One hardly knows where, in the history of science, to look for an important movement that had its effective start in so pure and simple an accident as that which led to the building of the great Washington telescope, and went on to the discovery of the satellites of Mars.
From Simon Newcomb
The result was that, if it happened to clear off after a cloudy evening, I frequently arose from my bed at any hour of the night or morning and walked two miles to the observatory to make some observation included in the programme.
Flight by machines heavier than air is unpractical and insignificant, if not utterly impossible.
In 1860 a total eclipse of the sun was visible in British America.
Aerial flight is one of that class of problems with which men will never have to cope.
We are probably nearing the limit of all we can know about astronomy.
A suggestion had been made to me looking toward a professorship in some Western college, but after due consideration, I declined to consider the matter.
As the existence of a corps of professors of mathematics is peculiar to our navy, as well as an apparent, perhaps a real, anomaly, some account of it may be of interest.
As years passed away I have formed the habit of looking back upon that former self as upon another person, the remembrance of whose emotions has been a solace in adversity and added zest to the enjoyment of prosperity.
Astronomers are greatly disappointed when, having traveled halfway around the world to see an eclipse, clouds prevent a sight of it; and yet a sense of relief accompanies the disappointment.
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