The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-19 00:00:00

LONDON, SATURDAY EVENIN",„ Ny DECEMBER 19, 1846.

PUBLICATIONS.

ELIZA COOK'S POEMS•
Just published, the Fourth Edition of MELAIA, and other
Poems, beautifully illustrated, price 10s. 6d. cloth, and 15s. morocco,
elegant. " The work b well got up, and will form a handsome
Christmas Gift." Also the "Second Series," with a finely executed
Portrait of the Author, price ss. cloth.
•• Eliza Cook's poetry appeals at once to the soul by its simple
truthfulness. Many a roof has rung with her beautiful ballads."—
Literary Gazette.
" Eliza Cook has the daring which belongs to genius alone. There
is health In her poetry, and it is likely to make her readers happier
and better."—Sunday Times.

" Some of the poems are so exceedingly bclutiful as to strike us
with a kind of wonder."—llell's Weekly Messenger.

London : Simpkin. Marshall, and Co., and 011ivier, Pall Mall
Orders received by all Booksellers.

Just rubll-hed, 2 vols., octavo, 285., of
THE BONAPARTE LETTERS AND
DESPATCHES from the Originals in his Private CablEet.
" This coteetion was known before, and has been largely quoted
from, [by Alison, in his history of Europe ; by Thicrs, and Witch-
smith, Professor of History in the University of Leipzig, in their
Histories of the Revolution ; by Botta, in his history of Italy, and
by other distinguished historians] "but it has not to our knowledge
been previously published in this country. It is a work of the first
importance."—Britannia, Nov. 14.
"We heartily recommend these remarkable volumes, bearing, as
they do, intemal evidence of authenticity."— New Monthly Magazine.
" We have perused these volumes with indescribable delight ; they
contain the Secret, Confidential. and Official Letters of the greatest
Warrior the world ever saw.' In fact, these Letters, sketched by his
own hand, were never intended to meet the public eye,"—Weekly
Dispatch.
"A highly interesting collection."—Atlas.
• London : Maunders and Otley, Conduit-street.

ALISON'S HISTORY OF EUROPE.
11HE FIRST- VOLUME- of the NEW EDI-
TION of THE HISTORY OF EUROPE is now published,
and may be had of all Booksellers. Price 6s.
William Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh and London.

THE LONDON AND SUBURBAN
CABRIOLET and CARRIAGE COMPANY.
(Provisionally Registered.) •
Capital 100,0001., in 10,000 shares of 101. each.
Deposit 11. per share, being the largest sum which can be legally
. .

required prior to. complete registration.
This Company has been formed for the purpose of supplying the
Metropolis and its Neighbourhood with handsome and weil-appointee:
Public Cabriolets and Carriages, constructed with all modern im-
provements, in lieu of the mean and miserable conveyances at pre-
sent in use, and to effect this at a considerable reduction in the exist-
ing rates, it being intended that the fares shall in no case exceed the
rate of ad. per mile, and so on In proportion.
It is also proposed to supply open Excursion Carriages of differest
kinds, in the Summer Months, similar to those in use at Brighton,
Leamington, and other fashionable watering places.
Full prospectuses, containing the names of the Provisional Direc-
tors, and Members of the Company, may be obtained ; and applica-
tions for Shares (which must be in the prescribed forms), may be
made to the Secretary of the Company, at the temporary offices, 3,
Crown-court, Old Broad-street, London..

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS SCHOOLS
FOR ORPHANS AND NECESSITOUS CHILDREN.
Offices, 51, Cheapsitle.

. .
Notice Is hereby given, that a QUARTERLY GENERAL COURT
of the GOVERNORS of this INSTITUTION will be held at the
London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, in the City of London, on MON-
DAY, the 28th day of December inst., at twelve o'clock at noon, pre-
cisely, for the purpose of appointing Patrons, Patronesses, a President.
Vice-Presidents, Trustees, Treasurer, Auditors, Medical Officers,
Secretaries, and Collectors, or such of them as he Court may think
lit; and also for the purpose of electing a Board of Management for
the ensuing year, and to entertain, discuss, and determine such other
questions and matters as may be authorised and required by the
rules of the Institution.

The attendance of all Governors is particularly requested.
GEORGE LAI" ENCEI Secretaries.
WILLIAM GORDON,

REFORMATION ll' CLEANING UHIM
NEYS.—The use of the PORTLAND PATENT SPRINt
BRUSH and CHIMNEY-SWEEPING APPARATUS obviates al
the annoyance and inconvenience consequent upon the present die
gusting plan. By it a flue is completely cleansed withont on.
particle of soot entering the apartment. A short time agc
an experiment was made with this apparatus at the House o:
Commons, the success of which was complete. Speets of writing
paper were placed upon the chimney-piece, and in various *the!
parts of the room, and after the completion of the sweeping not one
particle of soot was discernible upon any of the sheets of paper.
To be seen at 69, Welbeck-street, Cavendish-square.
N.B. The Proprietor is willing to grant licenses for the use of this
patent invention in the provincial towns of En;land.
Agents for the Metropolis are required.

