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Report of the Council of the Forty-Sixth Annual Meeting of the Royal Astronomical Society

ADMIRAL W. H. SMYTH

Admiral WILLIAM HENRY SMYTH was born at Westminster January 21st, 1788. He was the only son of Joseph Brewer Palmer Smyth, Esq., of New Jersey, and Georgina Caroline, granddaughter of the Rev. M. Pilkington. He was a direct descendant of the celebrated Captain John Smith, who has been termed the “Saviour of Virginia.” During the American War of Independence Mr. J. B. P. Smyth warmly espoused the cause of the mother country; but the success of the revolutionists was fatal to his fortunes, and the only compensation his’ family ever received for the loss of large possessions, was the granting of a small annuity to Mrs. Smyth after the death of her husband, which followed closely on the termination of the war. At an unusually early age young Smyth followed the bent of his ardent predilections for a maritime life by shipping on board a West India merchantman, which for­tunately was commanded by an intelligent Master in the Royal Navy, who took some pains in teaching his protégé the rudiments of seamanship and navigation; and it may safely be asserted that he had an apt and ready pupil. He afterwards served in the East India Company’s ship Cornwallis; and this vessel being purchased by his Majesty^‘s Government and commissioned as a frigate under the command of Captain (afterwards Admiral) Johnston, his long-cherished wish to serve in the navy was at length gratified. He continued to serve under the same excellent officer in that vessel, and subsequently in the Powerful, of 74 guns, until she was paid off in 1809, during which period he saw much active service in the Eastern Seas, notwithstanding the fact that the ship, during a large portion of the time, was so crazy as to be hardly seaworthy. Mr. Smyth then joined the Milford, of 74 guns, and again became engaged in active service on the French coast; and his vigilance, activity, and courage won the regard and approbation of his superior officers. The Milford was sent to Cadiz in the autumn of 1810, and immediately on arrival, Mr. Smyth was appointed to the command of a large Spanish gunboat (the Mors-aut-Gloria), manned by a British crew of thirty-five men, and mounting a long brass 36-pounder and a 6-inch howitzer. In this vessel he took an active part in nearly every operation of the flotilla, operating on the Spanish Coast. The Mors-aut-Gloria was one of a numerous fleet of gunboats, which, from the dash and energy displayed in handling them, were called “fire-eaters,” and among them the Mors-aut-Gloria was especially distinguished. On one occasion, we are told, she fired upwards of seventy rounds, and seemed to attract the particular attention of the French gunners; probably from her superior size, and the conspicuous death’s-head and cross-bones with which her bows were decorated, so that their ricochet shot were constantly splashing the spray over her, and cut several of her sweeps; yet, strange to say, she sustained no damage. Notwithstanding the ceaseless vigilance required from Mr. Smyth during these stirring times, he managed to find time for reading and self-improvement; and, indeed, every moment that he could spare from his professional duties was devoted to hard study. Thus early he laid the foundation of his future reputation.

It appears that, on his arrival on the Spanish coast, Mr. Smyth at once embraced every opportunity that presented to make himself acquainted with the hydrography of the district, and the knowledge he thus acquired proved of great service in the prolonged naval operations of the war. Some excellent charts which he constructed of La Isla-de-Leon and the neighbouring coast, showing accurately the strength of the various French and Spanish batteries, having been submitted to Lord Melville, combined with his own distinguished services as an officer, procured him a lieutenant’s commission, bearing date March 15th, 1813, which was accompanied by a note of a very gratifying character from that nobleman.

Almost immediately after the receipt of his commission, he was appointed to a command in the Anglo-Sicilian fleet at Messina under Brigadier Sir Robert Hall; and here we will take the liberty of making an extract from Marshall’s Naval Biography:

“One of the first services in which Lieutenant Smyth appears to have been employed was a confidential mission to the Court of Naples, then just wavering in its allegiance to Napoleon Buonaparte. Early in 1814 he proceeded to Palermo in command of the Scylla brig, having Sir Robert Hall’s flag on board; and while there, was exposed to a serious personal danger. In the night of the 19th of February, being on shore with the Brigadier, he received a report that the Scylla was in flames. The wind then blew a furious gale, with heavy torrents of rain, and he had the utmost difficulty in getting a boat launched from Porta-Felice. On rowing a little way out, he perceived a large ship in flames and adrift, and that his own vessel was riding in safety.”

