Greenwich Catalogue, whose proper motions are south, nearly equal in number those that are north; yet the quantity of southern proper motion exceeds the northern in the proportion of 4 to 1."

Mr. Pond does not at present offer any conjecture on the cause of these deviations, but rather waits anxiously for opportunities of confirming and giving greater accuracy to the determinations by further observation. His first paper was read April 18th, and during the summer the Astronomer Royal continued his observations in the most indefatigable manner, the results of which are given in the second paper or appendix, read 14th November, 1822.

In this paper he commences by stating that the observations made during the summer confirm in a very decided manner the results which formed the subject of his last communication. It is not his intention to propose any explanation of the cause of the phenomena in question, although to an experienced astronomer many obvious conjectures naturally present themselves: but the value of all such conjectures, he well observes, it will require perhaps many years to determine. The immediate object of the present paper, preparatory to giving the detailed view of the results, is to consider the force of that explanation of the differences in question, which will, most readily occur to every astronomer, namely, that the whole may arise either from error committed by the observer, or from defect in the instruments. This objection would in the present case derive greater weight from the circumstance that the observations of three distant periods are employed, and that an error in those of either period (but particularly of the two latter) would materially affect the result now under consideration.

The author then proceeds to remark the great caution with which a good astronomer will view the results obtained even by the best instruments, if at variance with any received doctrines in astronomy. More particularly, he observes, ought this suspicion to be excited when such anomalies are found to exist as bear some direct ratio to the zenith distances of the stars employed. So far, then, as the present anomalies may appear to correspond to differences in zenith distances, the astronomer admits that the influence of instrumental imperfection may be considered probable; but in point of fact, the anomalies in question always appear to bear a much greater reference to the right ascensions of the stars than to their zenith distances,

These anomalies, to which alone be attaches any importance, are found to be of this description.

VOL. XXI. JAN. 1824.

D

"I found," the author says, "while collecting observations to from a catalogue for the present period, that I could more nearly predict the deviation of a star from its computed place, by knowing its right ascension, than its declination. Now it is not easy to conceive in what way the error of an instrument for measuring declination, fixed in the meridian, can be occasioned by any circumstance depending on the right ascension of a star to be observed."

Mr. Pond then enters upon a lengthened examination of his results, in order to shew their correspondence with the above statement. He then considers the probable sources of error from other considerations. A very curious comparison arises in the course of these investigations between the merits of the Dublin instrument and that at Greenwich.

Upon the value of these researches we conceive it superfluous to make any comment; repeated series of observations will be the best, and indeed the only comment upon them. Astronomy has something in its character of a kindred nature to that of the system of nature itself; it is the science of ages; its truths are built up from the collected materials of centuries; and its results are obtained for distant posterity to appreciate and employ.

The other paper which we have named relates to a question of a different nature, and more delicate investigation than the former; it is, in fact, a continuation of a series of papers which the astronomer royal has at different times contributed, on the question of the existence of any sensible annual parallax in such of the fixed stars as would seem to afford the greatest facilities for detecting it. The observations of Dr. Brinkley are opposed to these; he maintaining that the parallax of several stars is a very sensible quantity. Mr. Pond commences his paper in the following words:

"My former experiments with a fixed telescope on a Cygni have always appeared to me so decisive as to render hopeless any further attempt to discover its parallax; but respecting that of a Lyræ, my observations with the mural circle were not equally satisfactory; for among the observations of this star we may find occasional discordances that admit of being interpreted in form of parallax; and although I have been inclined myself to attribute these irregularities to other causes, yet their existence made it desirable to institute new experiments.".

He then shews that the method with a fixed telescope would here be inapplicable; he has therefore employed the mural circle to investigate, 1st, the difference of parallax between y Draconis and a Lyræ; 2dly, the absolute parallax of the latter star: the Dublin observations had given the

parallax of the former star as insensible, whilst that of the latter was a very perceptible quantity.

We have only space to mention the results, which are, 1st, that the difference in parallax between the two stars is: determined by Mr. Pond to be absolutely imperceptible, and this by methods which he shews to be greatly preferable to those formerly adopted; 2dly, in respect to the absolute parallax of a Lyræ, he considers it fully established that it cannot exceed a very small fraction of a second; and enters into a very minute and satisfactory account of the possible extent of the influence of changes of temperature, which are in the result fully allowed for.

His concluding remark we consider as putting the whole question in so clear a light, that we copy it.

"Notwithstanding the importance of these investigations to the history of astronomy, and to our forming a correct notion of the system of the universe, yet our decision ultimately turns upon so very small a quantity, that our having reduced the inquiry to these narrow limits, rather tends to shew the perfection of each instrument than the defect of either. On former occasions I considered the question of parallax in the particnlar case of a Lyra as undecided, and as perfectly open to future investigation; but the ob. servations of the present year have produced in my mind a conviction approaching to moral certainty. The history of annual parallax appears to me to be this: in proportion as instruments have been imperfect in their construction, they have misled observers into the belief of the existence of sensible parallax. This has happened in Italy to astronomers of the very first reputation. The Dublin instrument is superior to any of a similar construction on the Conti nent; and accordingly it shews a much less parallax than the Italian astronomers imagined they had detected. Conceiving that I have established, beyond a doubt, that the Greenwich instrument approaches still nearer to perfection, I can come to no other conclusion than that this is the reason why it discovers no parallax at all."

