855. 
 
 [Results of an Examination of the Photographs of the 
 Star Mizar (t, Ursae Majoris) with its Companion, 
 and the Neighboring Star Alcor.] Am. Acad. Proc. 
 iii, 1857, pp. 386-389; communicated May 12, 1857. 
 
 Stellar Photography [dated July 23, 1857]. Jsfr. 
 Nachr. xlvii, 1858, pp. 1-6. 
 
 Stellar Photography (Jan. 11, l8oS).Aatr. Nachr. 
 xlviii, 1858, pp. 1-14. 
 
 Stellar Photography (July 1, 1858). Astr. Nachr. xlix, 
 1859, pp. 81-100. 
 
 Observations of a Comet, discovered at Cambridge by 
 TUTTLE May 2, 1858. Astr. Nachr. xlviii, 1858, 
 pp. 287, 288, 331, 332. 
 
 On the Relative Precision of Measures of Double Stars, 
 taken photographically and by direct vision, Dec. 
 20, 1857. R. A. S. Monthly Not. xviii, 1858, pp. 
 71, 72. 
 
 Letter to Professor PAPE, giving latest observations of 
 Comet IV, 1857. Astr. Nachr. xlviii, 1858, pp. 
 75, 76.
 
 Writings of G. P. Bond 287 
 
 Observations of Comet I, 1858. Astr. Nachr xlvii 
 
 1858, pp. 835, 336. 
 Observations of Polyhymnia. Gould's Astr. Journ v 
 
 1858, p. 48. 
 Observations of Comets and Planets, 1858. Bruen- 
 
 now Astr. Not., Nos. 9, 10, 1859, pp. 69-75. 
 Note on Equation of Payments, pp. 5, 6; An Account 
 
 of the Comet of DONATI, pp. 61-67. Math. Monthly, 
 
 vol. i. 
 An Account of the Comet of DONATI, 1858. Math. 
 
 Monthly, i, 1859, pp. 61-67, 88-113; plates and 
 
 diagrams; also, Edin. New Phil. Journ. x, 1859, 
 
 pp. 60-84. 
 Observations of Comets and Planets, made at the 
 
 Observatory of Harvard College, Cambridge, U. S. r 
 
 1858-59. Astr. Nachr. li, 1859, pp. 273-280. 
 Arcs of Great and Small Circles, pp. 342-345. Math. 
 
 Monthly, vol. i, 1859. 
 Observations of the First Comet of 1859. Bruennow 
 
 Astr. Not. No. 12, 1859, pp. 89, 90. 
 Observations of a Comet (TEMPEL'S), discovered inde- 
 pendently by WATSON, FERGUSON and TUTTLE in 
 
 the U. S. in April, 1859. Astr. Nachr. 1, 1859, 
 
 pp. 329, 330. 
 Observation of Aglaia, December 28, 1858. Astr. 
 
 Nachr. 1, 1859, pp. 237, 238. 
 Occultations of Pleiades, observed at the Observatory 
 
 of Harvard College, Cambridge, U. S. A., 1857-58. 
 
 Astr. Nachr. Hi, 1860, pp. 75-78. 
 Occultations of Venus and Jupiter. Bruennow Astr. 
 
 Not. No. 19, 1860, p. 148. 
 Results of a Series of Photographic Experiments upon 
 
 the Light of the Sun and Moon, compared with 
 
 that of the Planet Jupiter. Am. Acad. Proc. iv, 
 
 1860, p. 373; communicated Feb. 14, 1860. 
 Observations of a Comet, discovered by TUTTLE at 
 
 Harvard College Observatory, June 21, 1860 
 
 (Comet III, I860). Astr. Nachr. liii, 1860, pp. 
 
 325, 326; Astr. Nachr. liy, 1861, pp. 251-254; 
 
 Bruennow Astr. Not. No. 20, 1860, pp. 160, 169-171.
 
 288 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 Occultations of the Pleiades, 1857-58. Bruennow Astr. 
 Not. No. 13, 1859, pp. 99, 100; No. 19, 1860, p. 147. 
 
 Moon Culminations. Bruennow Astr. Not. No. 14, 
 1860, pp. 105-108; No. 24, 1861, pp. 190-192. 
 
