Royal Astronomical Society. 7B 



tion of his papers it appears that the number of positions determined 

 both with the mural circle and transit instrument, from April 10, 

 1832, to May 24, 1833, is between 5000 and 6000. The transit 

 observations (made chiefly by Lieut. Meadows) are found to be care- 

 fully written out, with the column headed " correction of instru- 

 ment " filled up for the whole period ; and that headed " correction 

 of clock " from the commencement to October 31, 1832. The circle 

 observations, which were all made by himself, are in a similar state 

 of forwardness ; and it may be inferred from the appearance of the 

 papers, that if he had lived a few months longer, and the work had 

 proceeded at the ordinary rate, the whole would have been ready for 

 the press. 



A statement of the results deduced by Mr. Henderson from his 

 Cape observations could not be properly concluded without an ex- 

 pression of admiration for that disinterested zeal which led him to 

 undertake and execute so great an amount of extra-official labour. 

 The observations, it will be remembered, were made at a public esta- 

 blishment, and their reduction was matter of public concern and im- 

 portance ; and after his resignation of the appointment, the public had 

 no claim on his services more than on those of any other individual. 

 But, as already remarked, considerations of this kind never, in any 

 degree, influenced his conduct ; and, during ten long years, he gra- 

 tuitously devoted to this purpose all the time he could spare from 

 his official duties. In the same circumstances almost any other 

 person would have claimed, and undoubtedly have obtained, both 

 assistance and remuneration. 



In addition to the results now mentioned, he rendered still an- 

 other important service to the astronomy of the southern heavens, in 

 superintending the reduction of the stars observed at the Cape by 

 Lacaille. This work, which he undertook at the instance of Mr. 

 Baily for the British Association, was announced as completed in 

 our Annual Report for 1843 ; but it has not yet been published. 



Mr. Henderson's labours in the Edinburgh Observatory are well- 

 known to astronomers from the five volumes of observations which 

 have been published for 1834-1839. A sixth volume is understood 

 to be left nearly ready for publication ; and the observations for the 

 remaining years will, no doubt, still be rendered available to science. 

 The published volumes are prefaced by an Introduction, containing 

 a minute and most lucid description of the instruments and methods 

 used in the observations and reductions, with every detail and ex- 

 planation which can contribute to give authenticity and value to the 

 work. His first year's observations having been referred to this 

 Society by the Home Secretary, a committee of the Council reported 

 them to be of first-rate excellence, and recommended their publica- 

 tion as matter of scientific importance. This report has been rati- 

 fied by all astronomers ; and, so far as they have yet been published, 

 the Edinburgh observations not only do credit to the astronomer and 

 his assistant, Mr. Wallace, but have conferred on the Observatory a 

 high reputation among the similar institutions of Europe. 



Although the periodical publication of the Edinburgh observations 



