Maria Mitchell: Life, Letters, and Journals | Page 8

to the first discoverer of a
telescopic comet. The regulations, as revised and amended, were
republished, in April, 1840, in the "Astronomische Nachrichten."
When this comet was discovered, the king who had offered the medal
was dead. The son, Frederick VII., who had succeeded him, had not the
interest in science which belonged to his father, but he was prevailed
upon to carry out his father's designs in this particular case.
The same comet had been seen by Father de Vico at Rome, on October
3, at 7.30 P.M., and this fact was immediately communicated by him to

Professor Schumacher, at Altona. On the 7th of October, at 9.20 P.M.,
the comet was observed by Mr. W.R. Dawes, at Kent, England, and on
the 11th it was seen by Madame Rümker, the wife of the director of the
observatory at Hamburg.
The following letter from the younger Bond will show the cordial
relations existing between the observatory at Cambridge and the
smaller station at Nantucket:
CAMBRIDGE, Oct. 20, 1847.
DEAR MARIA: There! I think that is a very amiable beginning,
considering the way in which I have been treated by you! If you are
going to find any more comets, can you not wait till they are announced
by the proper authorities? At least, don't kidnap another such as this last
was.
If my object were to make you fear and tremble, I should tell you that
on the evening of the 30th I was sweeping within a few degrees of your
prize. I merely throw out the hint for what it is worth.
It has been very interesting to watch the motion of this comet among
the stars with the great refractor; we could almost see it move.
An account of its passage over the star mentioned by your father when
he was here, would make an interesting notice for one of the foreign
journals, which we would readily forward.... [Here follow Mr. Bond's
observations.]
Respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
G. P. BOND.
Hon. Edward Everett, who at that time was president of Harvard
College, took a great interest in the matter, and immediately opened a
correspondence with the proper authorities, and sent a notice of the

discovery to the "Astronomische Nachrichten."
The priority of Miss Mitchell's discovery was immediately admitted
throughout Europe.
The King of Denmark very promptly referred the matter to Professor
Schumacher, who reported in favor of granting the medal to Miss
Mitchell, and the medal was duly struck off and forwarded to Mr.
Everett.
Among European astronomers who urged Miss Mitchell's claim was
Admiral Smyth, whom she knew through his "Celestial Cycle," and
who later, on her visit to England, became a warm personal friend.
Madame Rümker, also, sent congratulations.
Mr. Everett announced the receipt of the medal to Miss Mitchell in the
following letter:
CAMBRIDGE, March 29, 1849.
MY DEAR MISS MITCHELL: I have the pleasure to inform you that
your medal arrived by the last steamer; it reached me by mail,
yesterday afternoon.
I went to Boston this morning, hoping to find you at the Adams House,
to put it into your own hand.
As your return to Nantucket prevented this, I, of course, retain it,
subject to your orders, not liking to take the risk again of its
transmission by mail.
Having it in this way in my hand, I have taken the liberty to show it to
some friends, such as W.C. Bond, Professor Peirce, the editors of the
"Transcript," and the members of my family,--which I hope you will
pardon.
I remain, my dear Miss Mitchell, with great regard,
Very faithfully yours,

EDWARD EVERETT.[Footnote: See Appendix.]
In 1848 Miss Mitchell was elected to membership by the "American
Academy of Arts and Sciences," unanimously; she was the first and
only woman ever admitted. In the diploma the printed word "Fellow" is
erased, and the words "Honorary Member" inserted by Dr. Asa Gray,
who signed the document as secretary. Some years later, however, her
name is found in the list of Fellows of this Academy, also of the
American Institute and of the American Association for the
Advancement of Science. For many years she attended the annual
conventions of this last-mentioned association, in which she took great
interest.
The extract below refers to one of these meetings, probably that of
1855:
"August 23. It is really amusing to find one's self lionized in a city
where one has visited quietly for years; to see the doors of fashionable
mansions open wide to receive you, which never opened before. I
suspect that the whole corps of science laughs in its sleeves at the farce.
"The leaders make it pay pretty well. My friend Professor Bache makes
the occasions the opportunities for working sundry little wheels,
pulleys, and levers; the result of all which is that he gets