 Observations of Comet I, 1861. Astr. Nachr. lv, 1861, 
 pp. 189, 190, 299, 300. 
 
 Observations of Comet III, 1860. Bruennow Astr. Not. 
 No. 22, 1861, pp. 169-171. 
 
 Discovery of Asteroid 66 (Maia) by TUTTLE, at the 
 Observatory of Harvard College. April 10, 1861, 
 and observations. Astr. Nachr. lv, 1861, pp. 
 187, 188, 300; Bruennow Astr. Not. No. 24. 1861, 
 p. 186. 
 
 On the Light of the Moon and of the Planet Jupiter. 
 Am. Acad. Mem. New Ser. VIII, i, 1861, pp. 221- 
 286; communicated Sept. 11, 1860; Am. Acad. 
 Proc. v, 1862, pp. 66-68. 
 
 Comparison of the Light of the Sun and Moon. Am. 
 Acad. Mem., New Ser. VIII, i, 1861, pp. 287-298; 
 communicated Sept. 11, 1860. 
 
 Memoir on the Relative Brightness of Sunlight and 
 Moonlight. Am. Acad. Proc. v, 1862, p. 68; read 
 Sept. 11, 1860. 
 
 A Catalogue of Stars, near the zenith of the Observa- 
 tory of Harvard College, for the determination of 
 latitude by the zenith telescope. Am. Acad. Proc. 
 v, 1862, p. 68; presented Sept. 11, 1860. 
 
 On the Light of the Sun, Moon, Jupiter and Venus, pp. 
 197-203; On the Spiral Structure of the Great 
 Nebula of Orion, pp. 203-207. R. A. S. Monthly 
 Not. xxi, 1861, pp. 197-207. 
 
 First Comet of 1859 (Letter of Apr. 28, 1859). Gould's 
 Astr. Journ. vi, 1861, p. 24. 
 
 The Comet (II, 1861) as seen at the Observatory of 
 Harvard College, Cambridge, Mass. Am. Journ. 
 Sci. and Arts. Ser. 2, xxxii, 1861, pp. 255-266. 
 
 Account of the Great Comet of 1858. Annals Har- 
 vard College Observatory, iii, 1862; illus. 
 
 [On the Great Nebula Surrounding the Star Orionis] 
 with a drawing. Am. Acad. Proc.v, 1862, pp. 227- 
 230; communicated March 12, 1861.
 
 Writings of G. P. Bond 289 
 
 Observations of ENCKE'S Comet. Oct. 1861. Astr. 
 
 Nachr. Ivi, 1862, pp. 269, 270; also, Bruennow 
 
 Astr. Not. No. 29, 1862, p. 37. 
 On the Figure of the Head of the Comet of DONATI 
 
 (dated Nov., 1861.) Astr. Nachr. Ivi, 1862, pp. 299- 
 
 302; plate. 
 
 Same continued (dated July 8, 1862.) Astr. 
 
 Nachr. Iviii, 1862, pp. 81-86. 
 Discovery of a New Asteroid (72); Elements of Comet 
 
 III, 1861; On the Companion of Sirius. Astr. 
 
 Nachr. Ivii, 1862, pp. 129-134. 
 Observations of Comets and Small Planets, 1861. 
 
 Astr. Nachr. Ivii, 1862, pp. 353-368. 
 Discovery (by TUTTLE) and Observations of Asteroid 
 
 (73), Apr. and May, 1862. Astr. Nachr. Ivii, 1862, 
 
 pp. 309, 310. 
 Name of Clytie given (73) by J. I. BOWDITCH and Fero- 
 
 nia to (72). Astr. Nachr. Iviii, 1862, pp. 85-87. 
 Rediscovered (by SAFFORD) Oct. 7, 1864. Astr. 
 
 Nachr. Ixiii, 1865, pp. 303, 304. 
 On the Companion of Sirius, pp. 286, 287; On the 
 
 Discovery of the Asteroid (72), pp. 287, 288; The 
 
 Recently Discovered Asteroids, pp. 288, 289; Dis- 
 covery of a Telescopic Comet, pp. 289, 290; ENCKE'S 
 
 Comet, p. 290. Am. Journ. Sci. and Arts, Ser. 
 
