460 Astivnumical Socieij/. 



The convenience of this method, the brevity it introduces into the 

 computations, the distinctness it gives to all the process of reduc- 

 tion, requiring neither thought nor memory on the computer's part, 

 give it an incalculable advantage over every other. To reduce any 

 observation, no other book need be opened. The work occupies 

 four lines, and is done in half that number of minutes. If we com- 

 pare this with the tedious and puzzling operation required by former 

 processes, we shall fully agree with Mr. Baily that " those only 

 who are versed in such calculations can appreciate the labour, the 

 risk of error and the loss of time incurred in their several operations ;" 

 all which are saved by the present arrangement. 



These considerations will amply justify the award of your council 

 in your eyes and those of the world. They will justify a great deal 

 more. At no time was the necessity of pressing on the attention 

 of astronomers the utility, I may say, the duty of uniformity in 

 their systems of reduction more urgent than at present*, when 

 hardly a nation in Europe is unprovided with a good observatory, 

 and when rival astronomers in all quarters of the globe are con- 

 tending for the palm of accuracy and diligence. So long as they 

 persist in continuing to reduce their observations by different sy- 

 stems, their merits can never be fairly compai-ed. Each may boast 

 the perfection of his instruments, and vaunt himself in the security 

 of his preeminence. Each may promulgate his standard Catalogue, 

 which will be adhered to in his own nation, and rejected by all 

 others ; thus dividing astronomers into sects and parties, — a state 

 of things which ought surely not to continue. The only remedy is 

 to agree to speak one language, to adopt one system. It matters 

 little in the present advanced state of science, whether that system 

 be still open to infinitesimal corrections. Let astronomers only 

 consent to use it as, like all human works, confessedly imperfect, 

 and in process of time to be corrected : but not at the caprice of 

 each individual who may think one coefficient a tenth of a second 

 too small, or another as much too great ; but after full consideration, 

 when the necessity and amount of correction shall have become 

 certainly known and generally agreed on. 



Meanwhile, a fair opportunity is offered to rival astronomers 

 throughout the world, to try their strength, in an arena of ample 

 extent, and where every part of the honourable contest will be 

 brought distinctly into sight. In giving this Catalogue to the world, 

 we invite their examination to its errors, (for such it must contain,) 

 and call on them to lend their aid to its perfection, by determining, 

 with all the exactness their resources afford, the mean places of the 

 stars it comprises. For this, its arrangement affords every facility, 

 and those who observe, have no excuse for neglecting to reduce. 

 Let us hope then, that instead of lavishing their strength in fruitless 

 attempts to give superhuman precision to fifty or a hundred select 

 objects, the formation of a standard Catalogue of nearly 3000 will 

 be deemed of sufficient importance to fix the attention of astrono- 



* 'I'his applies with equal or greater force to the correction for refraction ; 

 a common table for which ought to be agreeil on and adhered to by all. 



mers; 



