Correspondence from Charles Leander Doolittle, 1883-1893

1883 March 18 thanks for the trouble in looking up “my stars.” Says “in regard to prospects for the future – the shutting of the Lake Survey Office and other government work makes the field rather over Crowded in the direction of Geodesy and Astronomy – if money is the consideration with you, I should say the prospects at present are more favorable in the direction of civil engineering. If you have a taste for teaching geometry and algebra to freshmen it is possible that an opening may be found here next year. Our classes are growing so large that we shall require more help.” 1883 March 27 extremely probable that another instructor will be needed – Doolittle thinks his recommendation will be accepted and tells Richard what his duties will consist of teaching geometry as astronomy classes are never large but would want him to attend to the work of the seminars at the observatory. Pay would be $1000. per annum with an increase of $200 if remain long enough. 1883 May 21 says to send in a formal application for position of instructor in Mathematics here. He is confident of appointment if economy is not overstrained. Duties would be 12 or 15 hours per week of class instruction and some work at the observatory with the class in engineering, entrance examinations, and taking chapel absences – this work would be shared by Mr. Meaker and himself. 1883 June 21 says that Richard has been appointed instructor in Mathematics at Lehigh, work begins September 3, please inform if position is still acceptable. 1883 June 26 outlines the mathematical work of next term – the subject is Analytical Geometry, as to rooms nothing is vacant in Packer Hall every corner is occupied for class rooms and laboratories, so many students that the most desirable rooms in tower are booked. 1891 April 19 Doolittle (Bethlehem) to Tucker remarks about the poor financial situation in Argentina for Tucker in rate of exchange, at Lehigh life just drifts along, new course in Electrical Engineering introduced as the latest fad so many students going into it at a diminishing rate to other engineering courses – most notable in Mining and Mechanical engineering . Dr. Lamberton just returned from six month tour of Europe, Asia and Africa for his health. Doolittle still grinding away at the latitude problem which is an aberration, East Survey is going into this matter of change of latitude this year, Prof. Mendenhall wanted a series of Zenith telescope observations made at your observatory (Argentine National Observatory) – he said that Dr. Gould did not give him much encouragement. Bass wrote to say that he is much interested in change in administration of the Washington Observatory, had article in Sidereal Messenger not much interest – he should be interested in a change. 1893 September 7 Doolittle (Bethlehem) to Tucker reports that Tucker’s Departure from Lehigh was a disappointment to many including Cunningham, still studying the latitude work as he wants to get out a preliminary value for publication. Doolittle reports about meetings in Madison and Chicago with reports of the progress of the Yerkel telescope of interest to Tucker for comparison with the Lick. Upon return to Bethlehem the first news was the death of Pres. Lamberton who was buried in Harrisburg, some professor from Lehigh accompanied the body to Harrisburg, seems no hurry to replace him, Chandler is again mentioned.