28'2 



On Encke's Comet. 



Note. — It may be satisfactory to our readers to know that 

 this comet actually made its appearance as predicted by M. 

 Encke, and was discovered in New South Wales on the 2d of 

 June 1822, in the constellation Gemini, by M. Rumker, who 

 has communicated the particulars to Baron Zach [CoiTesp. viii. 

 No. I.) The Baron remarks that its revolution in 1204 days is 

 now established: and that the observations agree as much and 

 more than could be expected with the elliptic elements of its orbit 

 No. I. which M. Encke had calculated. Communications have 

 also been received from M. Rumker on the subject by the 

 Editor of the Quarterly Journal, (see No. 29.) and by the Royal 

 Society. — Editors. 

 Obsei-vations of Encke's Coviet by M. Rumker at Paramatta. 



person who imports them; and this y;c«o/(?/ must be further increased, if he 

 should wish also to procure the voluminous transactions of theRoyal Societies 

 of London, Paris, Petersburg, and Berlin, with other similar works, wherethe 

 treasures of the science of astronomy are to be found. This oppressive tax 

 upon the literature and science of our country, or (as it has been very justly 

 termed on the floor of Congress) this bounty upon ignorance, seems not to 

 comport with the nature of our Government, which is founded upon the 

 principle that the people are virtuous and intelligent ; and it would there- 

 fore seem to be the dictate of a wise policy to encourage, in every possible 

 manner, the means of instruction; with the full persuasion that it is upon 

 the general diffusion of knowledge among the citizens that the safety of our 

 excellent institutions of Government must depend. 



[We copy the remarks of the American journalist with no desire to hold 

 up to view these deficiencies, but rather to commend his anxiety for their 

 removal ; and to express our regret that in our own country there should 

 exist similar impediments in the wav of scientific improvement. — Edit.] 



LXIV. Ov 



