Astronomical Sociely. 46 1 



mers ; and that not only those to whom the direction of great na- 

 tional observatories is confided, but even private individuals, if such 

 there be, who feel themselves in possession of the means required, 

 may take a share in this glorious, but at the same time arduous 

 undertaking. 



( The President then, delivering the Gold Medal to Mr. Baily, ad- 

 dressed him asjblloivs : — ) 



Mr. Baily, 



Accept this Medal, which the Astronomical Society bestows on 

 you, by an award which every astronomer in Europe will confirm. 

 The work you have accomplished will identify you with the future 

 progress of that Science, into almost every department of Which it is 

 calculated to infuse new life ; since every practical astronomer has 

 in it to thank you for an accession of power. It is needless for me 

 to accompany this testimony of the sense the Society entertains of 

 your distinguished merits, with the expression of a hope that your 

 exertions in the cause of Astronomy will continue. You could not 

 struggle against nature so far as to desist from pursuits which, de- 

 manding of ordinary men a total devotion of their time, and con- 

 centration of their whole intellectual powers, have been to you a 

 relaxation from the most active business. Possessing thus within 

 yourself a source of pure and exalted enjoyment, enhanced by the 

 consciousness of public utility, and a certainty of the approval and 

 admiration of those whom you esteem, we can only add our wishes 

 that length of years, and continuance of health, may render your 

 distinguished talents, and rare zeal for the promotion of your favour- 

 ite science, as useful to Astronomy as it is honourable to yourself. 



( The President next presented the Silver Medal to Mr. Stratford, 

 addressing him at the same time in these words : — ) 



Mr. Stratford, 



The Medal which, in the name of the Astronomical Society, I 

 now deliver to you, though " less tine in carat" will, I trust, be to 

 you " more precious" than gold, as proving how highly we appre- 

 ciate your devoted and persevering attention to the work you have 

 so happily brought to a conclusion. Those only who have actually 

 entered into the details of a work of this nature can possibly under- 

 stand the overwhelming, and soul-sickening labour of such a task ; 

 — but the pile of volumes now lying on the table, a great por- 

 tion of which you have yourself penned, and the whole of which 

 you must in the course of your undertaking have repeatedly read 

 over, figure by figure, will serve to give some idea of it. In execu- 

 ting this arduous duty, you have had no other inducement than your 

 zeal for the progress of science, and that devotion to the interest of 

 this Society which is so conspicuous in every part of your conduct, 

 and which would not suffer you to tolerate the idea of any incor- 

 rectness, anything unworthy the importance of the subject emana- 

 ting from it. The habits of correctness in numerical con)[)utation, 

 and systematic fidelity of detail indispensable for such a work, 

 you posbeas, though in perfection, yet in common with many : but 



the 