PATENT ELASTIC BANDS, warranted not to
he affected by the cold or heat of any season or climate.
These Rings or Bands are used instead of Tape or String, for hold-
ing Papers and Parcels of every description.
One of these Rings is instantly placed round a Packet of Papers, a
Roll of Maps, Print:, Music, &c., holding the same firmly and se-
curely, saving the time and trouble of tying, yet allowing a very
groat addition or reduction without any loss of compactness.
They are well adapted for Garters, (a size being selected which re-
quires little stretching); also for the Waist and different parts of the
Body ; Surgical Bandages, and for a variety of Surgical and Mann-
featuring purposes.
These Bands are also very suitable for Fastening the Covers of
Preserve and Pickle Jars, Bottles, &e.
In addition to the above, there is a great variety of uses, too nu-
mesons to mention, for which these Bands may be applied with ad-
vaz'itage, and new applications will constantly suggest themselves
when in use. .

They may be had of two thicknesses, and are sold in Boxes of six
dozen each, of assorted sizes, price Gd. per box and upwards.

. .
]ands may be had to order of various widths and thicknesses.
4!** The above articles are sold by all Stationers and Dealers in
Metallic Pens. Wholesale and for Exhortation by Perry and Co.,
at No. 37, Red Lion-square, London ; and also by Charles Macintosh
and Co., Manufacturers, Manchester and Birmingham.

CUNDY'S PATENT OPEN FIRE
VENTILATING STOVE.

(TeEtimonial after one Winter's trial.)
•' St. Jollies, Fulham, May 2, 1846.

My dear Str,—l have very great pleasure in ,glving my public
testimony to the efficiency of your stove, as combining the double
advantage of thoroughly warming and constantly ventilating any
large church or building. Your invention appeared to me to he in
the Dry all that could be desired, and I can honestly say that I have
not yet discovered the point in which the practice falls short of the
theory.
"The area of my church is computed to be nearly 200,000 cubical
feet, and, though a second stove will be required, the one already
erected has fully answered my highest expectations, and realised al:
thai you have given me to expect. If confirmation were needed fin
evidence of its efficiency, I might further state that I had peculiat

- -
difficulties to contend wi:h—that various attempts had bee'n made,
and that every attempt had preyed a signal failure—that I was ex-
posed to the charge of boldness in attempting what had bafile(,
others; but that such is the power, the efficiency, and the comfort
communicated by your stove, that I know not of a dissentient voice,
and have heard only of approval with unanimous consent.
" I might add, that I was first led to the making inquiry respect.
ng your stove having gathered indirectly that a disposition, not un•
favourable towards it, was entertained in a certain high quarter,
where, on account of ability of discernment, the smallest approach
to approval must carry with it great weight.
" I remain, dear Sir, yours faithfully,
" WILLIAM (I.lltltArf, Minister of St. John's, Fulham.
" Cundy, Esq."

The stoves to be had of Messrs. DOWSON, 69, Welbeck-street,
Cavendish-square ; where they may be seen ill operation.

BRITISH COLLEGE. of HEALTH, New-
road, London.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. of the HYGEIST, with the reason:
that led him to the discovery of the Ilygeian System of Medicine and
the " Vegetable Universal Medicines," after thirty-five years' inex-
pressible suffering under the medical faculty.
James Morison, the youngest son of Alexander Morison, Esq.,
was born at Bognie, in the county of Aberdeen, in the year 1770
The family has been long known as one of great affluence and re-
spectability, and the late Member for Banffshire, John Morison, war
the second brother of the subject of this brief sketch.
For the remainder of the sketch, see the abridged " Morisoniana,"
to be had of all the honorary members of the British College o.
Health, New-road, London. Price Gd. •

lfanehester just one hour and three minutes after its due
time.—Manchester Guardian.

