It has, if you remember, the largest lens in the world, and with it
astronomers can look farther into space than with any other glass now in
existence.

At the end of last May the big telescope was in position, and the
scientific world waited anxiously to hear of the wonders it would
reveal.

Professor Barnard, who is in charge of the observatory, stated that it
was impossible even to guess what discoveries might be made with it.

He stated that it allowed the observer to penetrate one-fourth farther
into space than the famous Lick telescope. It was therefore to be
supposed that some new knowledge about the moon and the planets would
soon be obtainable.

He expected that in the course of a few weeks he would be able to give
some new information about the planet Jupiter and its moons, and Saturn
and its rings. He hoped also to give a fuller description of the hills
and valleys on the desolate surface of the moon.

Unfortunately his hopes will not be fulfilled for a long time to come.

But eight days after the first peep had been obtained through the great
glass, a very unfortunate accident happened in the observatory.

The elevating floor of the telescope gave way, and fell forty feet, to
the bottom of the dome.

Two astronomers had been observing the stars the entire night, but