for the year 1877. xv 



passing interest. In my last address, however, I unfortu- 

 nately omitted to do so; but I think you will grant me 

 your indulgence for a few moments on this occasion, while 

 I briefly review the year's work in these directions. 



As an excuse for referring to Astronomical Work first, I 

 may plead both alphabetical precedence as well as the fact 

 that I am more intimately acquainted with what has been 

 done in this direction than in many others. While our 

 Observatory has been, as usual, fully occupied with its 

 allotted work in Astronomy, Meteorology, and other 

 physical investigations, there is nothing of very promi- 

 nent interest in its last year's history, but nevertheless 

 there are one or two facts worthy of record. 



You will remember that while our great reflector has 

 been kept at work ever since its erection in 1869, no results 

 of this work, except in a few cases of immediate interest, 

 have been given to the world, and a feeling has gained 

 ground that nothing was being done with it, except for 

 simple idle star-gazing. The fact is, we have accumulated 

 a very large mass of observations, descriptions, and draw- 

 ings — the work of the three several observers to whom the 

 use of the telescope has been entrusted ; but these, for 

 several reasons, have not hitherto been published. I am 

 glad, however, to say that their publication is now in pro- 

 gress, and in a forward state. 



Lithographic copies of most of the drawings of the 

 nebulae observed with the telescope have now been made 

 on stone, and I have no doubt will soon be published, with 

 a full description of what has been done with this giant 

 instrument. The work for the most part consists of a revi- 

 sion of the nebulse observed by Sir John Herschel at the 

 Cape of Good Hope from 1835 to 1837 with his great re- 

 flector, and a comparison of the changes that have taken 

 place in the interval of forty years will prove interesting 



