Astronomical Society. *65 



and of late of that very useful and important class, the transits of 

 Moon-culminating star's, of which one of his recent commun.cat.ons 

 conuinsan extensive and highly interesting senes H.s observa- 

 Sons of the immersions and emersions of the^ate htes communi- 

 cated to this Society, amount to no less than 180, all (with the ex- 

 ception of two or th.'ee of the earlier ones) be.ng made in the in- 

 terval from 1818 to 1826 inclusive ;-a fine senes, indeed a surprising 

 one, when the comparative rarity of the phaenomena is considered 

 not more than about 40 visible at Greenwich occurring annually on 

 Sn a^raVe, and when the great drawback on obseivat.ons of this 

 "ort from" unfavourable weather in this anti-astrononncal climate is 

 taken^nto the account. What chiefly adds to their value as a 

 leries however, is the circumstance of their bemg all made by one ^ 

 S Se.^ and ^ith one telescope,_a fine five-feet achromat.c of 

 Dollond, and with the same magnifying power 86. In no cla.s ot 

 A.t ono^'cal observations, is uniformity in this respect of such im- 

 nomnce since the variations in the times of appearance and dis- 

 Cearance,when observed at the same spot simultaneously, by 

 different observers with different telescopes, is found to amount not 

 merely to a few seconds but to whole minutes 



It must be a matter of deep regret to us all, both for his own sake 

 and Vrthat of Astronomy, that so valuable and mteres ing a series 

 of observations should sustain, what 1 trust however wdl prove only 

 a temporary interruption from the severe illness of Colonel Beaufoy 

 whTch alone prevents him from receiving in person the mark of our 

 approbation Adjudged him by your Council. At his request, there- 

 fore, 1 will hand it to our worthy Secretary. 



{Here the President delivered the Medal to Mr. Stratford as 

 proxy for Colonel Beaufoy, at ike same time thus addressing htm : )- 



Mr. Stratfokd, 

 When you shall transmit this Medal to Colonel Beaufoy, accom- 

 oanv it wfth the assurance of our warmest approbation of the useful 

 SKxcden example he has set, in thus steadily prosecuting from 

 vearTo year, a train of observations so important in itself and requ.r- 

 [n'so mSpatient and persevering attention : anexample we trust 

 o%ee emulated by others, since it shows how much, how very 

 much mrbe done with moderate instrumental means, by regular, 

 Tste^atfc, and well directed observation. He has succeeded m 

 reSnthis name conspicuous among astronomers, and h.s ob- 

 servatorv a standard point of veference,-one of those zero points 

 on earth^whS, like the standard stars in the heavens, w-H serve for 

 the d ermination of innumerable others. Already we a^c ^u"- ^f 



Uh a conspicuc^s ^^-^^^if^^ ';:^::s:Si.:^^, ^s 



ha"'^irnt ^be^n"' Sd to ^Societ^,^ which tlfat important 

 demen is du^^ved Lm a very moderate number of corresponding 

 L » n.^ made at the two Stations, with considerable prcsump- 

 Jo^fof X tn" s Nor can :^ this will prove a sohtary 



^stance. Assure Colonel Beaufoy how much wc consider science 

 NcwStrics. Vol. 1. No. 6. June 1827. 3 O as 



