46 Memoir of the late Francis Daily, Esq.^ F.R.S.^ ^c. 



tlie Pleiades, through which the moon had to pass at each 

 lunation in 1822 and the following years, thereby affording 

 admirable opportunities for applying the principle in question. 

 I should not, however, have thought it necessary, in the midst 

 of so many claims on our notice, to draw especial attention 

 to this work, but for one passage in it deeply interesting to all 

 of us. I mean that in which he alludes to the formation of 

 an Astronomical Society as an event earnestly to be desired. 



" It is much to be regretted," he observes, " that in this 

 country there is no association of scientific persons formed for 

 the encouragement and improvement of astronomy. In almost 

 all the arts and sciences, institutions have been formed for the 

 purpose of promoting and diffusing a general knowledge of 

 those particular subjects, .... the beneficial effects of which 

 are too evident to be insisted on in this place. But astronomj', 

 the most interesting and sublime of the sciences, . . . .cannot 



claim the fostering aid of any society The formation 



of an Astronomical Society would not only afford this advan- 

 tage, but would in other respects be attended with the most 

 beneficial consequences," &c. &c. 



It is thus that coming events cast their shadows before them. 

 But looking back from this point, as it were, to the then em- 

 bryo state of our corporate existence, it would be ungrateful 

 not to associate with the name of Francis Baily that of Dr. 

 Pearson, as having at or about the same time made the same 

 suggestion. It was happily and speedily responded to, and 

 on Wednesday the 12th of January 1820, a preliminary meet- 

 ing of the fourteen founders of our Institution took place, 

 which resulted in its final establishment, and in which during 

 the first three years of its existence Mr. Baily filled the office 

 of secretary, in other words, undertook and executed the more 

 laborious and essential duties. The establishment of this 

 Society may, indeed, be considered as a chief and deciding 

 epoch in his life, and to have furnished, though not the motive, 

 yet at least the occasion, for the greater part of his subsequent 

 astronomical labours. Looking to it, as every one must do, 

 as a most powerful instrument for the advancement of the 

 science itself, and the propagation of a knowledge of and a 

 taste for it among his countrymen, he yet appeared to regard 

 it as something more than simply as a means to an end. He 

 made it an object of personal attachment and solicitude, which 

 led him to watch over its infant progress with parental care, 

 and to spare no exertion in its behalf. As years passed on, 

 and as the Institution flourished, (as every institution must do 

 which is constituted on sound principles, whose members are 

 loyal to those principles, and willing to work heartily in its 



