14'4' Royal Astronomical Socieij/ : — Deceased Members : 



sion Bridges, accompanied by tables, which is the most complete 

 account yet published of the points on which it treats. In 1827, 

 he read a paper on the expediency of assigning specific names to all 

 such functions of simple elements as represent definite physical 

 properties ; and in 1830, a description of the progressive improve- 

 ments made in Cornish steam-engines. Very different from these, 

 in the subject treated, is a paper on the nature of negative and 

 imaginary quantities, read in 1830. His last contribution, a conti- 

 nuation of the tables relative to suspension bridges, was made on 

 May 19, 1831. 



" He had for some years exhibited symptoms of decay. What 

 were the causes of the atrophy so visible in his form and counte- 

 nance is unknown ; but in 1839, he became weaker in strength and 

 spirits ; and though he made a journey to Durham, and afterwards 

 into Cornwall, where he presided for the last time at the Anniver- 

 sary of the Royal Geological Society of Penzance, and attended that 

 of the Polytechnic Society of Falmouth, he was evidently unequal 

 to the task he had imposed upon himself, though his powers of 

 mind were clear, quick, and apparently unimpaired. His last visit 

 was to Oxford, which had, some years before, conferred on him one- 

 of the highest titles in her power to bestow. From that period he 

 never went into public, but took his last journey from London to 

 his house at Eastbourn, on the 7th November. He expired in the 

 presence of his family, on the 24th of December, 1839; and his 

 memory will be long cherished as that of an ardent lover of science, 

 a liberal patron of merit, a kind friend, a mild and accomplished 

 gentleman. 



" Mr. Rigaud* was descended from a French family of consider- 

 ation, who, on the revocation of the Edict of NM.ntes, resigned their 

 property, and fled to a foreign land for conscience sake. His ma- 

 ternal grandfather and father had each successively filled the oflice 

 of Observer to the King, at Kew ; an office which was afterwards 

 graciousl}'^ conferred on Mr. Rigaud himself. Mr. Rigaud was 

 born in the year 1774 ; and in 1791, when little more than sixteen 

 years of age, was matriculated at Exeter College, Oxford. He 

 was elected a Fellow of that Society before he was of sufficient 

 standing to take the degree of B.A. ; and, as soon as his age per- 

 mitted, was appointed one of the College tutors. On the death of 

 Dr. Hornsby, in 1810, Mr. Rigaud was appointed Savilian Professor 

 of Geometry, and Reader on Experimental Philosophy ; the duties 

 of which latter office he had for some time before been discharging 

 for Dr. Hornsby. In 1827, Mr. Rigaud succeeded Dr. Robertson 

 in the office of Savilian Professor of Astronomy and Radcliffe Ob- 

 server, thereby relinquishing the Professorship of Geometry. As an 

 astronomer, Mr. Rigaud's attention was principally directed to the 

 literary and historical department of the science, for which his ex- 

 tensive learning, and accuracy of research, especially qualified him. 

 In 1831, he published in a 4to volume, "The Miscellaneous Works 

 and Correspondence of the Rev. James Bradley," to which he pre- 

 [* See L. and E. Phil. Mag., vol. xv. p. 524.— Edit.] 