THE SALT TRADE TO INDIA.
A deputation of the merchants, manufacturers, ship-
owners, and others, interested in the salt trade to India,
old the abolition of the East India Company's power to
manufacture salt in India, waited .on Sir John Cam
Hobhouse, the President of the Board of Control, on
Thursday last, at two rM. The deputation, which was
headed by Sir Denis Le Marchant, M.P. for Worcester,
consisted of the folio% in.-'3 gentlemen:—Mr. W. Worth-
ington, Mr. IL Ashton, Mr. D. C. Aylwin, and Mr. R.
Falk, representing the Committee of the Cheshire Salt
Chamber of Commerce ; Mr. Alderman E. Evans and
{r. J. W. Lea, Commissioners of the Ss:vern Navigation
improvement, representing the Worcester Chamber of
Commerce mai Town Council ; Mr. Shawcross, Mr. W.
L'eel, and Mr. H. Fleming, on behalf of the city of Man-
chester ; Mr. T. Greenshields and Mr. Itufford, repre-
senting the Worcester section of the Salt Chamber of
Commerce ; Mr. Shipton, of the Gloucester Chamber of
Commerce ; Mr. A. Ridley and Mr. W. C. Harnett, re-
presenting the London Shipowners' Association ; Mr.
Hontague Fielden, on behalf of the merchants and
manufacturers of Blackburn and vicinity ; Mr. Enthoven,
Hr. Morrell, Mr. Westall, and Mr. Bumpstead, repre-
senting the London salt trade ; and Mr. J. H. Stoc-
lueler, the Secretary to the Committee of the Cheshire
ind Worcestershire Salt Chamber.
The deputation being seated, Sir Denis Le Marchant
)pened the case, and read to the President of the Board
,f Control a memorial of aliseeting of the merchants,
manufacturers, &c., represented by the deputation, in
which the great evils of the India Company's monopoly
the manufacture of salt, and the oppressive method in
whiCh the duty is levied on imported salt, were fully set
'orth. Sir Denis likewise handed in the resolutions passed
at a recent public meeting at Manchester, declaratory of
the determination of the manufacturers of that city to
appeal to Parliament against the monopoly.
Mr. Thomas Greenshields followed Sir Denis Le
Harchant with an exposition of the (so-called) bonding
system in force in the principal Indian ports, showing
how completely it operated to check the exportation of
salt from this country, and is give to the East India
Company extensive command of the market.
Mr. D. C. Aylwin (of the firm of Aylwin and Co.,
Calcutta) entered into a complete detail of the various
ways in which the virtual possession -of the monopoly
sffected the commerce, the manufactures, and the ship-
ping of this country, and the health, comfort, and ad-
vancement in civilization of the natives of India. Mr.
Aylwin likewise illustrated the absurdity and inconsis-
tency of the bonding process, by describing a case of re-
sent occurrence at Madras.

Mr. Montague Fielden, on behalf of the merchants
ind manufacturers of Blackburn and its vicinity, pro-
tested against the monopoly, upon the broad ground of
is inconsistency with the welfare of the people of India.
lie cast aside all minor considerations, and maintained
.hat upon the great principle of the right of the meanest
•übject to participate in the blessings of free trade, the
4:ast India Company should be altogether prohibited
'rom manufacturing salt, or .imposing a duty upon so
t.sential an article of food.

Mr. Rufford showed how deeply concerned the Wor-
!estershire salt trade was in the alteration of the system
ender which a duty was now levied upon salt sent from
his country.
Mr. Ridley, of the London Shipowners' Association,
net the allegation of the Company (advanced on some
=osier occasion), that there was not available tonnage
'or all the salt that would be required from this country
ror the supply of India, by declaring, on the contrary,
here was a superabundance, and that the enterprise and
ingenuity of the shipowner would always discover means
)f meeting a deficiency, could such a contingency by any
aossibility arise.

Mr. Sliipton explained to the President that the port
,f Gloucester, which, in its comparative infancy, stood
ouch in need of fostering assistance, would be largely
')enefited by becoming one of the channels for the ex-
,ort of Worcestershire salt.

Mr. Shaweross, while sympathising with the mer-
:bents who confined their present prayer to the enforce-
nent of a bonding system analogous to that in .opera-
ion in Great Britain, stated it to be the firm impression
A* the Manchester merchants, manufacturers, &c., that
,he only adequate remedy for the evils of the monopoly
was its total extinction. Manchester regarded the tax
upon salt as a cruel impost, for which the necessity of
raising revenue afforded n 9 kind of reasonable excuse.
Sir John Hobhouse having asked how, in the face of
such a bonding system as that complained of, large ex-
portations of salt had been made during the last year—
the President was answered by Mr. Greenshields, Mr.
Rufford, and Mr. Robert Falk, that the exports had been
made experimentally, in the hope that the late Govern-
ment would have caused the East India Company to
31ter their regulations ; but that all those exports had
3nded in loss, and not another ounce of salt would be
dent until the trade was placed up.m a fair footing.
Sir John Hobhouse then intimated that he would lay
the whole matter before his colleagues in the Cabinet,
for their early consideration. He could not hold out any
mir.ediate expectation that the East India Company
would be induced readily to surrender 1,300,000/. et an-
ival revenue, but he would see that the bonding system
vas immediately inquired into. The India Board being.
concurrent rather than a directly controlling power, he
mad not issue peremptory instructions, as was sup-
posed, but everything should be done which the case, on
!onsideration, appeared to demand. The East India
.:ompany had already sent out a dispatch to their Go-
,Trnment in India upon the subject, tut he was nut at
iberty to disclose the nature of the communication.
Mr. Stocqueler having asked when the salt merchants
night hope for a decision on the question, Sir John an-
swered, that no time should be lost., consistently with the
'rdinary claims upon the time of the Cabinet, in coining
to a conclusion, and meanwhile, he would be very happy
to sea and confer with any members of the deputation
ho might wish to see him.
The deputation then retired.

