Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy, Discovery, Controversy, Publishing

    Reports on a dispute in the 'scientific world' between Urbain J J Leverrier and John Couch Adams over the discovery of 'the new Planet'—Neptune. Regrets that the original 'finder' was not able to mark the planet 'with his initials, or take some course to prove his right to the article'. Rubbishes Adams's claim that 'the press of other occupations' prevented him from publicising his earlier observations of the planet. Believes that new planets cannot be 'overlooked' so readily and that Adams has not treated them with the 'respect' they deserve.