Coming Home from Sicily

Abstract

THE Eclipse Expedition has gone forth and returned, having on the whole been most successful in its observations. But never, perhaps, was science pursued under greater difficulties. The hot haste in which all the necessary preparations and arrangements had to be made and perfected before departure is already well-known; the combination of circumstances which impeded our locomotion on the outward journey to Sicily; the slight mishap on the Brenner, and the unfortunate loss of the beautiful Psyche have been noised abroad, but the return journey was not accomplished without mishaps, although nothing has been said about them. The stars in their courses fought against Sisera not more relentlessly than did the elements against us.