ALARMING AND DESTRUCTIVE FIRE. - This
norning, shortly before three o'clock, a fire broke cut
-n the premises of Mr. Noblett, currier, '24, Drury-lane,
which at one time threatened destruction to the densely-
)opulated neighbourhood adjacent. The premises con-
sisted of a dwelling-house in Drury-lane, and workshops
extending to a considerable depth, entirely built of wood,
;or the purposes of tanning and currying the leather.
the fire originated in the front of the building, and was
speedily communicated to the wooden workshops above-
,iientioned. At one time considerable fears were enter
wink d for the safety of the building adjoining,
in the
ccupation of Mr. Durieu, tallow-chandler and melter,
but the speedy arrival of the engines from the various
tations, together with that belonging to Messrs.
Combe and Co , assisted with a plentiful supply of
water, speedily stopped the progress of the flames, but
not before the whole of Mr. Noblett's premises were
entirely consumed, together with the stock in trade,
furniture, &c. The firemen, with their wonted per-
severance, combatted the flames at no less than four
several points, viz., at the rear of the premises, in
Brownlow-street, in Brokers'-alley, in Charles-street.
and in the front in Drury-lane. The fire, we are happy
to state, was nearly extinguished within an hour atter
the outbreak. Mr. Noblett, we understand, is insured
in the Sun-office. We could not ascertain the cause of
the conflagration, but the loss must be very con-
siderable.

THE NATIONAL BATHS, HOLBORN.—Those who
were wont to visit these rooms in the summer season,
will find them now converted into elegant reception sa-
loons, for the lovers of music and votaries of Terpsi-
chore. The space hitherto occupied by the swimming
baths is floored over, at the one end of which is placed
the orchestra ; it is tastefully and elegantly fitted up,
and on either side are commodious refreshment rooms,
and above, is a beautiful apartment devoted to the accom-
modation of those who wish to indulge in the luxuries of
a cigar. This Casino, under the management of Mr.
Coleman, was opened for the first time on Thursday
night, when a crowded and respectable audience listened
SploamYiencghoice and the most fa-
vourite t h p l eoverturesa
ex-
cellent singing followed, diversifying the entertainment
anuedxcgeulluednrtilbleasn.d,
of the evening, which was loudly applauded. After a
short interval, dancing commenced, which was kept up
with great spirit. A visit to this novel entertainment
will well repay those who wish to enjoy an evening's en-
tertainment.
BREACH OF PROMISE IN FRANCE.—Actions for
breach of promise of marriage are very rare in France,
and they are still more rarely successful. On Saturday
last the civil tribunal of the Seine was occupied with a
suit by Mdlle. Ziuna, a young lady of a respectable fa-
wily, against a M. Emile, who, after repeated protesta-
tions that he would marry her, had married another
lady. Mdlle. Ziuna had loved truly, and too well, for a
child was the result of her weakness, and it had been
baptized in the name of the father, who not only ac-
knowledged it,, but even declared at the registry of the
birth that it was his child by his legitimate spouse, the
mother. The promise of the marriage, both verbally
and in writing, was clearly proved, but the counsel for
the defence contended that Mdlle. Ziuna and her mother
had taken advantage of the youth and inexperience of
the defendant, who is indeed older than the plaintiff, but
it was argued that young ladies are much more clever
than young gentlemen, and that Mdlle. Ziuna, although
younger in years, was superior in tact to her seducer.
The Avocat du Rol, in his address to the court, said that
" if it was necessary to give reparation to the victim of
seduction, it was quite as necessary to avoid holding out
premiums to a sex who complain too frequently of being
such victims." The court rejected the demand of Mdlle.
Ziuna for damages.
'
SIR JOHNIFRANKLIN S EXPEDITION
TO THE ARCI IC
REGIONS.—A statement has been going the round of
ion unnecessary alarm and apprehen-
the papers expres, ..
sion for the safety of the expedition to the Arctic re-
gions, and that inquiries have been daily made at the
Admiralty on the subject. The e ntire paragraph is a
tissue of ignorance, stupidity, and falsehood. The last
accounts from Sir john Franklin were dated July 12,
1845, at Disco. The last heard of the expedition was
by a whaler, which left them on July 26, 1845, off the
entrance of Lancaster Sound. As the expedition has
;one where no whalers ever go, it was not possible t o
hoar by the ships just returned. No inquiries whatever
bare been wade at the Admiralty by any of the relatives
or connexions of those employed in the expedition ; there
is, therefore, no cause of apprehension,

THE NEW PLANET.

