4 
Mr. South’s observations of the apparent distances 
The noble liberality of the Russian Government having re- 
cently put Mr. Struve in possession of an instrument much 
more powerful, and far more appropriate, for pursuing this 
department of astronomical* enquiry, than those with which 
his published observations were made, I have not deemed it 
right, as heretofore, to refer to his earlier, yet still valuable 
determinations, the general accuracy of which may well be 
cited as proofs of what industry and perseverance may 
achieve, although supported by comparatively slender instru- 
mental assistance. 
I have said that the accompanying observations were made 
partly at home, and partly abroad ; the latter remind me of 
a pleasing duty : — the Board of Longitude of Paris, and 
Government of France, have claims upon me too great to 
remain unnoticed, the one for having requested, and the 
other for having acceded to me the permission of introduc- 
ing into France, free of all duty {sans conditions ), whatever 
astronomical instruments I thought proper ;-f and so effectual 
were the arrangements of the Director General of the 
* The investigation of parallax by direct observations of double stars, not having 
yet been seriously entered upon, although recommended by Sir W. Hersciiel nearly 
fifty years ago, and the importance of it having been warmly pressed upon me by 
Monsieur le Marquis de la place — a continuous series of observations of the 
most interesting double and triple stars seeming necessary — and fresh determina- 
tions of the orbits of Saturn’s satellites being wanted — it was my wish to have pro- 
cured more extensive means than I possess, to have attacked the one, to have with 
greater facility followed up the other, and to have furnished the necessary observa- 
tions of the satellites alluded to ; — the overtures however for an object-glass of 
twelve inches diameter, and twenty feet focal length (Paris measure), with which I 
had proposed to construct an equatorial, similar to that of which an engraving is 
given in the former paper, were most unexpectedly arrested in limine, by Mr. 
Fraunhofer declining to supply me with one, unless accompanied by apparatus 
provided by himself — a useless augmentation of expence, which prudence therefore did 
not authorize me, to incur. 
f The like indulgence was granted me for the importation of my ordinary bag- 
gage, travelling carriage, and for whatever I deemed necessary to render my sojourn 
in France comfortable. 