 2, xxxiii, 1862, pp. 286-290. 
 
 Comet 1861 , III. Bruennow Astr. Not. No. 29, 1862, p. 40. 
 Observations on the Companion of Sirius; 'Discovery 
 
 (by G. P. B.) and Observations of Comet I, 1862. 
 
 Astr. Nachr. Iviii, 1862, pp. 88, 90. 
 Discovery and Observations of Comet II, 1862. Astr. 
 
 Nachr. Iviii, 1862, pp. 115, 116. 
 [Diagram of the Outline of the Head of the Great 
 
 Comet of 1858 (DoN ATI'S), compared with a para- 
 bola.] Am. Acad. Proc. v, 1862, pp. 311-313; 
 
 plates; communicated Oct. 8, 1861. 
 Observations of Comets and Small Planets (1861- 
 
 1862). Astr. Nachr. Ix, 1863, pp. 33-42. 
 On the Rate of Ascent of the Envelopes of the Great 
 
 Comet of 1858. Astr. Nachr. Ix, 1863, pp. 49-60; 
 
 answer to J. F. J. SCHMIDT, Athens.
 
 290 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 Observations of Comet III, 1862, and of Feronia (July- 
 Get., 1862). Astr. Nachr. lix, 1863, pp. 77, 78. 
 
 List of New Nebulae, seen at the Observatory of Har- 
 vard College (date, Oct., 1863). Astr. Nachr. Ixi. 
 1864, pp. 193-198, 255, 256. 
 
 Remarks upon the Statements of Messrs. STONE and 
 CARPENTER, relating to Sir JOHN HERSCHEL'S 
 figure of the sinus magnus in the nebula of 
 Orion. R. A. S. Monthly Not. xxiv, 1864, pp. 
 177-181. 
 
 A List of New Nebulae, seen at the Observatory of 
 Harvard College, 1847-63. Am. Acad. Proc. vi, 
 1866, pp. 177-182; communicated Nov. 11, 1863. 
 
 On the New Form of the Achromatic Object Glass 
 Recently Introduced by STEINHEIL. Am. Acad. 
 Proc. vi, 1866, pp. 169-175; plate; communicated 
 Oct. 13, 1863. 
 
 Observations upon the Great Nebula of Orion. An- 
 nals Harvard College Observatory, v, 1867; plates; 
 edited by T. H. SAFFORD. 
 
 Contributed constantly to the American Almanac, and 
 for some years made the computations for it. 
 
 EVERETT, EDWARD. 
 
 Report on the Discovery and Name of an Eighth 
 Satellite of Saturn. Am. Acad. Mem., New Ser. 
 iii, 1848, appendix, pp. 275-290; read Nov. 8, 
 1848* see, also, Am. Acad. Proc. ii, 1852, p. 4. 
 
 GOULD, B. A. 
 
 Announcement of the Discovery, April 11, 1849, by 
 G. P. BOND, of a comet, with the observations. 
 Astr. Nachr. xxviii, 1849, pp. 363-366. 
 
 Announcement of the Rediscovery, by G. P. BOND, of 
 SCHWEIZER'S Comet, Aug. 24, 1849. Astr. Nachr. 
 xxx, 1850, pp. 13-16. 
 
 Observations on PETERSEN'S Comet, made at American 
 observatories, with positions given by G. P. BOND, 
 July 23, 1850. Astr. Nachr. xxxi, 1851, pp. 
 125-128, 159, 160.
 
 Writings of G. P. Bond 291 
 
 DE LA RUE, WARREN. 
 
 Address on Presenting the Gold Medal of the Society 
 to Professor G. P. BOND. R. A. S. Monthly Not. 
 xxv, 1865, pp. 125-137. 
 
 SAFFORD, T. H. 
 
 Notice of the Death of G. P. BOND, Feb. 17, 1865. 
 Astr. Nachr. Ixiv, 1865, pp. 123, 124.
 
