and the Santa Cruz mountains to the west, a bit of the Pacific and the Bay of Monterey to the southwest, the Sierra Nevada, with countless ranges to the southeast, the San Joaquin valley, with the Sierras beyond, to the east, while to the north lie many lower ranges of hills, and on the horizon, Lassen's Butte, one hundred and seventy five miles away. The Bay of San Francisco lies flat before you like a child's dissecting map, and beyond it is Mount Tamalpais, at the entrance to the Golden Gate. Monte Diablo lies to the northeast, forty-one miles distant. Mount St. Helena is not visible. Mount Hamilton dominates all its neighbors, and holds a singularly isolated and advantageous place.

The land for the site (1350 acres) was granted by Congress on June 7, 1876, and a purchase of 191 acres was subsequently made by the Trustees, to enable them to control the access of the reservation.

Mr. Lick died on October 1, 1876. At his death a number of legal questions arose which required some years to settle. It was not until 1879 that the financial affairs of the trust were in such a condition that active preparations for the observatory could be begun.

In the summer of this year, Mr. Burnham, a most distinguished observer of double stars, was asked by the Trustees to transport his own very perfect telescope to the summit of Mount Hamilton, and there to actually make an extended series of observations similar to those he was constantly making at Chicago, his home, or at the observatories of Dart mouth College and of Washington, where he was a frequent visitor. In this way a very satisfactory judgment of the fitness of Mount Hamilton for an observatory site could be had.

Mr. Burnham spent the months of August, September and October on the summit, in a small canvas-covered observatory, which was perched on the narrow saddle of the mountain peak.

His report to the Trustees gives a sober but an enthusiastic account of the prevailing conditions. Of sixty nights, no less than forty-two were of the very highest class, seven were quite suitable for observations, while

eleven were cloudy or foggy. This estime of high class nights does not rest simpy the observer's judgment. He has left an e tensive series of actual measures of diffe double stars, and a catalogue of forty:: new doubles discovered by him during the short period. It is to be noted that in man cases Mr. Burnham's new double stars ber peculiar witness to the excellent conditions of vision. He was examining with his sa inch telescope the stars which had been de scribed as double by the elder Struve, zi the nine-inch telescope of Dorpat. Struve telescope collected two and one-fourth times more light than the other, and was one arda half times more efficient in pure separating power. Yet stars which Struve had cata logued as double, were found by Mr. Burnham to be triple. Other new stars of great culty were found.

Mr. Burnham says: "Remembering the these stars were discovered with what, these days of great refractors, would be com sidered as a very inferior instrument in pot: of size, we may form some conception a what might be done with an instrument cí the power of that at the Naval Observatory (twenty-six inch aperture), or with the Pul kowa glass (of thirty inch aperture)."

The large telescope of the Lick Observa tory is to have an aperture of thirty-six inches, and a length of sixty feet.

Another most important point is not spe cially noted by Mr. Burnham. Not only are many nights of the highest excellence, but a large proportion of the remaining ones are very suitable for work. There are many tronomical researches where it is of great im portance that a series of observations should be continuous; and for all such researche: Mount Hamilton is an almost unrivaled site. This stay of Mr. Burnham's was a con vincing proof that the site for the future servatory had been well chosen.

The Trustees have followed a wise poin in inviting various astronomers to spend short periods at Mount Hamilton, and to ad vise them upon the work of construction and equipment. These invitations have been timed as to enable the visiting to render material aid in the construction

astronomen

the observatory, by setting up the various instruments in the best manner, or so as to permit these instruments to be thoroughly tested by actually making observations of permanent value by their aid. In this way, the Trustees have obtained observations of the Transit of Mercury (1881) and of the Transit of Venus (1883), in addition to securing competent professional judgments on the work then completed, and valuable opinions on that still remaining to be done.

