Astronomical Society. 143 
expire till the-next Anniversary, and that allotted for the third 
question not till the Anniversary in 1828: prior to which time 
the Council trust that the subjects proposed will have excited 
the attention of Astronomers, and induced them to forward to. 
the Society the result of their inquiries and investigations. 
“It has frequently been a subject of regret with many 
Members of this Society, that there are so few particulars 
known relative to the different public Observatories in various 
parts of the world: such as the construction of the building, 
and the instruments with which it is furnished. ‘The cele- 
brated John Bernouilli in his Lettres Astronomiques, published 
at Berlin in 1771, attempted a description of some of those, 
which he had visited : but so many alterations have taken place 
since that period, not only in the Observatories themselves, 
(some of which no longer exist,) but also in the instruments, 
which are now of a totally new character, that but little infor- 
mation as to the present state of those establishments can be 
obtained from that source. The Council are of opinion that 
it would tend materially to the advancement of Astronomy, if 
an accurate description of every principal Observatory could 
be obtained, accompanied with a ground plan and elevation of 
the building; together with a description of the instruments 
employed, and drawings of such as are remarkable, either for 
their novelty or peculiar interest. It is well known that there 
are several instruments in constant use on the Continent, and 
much approved by Astronomers, which have not yet been seen 
in this country: and some in this country, which are not suf- 
ficiently known abroad; or even amongst ourselves. The 
Council would encourage every attempt to promote this spe- 
cies of information, by publishing in their Memoirs the ac- 
counts which they may from time to time receive on this sub- 
ject, and the drawings, with which they might be accom- 
panied. ° 
** Your Council think it unnecessary to extend this Report 
to a greater length. It must be evident that many things, 
which (as far as regard the objects and labours of this Society) 
were six years ago only matters of hope and anticipation, have 
now become subjects of mutual congratulation. But it can 
only be by a cordial and zealous co-operation of all its Mem- 
bers, and by a continued course of perseverance, that the So- 
ciety can ever expect fully to attain the principal objects for 
which it was established; and which, as stated in their ori- 
ginal Address, are for the purpose of ‘ collecting, reducing, 
‘and publishing useful Observations and ‘Tables :—for set- 
‘ting on foot a minute and systematic examination of the 
‘ Heavens : 
