ggesting the possibility and
probability of discovering the ultra-Uranian planet. These hints were
strengthened by a letter from Bessel, of Koenigsberg. But Sir George B.
Airy refused to be led in the direction of so great a possibility.

It was in 1844 that Professor James Challis, of the Cambridge
observatory, appealed to Sir George for the privilege of using or
examining the recorded observations made at Greenwich of the movements
of Uranus, saying that he wished these tables for a young friend of
his, Mr. John C. Adams, of Cambridge, who had but recently taken his
degree in mathematics. Adams was at that date only twenty-five years
of age. The royal astronomer granted the request, and for about a year
Adams was engaged in making his calculations. These were completed,
and in September of 1845, Challis informed Sir George Airy that
according to the calculations of Adams the perturbations of Uranus
were due to the influence of an unknown planet beyond.

The young mathematician indicated in his conclusions at what point in
the heavens the ultra-Uranian world was then traveling, and where it
might be found. But even these mathematical demonstrations did not
suffice to influence Sir George in his opinions. He was an Englishman!
He refused or neglected to take the necessary steps either to verify
or to disprove the conclusions of Adams. He held in hand the
mathematical computations of that genius from October of 1845 to June
of the following year, when the astronomer Leverrier, of Paris,
published to the world his own tables of computation, proving that the
disturbances in the orbit of Uranus were due to the influence of a
planet beyond, and indicating the place where it might be found. There
was a close agreement between the point indicated by him and that
already designated by Adams.

It seems that this French publication at last aroused Sir George Airy,
who now admitted that the calculations of Adams might be correct in
form and deduction. He accordingly sent word to Professor Challis to
begin a search for the unknown orb. The latter did begin the work of
exploration, and presently saw the planet. But he failed to recognize
it! There it was; but the observer passed it over as a fixed star. As
for Leverrier, he sent his calculations to Dr. Galle, of Berlin; and
that great observer began his search. On the night of the twenty-third
of September, 1846, he not only _saw_ but _caught_ the far-off world.
There it was, dis