ST. CATHARINE'S HALL LODGE, DEC. I2.—The Syn-
dicate appointed to visit the Observatory, conceiving the
subject at the present time to possess peculiar interest,
beg leave to submit to the Senate the following state-
ment of Professor Challis, describing the course of ob-
servations, founded on the theoretical calculations of
Mr. Adams, of St. John's College, and made at the
Observatory, with a view to the discovery of the new
planet.
11. Philpot, Vice-Ch?.n. r George Peacock.
John Graham. James Cartmell.
13. Chapman. Chas. W. Goods!in.
W. Whewell. W. C. Mathison.
Joshua King. G. G. Stokes.
SPECIAL REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS IN THE CAM-
BRIDGE OBSERVATORY, RELATIVE TO THE NEW

PLANET.
At a meeting of the Observatory Syndicate, held
at the Observatory on the 4th December, for . the
dispatch of ordinary business, a strong desire having
been expressed by the Vice-Chancellor and the members
of the Syndicate generally, to receive from me a special
report of observatory proceedings relating to the newly
discovered planet, drawn up in such a manner, and in
such detail, as would enable them to lay complete in-
formation on the subject before the members of the
Senate, I considered it to be my duty at once to comply
with this request. A new body of the solar system has
been discovered, by means depending on the farthest
advances hitherto made in theoretical and practical
astronomy, and confirming, in a most remarkable
manner. the theory of universal. .gravitation. It is,
therefore, on every account desirable that the members
of the Senate should be made fully acquainted with the
part which has been taken by the Cambridge Observa-
tory, relatively to this important extension of astrono
mical science. The observations I shall have to speak
of, and the reasons for undertaking them, are so closely
connected with theoretical calculations performed by a
member of this university, to account for anomalies in
the motion of the planet Uranus, that the history of the
former necessarily involves that of the latter. I hope
that for this reason, and because of the peculiar nature of
the circumstances, I may be allowed to make a com.
munication less formal and restricted in its character
than a mere report of observatory proceedings.
The tables with which the observations of the planet
Uranus have been uniformly compared were published by
A. Bouvard in 1821. They are founded on a continued
series of observations extending from 1781, the year of
its discovery, to 1821. Previous to 1781 it had been
accidentally observed seventeen times its a fixed star, the
earliest observation of this kind being one by Flamsteed
in 1690. Bouvard met with a difficulty in forming his
tables. On an attempt to found them upon the ancient,
as well as the modern observations, it appeared that the
theoretical did not agree with the observed course of the
planet. He thought this might be attributed to the im-
perfection of the ancient observations, and consequently
rejected all previous to 1781 in the formation of the
tables finally published. These tables represent well
enough the observations in the forty years from 1781 to
1821; but very soon after the latter year new errors
began to show themselves, which have gone on in-
creasing to the present time. It was now evident that
the ancient observations had been rejected on in-
-sufficient grounds, and that from some unknown cause
the theory was in fault. Were the tables calculated inac-
curately? The difference between observation and theory
(amounting in 1841 to 96 mins. of geocentric longitude),
was too great, and Bouvard's calculations were made
with too much care, to allow of this explanation. The
effect cf small terms neglected in the calculation of the
' perturbations caused by Jupiter and Saturn, could not be
supposed to bear any considerable proportion to the ob-
served amount of error. This state of the theory sug-
gested to several astronomers the idea of disturbances,
caused by an undiscovered planet more distant than
Uranus. But there is no evidence of this hypothesis
having been put to the test of calculation previous to
1843. The usual problem of perturbations is to find the
disturbing action of one body on another, by knowing
the positions of both. Here an inverse problem, hitherto
untried, was to be solved; viz., from known disturbances
of a planet in known positions, to find the place of the
disturbing body at a given time. Mr. Adams, Fellow of
St. John's College, showed me a memorandum made in
1841, recording his intention of attempting to solve
this problem as soon as he had taken his degree
of B.A. Accordingly, after graduating in January,
1843, he obtained an approximate solution by sup-
posing the disturbing body to move in a circle
at twice the distance of Uranus from the sun. The
result so far satisfied the observed anomalies in the
motion of. Uranus, as to induce him to enter upon an
exact solution. For this purpose he required reduced
observations, made in the ears 1818-1826, and re-
quested my intervention to obtain them from Greenwich.
The Astronomer Royal, on my application, immediately
supplied (Feb. 15, 1845), all the heliocentric errors of
Uranus in longitude and latitude, from 1754 to 1830,
completely reduced. Mr. Adams was now furnished
with ample data from observation, and his next care was
to ascertain whether Bouvard's theoretical calculations
were correct enough for his purpose. Ile tested the
accuracy of the principal terms of the perturbations
caused by Jupiter and Saturn, and concluded that the
small terms which Bouvard had nut taken into account,
would not sensibly affect the final results, the chief of
them being ei, her of long period, or of a period neatly
equal to that of Uranus. Besides which he intredueed
into the theory several corrections which had been de.
rived from observation and calculation by different astro-
nomers, since 1821. The calculations were completed
in 1845. In September of that year Mr. Adams placed
in my hands a paper containing eumerical values of the
mean longitude at a given epoch, longitude of perihelion,
eccentricity of orbit, mass, and geocentric longitude,
September 30, of the supposed disturbing planet, which
he calls by anticipation, " the New Planet," evidently
showing the conviction in his own mind of the reality
of its existence. Towards the end of the next month, a
communication of results slightly different was made to
the Astronomer Royal, with the addition of what was
far more important, viz., a list of the residual errors of
the mean longitude of Uranus, for a period extending
from 1690 to 1840, after taking account of the disturb-
ing effect of the supposed planet. This comparison of
observation with the theory implied the determination
of all the unknown quantities of the problem, both the
corrections of the elements of Uranus, and the eh ments
of the disturbing body. The smallness of the residua!
errors proved that the new theory was adequate to the
explanation of the observed anomalies in the motion of
Uranus, and that as the error of longitude was corrected
fur a period of at least 130 years, the error of radius
vector was also corrected. As the calculations rested on
an assumption, made according to Bucle's law, that the
mean distance of the disturbing planet was double that
of Uranus, without the above-mentioned numerical veri-
fication, no proof was given that the prcblem was solved,
or• that the elements of the supposed planet were not
mere speculative results. The earliest evidence of the
complete solution of an inverse problem of perturbations
is to be dated from October, 1845.

