132 Statement of a Plan for [Aug. 



racy of his work. It is highly probable that many errors, both 

 of observation and of writing, will be made amongst that immense 

 mass of stars which are observed only once. If the astronomer 

 himself makes both the reduction and the drawing, he will be 

 able to find out the cause of such errors more easily than ii*the 

 whole were computed and arranged by another hand. In fact, 

 the execution itself of the drawing will render the person who 

 undertakes it so well acquainted with the region he describes, 

 that it will very much facilitate to him the accomplishment of 

 the remaining part of the work, which consists in noting down 

 the stars (down to the 9th and 10th magnitude) not yet observed. 

 I think that the reduction and the drawing of tlie stars already 

 observed (made in such a manner that one may be certain that 

 each star in the heavens corresponds to its place on the chart, 

 which can only be obtained by making a revision of the heavens), 

 is about half of the whole work, afid that this is also the part 

 that has the greatest influence upon the general accuracy of the 

 whole. 



These are the principal motives which have induced the 

 Academy to propose the plan in the manner they have done in 

 the Prospectus. The Academy could not, as a body, itself 

 undertake so extensive a work, and thereby render itself in some 

 measure responsible for its accuracy. These maps will form 

 part of the Memoirs that are published by the Society. Each 

 member will be answerable for his own portion, and the duty of 

 the Academy can only be that of committing this work to per- 

 sons who have already given proof of their being able to fulfil 

 the task which they engage to undertake. It is on this account 

 that you will find, in the Prospectus, that the Academy have 

 determined that the name of each author shall be put on his 

 map. This is the best proof that they do not mean to render 

 themselves responsible for the correctness of the maps, as far as 

 the authors are concerned ; but that they intend only to defray 

 the expenses, — to encourage astronomers by prizes, — to pay 

 attention that a perfect conformity be kept up among the 

 observers, to ascertain that every oiie who takes part in it, 

 intends to accomplish the proposed object, — and lastly to super- 

 intend the engraving of the maps. 



The Academy had conceived this project before my coming to 

 this situation ; but their arrangements appear to me so proper, 

 that I cannot add any thing to them to insure more fully the 

 approbation of astronomers. I hope indeed, besides the prin- 

 cipal object, that the discovery of comets or even of some planet, 

 and the opportunity that it will afford to many astronomers of 

 acquiring a more complete knowledge of a portion of the hea- 

 vens, will be some of the valuable results of this undertaking. 

 On this account it has met with considerable approbation. The 

 greatest part of the districts are ready for distribution, and the 



