252 Life of John Beins, M.D. F.k.S. &c. 



ance and advice in directing the building of the observatory 

 at Richmond in 1770. 



He corresponded with most of the principal astronomers 

 in all parts of the continent; and many of them make very 

 honourable mention in their works of the civilities and at- 

 tention they received from him, -either during their stay ift 

 England, or bv con)munications to them abroad. 



His diplomaof member of the Rovid Academy of Sciences 

 of Berlin is dated the 1 1th of .Tune 1750, and was accom- 

 panied by a verv polite and flattering letter from the cele- 

 brated M. de Maupertuis, president of that academy, in 

 which, speaking to hin> of the work above mentioned, he 

 called it " your inimitable atlas." 



The 1 2th of .Tulv 176S he was chosen corresponding 

 member of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris. 



A few years before his death he left the house in which 

 his observatory was at Stoke Newington. and removed into 

 the Temple ; but the iinpro^ier situation of his house for 

 astronomical purposes, the approaches of old age, his oc- 

 cupations as a physician, and at the Roval Society, now- 

 prevented him from continuing his observations so regu- 

 larly as before. Nevertheless he had his astronomical 

 clocks, quadrants, and telescopes, about him, to amuse 

 ■himself occasionally, or to gratify a friend with the sight 

 of any particular observation when it occurred in -the hea- 

 vens. 



His death was occasioned by a fall which he received a 

 short time before, in goiny rather too hastily from his in- 

 strument to the clock, in observing the meridian altitude of 

 the sun. He died tlie 6th ofNoveinber 1771, aged 76, in 

 the Middle Temple, perl'ectly free and resigned, and with 

 that constancy and serenity of mind becoming a christian 

 and a philosopher. 



Dr. Bevis's disposition was lively, amiable, and liberal : 

 he could nev£r see any one in embarrassment, of whatever 

 •country or religion he was, without sympathizing in his 

 tlistress, and aflfording him relief if possible. 



He rendered very essential service to astronomy by the 

 great encouragement and assistance he gave to astronomers, 

 as well of his own country as foreigners. He vi'as always 

 ready to see them, and never refused his advice when they 

 either wanted to purchase instruments or make observations j 

 and, in general, never spared any pains or trouble that con- 

 tributed to forward the progress of astronomy. 



XLVIT. Oh 