Although the comparison of the theory with observa-
tion proved synthetically that the assumed mean dis-
tance was not very far from the truth, it was yet desir-
able to try the effect of an alteration of the mean dis-
tance. Mr. Adams accordingly went through the same
calculations as before, assuming a mean distance some-
thing less than the double of that of Uranus, and ob-
tained results which indicated a better accordance of the
theory with observation, and led him to the conclusion,
which has since been confirmed by observation, that the
mean distance should be still farther diminishel This
second solution, taken in conjunction with the first, may
be considered to relieve the question of evtry kind of
assumption. The new elements of the disturbing body,
and the results of comparing the observed with the
theoretical mean longitudes of Uranus, were communi-
cated to the Astronomer Royal at the beginning of Sep-
tember, 1846. These were accompanied by numerical
values of errors of the radius vector, the Astronomer
Royal having inquired, after the reception of the first
solution, whether the error of radius vector, known to
exist from observation, was explained by this theory. It
would be wrong to infer that Mr. Adams was not pre-
pared to answer this question till he had gone through
the second solution. Errors of radius vector were as
readily deducible from the first solution as from the
other.
The preceding details 'are intended to point out the
circumstances which led astronomers to suspect the ex-
istence of an additional body of the solar system, and
the theoretical reasons there were for undertaking to
search for it. No one could have anticipated that the
place of the unknown body was indicated with any
degree of exactness b 3 a theory of this kind. It might
reasonably be supposed, without at all mistrusting the
evidence which the theory gave of the existence of the
planet, that its position was determined but roughly,
and that a search for it must necessarily be long and
laborious. This was the view I • took, and consequently
I had no thought of commencing the search in 1845, the
planet being considerably past opposition at the time
Mr. Adams completed his calculation;. The succeeding
interval to Midsummer of 1846 was a period- of great
astronomical activity, the planet Astrica, Biela's double
comet, and several other comets, successively demanding
attention. During this time I had little communication
with Mr. Adams respecting the new planet. Attention
was again called to the subject by the pub-
lication of M. Leverrier's first researches in
the Cornpte liendu for June 1, 1846. At a
meeting of the Greenwich Board of Visitors, held on
June 29, at which I was present, Mr. Airy announced
that M. Leverrier had obtained very nearly the same
longitude of the supposed planet, os that given by Mr.
Adams. On July 9, I received a letter from Mr. Airy,
in which he suggested employing the Northumberland
Telescope in a systematic search for the planet, offering,
at the same time to send an assistant from Greenwich,
in case I declined undertaking the observations. This
letter was followed by another, dated July 13, contain-
ing suggestions respecting the mode of conducting the
observations, and an estimation of the amount of work
they might be expected to require. In my answer,
dated July 18, I signified the determination I had come
to of undertaking the search. Various reasons led me
to this conclusion. I had already, as Mr. Adams can
testify, entertained the idea of making these observa-
tions ; the most convenient time for commencing them
was now approaching ; and the confirmation of Mr.
Adams's theoretical position by the calculations of M.
' Leverrier appeared to add very greatlito the probabi

PRICE SD.

lity of success. I had no answer to make to Mr. Airy's
offer of sending an assistant, as I understood the accept-
ance of it to imply the relinquishing on my part of the
undertaking.