In April 1814 the abdication of Napoleon put an end for a time to the European war, and Lieutenant Smyth immediately applied himself to a minute survey of the Island of Sicily, of which he executed numerous plans and charts, which were highly approved by Admiral Penrose, who had been appointed to the command of the Mediterranean Station, and were warmly commended by him to the notice of the Board of Admiralty. He also, at his own cost and without official instructions, carried on an extensive series of hydrographical operations connecting Sicily with the adjacent coasts of Italy and with Barbary. These voluntary labours fortunately were appreciated by the authorities at home, who, on September 18th, 1815, advanced him to the rank of Commander, and directed his charts to be engraved in the Admiralty office. It was also arranged that Captain Smyth should publish a full description of Sicily and the neighbouring islands, the Admiralty agreeing to purchase 100 copies. This work was published in 1824 in a quarto volume with numerous illustrations, and from the exhaustive manner in which the subject was treated, and the vast amount of useful information brought together, it attracted much attention both at home and abroad.

He next became engaged, in company with Colonel Hanmer Warrington, in the collection of numerous specimens of ancient architecture from the ruins of Leptis Magna in Barbary, which had been offered to the British King by the Bashaw of Tripoli. These were afterwards deposited in the Courtyard of the British Museum, but were subsequently removed to Windsor, and have served as models from which many architectural decorations have been copied.

From the close of the War to the year 1825 he was almost uninterruptedly employed in his Surveys of the Mediterranean; a labour, the importance of which has been fully recognised.

It is particularly interesting to Members of the Royal Astronomical Society to observe that it was during the Survey of the Mediterranean that Captain Smyth confirmed that intense love of Astronomy which he retained through life, and to the advancement of which he afterwards devoted many of the best years of his life.

Here is his own account of the method pursued in obtaining the latitudes of the principal points in the Survey:

“Many of the principal latitudes were taken on shore with the 9-inch quintant and artificial horizon, and with the reflecting circle and sextant; but some of the first-class were obtained with a fine 15-inch altitude-and-azimuth circle, by means of sets, with the face of the instrument alternately turned to the east and the west.”

During the prosecution of this survey he formed an intimate acquaintance with the great Italian astronomer Piazzi, for whose talents and character he entertained a high admiration.

In the year 1815 he married Annarella, the only daughter of T. Warington, Esq., of Naples, a lady of great ability and rare accomplishments; and who through all his scientific labours of every description was his devoted companion and assistant.

Released at length by the publication of his Mediterranean Sea, he resolved to cultivate the taste for astronomy which he had imbibed, and which, he tells us, “received its sharpest spur at the close of 1813, when I accidentally assisted Piazzi in reading some of the proof-sheets of the Palermo Catalogue.^” His first intention was to form a standard catalogue of the principal stars in the northern hemisphere, by comparison with the standard Greenwich stars, but fortunately for astronomy he afterwards abandoned the idea of “grinding the meridian.” Acquiring a powerful refracting telescope in 1830, he resolved to enter “upon a wider scrutiny of the general sidereal phenomena.” Settling at Bedford he matured his plans, and erected the Observatory which has since been so fully described in the publications of the Society, as well as in the work on astronomy which he afterwards published, that a detailed account of it is here unnecessary, but at the time of its erection, and for some years afterwards, it was undoubtedly the most complete and practically useful private Observatory in existence, and has been the model from which numerous other private Observatories have been built.

The object for which the Bedford Observatory was designed having been completed, it was dismantled in 1839; the Equatoreal was purchased by Dr. Lee, and re-erected at Hartwell House in a remarkably well-appointed Observatory designed by Captain Smyth. In making the transfer to the Doctor, Captain Smyth stipulated for the occasional use of his old favourite, which was readily conceded; and during a period of twenty years he continued to make extensive observations with it, especially after taking up his residence at St. John’s Lodge, within a short distance of Hartwell.

