9 



country for the progress of science, and I trust that its influence 

 will be felt in the cordial union and co-operation of philosophers 

 in planning and in executing those great systems of observations^ 

 whether simultaneous or not, which are still requisite to fill up 

 some of those blank spaces which occupy so large a portion in the 

 map of human knowledge. 



In the course of last year the celebrated Baron de Humboldt ad- 

 dressed a letter to me, as President of the Royal Society, expressing 

 a wish that Magnetical Observatoiies, upon a uniform plan, might 

 be established in this country and its colonies, with a view of making 

 simultaneous observations with those which are now making, or 

 which are in progress to be made, in different parts of the continent 

 ot Europe and of Northern Asia. I felt it to be due to the illus- 

 trious author of this communication to make it generally known to 

 the Fellows of the Royal Society, and to beg that a committee of 

 the Council might be appointed to consider the best mode of carry- 

 ing its recommendations into effect. A very elaborate Report was 

 consequently made by the Astronomer Royal and Mr. Christie in 

 November last, enumerating many important consequences which 

 might result from such a system of observations, and pointing out a 

 series of stations where they might most efficiently be made. I am 

 happy to inform you. Gentlemen, that measures are in progress for 

 the accomplishment of all these objects : a Magnetical Observatory, 

 which was long contemplated and earnestly recommended by the 

 Board of Visitors of the Royal Observatory, has been established at 

 Greenwich, in a situation so remote from all other buildings as to 

 be altogether free even from the suspicion of external disturbances-. 

 The Corps of Royal Engineers, which has always been distinguished 

 for the zeal and scientific acquirements of many of its Members, 

 has spontaneously offered to conduct the requisite observations, in 

 whatever quarter of the globe they may be stationed ; the Astrono- 

 mer Royal has determined the species of observations to be made, 

 and the character and construction of the instruments to be used ; 

 and the Lords of the Treasury have placed at the disposal of the 

 Royal Society the requisite funds for their purchase. I have felt 

 it my duty. Gentlemen, to bring these circumstances under your 

 notice, not merely as forming an important part of the proceedings 

 of the Council of the Royal Society during the last year, but as 

 an encouraging and instructive example of the facility with which 

 extensive co-operation and assistance may be obtained in the execu- 

 tion of any scientific object, however extensive it may be, when the 

 practical means for performing it are distinctly and clearly defined. 



It is with real concern that I venture to call your attention to a 

 letter which has been recently published, on the subject of the new 

 Catalogue of the Library of the Royal Society, which I somewhat 

 prematurely announced, when I last had the honour of addressing 

 you, as preparing for publication, and as likely very shortly to ap- 

 pear. I was perfectly aware, when I made that announcement to 

 you, of the nature of the correspondence which had passed between 

 Mr. Panizzi and the Council relating to this Catalogue ; but I had 



