A Merited Appointment

Some time ago the authorities in Washington decided to transfer the weather bureau from the war to the agricultural department, and to separate it entirely from the signal service, It iherefore became necessary to select a new chief. Secretary Rusk's attention was early drawn to Mark W. Harring;on, of the Michigan University. Inquiries were soon directed 10 various scientific men, all of which were favorable to the professor. A number of Michigan men interested themselves in bis behi'M", and as a result the appointment of Prof. Harrington was soondecided upon. The pogition pays $4,500 a year. The chief lines of research relate to the influence of the atmosphere upon soils and crops, thus affording enviable opportunities for a scientist. Those who know Prof. Harrington hare no doubt that he will fully utilize them. Mark Walrod Harrington was born in 1848 on a farm near Sycamore, Illinois. Through his father he is a descendant from the earliest settlers in New England. The celebrated judge, Theophilus Harrington, was a member of the family. Through his mother he is a descendant from the Dutch of New York state, her family name being Walradt. Mr. Harrington received his early education at Evanston, and in 1868 he graduated from the University of Michigan, at the age of nineteen. For two years he was instructor of biological sciences. In 1870 be went to Alaska as astronomical aid in the United States Cnavt Survey, which was conducted by W. H. Dell. He returned to the University in 1872, and four years later went to Leipsic for an extended course of study. So great was his proflciency that, at the end of a few months, he was appointed professor of mathematica and astronomy in the school of the Chinese Foreign Office at Peking. He was compelled, however, after one year's work, to return to America on account of hishealtb. In 1879 Mr. Harrington was called to the chair of astronomy, made vacant by the death of the famous Professor Watson. This position he has held continuously until the present time. Prof. Harrington's achievements as a scientist are well known. He it was who in 1884 founded the American Meteorological Journal, now printed at the Register office. It is needless to say that this. monthly has conferred great honor upon the editor and has done much to further the study of astronomy. The professor is a life member of the Linnean Society, of London, England, and a fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society. He has traveled extensively and is well versed, not only in astronomy and meteorology, but in other sciences and the languages. He has always been a prolific writer. He was married in 1874 and has one living child. Both Mr. and Mrs. Harrington have been highly esteemed in society, circles. Mrs. Harrington has deyoted much attention to astronomical studies and has given her husband much valuable assistance in many ways. While Ann Arbor people will congratúlate Prof. Harrington on having gained a very desirable position, purely on merit and aside from political considerations, they cannot but regret that the University is again called upon to lose one of its distingnished sons. It will not be an easy task to fill his position.