128 MEMOIR OF AUGUSTUS DE MORGAN. 



1846. had worked out the problem, the English Astronomer 

 communicating his results in November 1345 to the 

 highest authorities in the astronomical world, by whom 

 they were reserved for further confirmation ; the French 

 Astronomer, with more confidence in his work, making it 

 known to the world at once. Mr. Adams' calculations 

 antedated M. Leverrier's by eight months, but M. 

 Leverrier's promptitude of publication secured for him 

 the honour of the discovery.' 'Mr. Adams,' adds Mr. De 

 Morgan, ' furnished Mr. Challis with the means of actually 

 securing two observations of the planet previously to any 

 announcement by M. Leverrier.' 



M. Leverrier's communication was followed immedi- 

 ately by recorded observations of Neptune by M. Galle, 

 the Berlin Astronomer, who wrote in September that the 

 planet had been seen by him as a star of the 8th magni- 

 tude not marked upon any chart. 



There could be 110 question of M. Leverrier's discovery; 

 it remained to be seen why, when the English discoverer 

 was so nearly the first known to be such, he had been 

 anticipated by the French Astronomer. Mr. Airy explained 

 that in answer to the letter in which Mr. Adams had 

 announced it to him, he had requested Mr. Adams to give 

 him some further explanation. This letter of inquiry had 

 not been answered till long after ; hence the delay, deeply 

 regretted by all. On these facts, arid on the discussion 

 which followed in the Astronomical Society, Mr. De 

 Morgan wrote : 



No blame need be attributed to any one ; but I think it 

 will turn out that the Mathematicians of this country had not 

 faith enough in their own Science. And, most assuredly, we 

 may look forward to seeing the wise men who never believe 

 until the thing is done the sober men to whom everything that 

 is to be is a figment in the brain of a visionary the practical 

 men who are not sure that there is a future until it comes to 

 them in the shape of time present, all loud in their outcry, some 

 against one, some against another, for not having done that 



