232 Report of the As Ironomical Society. 



instead of three only : Thiidly, that any person who may be de- 

 sirous of reading his own paper to the Society, may be at liberty 

 so to do: Lastly, that the mode of calling special general meet- 

 ings should be so far altered, as to direct that the subject to be 

 discussed at such special meetings shall be previously laid before 

 the Council ; and, if the decision of the Council be not satisfac- 

 tory to tile members proposing the subject, to make it impera- 

 tive on the Council to call a special general meeting within a 

 given period. Distinct resolutions, on each of these points, will 

 be submitted for your consideration *. 



During the last year theCouncil have considered the propriety 

 of appointing Committees for various purposes: amongst others, 

 one for determining on a set of questions to be proposed to per- 

 sons possessing astronomical instruments, in order to ascertain 

 the merits of the same ; and another to determine on the expe- 

 diency of procuring tables of the apparent places of the 46 Green- 

 wich stars for every day in the year. But, at present, nothing 

 decisive has been effected on these points. 



One of the objects of this Society being an examination of the 

 heavens in minute detail, the Council have likewise frequently 

 discussed this subject, but without being able to agree on a plan, 

 proper to be recommended for the adoption of the members. They 

 consider it, however, a subject of so much importance, that they 

 will early resume it : for, until every remarkable star in the hea- 

 vens is recorded, and its place assigned in the catalogue, it is 

 vain to pretend to an accurate knowledge of the true system of 

 the universe. 



It is gratifying to observe that the advantages, likely to accrue 

 to science from the establishment of a Society like this, appear 

 to be duly appreciated by the continental astronomers. From 

 many of them (whose names, among the most illustrious in mo- 

 dern science, now stand on our list as associates, or are suspended 

 in cur meeting room as candidates for admission) letters have 

 been received by the foreign secretary, expressive not merely of 

 the most unqualified approbation of our objects, but of a desire 

 to co-operate actively in their accomplishment: and which has 

 been evinced in more tha-i one instance by the communication 

 of interesting notices, and astronomical works. 



On the whole, the Council cannot view this new impulse which 

 appears to have been given to astronomy in all parts of the world, 

 without anticipating the most beneficial results to the science. 

 The establishment of several new observatories on the continent 

 of Europe (one of them above the (iOth degree of north latitude) 

 under the direction of men eminent in science, and vieing witk 



• These resolutions were carried unanimou-jly ; and the Regulations have 

 becu altered accordingly in the new edition just published. 



each 



