I have said that F.R.S. and medals were
to be his. But he is, we fondly trust, in a better and higher
state than that of earthly distinction. Best assured, your
husband's name must ever be associated with the really great men
of his day. Those who knew him will ever cherish his memory."
Mr. Cooke left behind him the great works which he founded in
Buckingham Street, York. They still give employment to a large
number of skilled and intelligent artizans. There I found many
important works in progress,--the manufacture of theodolites, of
prismatic compasses (for surveying), of Bolton's range finder,
and of telescopes above all. In the factory yard was the
commencement of the Observatory for Greenwich, to contain the
late Mr. Lassell's splendid two feet Newtonian reflecting
telescope, which has been presented to the nation. Mr. Cooke's
spirit still haunts the works, which are carried on with the
skill, the vigour, and the perseverance, transmitted by him to
his sons.
While at York, I was informed by Mr. Wigglesworth, the partner of
Messrs. Cooke, of an energetic young astronomer at Bainbridge, in
the mountain-district of Yorkshire, who had not only been able to
make a telescope of his own, but was an excellent photographer.
He was not yet thirty years of age, but had encountered and
conquered many difficulties. This is a sort of character which
is more often to be met with in remote country places than in
thickly-peopled cities.
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