Sect. VIII.] A^ojiomy. 75 



Euler, de la Place, and de la Grange, whose ac 

 curate observations, and rigid and delicate ana- 

 lyses, with a view to explore the anomalies in 

 question, display great penetration, diligence, and 

 perseverance. 



The year 1781 was rendered remarkable by the 

 discovery of a nexv primary Planet. This disco- 

 very was made by the celebrated Herschel, an 

 astronomer of Hanover, residing in Great Britain. 

 He had, for a number of years, distinguished him- 

 self by his successful exertions in augmenting the 

 powers of optical instruments, and particularly 

 in improving the reflecting telescope. With an 

 instrument of this kind, of great excellence, he 

 first determined the existence of the Planet, which 

 he denominated Georgium Sidus, in honour of the 

 British King ; but which is now generally called, 

 by the consent of astronomers, after his own name. 

 From his observations, and those of others, it has 

 been since found that this planet is attended by six 

 secondaries, and much progress has been made in 

 ascertaining the respective times and laws of their 

 revolutions*. 



But this discovery is not the only one which 

 will transmit the name of Dr. Herschel to poste- 

 . rity with distinguished honour. In 1787, he dis- 

 covered a sixth satelHte of Saturn, and the year 

 after a seventh, attending the same planet. He 

 ascertained the rotation of Saturn's Ring, which 

 may be regarded as one of the most important 

 additions made to astronomical science since those 

 of Dr. Bradley. He discovered a second ring be- 



♦ Additional Sotcs—CP)- 