In 1839 Captain Smyth removed_. to Cardiff, in order to superintend the construction of the immense floating-docks at that port by the Marquis of Bute, but he employed all his leisure hours in arranging and reducing his Bedford observations for the press. These were all embodied in the work now so familiar to the amateur astronomer, which appeared in 1844, entitled A Cycle of Celestial Objects, a work justly esteemed as one of the most captivating and popular treatises on elementary and especially sidereal astronomy in our language. The second volume of this work forms the “Bedford Catalogue,” of 850 celestial objects arranged in order of right ascension, and embodying the results of all his micrometrical and other observations. The descriptions of the various objects are enlivened with a vast amount of general classic and antiquarian lore, introduced in a most genial spirit. The astronomical value of the Catalogue is of course mainly dependent on the accuracy of the micrometrical measures. This has been severely tested by many observers of experience; and it may safely be said that in this all-important element the Cycle will stand the most critical tests that can be applied. On the appearance of the Cycle of Celestial Objects the Society marked their appreciation of its value by awarding their gold medal to its author. In presenting the medal Mr. Airy, the President for the year, used these emphatic words: “My confidence in the exactness of the observations is purely personal. Knowing the attention which has been given to the instrumental adjustments, the intentness of the observer upon his work, the nerve, which is made steady rather than disturbed by the anxiety to procure a good observation, and the general skill in the management of the instruments, I can truly say that if an accurate observation were required I should desire that it should be made by Captain Smyth.^" In handing over the medal he added, “And I beg leave to convey with it the expression of my own opinion that never was a medal more worthily earned." It is twenty years and more since these words were uttered, but every observer of double stars, every amateur astronomer, will heartily endorse these sentiments.

The publication of the Cycle by no means terminated the astronomical labours of Captain Smyth. For many years, when leisure permitted, he returned to his telescope with all his old zeal and accuracy; and his observations, entirely on objects in the "Bedford Catalogue," were afterwards partly published in a quarto’ volume, entitled Fides Hartwellianae, but afterwards in a more complete form in a work entitled Speculum Hartwellianum,_, which appeared in 1860, gracefully dedicated to those who had in any way assisted him in his researches. This work is a supplement to the "Bedford Catalogue,^" containing the results of observations made at Hartwell between the years 1839 and 1859, bringing up to the latter date the history of many of the more remarkable double stars. Among them y Virginis occupies a conspicuous place. Captain Smyth fortunately observed the perihelion passage of the comparison star in 1836, and with such rapidity was it performed that, although its period is probably somewhere about 180 years, he has actually measured it through a course of position angle of 270°! From Captain Smyth’s measures alone (but we must now term him Admiral, for he was gradually promoted to the highest rank) Mr. Hind computed the elements of its orbit. The result was in remarkable accordance with the elements deduced by our ablest astronomers from a considera­tion of ALL the recorded measures of y Virginis. This must be accepted as decisive testimony to the accuracy of Admiral Smyth’s measures, as well as to his sustained vigilance and skill through a period of thirty years.

The same volume contains a history of all the circumstances attendant on the discovery of the planet Neptune, and from the fact of his being President of the Society during the warm and animated discussions which this discovery gave rise to, he had ample opportunities of hearing and weighing every point in the controversy. For close logic and terse statement of fact the article in question can hardly be excelled in the circle of astronomical literature, and it is impossible to rise from its perusal without a conviction that it is the production of a fearless and able man, anxious only for the truth.

The Admiral’s last astronomical work was a little brochure entitled Sidereal Chromatic’s, which also may be considered as supplementary to the Cycle. It contains many curious facts and interesting speculations on the subject of the colours of stars, and a first attempt to verify the tints by reference to a distinct and well-defined chromatic scale.

Such was Admiral Smyth as an Observer and astronomical writer. It is not our purpose to trace his career except as an astronomer, and, as a member of our Society, further than is necessary to a correct appreciation of the MAN. He has left his mark on all he touched. As a geographer, a hydrographer, a numismatologist, and an antiquarian, he was equally distinguished by the depth of his inquiry, his untiring industry, and the sagacity of his deductions. A reference to his works on the Mediterranean and on Ancient Medals, will at once satisfy the inquiries on these points.

As a member of the Royal Astronomical Society his memory will ever be revered. He joined the Society in 1821, very shortly after its first establishment, and from that time to a very recent period he served it either in the capacity of Member of the Council, Foreign Secretary, Vice-President, or President. How he discharged the various duties which these several positions placed him in can now be only known fully to some of the older members of the Society. For many years he attended constantly both our Council meetings and our ordinary meetings. As President during the exciting period before alluded to, he displayed to advantage the many admirable qualities of his mind, and by his obvious fairness and impartiality, though holding strong opinions himself, he guided the Society in safety, and left on the minds of those engaged in the discussions of the period the conviction that every body and every opinion had had fair play.

