THE COUNCIL. 15 



Literary and Philosophical Society, and the Natural History 

 Society of Newcastle ; it has received the Proceedings of the 

 Geological Society of London, the Report of the Cornwall 

 Geological Society, and the Programme de la Societe des Anti- 

 quaires du Noi'd. Many authors, eminent in various branches 

 of science have presented copies of their publications. Among 

 these, the valuable work of the Vice-President of the Astronomi- 

 cal Society, on Practical Astronomy, requires more especially 

 to be noticed, as having been accompanied by a promise on 

 the part of the author, when he attended the Meeting of the 

 Association in this Museum, that if the Society should proceed 

 to add an Observatory to its other scientific objects, he would 

 present to it two of the best instruments in his possession. 

 In consequence of this munificent offer, a Committee has been 

 appointed to inquire what disposition there may be in this 

 county and neighbourhood to encourage and cultivate the 

 important science of Astronomy. ^ 



There is no more important desideratum, in respect to the 

 means which this Institution possesses of promoting science, 

 than that of philosophical instruments. The Secretaries have 

 constructed for its use an accurate Barometer with an adjustable 

 cistern, and the Treasurer has contributed a clock. 



Among the objects of ANTiauARiAN interest which have been 

 presented to the Society, are maps in tapestry of three of the 



> The Committee have since received from Dr. Pearson an offer of a 

 clock, a telescope, and a transit instrument ; they have obtained an 

 estimate of the expense of erecting an observatory in the Society's 

 Garden, which amounts to £.300, and have invited the subscriptions of 

 the members of the Society and others who may take an interest in 

 promoting so useful an object. Contributions will be received by the 

 members of the Committee, (Mr. Donkin, Mr. Jonathan Gray, and the 

 Rev. Wm. Taylor,) the Secretaries, (Mr. Wm. Gray, jun., and Mr. 

 Phillips,) and the Banks in York. 



