At various times the great explorer, the great military
strategist, has been the most important of men. To-day the most
important man is the organizer of industry. He is really the
most important, not only in the size of his reward, but in the
service which he renders. Nature gives the biggest reward to him
who does the most important work.
A thousand centuries from now the most important human being will
be the most efficient astronomer.
The man who shall bring us accurate news of other worlds will be
welcomed as was Christopher Columbus or Drake or Raleigh in his
day.
Women will be very important factors in astronomical research.
The work of the astronomer is especially the work of patience, of
enthusiasm, of devotion.
Patience, enthusiasm and devotion are more highly developed in
women than in men.
Already, in view of her extremely limited opportunities, woman
has done admirably well in the field of astronomy. We note that
it is a woman at Cambridge whose stellar photographs first
located the new star in Perseus. In England, in Germany and in
France women astronomers are doing work almost equal to that of
the best men.
Everybody will remember the faithful labor of Herschel's sister,
working all through the night and sleeping through the day, month
after month and year after year, helping her great brother in his
studies.
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