Second Report of the British Association. 463 



having reached that country,) and the equations of condition were regularly 

 prepared for the correction of the elements. I suppose such a thing has 

 never been done in England. This system must however contribute power- 

 fully to produce that strong connexion between physical theory and practi- 

 cal observation, which is general on the Continent, but which does not exist 

 in England. 



" I believe that in the actual state of our institutions, reasons might be 

 found which would seem to render it improbable that there ever can be so 

 strong a connexion : and I can only hope that my view may be incorrect. 

 There is one point with regard to the foreign astronomers to which I cannot 

 help alluding, without however intending to draw any distinct inference. It 

 is, that they have first obtained distinction while in the lower departments 

 of the observatories. Encke's reputation was first acquired, not when he 

 became Astronomer at Berlin, but when he wa3 assistant at Seeberg : and 

 Bessel became known in every part of Europe, not as Astronomer at Konigs- 

 berg, but as assistant at Lilienthal. Walbeck and Argelander, in similar 

 situations, have arrived at considerable eminence. 



" I now proceed, and with great pleasure, to consider the second question. 

 And this leads me to explain my opinion on a point respecting which I am 

 anxious that I may not be misunderstood. I am not one of those who have 

 joined in the cry of ' the decline of science in England,' nor do I believe that 

 in this science there is any foundation for that cry. On the contrary, I as- 

 sert without hesitation, that it is now and has been for some years rapidly 

 advancing in this country. That there has been a decline, thirty or forty 

 years ago, or rather that we have not kept up with the advances made by 

 foreigners at that time, I am willing to admit. Perhaps this arose from po- 

 litical separation ; perhaps in seme degree from our pertinaciously retaining 

 a system of mathematics which was insufficient for the deep investigations 

 of Physical Astronomy, (for it was in this principally that we were behind 

 our neighbours). And I have not disguised my opinion that in all the im- 

 portant branches of science we are still behind them. But in all with which 

 I am acquainted a rapid progress has lately been made. In Physical Astro- 

 nomy more has been done in England within the last five years than in the 

 preceding century ; and this not only with regard to the additions actually 

 made by Englishmen to the stock of results drawn from that science, but 

 also with respect to the number of persons who understand its principles, 

 and ivho at some future time may be expected to contribute to its progress. 

 In the University with which I am best acquainted, the study of this sub- 

 ject has made great advances. Of the amount and excellence of our geo- 

 detic measures and pendulum experiments, and of our discussions of refrac- 

 tion and aberration, I have already spoken. In accuracy of examination and 

 correction of instrumental errors, perhaps something has been gained. In 

 the extension of our star catalogues, much more has been done within a few 

 years than in the whole previous time which followed Bradley's death. In 

 the observation of planets, and the regular comparison of observations with 

 Tables, (the first essential step to the improvement of the latter,) it is hoped 

 that a great advance has been made. The observation of occupations and 

 eclipses has extended ; the exhibition of the results also, both for terrestrial 

 and celestial determinations, has increased ; and the regular publication of 

 them in the Memoirs of the Astronomical Society, saves from oblivion the past 

 and insures more completely the observation of the future. In the obser- 

 vation of double stars very much has been done. In all this I see grounds 

 for exultation at 'the advance of science in England.* And when I remark 

 the growing intermixture of physical with observing science, I indulge in the 

 hope that the character as well as the extent of our Astronomy is impro- 

 ving, and that the time is approaching when a person will not in England be 



