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Men of Invention and Industry-Part49_Samuel Smiles(1812-1904)_English Literature(文学名著)-第2页

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Physics in the College of Science, 'Newcastle-on-Tyne, published

a letter in The Scotsmam, intimating his desire to be informed of



the particulars of the meteor's flight by those who had seen it.

As I was one of those who had observed the splendid meteor flash



northwards almost under the face of the bright sun (at 10.25

A.M), I sent the Professor a full account of what I had seen, for



which he professed his strong obligations. This led to a very

pleasant correspondence with Professor Herschel. After this, I



devoted considerable attention to meteors, and sent many

contributions to 'The Observatory' on the subject.[4]



"You ask me what are the hours at which I make my observations?

I am due at the railway station at six in the morning, and I



leave at six in the evening; but I have two hours during the day

for meals and rest. Sometimes I get a glance at the heavens in



the winter mornings when the sky is clear, hunting for comets.

My observations on the sun are usually made twice a day during my



meal hours, or in the early morning or late at evening in summer,

while the sun is visible. Yes, you are right; I try and make the



best use of my time. It is much too short for all that I propose

to do. My evenings are my own. When the heavens are clear, I



watch them; when obscured, there are my books and letters.

"Dr. Alexander Brown, of Arbroath, is one of my correspondents.



I have sent him my drawings of the rings of Saturn, of Jupiter's

belt and satellites. Dr. Ralph Copeland, of Dunecht, is also a



very good friend and adviser. Occasionally, too, I send accounts

of solar disturbances, comet a within sight, eclipses, and



occultations, to the Scotsman, the Dundee Evening Telegraph and

Evening News, or to the Blairgowrie Advertiser. Besides, I am



the local observer of meteorology, and communicateregularly with

Mr. Symons. These things entirely fill up my time.



"Do I intend always to remain a railway porter? Oh, yes; I am

very comfortable! The company are very kind to me, and I hope I



serve them faithfully. It is true Sheriff Barclay has, without

my knowledge, recommended me to several well-knownastronomers as



an observer. But at my time of life changes are not to be

desired. I am quite satisfied to go on as I am doing. My young



people are growing up, and are willing to work for themselves.

But come, sir," he concluded, "come into the garden, and look at



the moon through my telescope."

We went into the garden accordingly, but a cloud was over the



moon, and we could not see it. At the top of the garden was the

self-registering barometer, the pitcher to measure the rainfall,



and the other apparatus necessary to enable the "Diagram of

barometer, thermometer, rain, and wind" to be conducted, so far



as Coupar Angus is concerned. This Mr. Robertson has done for

four years past. As the hour was late, and as I knew that my



entertainer must be up by six next morning, I took my leave.

A man's character often exhibits itself in his amusements. One



must have a high respect for the character of John Robertson, who

looks at the manner in which he spends his spare time. His



astronomical work is altogether a labour of love. It is his

hobby; and the working man may have his hobby as well as the



rich. In his case he is never less idle than when idle. Some

may think that he is casting his bread upon the waters, and that



he may find it after many days. But it is not with this object

that he carries on his leisure-hour pursuits. Some have tried--



sheriff Barclay among others[5]--to obtain appointments for him

in connection with astronomical observation; others to secure



advancement for him in his own line. But he is a man who is

satisfied with his lot--one of the rarest things on earth.



Perhaps it is by looking so much up to the heavens that he has

been enabled to obtain his portion of contentment.



Next morning I found him busy at the station, making arrangements

for the departure of the passenger train for Perth, and evidently



upon the best of terms with everybody. And here I leave John

Robertson, the contented Coupar Angus astronomer.



Some years ago I received from my friend Mr. Nasmyth a letter of

introduction to the late Mr. Cooke of York, while the latter was






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