 INDEX OF PROPER NAMES 
 
 Adams, J. C., 89, 109, 114, 117 
 
 Adams, John, 217 
 
 Adams, John Quincy, 34, 228 
 
 Agassiz, Louis, 70 
 
 Airy, G. B., 26, 38, 89, 159, 184 
 
 Argelander, F Ill, 135 
 
 Armsby, J. H., 161 
 
 Bache, A. D., 222 
 
 Baker, Daniel W 18 
 
 Bancroft, George 221 
 
 Bartlett, W. H. C 218 
 
 Bessel, F. W 95, 101, 136 
 
 Black, Mr 189 
 
 Black & Whipple, 262, 263 
 
 Blunt, E., 222 
 
 Bond, C. H 59 
 
 Bond, E. L., 48 
 
 Bond, George Phillips, Throughout the book 
 
 Bond, John, 2 
 
 Bond, Joseph, 31, 32 
 
 Bond, Richard F 31, 32, 64, 66 
 
 Bond, Mrs. R. F., 68, 276 
 
 Bond, Thomas 2 
 
 Bond, William, 1,4,5,9 
 
 Bond, William Cranch Throughout the book 
 
 Bond, W. C. Jr., 19, 32, 66 
 
 Bond, William, & Son, 51 
 
 Borrelly, A., 260 
 
 Boutelle, C. B., 222 
 
 Bowditch, J. I., 52, 178 
 
 Bowditch, N 224 
 
 Bruennow, F 169, 174, 177 
 
 Busch, J. G 262 
 
 Campbell, W. W., 258 
 
 Carrington, R. C., 151, 167, 185, 191 
 
 Cassini, J. D 258, 259 
 
 Caswell, A., . . . .' 188
 
 293 
 
 Challis, Professor, 112 
 
 Chance & Co., 124 
 
 Chauvenet, W., 220 221 
 
 Clark, Alvan, 219 
 
 Clark, Alvan G., 71 
 
 Coffin, J. H. C., .221 
 
 Coolidge, S., 200 
 
 Coues, S. F., 65 
 
 Courtenay, Professor 220 
 
 Cranch, Hannah, 2, 4, 10 
 
 Cranch, John, 3 
 
 Cranch, Mary R., 6 
 
 Cranch, Richard, 3 
 
 Cranch, Selina 6 
 
 Curtis, Hugh, 1 
 
 Cutts, R. D., 222 
 
 Dana, J. D., 223 
 
 D'Arrest, H. L., 106 
 
 Davidson, G 222 
 
 Davis, C. H., 70, 226 
 
 Dawes, W. R., 151, 171 
 
 DeLaRue, W 130,263,270 
 
 De Vigny, Alfred, 39 
 
 Donati, G. B 267 
 
 Downes, J., 227 
 
 Draper, H., 211, 212, 263, 275 
 
 Draper, J. W., 261 
 
 Emerson, R. W 225 
 
 Encke, J. F., 80, 81, 101, 105, 106, 153 
 
 Everett, Edward 164 
 
 Faye, H., 90 
 
 Felton, C. C 164, 165 
 
 Ferguson, J., 221,260 
 
 Fizeau, H. L., 262 
 
 Folsom, Charles W., 63 
 
 Foucault, J. B. L., 91, 262 
 
 Franklin, Benjamin, 217 
 
 Galle, J. G., 195 
 
 Gauss, C. F., 106, 108 
 
 Gilliss, J. M., 41, 221, 228 
 
 Godfrey, Thomas, 219 
 
 Goodfellow, E., 222 
 
 Gould, B. A 37, 38, 106, 109, 222, 246 
 
 Graham, J. D 22, 34, 45, 218
 
 294 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 Grant, Robert, '25 
 
 Gray, Asa, 70, 94 
 
 Hadley, Captain, 219 
 
 Hall, A., 77, 200, 214 
 
 Hansen, P. G., !)5, 101, 107 
 
 Harris, Harriet Gardner, 48 
 
 Hartnup, J., 124 
 
 Hassler, F. R., 222 
 
 Henck, John B., 63 
 
 Henry, Joseph, 172, 227 
 
 Herrick, E. C., 177, 223 
 
 Herschel, Sir J 89 
 
 Herschel, Sir W., 101, 103, 259 
 
 Hilgard, J. E., 222 
 
 Him, G. A 258 
 
 Holden, E. S 70, 274 
 
 Hubbard, J. S., 221 
 
