THE LATE SIR ROBERT BALL.
[To THE EDITOR 07 THE "SPECTATOR."]
Srs,—Sir Robert Ball, the eminent astronomer, who died at Cambridge on the 25th inst., was, like the late Professor Tyndall, a most excellent popular lecturer, especially to juvenile audiences, and when I commanded the ' Britannia' he came down to stay with me at Dartmouth and gave a course of three lectures on astronomy which was much appre- ciated by the cadets, as well as by all others who were able to attend. The ignorance of some boys on ordinary matters connected with the heavens is often so conspicuous that I would venture to suggest to the headmasters of our great schools the desirability of arranging a course of astronomical lectures for each term, which might be given out of school hours and possibly become popular.—I am, Sir, &c.,
N. BOWDEN-SMITH.
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