„,
I have now to speak of the observations. The plan of
operations was formed mainly on the suggestions con-
tained in Mr. Airy's note of July 13th. It was recom-
mended to ,:weep over three times at lea,t, a zodiacal
belt 30 deg. long and 10 deg. broad, having the theore-
tical place of the planet at its centre; to complete one
sweep before commencing the next; and to map the po•
sitions of the stars. The three sweeps, it was calculated,
would take 300 hours of observing. This extent of work,
which will serve to show the idea entertained of the
difficulty of the undertaking before the planet was dis-
covered, did not appear to me greater than the case re-
quired. It will be seen that the plan did not contemplate
the use of hour xxi. of the B•-rlin star-maps, the publica-
tion of which was equally unknown at that time to Mr.
Airy and myself: It may be proper here to explain that
tha construction of a good star-map requires a great
amount of time and Labour both in observing and calcu-
lating, and that precisely this sort of labour mils', be gone
through to conduct a search of the kind I had un-
dertaken. The stars must first be mvpi_ed before the
search can properly be said to begin... With a
map ready made, the detection of a moving body,
as it happened in this instance, might be effected on
a comparison with the heavens with a map by
mere inspection. Not having the advantage of such
a map, I proceeded as follows. I not( d down very ap-
proximately the position of all the stars to the 11th mag-
nitude that could be conveniently taken as they passeci
through the field of view of the telescope, the breadth of
the field with a magnifying power of 166 being 9=, and
the telescope being in a fixed position. When the stars
came thickly, some were necessarily allowed to pass
without recording their places. Wishing to include all
stars to the 11th magnitude, I proposed in going over
the same region a second time to avail myself of an
arrangement peculiar to the. Northumberland Equatoreal,
the merit of inventing which is due to Mr. Airy. The
hour-circle, telescope, and polar frame, are moveable by
clock-work, which may be regulated to sidereal
time nearly. While this motion is going on, the tele-
scope and polar frame are moveable relatively to the
hour circle, by a tangent screw apparatus, and a handle
extending to the observer's scat. This contrivance
enables the observer to measure at his leisure differences
of right ascension, however small, and therefore meets
the case of stars coming in groups. The observations
=de by this method might include all the stars it
was thought desirable to take, and therefore might
include all the stars taken in the first sweep. The
discovery of the planet would result from finding that
any star in the first sweep was not in its position in
the second sweep. If two sweeps failed in detecting the
planet among the stars of the first sweep, it might be
among the stars of the second, which would be decided
by taking a third sweep of the same kind as the second.
It will appear that this plan carried out, would not only
detect the planet if it- were in the region explored, but
would also, in case of failure, enable the observer to
pronounce that it was not in that region. The second
mode of observing required the aid of my two assistants,
Mr. Morgan and Mr. Breen, in reading off and recording
the observations.

I commenced observing July 29, employing on that
day the first method, with telescope fixed. The next day
I observed according to the second method, with tele-
scope moving. On Aug. 4 the telescope was fixed as to
right ascension, but was moved in declination in a zone
of about 70 min. breadth, the intention of the observations
of that day being to record points of reference for the
zones of 9 min. breadth. On Aug. 12, the fourth day of
observing, I went over the same z )ne, telescope fixed,
as on July 30 with telescope moving. Soon after
Aug. 12, 1 compared, to a certain extent, the observations
of that day, with the observations of July 30, taken
with telescope moving; and finding, as far as I carried
the comparison, that the positions of July 30 included all
those of Aug. 12, I felt convinced of the adequacy of the
method of search I had adopted. The observations
were continued with diligence to Sept. 29, chiefly with
the telescope fixed, and were made early in right ascen-
sion, for the purpose of exploring as large a space as
possible before I should be compelled to desist by the
approach of daylight, On Oct. 1, I heard that the pla-
net was discovered by Dr. Galle, at Berlin, on Sept. 23.
I had then recorded 3,150 positions of stars, and was
making preparations for mapping them. The following
results were obtained by a discussion of the observations
after the announcement of the discovery.
On continuing the comparison of the observations of
July 30 and August 12, I found that No. 49, a star of
the Bth magnitude in the series of Aug. 12 was wantirg
in the series of July :30. According to the principle of
the search, this was the planet. It had wandered into the
zone in the.interval betwet n July 30 and Aug. 12. I had
not continued the former comparison beyond N 0.39, pro-
bably from the accidental circumstance that a line was there
drawn in the memorandum beck in consequence of the in-
terruption of the observations by a cloud. After ascertain-
ing the place of the planet on Aug. 12, I readily inferred
that it was also sawn?, the reference stars taken on
August 4. Thus, after four days of observing, two posi-
tions of the planet were obtained. This is (nail-. ly to
be attributed to my having, on those days, directed the
telescope towards the planet's theoretical place, according
to instructions given in a paper Air. Adams, had the
kindness to draw up for me, I would also beg to call
attention to the fact that, after August 12, the planet
was discoverable by a closet comparison of the ebserva
tions, a method of observing, depending upon novel and
ingenious mechanism, having been adopted, by vi hich I
could say of each star, to No. 48, " This is not a planet,"
and of No. 49, " This is a planet." I lust the oppertu
city of announcing the discovery, by deferring the dis-
cussion of the observations.; being much occupied with
reductions of comet observations, and little suspecting
that the indications of theory were accurate enough to
give a chance of discovery in so short a time. On Sept.
29, I saw, for the first time, the communication pre-
sented by M. Leverrier to the Paris Academy on Aug.
31. I was much struck with the manner in which the
author limits the field of observation, and with his re-
commending the endeavour to de4ct the planet by its
disc. Mr. Adams had already told me that, according
to his estimation, the planet would. not be less bright
than a star of the ninth magnitue. On the same even-
ing I swept a considerable breadth iv declination, be-
tween the limits of right ascension marked out by M.
Leverrier, and I paid particular attention to the physical
appearance of the brighter stars. Out of 300 stars,
whose positions I recorded that night, I fixed on one
which appeared to have a disc, and which proved to be
the planet. This was the third time it was observed
before the announcement of the discovery reached me.
This last observation may be regarded as a discovery
of the planet, due to the good definiton of the noble
instrument which we owe to the munificence of our
Chancellor.