The actual work of construction was begun in 1880, under the personal supervision of Capt. R. S. Floyd and the superintendent of construction, Mr. Fraser. Their unceasing care, great practical knowledge, and ready comprehension of purely astronomical requirements have contributed to the excellence of the observatory in no small degree. The summers of 1880 and 1881 were spent in obtaining a suitable platform for the observatory buildings, by blasting the rock away until a level surface was obtained thirty-two feet lower than the original summit. A sufficient water supply was obtained and utilized at once. In later years the earlier and temporary arrangements have been replaced by permanent ones.

All the buildings of the observatory proper are now completed, except the dome for the large equatorial. A suitable dwelling house has been erected, others will be required. All the principal instruments of the observ. atory but one have been designed, ordered, constructed, inspected, and are now suitably mounted so that observations could be at once begun. Most of the minor apparatus is also in place.

An extensive astronomical library is required, which is in course of formation. In order to do valuable and original work, it is necessary to know exactly what has been lone by others. Hardly any gift to the ɔbservatory would be so useful as a permanent library fund.

perfect kind, and to transfer this to the Regents of the University of California, together with the unexpended balance of the $700,000 originally given by Mr. Lick. The organization of the astronomical force is entrusted to the Regents, who appoint the director of the observatory and the various astronomers, and who pay the salaries of the latter from the income of the observatory. Probably this income, when it is available, will be sufficient for the purpose. In the mean time, there are astronomical observations which should be begun at once, but which cannot be unless the salaries of the competent assistants can be provided for.

It is of the first importance to find some means of paying the salaries of one or two observers for the years 1886 and 1887, in order that the magnificent equipment may be at once put to its legitimate uses. great sum is required, but a few thousand dollars at this time would be of real service.

No

In any event, it will not be very long before the observatory enters into activity. The only questions yet remaining are the fabrication of the large object-glass and the preparations for its use. The rough glass is now in the hands of the makers, Messrs. Alvan Clark & Sons. There is no reason to doubt their success in an undertaking for which they have served a magnificent apprenticeship, in making the equatorials at Madison, Princeton, Washington, University of Virginia and at Pulkowa.

A dome of about seventy feet in diameter and an elaborate mounting for the telescope must be ready for the objective when it leaves the hands of the makers. These constructions must be most carefully studied, but it is certain that they can be successfully made. In a comparatively short time the generous gift of Mr. Lick to his fellow-citizens of California is sure to bear fruit.

The new observatory is magnificently built, endowed, and placed; and it has a field of work before it which is in many respects unique. Everything will depend upon the faithfulness of the astronomers who are privileged to utilize these perfect instruments

Edward S. Holden.

PERSONAL admirers, friendly critics, and distinguished members of the dramatic profession have paid their tribute to the dead tragedian, in praise of his manly qualities, his social nature, and his kindness of heart; but in noting the career of the popular actor, the great reason for his success in his profession has been overlooked. He has been spoken of as a chairmaker, who, on some almost unremembered occasion, appeared in a small part in a comedy played at one of the Philadelphia theaters; as a suddenlypromoted utility man, entrusted with the delivery of a few words in the tragedy of "Julius Cæsar." But there must needs have been many months of patient work, and of earnest study of authors and of the dramatic art, to have enabled the hitherto uncultured chairmaker to appear as a leading tragedian before very large audiences in nearly every city in the United States, and even to win unstinted praise from the London critics, who are usually cynical when called upon to admit that an actor from America is the possessor of a spark of dramatic talent. In the courtry where Edwin Forrest had been chilled by cold reviews of his performances, McCullough won recognition on his merits as an actor, and made many warm friends among the patrons of the drama. Dion Boucicault had predicted a great London success for his impersonation of Virginius, and the prediction was fully verified.