He possessed most of the qualities necessary for President of a body like our Society, ample information on every subject that arose, a memory rarely at fault, courage of the highest kind, and that happy blending of firmness and good-humour which both commands and wins. It may be said, with perfect truth, that the Society has never numbered among its members one more anxious for its interests, more faithful in services, or more jealous of its honour.

After “the Admiral “ (as he has been almost invariably termed of late years) removed to St. John’s Lodge, the distance from town and a tendency to bronchitis rendered his attendance at our meetings less constant than heretofore, but his interest in our welfare was unabated, and his counsel often sought and followed.

For many years he was a member of the Board of Visitors of the Royal Observatory, where he was always attentive to business, and gave his hearty support to every measure which tended to promote the efficiency and usefulness of that establishment.

As President of the Astronomical Club, he was always genial and courteous, ever keeping things in happy order, and by his ready wit and flow of humour compelling the maintenance of good fellowship.

During his residence in London, he was a leading member of various other scientific societies, and in every one he connected himself with he became at once an influential member. Of these we may enumerate the United Service Institution, of which he may be said to have been the founder. He was a fellow of the Royal, the Geographical, and Antiquarian Societies. Of late years, though with mental vigour unimpaired, and a capacity for work as strong as ever, he led a life of comparative retirement, yet preparing a MS. which is now in type. He felt the necessity of quiet after so prolonged a life of activity, and this feeling was deepened by the sudden loss of a beloved and accomplished daughter a few years ago,—a loss from which it may be doubted if he ever fully recovered.

He still occasionally came to town, but, as he expressed it, he “felt his days were over" for taking a prominent part in public affairs. During the last few years of his life he suffered at times from a painful disorder, but his general health was good, and his mind as strong as ever. In the spring of last year it became evident to his family that age was beginning to tell upon him to some extent, but it was not until within the last two or three weeks of his life that any fears of an impending change were entertained. Early September he had an attack, from which, however, he seemed to recover in a great measure, and was able to drive out, and to move about in the house pretty much as usual. On Friday the 8th of September, he was able to take a short drive; in the evening he was cheerful as usual, and sufficiently well to be able to adjust a small telescope, and show the planet Jupiter to his little grandson, Arthur Smyth Flower, with whom he chatted in his usual playful manner when talking to children. This was almost the last act of his life. He retired to bed at his usual hour, and was able to undress without much assistance. A few hours afterwards he was seized with a sudden suffusion of blood on the lungs, and shortly. afterwards, peacefully and without a struggle, his noble and gentle spirit passed to its eternal rest. It was a death such as he wished to die. He dreaded a lingering illness with gradually decaying mental and bodily faculties. Conversing with the writer of this memoir on this subject some years ago, he expressed himself with much feeling, and in his own expressive phraseology added, “I trust when the ‘Fell Sergeant^‘ does come to me he will strike home.” His death occurred early in the morning of September the 9th, 1865, and a few days afterwards his remains were laid by the side of his beloved daughter in the little churchyard at Stone, near Aylesbury. He was in the 78th year of his age.

It may truly be said of him that whatever he did he did it with his might. When at his work he tolerated no interruption, but when his day’s work was done he was the most joyous of companions. He had a great fondness for children, and used to fill his pockets with new half-pennies, to distribute to those he met in his daily walks. To the young astronomer he was ever ready to lend a helping hand, and when a new observatory was to be built, he was generally consulted.

His letters were very characteristic of the man,—short, sharp, always to the point, and sailor-like in phrase. His handwriting was as clear and legible as the best print, every letter was distinct, and if ever handwriting showed the character of the writer it was his.

Admiral Smyth has gone from among us, but he has left behind him a memory which will long be cherished, and an example which cannot be too closely followed. Every member of the Society will join with your Council in the expression of sympathy with his bereaved widow and family, and in their admiration of one who was both great and good.* [I. F.]

* The writer acknowledges his obligations to Sir John Herschel and the Astronomer Royal.