€stalli$hed Felruary 20, 1820. 203 



attention of th« insulated observer, no one of them in particular 

 can be expected to undergo any very rigorous examination, unless 

 distinguished by magnitude or some peculiarity of appearance. 



The knowledge of our own peculiar system, and that more ex- 

 tended branch of astronomical science to which the name Cos- 

 mology is best adapted, may alike be benefited by this division 

 of labour, and systematic mode of examination. In the plane- 

 tary system, a wide field of investigation has of late been opened 

 by the discovery of some links in the chain of connexion which no 

 doubt exists between bodies of a csometary and planetary nature. 

 And it is possible that some bodies, of a nature altogether new, 

 and whose discovery may tend in future to disclose important se- 

 crets in the system of the universe, may l)e concealed under the 

 appearance of minute stars, no way distinguishable from others 

 of a less interesting character, but by the test of careful and often 

 repeated observations. Indeed it is worthy of notice, that, of 

 the five small bodies lately ascertained to be jiermanent members 

 of our system, four were discovered in the short space of seven 

 years, by the partial adoption, on tlie continent, of this very 

 plan of separate examination ; which seems to have been first 

 suggested by the late Rev. F. Wollaston. This diligent astrono- 

 mer, in a paper published in the Philosophical Transactions for 

 1784, thus remarks: "The first idea which occurred to me was 

 to make a proposal to astronomers in gaiieral, that each should 

 undertake a strict examination of a certain district in the heavens ; 

 and not only by a re-examination of the catalogues hitherto pub- 

 lished, but by taking the right ascension and declination of every 

 star in their several allotments, to frame an exact map of it, with 

 a corresponding catalogue 5 and to communicate their observa- 

 tions to one common centre. This is what I should be glad to 

 see begun. Every astronomer must wish it, and therefore every 

 one should be ready to take his share in it." In fact, Mr. Wol- 

 laston not only proposed the plan, but, as far as an individual 

 Bould do so, put it in execution, by undertaking the examination 

 of the circumpolar regions himself. 



Beyond the limits however of our own system, all at present is 

 obscurity. Some vast and general views on the construction of 

 the heavens, and the laws which may regulate the formation and 

 motions of sidereal systems, have, it is true, been struck out ; 

 but, like the theories of the earth which have so long occupied 

 the speculations of geologists, they remain to be supported or 

 refuted by the slow accumulation of a mass of facts : and it is 

 liere, as in the science just alluded to, that the advantages of 

 associated labour will appear more eminently conspicuous. 



One of the first great steps towards an accurate knowledge of 

 the construction of the heavens, is an acquaintance with the in- 

 dividual 



