Publications of the Astronomical Society, &c. 147

PRACKA, LADISLAV. Prague. 1909. 4°. Paper.

Erste Studie über den Lichtwechsel der Sternes 122. 1906 (R. R.) Ceti. 12 pp.

Beitrage zur Unteruschung des Lichtwechsels veränderlicher Sterne. 101 pp.

SCHIAPARELLI, G. V. Misure di stelle doppie negli anni 18861900. Milano. 1909. Folio. 226 pp. Boards.

Board of Directors-Messrs. R. G. AITKEN, CHARLES BURCKHALTER, W. W. CAMPBELL, WM. H. CROCKER, CHARLES S. CUSHING, JOHN D. GALLOWAY, GEORGE E. HALE, A. O. LEUSCHNER, FREMONT MORSE, E. J. MOLERA, D. S. RICHARDSON.

Finance Committee-Messrs. CHARLES S. CUSHING, WM. H. CROCKER, JOHN D.

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RICHARDSON.

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Published by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific at 748 Phelan Building. San Francisco, California. Subscription price, $5.00 per year.

OF THE

Astronomical Society of the Pacific.

VOL. XXII.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, October, 1910

No. 133

SIR WILLIAM HUGGINS, K. C. B., O. M.

By W. W. CAMPBELL.

The name of Sir WILLIAM HUGGINS is intimately associated with the entire history of astronomical spectroscopy. With RUTHERFURD, SECCHI, ÅNGSTRÖM, DRAPER, and others, he was a pioneer in this subject; and by virtue of long life, enthusiasm, and uncommon wisdom, his contributions have enriched astronomical knowledge during a full half century. His lamented death on May 12, 1910, at the ripe age of eighty-six years, calls for a review of his remarkable career.

WILLIAM HUGGINS was born in London on February 7, 1824. His father was in commercial life, and was able to provide the son not only with a good education, but the financial means to follow astronomy in a private capacity, unattached. to university or established observatory. His early education was received in the City of London School, and he later studied the languages, mathematics, and various branches of science extensively under private tutors. Astronomy and microscopy were subjects of special interest, and it was a difficult question with him as to which he should attempt to advance through original investigations. The decision was made in favor of astronomy. In 1856 he removed to 90 Upper Tulse Hill, then a short distance in the open country south of London, now within the great city, where he erected an observatory in connection with his dwelling-house; and there. all of his work was done. "It consisted of a dome twelve feet in diameter and a transit-room. There was erected in it an equatorially mounted telescope by DOLLAND of five inches