o make some observation included in the programme.

This was certainly a new departure from the free and easy way in which
we had been proceeding, and it was one which might be unwelcome to
any but a zealous astronomer. As I should get the lion's share of
credit for its results, whether I wanted to or not, my interest in the
work was natural. But it was unreasonable to expect my assistants,
one or two of whom had been raised to the rank of professor, to feel
the same interest, and it is very creditable to their zeal that we
pursued it for some time as well as we did. If there was any serious
dissatisfaction with the duty, I was not informed of that fact.

During the second year of this work Admiral Davis was detached and
ordered to sea. The question of a successor interested many besides
ourselves. Secretary Welles considered the question what policy
should be pursued in the appointment. Professor Henry took part in
the matter by writing the secretary a letter, in which he urged the
appointment of an astronomer as head of the institution. His position
prevented his supporting any particular candidate; so he submitted
a list of four names, any one of which would be satisfactory.
These were: Professor William Chauvenet, Dr. B. A. Gould, Professor
J. H. C. Coffin, U. S. N., and Mr. James Ferguson. The latter held
a civil position at the observatory, under the title of "assistant
astronomer," and was at the time the longest in service of any of
its force.

A different view was urged upon the secretary in terms substantially
these: "Professors so able as those of the observatory require no
one to direct their work. All that the observatory really needs
is an administrative head who shall preserve order, look after
its business generally, and see that everything goes smoothly."
Such a head the navy can easily supply.

The secretary allowed it to be given out that he would be glad to
hear from the professors upon the subject. I thereupon went to
him and expressed my preference for Professor Coffin. He asked me,
"How would it do to have a purely administrative head?"

I replied that we might get along for a time if he did not interfere
with our work.

"No," said the secretary, "he shall not interfere. That shall
be understood."

As I left him there was, to my inexperienced mind, something very
odd in this function, or absence of function, of the head of an
establishment; but of course I had to bow to superi