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i rniucuuc x ioma o still in existence. I might hare done this, I say, if a scientific friend had not requested me. Just before I left Baltimore, to ask a queatlon of the astronomers in Palermo. Professor 8iraon Newcomb is the friend to whom I refer. uIf you have an opportunity,” ho said, “ask the astronomers in Palermo if Piazzi's instruments, used about 1800, are still in existence in their original condition and accessible.'1 This was the one question with which I came charged to Sicily, and it proved to be a pleasant introduction to much that was unexpected. I have often noticed, in traveling, that a definite purpose brings in its train many indirect and unexpected pleasures. So it was with Professor Newcomb's inquiry. Without Ceres there wguld have been no group of asteroids.My first step was to ask the name of the director of the observatory. This led to inv becoming acquainted with the proprietor of the hotel, Mr. Rugusa, who proved to be ft local entomologist and the editor of a Journal of science, II Naturalista Sictliano, published at his sole expanse. He introduced me to auother German entomologist. Dr. Dohrn, and I quickly learned that he is the father of the biologist. Dr. Dohrn, who has for several years maintained at Naples a marine laboratory for the study of animal life. Dr. Brooks has often quoted the experience of Dr. Dohrn when he has wished to promote the interests of the Chesapeake Zoological Laboratory.I learned from Mr. Ragusa that Signor Caceiatore, lately director of the observatory, is not living, and that his place is now filled by Signor Iticeo. But I had no introduction to this gentleman, and felt a little hesitation, quite ueedless, a9 it proved, as to calling upon him. At any rate, I was determined not to go to the observatory without first becoming familiar with the history of the discovery that has given It such renew n. 1'ortuue favored my research. In an antiquary’s shop I bought for a few francs a pamphlet, addressed by Piazzi to his sov-ereign tu 1802. giving in popular language' an account of the circumstances which led to the successful search for a planet between Mars and Jupit* r. I hold that pamphlet in my bauds. On its title page there is a vignette, which shows the city of Palermo, its quay, tts mole and its shipping. Beyond the city rises Monte Pellegrino—-a characteristic peak nearly 2,000 feet in height. In the Heavens Is a figure of the planet Jupiter, attended by four moons and the planet Mur-, and between the two Ceres rides triumphant in her oar. Above the picture a recent hand has written the cryptogram of Kepler, (A. D. 1596,' Inter Jov^m it Martern plane tarn inter-plt;#it. A little beyond the title is an elevation of the observatory as it appeared in 1802. This I *,f mpar«*d with a view of the observatory in 1800. Piaui's dome is still in its original place, though now surmounted by a larger dome. The elements of the structure are unchanged. This seat of astronomical science, as I have intimated already, rises above the Cape 11a Palatina, above the roof or the royal palace, and it is the highest point upon the plain of Palermo.But I learned much more from the letterpress of the pamphlet than from its pictures. Alter allusions to Kepler’s prophecy, and to the announcement of Bode’s law, and tho discovery of Herschel, he speaks of the association of twenty-four astronomers, which was formed near the end of the eighteenth century to look for the prophesied planet, Piazxi, it appears, in his remote home, did not even know that he were invited to be one of the co-operating observers. He was engaged iu hU own line of research, mapping the stars in a certain region of the sky, when he met with the goo 1 fortune to which others had aspired in vain. It is needless to give the details of a story which is a well-known chapter in the history of modernastronomy.After having refreshed my memory of PiazrTs discovery I went to the observatory, and climbed up the successive flight of stairs which leads to the director’s apartment. It was only neoessary to present an official card and the astronomer came at once to welcome us. “I know the Hopkins University,'’ he said, “from its publications.” On the wall of the library, in which we were received, were views of the principal observatories of the world, Washington among them. An engraved portrait of Pinfczi was also there, a likeness of Father 8ecutyl also, and those of other Italian astronomers. Theu I asked my question. “Certainlv, he said, “as a mark of pious respect, all Piazzi’s instruments are preserved. Will you come and see them? So he took us within the little dome that we had noticed as we drew near the building. In the corridor there was a portrait in oil of Pizzi, showing a thin, haggard face, the dress of the ecclesiastical order to which he belonged, the Tbeatins, and a finger pointed heavenward to the planet Ceres an inch and a-half above his shoulders. The custodian unlocked the door and we stood by the circle, of London manufacture, through which Pt-azzi first saw the eighth planet of our solar j system. The instrument appeared to be i*i excellent order and to be cared for with well-merited reverence. Ceres Ferdinandea was the name by which the first of the asteroids was christened, and the motto which Piaxzi affixed to his report of the discovery was the appropriate lino of Tibullus: Sti*i di catlo protpicU cirvd Ctrit.I owe Professor Newcomb the remembrance of a very pleasant hour in the observatory above the Palace In the royal cityof Palermo.Naples had for me two great attractions in addition to those which are found in its immediate vicinity, Vesuvius, Herculaneum and Pompeii. Tho first of these is the National Museum, formerly known as tho Museo Borbonico, and famous the wide world over as the great repository of statues, bronzes, vases, glass, and innumerable objects exhumed in this region from the debris of tho buried cities. The second is tbo
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