These papers are closed by an extensive set of tables giving the results of the various observations referred to. All these, we need not add, require the closest examination from the astronomical enquirer, in order to the substantiation of the facts in question. They are arranged with an admirable attention to distinctness in the view afforded of the general inferences.

Upon the branch of science most nearly connected with Astronomy, that of Physical Geography, we have the two following papers, which complete the contents of the present part of the Transactions.

No. 8. Observations on the Heights of Places in the

Trigonometrical Survey of Great-Britain, and upon the Latitude of Arbury-Hill. By B. Bevan, Esq.

The interesting question respecting the observations made at Arbury-Hill has engaged the attention of several of our ablest mathematicians, from the time of their being made up to the present. Mr. Bevan's paper is a valuable contribution to the stock of suggestions and facts from which the truth will probably be ultimately elicited. His explanation seems at least very satisfactory, provided the data be considered sufficiently accurate. He has obtained the height of the station in question by levelling, to the Grand Junction Canal, from which, and the known difference of level of the various canals connected with it, he has deduced the relative elevations of the principal points in that part of the country. From these operations it results that the country to the north of Arbury suddenly falls about 400 feet, and continues in this depressed state for nine or ten miles. This defect of matter to the northward he considers in itself a sufficient ground for supposing a deflection of the plumb-line to the southward. To see how this would agree with the trigonometrical operations, he calculated the latitude of Arbury from that of Blenheim, by means of the distance determined in the survey. The resulting latitude is 5 seconds less than that from observation: even when the latitude of Blenheim is corrected as proposed by Colonel Mudge, the result is still 3 seconds less; and when calculated from the latitude of Dunnose, 1 second. All these results concurring to prove that the observed latitude by the zenith sector falls to the north of the calculated, or that the deflection of the plumb-line was to the south. He hence shews that the length of a degree calculated on the supposition of the latitudes thus determined, maintains a regular increase to the northward agree ing with the assumed general figure of the earth. The rest of the paper is devoted to an examination of some of the heights of places determined in the survey; which Mr. Bevan considers erroneous, and gives the results of levelling to the canals.

No. 4. Corrections applied to the great Meridional arc measured in India to reduce it to the Parliamentary Standard. By Lieutenant-Colonel W. Lambton, F.R.S.

The nature of this paper prevents our giving any minute account of it. The work it applies to is one of the greatest of the kind which has ever been undertaken; and the author says, in the conclusion of the paper, that he is advancing through Hindostan with it, and seems to meet with no ob stacle from the native Princes. He promises a full account of it when completed,

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ART. IV. A Tour through the Upper Provinces of Hindostan; comprising a Period between the Years 1804, and 1814: with Remarks and authentic Anecdotes. To which is annexed, a Guide up the River Ganges, with a Map from the Source to the Mouth. By A. D. 8vo. 291 pp. 9s. Rivingtons. 1823.

MRS. A. D. visited the stations between Calcutta and Meerat at various times of the ten years between 1804 and 1814; and she has given to the public the result of her observations. Her book is very much the same as Mrs. B. C. or Mrs. E. F. might be expected to compile under similar circumstances; there are some amusing passages in it, and with these we shall make free.

From Calcutta to Serampore is the cockney Paradise of Bengal, at Krishna-nugger this Paradise becomes somewhat too Patriarchal for comfortable travellers. One tiger growled in a bush and frightened the horses into full gallop; a second attacked a servant going to fetch water, and was only escaped from by swimming; two others were found asleep in a field of high grass near the camp; and a wolf succeeded in carrying off a lamb.

Radge Mahl was once a place of great celebrity, at present it is falling into decay; nevertheless, it still supports a Baker, who makes excellent bread and hot rolls, though he is obstinately firm against the innovation of muffins. He (or another Baker it matters not which,) was promised extensive custom by Mrs. A. D., provided he would work according to the European receipt, which she offered to translate into Hindostanee, "Pardon me Lady" was his reply, "my father never made them, my grandfather never made them, and how shall I presume to do it? my grandfather brought up sixteen children, my father fourteen children, without making mufkeens, and why should not I?"

"Better to sit than stand; better to lay (lie) down than sit; better to sleep than either." We by no means believe that this sentiment is peculiar to the Hindus. It is the doctrine of all who are honest enough to confess it in all climates. At Bangul-poor Mrs. A. D. had her first specimen of the progress of conversion among the natives.

"A singular circumstance occurred, in consequence of the arrival of some Missionaries, while we were at this place. These gentlemen had been holding forth in the bazar, and having gathered together a numerous assembly of the people, particu larly remarked one, as being more attentive than the rest; (a corn