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instruments of research,—they confer a no less important, but indirect 
service, in disciplining the Mind, and correcting those tendencies of 
other portions of our mental constitution, which, when unbalanced, are 
sure to mislead. 
“Turning from the Mathematical to the Physical Sciences,—and first 
of all to Astronomy, which stands upon the confines of both,—we 
cannot fail to be struck by the fact, that in this one Island, with 
all its disadvantages of climate, there are no fewer than four Astro- 
nomical Observatories, each claiming a high place in the history of 
European Science; and that while, in other countries, these costly 
institutions have been, with but few exceptions, founded and endowed 
by their respective Governments, in Ireland (a country not certainly 
among the foremost in pecuniary resources) they have been erected, 
equipped, and, with but one partial exception, maintained by the 
munificence and public spirit of Individuals. The names of Mr. 
Cooper, and of the Earl of Rosse, will henceforward be added to those 
of Provost Andrews and Primate Robinson, as benefactors of science 
in this country; and Markree and Birr be united to Armagh and Dub- 
lin in the future history of Astronomy. 
“The Dublin Observatory is the eldest of this noble sisterhood. 
As respects its connexion with this Academy, I need not remind you 
that its chair has been filled by two of your Presidents. With the 
labours of Brinkley the Dublin Observatory will always stand con- 
nected in the history of Science. I am sure that it is unnecessary for me 
to remind you of his researches connected with the problem of the 
“ Stellar Parallax,” of which your Transactions contain the first results— 
that great problem, whose final solution has at length been placed beyond 
question by the observations of Bessel. Of the other and better known 
inequalities, which affect the apparent places of the stars, all have been 
illustrated by the observations made with the Meridional Circle of the 
Dublin Observatory. In this important class of astronomical inves- 
tigations, the able Director of the Armagh Observatory has had a dis- 
tinguished share; and the labours of Dr. Robinson have conferred, as 
might have been expected, increased accuracy upon the resulting 
values of the Constants. 
«* And here, Gentlemen, you will permit me to pause for a moment, 
