at the Cape of Good Hope. 93 
course of publication, and he was even denied the mournful sat~ 
isfaction of witnessing its completion. 
In the work before us Sir John Herschel takes very respectful 
notice of the labors of Mason; and as it will gratify many of the 
ends and admirers of this lamented youth, to find the exalted 
Opinions which were expressed respecting him here, confirmed 
by the highest authority abroad, we will copy the substance of 
the notices which our author has taken of his researches on the 
hebule. With respect to the nebula situated near the bow of 
Sagittarius, (h. 2008, ) after mentioning some circumstances which 
dicate a change in this object, comparing his latter with his ear- 
lier observations, Sir John adds: “ Under these circumstances the 
arguments for a real change in the nebula, might seem to have 
Considerable weight. Nevertheless, they are weakened or de- 
stroyed by a contrary testimony entitled to much reliance. Mr. 
Mason, a young and ardent astronomer, a native of the United 
States of America, whose premature death is the more to be re- 
Sretted, as he was, so far as I am aware, the only other recent 
observer who has given himself, with the assiduity which the 
subject requires, to the exact delineation of nebulae, and whese 
figures I find at all satisfactory, expressly states* that both the 
— knots were well seen by himself and his coadjutor Mr. 
‘ , on the Ist of August, 1839, 7. e. two years subsequent to 
the date of my last drawing. Mr. Mason also declares the upper 
12 inches aperture and 14 feet focal length, construct 
self. ) In this particular my observations of 1835 and 1837 so far 
it the diagrams made on those occasions.” se-eegeee eae 
 inre Mitel Wey wih Weidde tt Glciretttned le the Trafic (h. 1991,) 
ie Meta, Americas Phil’ Boo. val. Hi Ark Silk, p. 127. _ 
a 41 1 Sit John's ri stipd ote aie ‘, le; hich Mason saw, the part in ques- 
\ 
