298; Astronomical Society. 



On the 1st of January 1801 he discovered the planet Ceres. 

 The principal circumstances of that discovery, being well 

 known to astronomers, need not be detailed here. But it is due 

 to the character of this distinguished individual, to state, that 

 when the king of Naples announced his intention of perpe- 

 tuating the event by the circulation of a gold medal among 

 European observers, Piazzi, whose modesty and zeal were 

 equal to his merit, requested the monarch to assign the pro- 

 posed value of the medals to the purchase of an equatorial, 

 which he thought was greatly needed in his observatory. In 

 1 803 he published the result of a labour of twelve years, un- 

 dertaken with a view to determine the mea7i posit/o?i of the 

 principal stars ; for this work he received the medal from the 

 Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris. In 1814 was published 

 M. Piazzi's Ne'jo Catalogue, from which it appeared that this 

 indefatigable astronomer had actually extended his researches 

 to 7646 stars! Early in 1817 M. Piazzi published his Lessons 

 on Astronomy, and the same year he was called to Naples, to 

 put into activity the new observatory established on the heights 

 o^ Capo-di-Monte. Cacciatore (now also one of the Associates 

 of this Society) has from that time taken the charge of the ob- 

 servatory at Palermo ; and by his zeal and assiduity is emu- 

 lating the conduct of his predecessor. 



The subsequent labours of this indefatigable astronomer, 

 are as universally known as they are highly appreciated, 

 throughout Europe. The grand work, however, to which we 

 have already adverted [the Catalogue of 7646 stars) will ever 

 remain a monument of his superior activity and perseverance, 

 as long as the science endures. This important work far ex- 

 ceeds every thing of the kind that has preceded it ; and shows 

 more powerfully than words can express, what may be effect- 

 ed by the talents and assiduity of one individual. 



The will of this eminent astronomer furnishes a new proof 

 of his cordial desire to contribute perpetually to the promotion 

 of his favourite science. He has bequeathed his library and all 

 his instruments to the observatory at Palermo ; and has as- 

 signed a liberal annuity to be devoted in succession to the in- 

 struction of j'oung men who evince a marked partiality for 

 this interesting department of knowledge. 



The Council trust that the several members of this Society 

 require no additional excitement to promote and advance the 

 cause in which they have so laudably embarked. They should 

 recollect, however, that without their cordial cooperation and 

 assistance, the labours and efforts of the Council will be in 

 vain. For, the Council are merely the officers of the Society, 

 and can only collect and arrange the subjects that present 



themselves. 



