1821.] Astronomical Sotiety, 317 



present character — such as the parallax of the fixed stars, their 

 proper motion, the motion or rest of om* own system, and its 

 connection with the rest of the universe. But these and many- 

 other points, are too obviously suggested by their importance to 

 need any particular notice or encouragement. The man for 

 whom discoveries of this class are reserved, soars far beyond any 

 distinction which this Society can bestow : the applause of the 

 human race attends his labours ; and no additional stimulus can 

 be offered to those by which he is impelled." 



In consequence of a communication from Captain Basil Hall, 

 expressing his readiness to attend to any instructions on subject^ 

 wherein he might be of service to the science of astronomy in his 

 intended voyage to the South Seas, the Council have delineated 

 with great minuteness and ingenuity, their wishes in regard to 

 his undertaking. The formation of an Astronomical Library, one 

 of the objects of the Society, is then noticed; and (he dt>nations 

 by the East India Company of many valuable papers on astrono- 

 mical subjects, and of a series of observations made at the 

 Observatory at Madras, are acknowledged. The alteration of 

 several of the regulations; the appointment of Committees 

 for various purposes ; the notice of the discussion of a plan 

 for examining the heavens in minute detail; and the state- 

 ment of the constant accession and unqualified approbation of the 

 continentaPastronomers, constitute the remaining topics of this 

 report ; which thus concludes : " On the whole, the Council 

 cannot view this new impulse which appears to have been given 

 to astronomy in all parts of the world, without anticipating the 

 most beneficial results to the science. The establishment of 

 several new Observatories on the continent of Europe (one of 

 them above the sixtieth degree of north latitude) under the 

 direction of men eminent in science, and vieing with each other 

 in the most honourable branch of emulation — the rising efforts 

 of our countrymen in the East Indies — the zeal of our brethren 

 on the American continent — the foundation of a public Observa- 

 tory at Cambridge, and another at the Cape of Good Hope (both 

 so honourable to our own country) — must ensure the good wishes 

 of every fi'iend to science, and excite the admiration of every 

 reflecting mind." 



Article XVII. 

 NEW SCIENTIFIC BOOKS 



PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION, 



An Analogical Inquiry into the probable Results of the Influence of 

 Factitious Eruptions in Hydrophobia, Tetanus, Non-Exanthematous, 

 and other Diseases incidental to the Human Body, illustrated by Cases. 



