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This institution, not yet fairly under weigh, has got into trouble, and the trustees have summarily removed Mr. B. A. Gould from the post of Superintendent Astronomer, for alleged impertinence and incivility, and also for his want of attention to what they conceivcd to be the business of the Observatory. The Albany Argus contains a full and spicy acconnt of the whole proceedings, to which we would refer such of our readers as may be further interested. This matter is akin to the troubles which for some years past have disturbed and uearly destroyed the usefulness of the American Association—a small clique who have their headquarters at Cambridge, Mass., and whom the Albany trustees designate as the "wise men of the east," assume to dictate and rule in all matters of science, and attempt to ostracise all who do not in some way bow before the great New England university. These men have studiously resisted all attempts to introduce practical topics for discnssion in the Association, and do not consider the thoughts and snggestions of any enterprising mechanic as at all worthy of their attention. They would much rather discuss the question "Why roosters crow at night," or the " mathematics of phylotaxis," or still better, spend their time in self-adulation. Since the above was written, Mrs. Dudley has requested a majority of the trustees to resign, and the Scientific Council has also reprimanded them. Altogether it seems as if our quiet gubernatorial city was going to be the scene of a great disturbance, and, until the difficulty is settled, we hope that the stars will not miss their accustomed watching. Heally these quarrels in an institution designed for the world's benefit make the combatants look very small, and cause the world to lose its appreciation of men of science.