John McCullough did not pose as a student, did not wear a preoccupied air when brought in contact with people off the stage, nor wrinkle his brow, as if in deep thought; he laid no plans to be pointed out as "one of the most diligent students in the profession": and thus the man who did not act when out of the theater, who could find time to exchange salutations with his friends, iudulge in a chop at a rotisserie, or play a game of billiards at a hotel, was rated as a "genial gentleman and a delightful compan

ion; a pretty good actor in some parts; bet he doesn't study-he will never rank wh Doleful Lugubrious as a star." Occasionally, however, it would be noted that the man with the unaffected manner and cheerful és position had, in his early career, always "understudied" the other parts in the plays in which he appeared, and that the preca. tion thus taken at such great pains, had fre quently made his services available in the case of sudden illness of the person whose lines had been understudied. It is also re lated that on one occasion, when the inds position of the great star necessitated the substitution of another play or the closing # the theater, and subsequent great loss to the manager, the warm-blooded young actor mi unteered to give a performance and accep any play that the company had recent played in, or that the members were me familiar with-and did appear in one of the most difficult of the legitimate tragedies the evening, to the great delight of those wh composed the audience. It seems to hav never occurred to some of the writers who utterances go to make up public opinion that a man may be a diligent student. yet have time to mingle with the world s they themselves mingle; and the fact has parently been overlooked that John McC£ lough was earnestly devoted to his professio with rare unselfishness, and that too m study probably caused the breaking dom that resulted in his untimely death.

Long before the time when Mr. Forres engaged him as leading man, the young acto had eagerly read such works on the dramı as were accessible to him; and on being en couraged to make use of the extensive libr collected by the great tragedian, the steder spent every available minute of his time : devouring the contents of the many valuabe works which had been thus placed at command. Mr. Forrest took frequent sion to satisfy himself that the young

was profiting by his study, and would fre quently question him as to his understanding of the plays he had read, or as to the meaning of passages that are regarded as obscure. In these questionings the young man frequently responded with whole pages of the text from memory; but mere repetition of the words would not suffice the tutor ; an answer was required that would show a knowledge of the meaning of the author. It was before the time when the phrase was invented that permits the popular actor to claim that he has "created the character" in the play which has for the time struck the fancy of the public. The tutor held that the province of the actor was not only to conscientiously deliver the language of the playwright, but to faithfully portray the character created by the author, and this could only be accomplished by diligent study of the whole play. As the student turned over the leaves of a volume of Shakespeare, and mis eye rested on the tragedy of "Hamlet," me inquired why that tragedy was no longer ncluded in the list of plays to be presented n the engagements made by the great tragedian. This opportunity to test the young nan's memory and understanding could not De overlooked: vivid amen

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"Don't you know that the Prince of Denmark, according to popular idea, should be played by an actor of juvenile appearance= stripling not yet of sufficient age to succeed o the throne left vacant by the death of his ather? And yet the author does not furish the basis for the popular idea. How Hoes Shakespeare describe Hamlet physially?"

The reply was instant: "As a man of mirty years of age, an athlete, and of full abit."

“Quote the lines that warrant that descripon."

They are to be found in the fifth act, à the scene with the grave-digger; in the cceptance of the challenge delivered by Dung Osric; and in the fencing scene. I ill read the colloquy between Hamlet and he First Clown, as he is called in the olume:

"Hamlet.-How absolute the knave is! we must speak by the card, or equivocation will undo us. How long hast thou been a grave-maker?

1st Clown. Of all the days 'i the year, I came to't that day that our last king Hamlet overcame Fortinbras.

Hamlet.-How long is that since?

1st Clown.-Cannot you tell that? every fool can tell that. It was the very day that young Hamlet was born; he that was mad, and sent into England. Hamlet.-Ay, marry, why was he sent into Eng

land?

1st Clown.-Why, because he was mad: he shall recover his wits there, or, if he do not, it's no great matter there.

Hamlet.-Why?

1st Clown.-'T will not be seen in him; there the men are as mad as he.

Hamlet.How came he mad?

1st Clown.-Very strangely, they say. Hamlet.- How strangely?

1st Clown.-'Faith, e'en with losing his wits. Hamlet.-Upon what ground?

1st Clown-Why, here, in Denmark. I have been sexton here, man and boy, thirty years.

1st Clown... Here's a skull now; this skull has lain in the earth three and twenty years.

Hamlet.Whose was it?

