Astronomical Societij. 373 



consider that one hundred years' improvement in astronomical mani- 

 pulations can alter the constant of aberration as determined by him 

 but one half second*, we are almost led to exclaim " Quando ullum 

 inveniemus parem?" 



Our Graham is amongst us ; to him we are indebted for the instru- 

 ments with which results thus important have been obtained, and also 

 for the mode of using them, through which the maximum of accuracy 

 has been acquired. One of them was made with his own hands, the 

 other under his direction ; and it is not too much to say, that the 

 disciple has shown himself worthy of his master. The benefits which 

 Edward Troughton has conferred on science, are too well known to 

 need enumeration. His Majesty the King of Denmark, not insensi- 

 ble to the importance of science, and feeling that for much of the 

 accuracy to which astronomy and navigation have arrived. Me are 

 indebted to the genius of our revered member, has recently acknow- 

 ledged his gratitude to him, by the presentation of his gold medal^ 

 inscribed with the word " Mekito." Never was inscription more 

 appropriate. May he live long to enjoy this token of respect ! alike 

 honourable to himself and to the princely feelings of its royal donor. 



On looking over the constant as determined by each star, nothing 

 definitive, as Mr. Richardson justly observes, can be concluded, as to 

 whether light emitted from different stars is propagated to us with 

 different degrees of velocity : the idea is not irrational, but its validity 

 future astronomers must determine. 

 {The President then, addressing Mr. Richardson, continued thus: — ) 



Mr. Richardson, — Brought up to an employment little allied, to 

 astronomy — residing in a part of the country remote from the metro- 

 polis — cut off from the society of scientific men, which operates so 

 powerfully in stimulating to scientific exertions, — we see you quitting 

 the place of your birth, — leaving the roof of your respected parents, 

 — and presenting yourself in this great city, known only to a single 

 individual ; abandoning every sordid pursuit to follow that which, 

 however noble, too often leads, in this country, to neglect and poverty, 

 ■ — we find you, in August 1822, at the Royal Observatory as an as- 

 sistant. Here you soon distinguished yourself by your punctuality 

 — your attention — and your zeal j acciistomed to the business of an 

 observatoryf , vou required to be instructed only in the established 

 routine of that to which you were appointed. Soon did you gain the 

 confidence of the Astronomer Royal j and whether he wished to esta- 

 blish the i)lacc of a star in the heavens, or of a spot on the earth, to 

 no one could he intrust the one or the other with more confidence 

 tlian to you, whom he emphatically styled " his right hand." Attached 

 to astronomy, but unable to maintain your family upon the miserable 

 pittance allowed you hy the Government, we see you observing all 

 day and computing all night. As an assistant of the Royal Obser- 

 vatory, I have only to say, — Go on as you have begun. But if a trust 

 higher in the scale of importance awaits you, remember, sir, tiiat you 



• It is not iin[)Ossil)ic that much (<f this disconhincc will disappear wiicn 

 the Wanstead Observations shall be reilucfd with modern prctisinri. 

 ■f Tlie Prcbideiit's. 



have 



