Astronomical Society. 381 



years, from the date of his first considerable mathematical production 

 on the integration of equations of differences, in the Turin Memoirs 

 in 1/72, to almost the moment of his death, his march was in the 

 van of intellect 5 and the highest point of scientific attainment to 

 which the age had reached, was uniformly marked by his progress. 

 His whole career was a succession of brilliant and profound disco- 

 veries, where every great step in the theoretical departments of ana- 

 lytical science was sure to be attended with a corresponding advance 

 in its practical application j and every difficulty which occurred in 

 applying his principles to the sublime problems of physical astronomy, 

 served only to give rise to new methods, and create more powerful 

 engines of mathematical inquiry j a rare combination, — of which Ar- 

 chimedes and Newton had afforded the only previous examples, — of 

 a philosophical spirit of the first rank wielding all those unbounded re- 

 sources of abstract science, which a few extraordinary men of a diffe- 

 rent turn may have perhaps possessed in an equal or superior degree, 

 but which only attain their highest value when exerted from the van- 

 tage-ground of a mind at home in every department of experimental 

 philosophy, impressed with the fullest sense of the importance of 

 practical application, and familiar with all the means of disentan- 

 gling principles from natural phenomena. Laplace also afforded a 

 conspicuous instance of that union of gentle and amiable social qua- 

 lities, which is one of the best characteristics of the highest order of 

 genius — as indicating a mind secure of its rank. No pretension — no 

 assumption — nothing dictatorial in science or offensive in taste, 

 marked his mild and modest deportment. They, who have heard 

 his sublimest views propounded with the diffidence of a youth seek- 

 ing information ; they, whose early scientific attempts have been en- 

 couraged, and whose maturer efforts were assisted and directed by 

 his talents, — will long retain a penetrating sense of this estimable 

 feature of his character. 



The only one of the prize questions proposed at the instance of the 

 Council in February 1824, the period of which remained unexpired 

 during the year elapsed, is that relating to the development of the 

 differential equations of the lunar theory, and the improvement of the 

 lunar tables. No answer has been received to this question ; and the 

 proposed period has now expired. The Council have not thought it 

 adviseable either to prolong this period, or to propose any new ques- 

 tions for the present or future years : but, should subsequent re- 

 searches either afford complete solutions of any of those questions, or 

 material elucidations of their peculiar difficulties, future Councils will 

 not fail to bear in mind the importance that attached to their subjects 

 in the minds of former ones, and recommend to the Society the ac- 

 cordance of such marks of their approbation as the degree of progress 

 made in them may appear to demand. 



Two medals have been awarded this year by the Council. One 

 to Sir Thomas Macdougal Brisbane for the inestimable benefit 

 conferred by him on astronomical science, in the establishment of his 

 observatory at Paramatta in New South Wales, and for the valuable 

 and important series of observations made there by himself, and under 



his 



