“The Spectrum of Terbium.” By H. E. Roscoe and A. Schuster. Chem. Soc. Jour. XLI. (1882), pp. 283-287.
The only attempt he was able to make to contribute to our knowledge of the chemistry of the sun by spectroscopic observations had an unlucky ending. He formed one of the members of the Government expedition sent to Sicily to observe the total solar eclipse of December 22, 1870. The following letters refer to this subject:
Victoria Park, Manchester,
November 2, 1870.
Lockyer has asked me to go with him in the American Eclipse Expedition. I have a good mind to do so, but I have written to say that I was not sure that I could make the observations alone (!), and that it would be very desirable that you should go too! So we shall see what comes of it.
I am unfortunately laid up with an attack of gout, which quite disables me and reduces me to the level of the beasts that perish. However, I hope soon to be all right again.
I will write to Francis about the Lisbon paper, which ought certainly to be out.…
Did Schorlemmer write to you about your attacking the Germans for attacking the French? He was quite wild, and came up to me in such a state of excitement that I could scarcely understand what he said. However, under the influence of cigars and a bottle of sherry he cooled down again and perhaps has buried his resentment.
Huxley comes for the first of the Science Lectures on Friday.
I am delighted to hear of your numbers of evening students, and was much pleased by your Introductory. I have no doubt that the laboratory will fill too. You must have patience.
Owens College, Manchester,
November 19, 1870.