From the reduced places of the planet, on Aug. 4
and Aug. 12, and from observations since its discovery,
extendisg to Oct. 13, Mr. Adams calculated, at my re-
quest, values of its heliocentric longitude at a given
epoch, its actual distance from the sun, longitude 01
the node, and itclination of the orbit, which were pub-
lished as early as October 17. I am now diligently
observing the planet with the meridian instruments, and
when daylight prevents its being seen on the meridian,
I pi opose carrying on the observations as long as pos
sible with the Northumberland equatoreal, for the per•
pose of obtaining data for a further approximation to the
elements of the orbit.

My report of proceedings relating to the planet here
terminates. I beg permission to add a few remarks,
which the facts I have stated seem to cal: for. It will
appear by the above account that my success might have
been complete, if I had trusted more implicitly to the
indications of the theory. It must, however, be remem-
bered that I was quite in a novel position : the history
of astronomy does not afford a parallel instance of ob-
servations undertaken entirely in reliance upon deduc-
tions from theoretical calculations, and those, too, of a
kind before untried.' As the case stands, a very pro-
minent part has been• taken in the University of Cam-
bridge with reference to this extension of the boundaries
of astronomical science. We may certainly assert to be
facts, for which there is documentary evidence, that
the problem of determining, from perturbations, the
unknown place of the disturbing body, was first solved
here ; that the planet was here first sought for ; that
places of it were here first recorded, and that approxi-
mate elements of its orbit were here first deduced
from observation. And that all this may be said, is
entirely due to the talents and labours of one individual
among us, who has at once done honour to the Univer-
sity, and maintained the scientific reputation of the
country. It is to be regretted that Mr. Adams was more
intent upon bringing his calculations to perfection' tban
on establishing his claims to priority by early publication.
Some may be of opinion, that in placing before the first
astronomer of the kingdom results which showed that he
had completed the solution of the problem, and by
which he was, in a manner; pledged to the production of
his calculations, there was; as much publication as was
justifiable on the part of a mathematician whose name
was not yet before the world, the theory being one by
which it was possible the practical astronomer might be
misled. Now that success has attended% different course,
this will probably not be the general opinion. I should
consider myself to be hardly doing justice to Mr. Adams
if I did not take this opportunity of stating, from the
means I have had of judging, that it was impossible for
any one to have comprehended more fully and clearly
all the parts of this intricate problem; that he carefully
considered all that was necessary for its exact solution;
and that he had a firm conviction, from the results of his
calculations, that a planet was to be found.
(Signed) J. CHALLIS.
Cambridge Observatory, Dec. 12, 1846.

MELANCHOLY DEATH OF THE "WHITEHALL MUD-
LARK."—Yesterday morning, about eight o'clock, an old
woman, who for years has obtained a living by gathering
coals in the Thames at low water, while proceeding along
Scotland-yard. dropped down in the street and suddenly
expired. The deceased, who was between 60 and 70
years of age, was well known to the coal merchants and
watermen at Whitehall as Peggy, the Mudlark, and
many a time has she been seen up to her armpits in mud
gathering up the pieces of coal that 114e1 fallen from the
several barges. In this manner she had managed to
obtain a subsistence for herself and family for many
years.