Page:Percival Lowell - an afterglow.djvu/148

Percival Lowell

Bravo! for what you wrote of your astronomical evening at the H. U. Ast. Laboratory! You are a true Martian and one to be proud of. Meanwhile the Director of the above-mentioned laboratory has been having the time of his life thanks to his own good expert eyesight. His strides in detection have beaten all records—blue water round the melting cap, canals seen better and better each night until finally doubles and straight narrow lines. After giving him a long wait nature relented, showing him first a projection, a rare event and then last night seeing 8-9, in which E. C. Slipher discovered a new division in Saturn's ring B near the Crape ring which he, Prof. Willson, saw perfectly and finally belts and oblateness of Neptune, the latter of which I suspected Jan. 19. Truly his visit came to an end in a blaze of glory which he greatly appreciated. He burst out in the den with "This is the happiest moment of my life."

Telegrams go to you of all these finds or have gone. Neptune yet needs confirmation which I may attempt tonight. 112