The proceedings of the Canadian Eclipse Party, 1869

Before giving an account of my proceedings in reference to the eclipse, I think it only right, in justice to our party, to state that the arrangements were made very hastily, as it was not until the last moment that would admit of my reaching the station allotted to me by the American astronomers, viz., Jefferson City, that I was informed that $400 had been appropriated for the purpose of taking my telescope to Iowa.
The party consisted of Mr. Douglas, Mr. Falconer, and myself.
As we had only three days to get ready, there was much to be done, dismounting the telescope and making cases for the several parts, and carefully packing photographic materials. Instead of the stone support for telescope (eight inches aperture and 9 feet focus) I had one made of wood, but as the centre of gravity was raised so high by using wood, I had to take great care in the formation of the base; however, the stability was excellent. Our arrangements were all complete by the 26th of July, and we started that evening by the Montreal boat.
For the benefit of those who may undertake an expedition of a similar kind, it may be well to mention a few incidents that occurred during our journey, which, although trifling in themselves, may prove useful to future eclipse parties. I may mention that two of the cases, containing parts of the telescope, were directed “Eclipse Expidition,” with three i’s in Expedition. This was pointed out to me at Montreal, but the mistake is excusable, for evidently the more eyes we have in an astronomical expedition the better. With regard to original spelling, I will relate the following anecdote, which would have suited “Artemus Ward.”
The boatswain of a man-of-war has to keep a rough expense book of the different stores that he uses, and this is checked by the master, who on one occasion sent for Mr. Parks, and when lie came, he said: “Oh, Mr. Parks, you have expended too much rope for those ‘jib guys;’ it will surely be found fault with; you had better reduce the quantity;” and on handing him the book, he said: “By the bye, b-l-o-x is not the way to spell blocks.” The boatswain took the book very sulkily; and after he had taken two steps towards the door, he turned round, and said “Well, sir, if b-l-o-x don’t spell blocks, what do it spell?”