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Hamlet. Let m me see. Alas, poor Yorick !—I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy: he hath borne me on his back a thousand times.',

"After the acceptance of the challenge, Horatio expresses his fear that Hamlet will lose the wager with Laertes, and Hamlet replies: "I do not think so: since he went into France I have been in constant practice; I shall win at the odds!

"And during the fencing bout, in the presence of the court, the Queen completes the description, while expressing her fears at the result:

"King.-Our son shall win. Queen.

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He's fat and scant of breath. Here, Hamlet, take my napkin, rub thy brows:

The Queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet.

1

Come, let me wipe thy face.'"

Many years after his conversations with Mr. Forrest, McCullough expressed his grat

itude to his patron for the benefit derived from his association with him, and even for the hard work that fell to his lot, in relieving the star of the drudgery of rehearsal at the different theaters where he played. McCullough rehearsed the part to be taken by Mr. Forrest, and instructed the members of the company in the "business" of each scene. Even in the play of "The Gladiator," the single manuscript copy of which was jeal ously guarded by its owner; McCullough was able to give the cues by repeating the speeches of Spartacus, which he had memorized by hearing them delivered during the play.

After accepting an engagement at Maguire's Opera House, when Mr. Forrest had practically retired from the stage because of his sciatica, McCullough's contract required him to support such actresses as Mrs. Bowers, but he could decline to support any male star, unless one of the first magnitude. In the intervals occasioned by the appearance of such performers as Dan Bryant, McCullough had the privilege of making a venture in Virginia City on his own account, and at once captured the impulsive citizens of that then prosperous place. On the day of his benefit the men about town inaugurated a plan for insuring the greatest receipts for any single performance ever given in that place: at each cigar-stand where tickets for the benefit were on sale, a dozen men were engaged in shaking dice to determine which one of the number should pay for twenty tickets of admission; and after the tickets were delivered to the winner, they would be instantly destroyed, and another "shake entered upon. The benefit yielded over two thousand dollars, though the theater would hold only six hundred. It was not the money that gratified him, so much as the fact that he found a community so friendly that they would tolerate any kind of perform ance, as he expressed it, and he "trespassed on their good nature by appearing as Richelieu." He continued: "It has been my ambition for some time past to appear as the Cardinal, but I could not have mustered up courage to try it with any less friendly audi

ence; but they have asked me to play it again on my next visit! "

After four presentations of the play, he said: "Now I feel that I may put the char acter on my list, but it was an awful trial to give it for the first time."

Love for his art predominated-no sacrifice was too great where any good could be accomplished by surrender of rights, or dignity, or profit. When Mrs. Lander played an engagement at the Metropolitan Theater to empty benches, she was very much embit tered against the people of California for their lack of appreciation. Mr. McCullough persuaded her to play two weeks at the California Theater, not only setting aside an attraction that was bringing in good returns, but volunteering to take any part in any of the plays in her repertoire; and more than that, he visited his personal friends, and asked them to attend the performances as a tribute to the great actress. McCullough appeared with her in the plays "Marie Antoinette," "Queen Elizabeth," and "Marie Stuart," but his courtesy was severely tested when he was asked to appear in "Masks and Faces" (the play selected for her benefit). It was easy for the beneficiary to step down from her throne to play the part of Peg Woffington, because old-time custom had sanctioned the presentation of a comedy by a tragedienne on a benefit night ; but there was scarcely anything to justify the appearance of so ponderous an actor as McCullough in the part of Triplet. But the audience accepted the performance, without knowing the reason for the odd cast.

Walter Montgomery's appearance at the Metropolitan Theater had been equally unfortunate, and Mr. McCullough gave him an opening at the California Theater at the sacrifice of good business. It was during this engagement that Mr. Montgomery made his hit in "Louis XI." Before the close of the engagement, Mr. McCullough treated the San Franciscans to another Shakesperian revival-"Julius Cæsar"-with a cast of characters surpassing any previous presentation, and that will not be equaled for many years - Walter Montgomery as Mark An