Aree] 
XVII. On a Method of defcribing the relative Pofitions and Mag- 
nitudes of the Fixed Stars; together with fome Aftronomical 
Objervations. By the Rev. Francis Wollafton, LL.B. 
Bod Ss. | 
Read February 5, 1784. 
ROM fome alterations which have of late years been dif- 
covered, in the relative pofitions. and apparent magnitudes: 
of a few of the ftars we called fixed, it feems not unreafona-: 
ble to conclude, that there may be many changes among others. _ 
of them we little fufpe&t. ‘This thought has led me into a with,, 
that fome method were adopted whereby to detect fuch mo- 
tions. The firft idea which occurred to me was, to make a 
propofal to aftronomers in general; that each fhould undertake 
a friéf examination of a certain diftrict in the heavens; and,. 
not only by a re-examination of the catalogues hitherto pub- 
lithed, but by taking the right afcenfion and declination of 
- every ftar in their feveral allotment, to frame an exact map of. 
it, with a corref{ponding catalogue; and to communicate their 
obfervations to one common centre. This is what I could 
be glad to fee begun. Every aftronomer muft with it, and there-- 
fore every one fhould be ready to take his fhare in it. Such 
a plan, undertaken with fpirit, and carried on gradually with: 
care, would, by the joint labours and emulation of fo many: 
__aftronomers as are now in Europe, produce a celeftial Atlas far 
_ beyond any thing that has ever yet appeared. 
: f, But 
