member of various prominent clubs, including the Cosmos and Metropolitan of Washington, the Century and Metropolitan of New-York, and the St. Botolph of Boston. Among his connections with scientific bodies are those of correspondent of the Academy of Sciences, of the Institute of France, Foreign member of the Royal Society of London, Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Associate of the Royal Astronomical Society, member of the National Academy of Sciences, of the American Philosophical Society, of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the American Psychical Society. He has been president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and of the American Branch of the British Psychical Society, and he was (1904) vice-president of the English Psychical Society and of the American Philosophical Society. He has never taken an active part in political affairs.
Professor Langley has never adopted any definite system of physical culture and has not been especially interested in athletics. Formerly he was very fond of horseback riding, but in later years he has found his chief recreation in golf. For relaxation and for health, as well as for enjoyment, he has taken ocean voyages and traveled in foreign countries.
In the choice of a profession his circumstances in early life were such as to leave him free to follow his inclinations. His interest in everything pertaining to astronomy dated from childhood, and it naturally led to the course of study and investigation in which he has been engaged throughout his active life. He has read extensively in natural science and in English and French literature. The influences which have been most powerful in aiding him to win success he names in the following order: Heredity, home, and private study. Contact with men in active life has left its impress; but this has been of only secondary importance, particularly in relation to the early part of his career.
Professor Langley died at Aiken, South Carolina, February 27, 1906.
