Astronomy and Meteorology. 365 
course of activity by the father. This is especially the case with respect 
to the late Professor W. C. Bond and his son, Professor George Phillips 
nd, to whom the council have awarded the highest mark of distinction 
this society can confer. 
In the estimate formed of his scientific work, the professional astron- 
omer is generally placed somewhat at a disadvantage in comparison 
with the amateur. In the case of the latter, the whole of his work is 
weighed in the balance, while, in that of the former, large deductions are 
made from his labors as belonging properly to the duties of his official 
position, An official astronomer, in this age of zealous activity and 
speedy publication, inaugurated I believe by the example of the present 
irector of our own Royal Observatory, may, consequently, produce 
mach good and original work without his name coming with due promi- 
nence before his peers, so long as that work falls, or rather appears to 
fall, within the range of his official duties. . . 
_ Unquestionable evidence that Prof. G. P. Bond has done more for our 
science than even a scrupulous discharge of his duty demanded, was given 
by the appearance of the ‘Annals of the Astronomical Observatory of 
Harvard College,’ vol. iii, 1862. At first sight, indeed, that volume might 
appear to be nothing beyond a record of excellent but, nevertheless, official 
work; when, however, I shall presently come to speak of its details, it 
will, 1 doubt not, be conceded that it belongs in a great measure to the 
rivate labor independent of official duty.’ 
pendently eleven of those bodies. It is not surprising, therefore, that so 
zealous an observer of these strange visitors, about the nature of which 
of so splendid a comet as that of Donati. It was also a natural conse- 
quence that Professor Bond should have desired to compare his own 
Tesults with those of other observers, but it was by no means a necessary 
Sequence that he should have entailed upon himself the enormous labor 
he 
light, the short duration of twilight, and the remarkable continuance of 
Clear weather during the most important part of the comet’s apparition, 
largely contributing to this result. The darkness of the sky, whi 
Am. Jour. Sct.—Srcoxp Serres, Vou. XXXIX, No. 117.~—Mar, 1865. 
47 
