294 Astronomical Society. 



another and a powerful instance how much the science of as- 

 tronomy may be benefited by the active exertions of one in- 

 dividual. Phaenomena of this kind cannot always be observed 

 at the public observatories : the state of the weather, or more 

 important avocations, may oftentimes interfere to prevent it. 

 It is in such cases, and in numerous other instances, that pri- 

 vate observers may render an important benefit to the science 

 by their active cooperations. 



These several medals to Mr. Baily, Lieut. Stratford, and 

 Col. Beaufoy will be presented at a subsequent general meet- 

 ing of the Society to be convened for that express purpose. 



The past year has been abundant in the discovery of Co- 

 mets ; no less than five having been announced at the last 

 meeting of the Society. One of these was discovered by M. 

 Gambart, the celebrated astronomer at Marseilles ; who, on 

 computing its elements, found that, in all probability, it would 

 pass over the sun's disc on the morning of the 18th of No- 

 vember. He immediately adopted measures for communi- 

 cating the result of his calculations to all the astronomers in 

 Europe, in order that they might witness this remarkable ap- 

 pearance. But, unfortunately, the whole of that day was 

 cloudy ; and it does not appear that this singular phaenomenon 

 was witnessed by any human being. To M. Gambart we are 

 also indebted as one of the discoverers of another comet, which 

 appeared in the month of March ; and which has since been 

 found to be periodical. This comet had been previously seen 

 by M. Biela at Josephstadt : and M. Clausen, on computing 

 its elements, ascertained that it was the same as that which 

 was seen in 1772 and again in 1805. It is remarkable that 

 both M. Biela and M. Gambart had, in the mean time, come 

 to the same conclusion, from the elements deduced from their 

 own separate and independent observations ; thus confirming 

 the addition of another revolving comet to our system, whose 

 period is about 24'ol days, or about twice the period of the 

 celebrated comet of Encke. This new planetary body will 

 make its appearance again about the latter end of the year 

 1832 : and the attention of astronomers will then be naturally 

 directed towards its return. If the comet of 1786 bear the 

 name of Encke, this new revolving comet ought, for a similar 

 reason, to bear the name of that astronomer who may most 

 effectually succeed in investigating the laws by which it is go- 

 verned. It is but a just tribute of respect to men who, by tlieir 

 assiduity and talent thus enlarge the bounds of science, and 

 add to that vast mass of facts which are absolutely necessary 

 to enable us to judge of the true system of the universe. 



In the last part of the Memoirs of this Society, is a Report 



from 



