United States Naval Academy - Lucky Bag Yearbook (Annapolis, MD)

Page 23 text:

ilr Navigation Department If Marcq St. Hilaire had only lived, he would have realized the ambition we know he must have had, namely, that of seeing how much time and energy could be and had been expended in the process of determining those devilish, elusive, little a ' s of his. What unspeakable, inexpressible honor he would have experienced in seeing his lines of position all out of position, a sight of Polaris giving a South Latitude (as it has often done with us) and G. M. T ' s that wouldn ' t know Greenwich if they stubbed their toes on the O — meridian! Oh, Bowditch, how sadly and wearily your meanings have been construed, how unappreciative the world has been of your true worth! But we know, good Bowditch, ah yes, we know! At last, we understand in the fullness of our knowledge (ye Gods! what bitter irony!) how and why you got your mis- cellaneous pile of incom- prehensible junk together. M ' g treasure your good book, old boy (when we are M V A — work) , and here ' s hoping your life was hap- . B P pi than ours has been!