WCP2822

[1]

68 Redcliffe Square,

London, S.W.

21.4.03.

Dear Dr Wallace,

The fundamental hypothesis of nearly every determination of the Solar Apex is that the ‘peculiar’ motions of the stars have no preference for any particular direction. Oscar Stumpe¹ says, for instance; ‘all investigations have depended upon the assumption that star-movements obey no definable law’. (Astronomische Nachtrichten, No. 2999.).² O. Struve,³ however, introduced into his equations an expression for possible galactic rotation, but got a null result; and Stumpe imitated his procedure with a similar upshot.

If, on the contrary, the stars had a systematic drift, the course of the sun’s travel deduced on the supposition that they had none, would of course be falsified. And the error would naturally affect the velocity as well.

If you have sufficient confidence in me to trust me with your valuable M.S., I will do what I can, and may at least promise to take the utmost care of it.

Your’s [sic] sincerely, A. M. Clerke⁴ [signature]