XXVIII TUE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



Depuis moins de deux mois, il repose sous les ombrages funéraires de 

 Mont-Marie. Et déjà sa renommée est consacrée par le suffrage de ses 

 pairs, et par l'universel éloge de notre classe intellectuelle. Il incom- 

 bait à la Société Royale de proclamer, par mon humble intermédiaire, 

 que Joseph-Edmond Roy fut l'un de ses membres les plus distingués, 

 et que sa mort prématurée est pour elle un deuil très profond et une perte 

 très cruelle. 



V. — Purchase of a Large Telescope for the Dominion 

 Observatory. 



Pursuant to the direction of the Society, the Government was 

 memorialized on the desirability of purchasing a large telescope for the 

 Dominion Astronomical Observatory. The Memorial presented is 

 printed herewith. The Honourable the Prime Minister replied that the 

 Memorial would have the careful and earnest consideration of the 

 Government, and it has since been decided to make the purchase. 



The telescope is to have a mirror not less than 60 inches in diam- 

 eter, and as much larger as possible, consistent with practicability of 

 construction, coupled with consideration of cost. The minimum size 

 as above is estimated to cost $50,000.00, exclusive of the building which 

 would have to be erected for it. 



Authorization has been given to make preliminary enquiries as to 

 best form of construction of the telescope. Mr. Plaskett has already 

 visited a number of observatories and instrument makers in the United 

 States in this regard, and will later continue his inquiries in Europe. 

 Investigations are also under way to determine the best place in Canada, 

 having regard to atmospheric conditions, to instal the instrument so 

 that the best results may be obtained from its use. 



Ottawa, June 20. 1912. 



To His Royal Highness 



The Governor General in Council: 



The Royal Society of Canada has the honour to bring before the 

 notice of Your Royal Highness the work now being carried on at the 

 Dominion Astronomical Observatory, under the direction of Dr. W. F. 

 King, C.M.G. Chief Astronomer, and to suggest a plan whereby the 

 Observatory can take part in a timely and valuable scientific investiga- 

 tion and thus add to its present usefulness. 



Although only a short time established the Dominion Observatory 

 has already achieved, in all its departments, an enviable reputation in 



