Royal Society, 1 43 



menta Astronomise" of Bessel, and the " Tabulae Regiomontanae" 

 of the same author. This comparison is made by taking the first 

 and second differences of the series of the logarithms of the refrac- 

 tions in each table ; from which it results that these differences, de- 

 rived from the numbers in Bessel's tables, are very irregular ; but 

 that their mean very nearly coincides with that of the numbers given 

 in the tables of the author. 



November 27. — A paper was read, entitled, " Meteorological 

 Journal kept at the Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope, from 

 the 1 St of February to the 3 1 st of May, 1 834 ." By Thomas Maclear, 

 Esq. Communicated by Captain Beaufort, R.N., F.R.S. 



The tables of meteorological observations which compose nearly 

 the whole of this paper are preceded by a short notice of the instru- 

 ments, namely, one barometer and two thermometers, with which 

 the observations were made. The author announces his intention to 

 forward, in a future communication, the results of a comparison be- 

 tween his barometer and that of Sir John Herschel. The obser- 

 vations are taken at sunrise, at noon, at sunset, and at midnight. 



The reading of a paper was commenced, entitled, " On the Proofs 

 of a gradual Rising of the Land in certain parts of Sweden." By 

 Charles LyeU, Esq., F.R.S. 



At the Anniversary Meeting, December 1, 1834, which was held 

 on that day in consequence of St. Andrew's Day falling on a Sunday, 

 John William Lubbock, Esq., M.A., V.P. and Treasurer, in the Chair, 

 the Treasurer stated that he took the Chair on the present occa- 

 sion in consequence of the unavoidable absence of His Royal Highness 

 the President ; from whom he had received the following letter : 

 " Dear Sir, 



" May I request of you to express to the gentlemen as- 

 sembled this day at the Royal Society Rooms, my extreme regret 

 that the state of my eyesight should prevent my attending in my 

 place on the present occasion, as it would otherwise have been botli 

 my duty and pleasure to have done ? Under these circumstances I 

 must rely upon that kindness which I have ever experienced at their 

 hands since presiding over the interests of the Royal Society, to ex- 

 cuse this involuntary absence on my part. Should the gentlemen 

 kindly vote me again into the Chair, aware as they are of my present 

 infirmities, I can only accept the proffered honour upon an under- 

 standing that should I not be better at this period next year, I may 

 be now considered as giving them notice that I shall consider myself 

 bound in duty to resign an office, the duty of which I am no longer 

 able to perform. I regret much being deprived of the pleasure of 

 conferring the medals this day, and particularly the one which has 

 been so properly adjudged to you, for whom I profess the highest 

 consideration, and with which sentiment I subscribe myself, 

 " Very sincerely, yours, &c., 



(Signed) " Augustus Frederick, P.R.S. 



" Kensington Palace, Dec. 1, 1834. 

 " John William Lubbock, Esq., Treasurer of the Royal Society." 



Resolved unanimously, — That this Meeting deeply regrets the aiflic- 



