206 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY 



under the action of the sun. "Were the earth to be carried near enough 

 to the sun, the clouds which were pi'operly electrified would be repelled, 

 and might be driven off to form a terrestrial tail. It may be, indeed, 

 that the Aurora Borealis is the exhibition of such a phenomenon." 



Remarks were made on Professor Peirce's communication 

 by Professor G. P. Bond and Professor W. B. Rogers. 



Dr. B. A Gould referred to the recent decease of Manuel 

 J. Johnson, Director of the Radcliffe Observatory of Oxford, 

 and introduced the following resolutions. 



" Whereas, by a recent afflicting dispensation of Providence, Manuel 

 John Johnson, Director of the Radcliffe Observatory of Oxford, has 

 been suddenly removed from the field of his useful labors, and the 

 Academy deprived of one of its bright and valued ornaments, — 



^^ Resolved, That the Academy has heard with pain the sad an- 

 nouncement of this severe bereavement, lamenting the heavy loss 

 which Science has sustained by the removal of one of her mpst suc- 

 cessful and devoted ministers. 



" Resolved, That the sympathies of the Academy be offered to the 

 family of the deceased astronomer, together with the assurance that 

 the name, example, and character of their departed husband and 

 father will long serve as an incentive and example to those who aim 

 at progress in the high calling which he adorned." 



On motion of Professor Peirce, the resolutions were unani- 

 mously adopted. 



Four hundred and sixty-sixth meeting. 



May 10, 1859. — Monthly Meeting. 



The Academy met at the house of the Hon. Nathan Apple- 

 ton. 



The President in the chair. 



The Corresponding Secretary read a letter from the Sec- 

 retary of the American Antiquarian Society, dated April 27, 

 1859, communicating the thanks of the Society for the use 

 of the Academy's hall. 



