308 Proceedings of Philosophical Societies. [Apkil, 



Italy and Sicily, from which, besides other very considerable 

 benefits, the Society had derived increased facilities of commu^ 

 nication with the continental astronomers, nearly the whole of 

 A'hom the Society had now the honour of numbering amongst 

 its Associates. TheReport contained ajiist tribute of respect to 

 the memory of the late Major-General John Rowley, of the 

 Royal Engineers, FRS. and a member of this Society, of which 

 he was a cordial friend from its commencement. After alluding 

 to the acquired stabihty and acknowledged utihty of the institu- 

 tion, which might justify an application to the Crown for a 

 Charter of Incorporation, the Report stated that the expediency 

 of such an application would most probably engage the consi- 

 deration of the Council for the ensuing year. It concluded by 

 strenuously advising concert and co-operation, observing, that 

 though much had been done to advance astronomical science, 

 and much was in progress, much yet remained to be done. " On 

 the retrospect of the past, however, your Council derive confi- 

 dence with regard to the future. Let the zeal, activity, and 

 talent of the Members and Associates for the next ten years but 

 keep pace with the efforts of the last five, and the most inter- 

 esting, brilliant, and beneficial results may unhesitatingly be 

 anticipated." 



A list of the papers read at the ordinary meetings, followed by 

 a numerous list of benefactors, and a gratifying statement of the 

 Society's finances, was then read, after which the Members pre- 

 sent proceeded to ballot for the Officers for the ensuing year, 

 when the following were declared to have been duly elected: 



President.— VvdiUCi^ Baily, Esq. FRS. and LS. 



Vice-Presidents. — Charles Babbage, Esq. MA. FRS. L.andE.; 

 Rev. John Brinkley, DD. FRS. Pres. RIA. and Prof. Ast. Univ. 

 of Dublin ; Davies Gilbert, Esq. MP. VPRS. and FLS. ; George 

 Earl of Macclesfield, FRS. 



Treasurer. — Rev. William Pearson, LL.D. FRS. 



Secretaries. — Olinthus G. Gregory, LLD. Prof. Math. Roy, 

 Miht. Acad. Woolwich ; JohnMilHngton, Esq. FLS. Prof.Mech. 

 Phil. Roy. Inst. 



Foreign Secretary. — J. F. W. Herschel, Esq. MA. FRS. L. 

 and E. 



CoH««7.— Captain F. Beaufort, RN. FRS.; Major T. Colby, 

 Roy. Eng. LLD. FRS. L. and E. ; Henry T. Colebrooke, Esq. 

 FRS. L. and E. and LS. ; Bryan Donkin, Esq. ; Rev. William 

 Dealtry, BD. FRS. ; Benjamin Gompertz, Esq. FRS. ; Stephen 

 Groonibridge, Esq. FRS. ; Edward Riddle, Esq. ; Richard 

 Sheepshanks, Esq. MA.; Edward Troughton, Esq. FRS. L. 

 and E. 



The Society afterwards dined together at the Freemasons' 

 Tavern, to celebrate their fifth anniversary. 



March 11.— There was read " An Account of the Arrival and 



