THE COUNCIL, 
15 
Literary and Philosophical Society, and the Natural History 
Society of Newcastle; it has received the Proceedings of the 
Geological Society of London, the Report of the Cornwall 
Geological Society, and the Programme de la Societe des Anti - 
quaires du Nord . Many authors, eminent in various branches 
of science have presented copies of their publications. A mong 
these, the valuable work of the Vice-President of the Astronomi¬ 
cal Society, on Practical Astronomy, requires more especially 
to be noticed, as having been accompanied by a promise on 
the part of the author, when he attended the Meeting of the 
Association in this Museum, that if the Society should proceed 
to add an Observatory to its other scientific objects, he would 
present to it two of the best instruments in his possession. 
In consequence of this munificent offer, a Committee has been 
appointed to inquire what disposition there may be in this 
county and neighbourhood to encourage and cultivate the 
important science of Astronomy. 1 
There is no more important desideratum, in respect to the 
means which this Institution possesses of promoting science, 
than that of philosophical instruments. The Secretaries have 
constructed for its use an accurate Barometer with an adjustable 
cistern, and the Treasurer has contributed a clock. 
Among the objects of antiquarian interest which have been 
presented to the Society, are maps in tapestry of three of the 
1 The Committee have since received from Dr. Pearson an offer of a 
clock, a telescope, and a transit instrument; they have obtained an 
estimate of the expense of erecting an observatory in the Society’s 
Garden, which amounts to £.300, and have invited the subscriptions of 
the members of the Society and others who may take an interest in 
promoting so useful an object. Contributions will be received by the 
members of the Committee, (Mr. Donkin, Mr. Jonathan Gray, and the 
Rev. Wm. Taylor,) the Secretaries, (Mr. Wm. Gray, jun., and Mr. 
Phillips,) and the Banks in York. 
