96 
wide; and Hussarp closed by suggesting that the want of 
coincidence between the centre of gravity and the centre of 
apparent condensation, as well as the operation of polar 
forces in the comet itself, might perhaps modify deductions 
drawn without consideration of these possible influences. 
_ J have not hesitated, Gentlemen of the Academy, to de- 
scribe this valuable memoir with a minuteness of detail 
quite unsuitable for a popular address; both because its 
masterly completeness and elegance render it a model in- 
vestigation of its class, and because these qualities were s0 
characteristic of our late colleague that a somewhat minute 
description seemed well adapted to exhibit his habits of 
mind and mode of research. Preserved in the Library of 
Yale College are three quarto volumes containing the actual 
numerical computations, —all executed with marvellous neat- 
ness and a beauty of penmanship approaching the elegance 
of copperplate engraving, — all arranged in due order, and 
in the form most convenient for reference, and all bearing 
the strong impress of the man. Indeed, in every one of his 
manuscripts we may see the reflection of his own cultivated 
and tasteful mind, in which there was no slovenly corner, oF 
ill-finished record. 
UBBARD’s next investigation of magnitude was upot 
Biela’s comet. Four quarto volumes, filled with neat fig 
ures, lie before me as I write,‘containing his researches con- 
cerning the orbit of this most interesting body. They are 4 
priceless and treasured memento of our departed friend, 
which I owe to the thoughtful kindness of his family ; and 
it is not improbable that four or five years hence they 
may facilitate the discovery of the origin and nature of 
the mysterious transformations which this singular comet 
has undergone, and may aid in the detection of the un- 4 
known laws controlling its physical structure. 
: 2 
PES DS ee eye bn ee eee yee eee 
a 