 Hugo, Victor, 39 
 
 Von Humboldt, Alexander, 105 
 
 Jefferson, Thomas, 217 
 
 Keeler, J. E., 258 
 
 Keith, R., 221 
 
 Kendall, E. 227, 240 
 
 Lamont, Professor, 142 
 
 Lane, J. H 160 
 
 Lassell, W 24, 121, 169, 190 
 
 Leverrier, U. J 89, 91, 109, 148 
 
 Lloyd, Doctor, 89 
 
 Locke, John, 241 
 
 Loomis, E., 193 
 
 Levering, J., 232 
 
 Luther, K. T. R., 260 
 
 Lyman, C. A 223 
 
 Majocchi, G. A., ;..'.. 262 
 
 Mansfield, General, 220 
 
 Manners, R. H., 215 
 
 Von Martins, Professor, 147 
 
 Mason, E. P 223 
 
 Maury, M. F., 221, 224 
 
 Maxwell, J. C., 129, 203, 258 
 
 Merz, G. and S., 140 
 
 Mitchell, Maria, 227 
 
 Mitchel, O. M 92, 220, 241 
 
 Mitchell, Wm., 37, 154, 162, 209, 245
 
 Index of Proper Names 295 
 
 de Neuville, Baron H., 225 
 
 Newall, R. S., '. 127 
 
 Newcomb, S., 227, 255 
 
 Newton, H. A., 223 
 
 Newton, Sir I., 219 
 
 Norton, W. A., 151, 166, 171, 220, 223 
 
 Olmsted, D., 223 
 
 Paine, R. T., 52 
 
 Palisa, J., 260 
 
 Parsons, T., 52 
 
 Peirce, B., . 25, 34, 36, 43, 70, 71, 73, 92, 109, 163, 220, 226, 255, 256, 257 
 Peters, C. H. F., . 150, 170, 173, 189, 192, 194, 196, 197, 210, 214, 260 
 
 Peterson, Doctor, 96 
 
 Phillips, E. B., 29, 64 
 
 Phillips, Thomazine, 2 
 
 Pickering, E. C., 30, 274 
 
 Pierce, Franklin, 67 
 
 Pistor & Martins, 137 
 
 Plantamour, Professor, 110 
 
 Pourtales, Count, 222 
 
 Quincy, Josiah, Sr., 80 
 
 Quincy, Josiah, President, 17, 44, 52 
 
 Repsolds, The, 137 
 
 Rogers, W. A ... 210 
 
 Rosse, Lord, 117 
 
 Rowland, H. A 219 
 
 Ruemker, G., 94, 96 
 
 Runkle, J. D., 227 
 
 Rutherford, L. M 219, 263 
 
 Sabine, Sir E 132,169,170 
 
 Safford, T. H 273 
 
 Saxton,J., 222,241 
 
 Schoenfeld, E 137,207 
 
 Schott, C. A : 
 
 Schwerd, Professor, I 38 
 
 Searle, G. M 26 
 
 Sears, David, 
 
 Secchi, A ^ 
 
 Sestini, Father, 2 30 
 
 Silliman, B 223 
 
 Simms, J. and W., * 
 
 Sonntag, A., 1 ^ 3 
 
 Sophocles, E. A 57 
 
 Speed, J. J 242
 
 296 Memorial of the Bonds 
 
 Steinheil & Sons, 145 
 
 Struve, Otto, 24, 73, 97, 131, 193, 197, 199, 273 
 
 Struve, W., 97, 103 
 
 Sumner, Captain, 224 
 
 Talcott, A., 219 
 
 Taylor, W. B 160 
 
 Tuttle, C. W 261 
 
 Tuttle, H. P 200, 260, 2(51 
 
 Villarceau, Y 90 
 
 Walker, J., 162 
 
 Walker, S. C., 23, 221, 239, 245, 246 
 
 Washington, George, 217 
 
 Watson, J. C., . 260 
 
 Whipple & Black 155, 262, 263 
 
 Whitney, E. H., 191 
 
 Wilkes, Admiral, 40, 221, 239 
 
 Winlock, J., 25, 30, 221 
 
 Winthrop, Professor, 33 
 
 Wright, Chauncey, 227 
 
 Wuerdemann, W 219 
 
 Yarnall, M., 221 
 
 de Zach, Baron, 224 
 
 Zoellner, J. C. F., 271 
 
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