BOARD OF LONGITUDE. 341 



and novelty of the admirable law of interferences. 

 Young is now placed before your eyes as one of the 

 most illustrious men of science in whom England may 

 justly take pride. Your thoughts, anticipating my words, 

 may perhaps perceive already, in the recital of the just 

 honours shown to the author of so beautiful a discovery, 

 the peroration of this historical notice. These anticipa- 

 tions, I regret to say, will not be realized. The death 

 of Young has in his own country created very little sen- 

 sation. The doors of Westminster* Abbey, so easily 

 accessible to titled mediocrity, remained shut upon a man 

 of genius, who was not even a baronet. It was in the 

 village of Farnborough, in the modest tomb of the family 

 of his wife, that the remains of Thomas Young were 

 deposited. The indifference of the English nation for 



8. A motion was made in the House of Commons, February 23, 

 1829, for certain Returns respecting the Board of Longitude and 

 the Nautical Almanac, &c. 



The Returns were made and printed consisting of (1) "A Memo- 

 randum of a Statement made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer 

 for reforming the Nautical Almanac, and establishment of a new 

 Board of Longitude. (2) A Paper read at the Board, by J. Her- 

 schel, Esq. (3) A Report on a Memorandum, &c. by Thomas 

 Young, M. D. In the last Dr. Young makes answer to what he 

 considers objections raised in the " Memorandum," and also 

 replies to those of Mr. Baily and Mr. South. Sir J. South's 

 Pamphlet contains the Memorandum, the objections raised or 

 inferred by Dr. Young his replies to them all which are 

 severely criticized. 

 At p. 60 is a curious account of some discussions at Sir H. Davy's 



soiree between Sir J. South and Dr. Young. 



* The frequenters of Poets' Corner need not be reminded that lit- 

 erature and science are not excluded from their share of funereal 

 honours in Westminster Abbey. M. Arago here, as in some other 

 passages, may naturally be a little incorrect in referring to national 

 usages. The delay which occurred in regard to Young's monument, 

 is however not fully explained by Dean Peacock. (See Life of 

 Young, p. 485.) Translator. 



