The Sun.
London, England, 1858-12-07 00:00:00

THE PRECESSION OF THE EQUINOXES

Mr. Poinsot, the distinguished Member of the
Institute, and celebrated for the discovery of the
theory of couples in mechanics, has recently solved
an important problem, which has baffled the in-
genuity of mathematicians since the time of New-
ton. It is well known that the intersections of the
terrestrial equator with the ecliptic, called the
equinoxes, never occur twice at the same point, but
that every year they appear to, recede by about
50.18 seconds. This retrograde motion is called
the " precession of the equinoxes." To explain this
motion by the theory of universal gravitation be-
came an important problem at the time when
Newton made that great discovery. He himself
attempted an explanation of it, but the imperfect
state of astronomy at that period deprived him of
the advantage of certain data which were indis-
pensable to arrive at the desired solution. In 1747,
Bradley, by a series of laborious observations,
patiently continued for the space of :20 years, at
length ascertained that the earth's axis had a pecu-
liar swinging motion, of which no astronomer
before him had even suspected "the existence,
and this motion he called " nutation." He also
proved that this nutation, which causes the axis of
the earth to describe in space a sort of fluted cone,
having a base of an elliptical form, but modified by
certain minute undulations, about 1,400 in number,
was closely connected with the motion of preces-
sion. D'Alembert then took up the problem, and
in 1749 published a solution of it, which indeed
accounts for the above motions in a general way,
but is far from sufficient to explain the cause of
those singular undulations which the pole of the
earth describes. The delicacy of the question will
be easily understood from the fact that within the
compass of the earth the axis appears to have no
motion at all, and that the phenomenon of nuta-
tion is only perceptible at an immeasurable dis-
tance in the heavens. We now come to Mr. Poin-
sot's admirable solution, founded on his well-known
theory of couples. Neglecting all useless consi-
derations that had embarrassed his predecessors.
'he proves by mathematical calculations, which,
considering the difficulty of the problem, have the
merit of extraordinary simplicity, that, by the law
of gravitation, the earth's axis must describe an
oscillation of FOB seconds in virtue of the attrac-
tion of the sun, and 16.9 seconds in virtue of that
ca o
suirms
aorf ninei yearsn andktehs r evel
anic
co n
nh s
of the moon, or about 18 seconds in all, in the
i
fthet ecro
contrary
direction. This quantity of 18 seconds all but
exactly coincides with the results observation;
and of
and his determination of the precession
exact, since he finds it to be 50.4 seconds.
It must
be borne in mind that observation
great advantage over calculation in astronomy,
since it gives facts as they are, while in calculation
it is often necessary toreject certain small quanti-
ties which stand in the way of integration. M.
Poinsot also proves a singular fact—viz,
that the
precession would be the same if the earth, instead
of being a solid spheroid, were hollow, or if its mass
or volume were changed, provided its momentum
of inertia remain the same. Thus all d'Alembert's
complicated speculations touching the influence of
the sea, the nature of the strata of the earth, &c..
turn out to be useless. M. Poinsot demonstrates
various other curious theorems connected with the
subject, but which are too abstruse to be men-
ioned here.

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MADMD, DEc. 1.
The Queen has just opened the chambers.. Her
Majesty spoke as follows : = •
" Senors, :Senators, and Deputies—Ll have come
with _feelings 9f lively satisfaction to inaugurate
your labours. Surrounded by the r6resentativcs of
the nation, who at all times have given me the
most marked proofs of their affection and loyalty,
I am strengthened in the hope that, under the .sha-
dow of the throne, Spain will enjoy tranquilly the
advantages of constitutional governmek; and will
attain the power -which once was herS, through the
courage and science of her children, her religious,

piety, and the wise rule of her monarchs.
"'While visiting last summer certain provinces of
the monarchy I had occasion to become acquainted

with the wants of the country, as with its progress,
which is due in great measure to the reforms
adopted, with the cooperation of the Cortes, during
my reign, I received everywhere proof of the love
and respect which Spaniards have ever :niaiiifested
towards their monarchs ;' and I recall with delight
the enthusiastic marks of adhesion 'to my royal per-
son. My august Consort and our children were the
object of similar demonstrations of loyalty ; and I
-only regret- that the- Prince of Asturias could not,
by reason of his tender age, fix them in an indelible
manner in his heart. I hope that, recounted by me,
they will awaken in him the virtues of the magna-
nimous kings who have preceded him, and that one
day he will' correspond to the love of his mother, by
devoting himself with zeal to ensure the happiness
of the nation which Providence has destined to him.

" The Supreme Pontiff continues to give me dis-
tinguished proofs of his benevolence, and in my
lively desire to end the difficulties created by the
vicissitudes of the times, I have given instructions
to my Ambassador at Rome to arrange with the
Holy See in a manner the most conducive to the
interests of the Church and the State the solution
of all pending questions,
" I have the satisfaction to announce to you that
our relations with friendly powers are at this mo-
ment most cordial and sincere.

" I have adopted all the means 'compatible with
the national dignity to prevent peace being dis-
turbed 'Between two countries bound by fraternal
ties ; but if, contrary to my wishes and hopes, an
immediate result is not obtained by pacific negotia-
tions, I will employ the resources already prepared
in support of my demands, with a vigour and
energy equal to the moderation and temperance in
the long period of the differences existing with the
Government of Mexico.
" Some ships of the squadron, assembled at the
Havanuah, are stationed in the river at Tampico,
and also in theovaters of the island of Sacrificios,
with the object of protecting the interests and the
lives of my subjects. •
. " The Emperor of Morocco, recognising, as he
had now done up to the present, a principle embo-
died in the treaties concluded with Spain, in virtue
of which he has agreed to pay an indemnity for the
ship captured by the Moors of the Riff more than
two years- ago, I hope that he will continue to
satisfy in like manner my demands, that I may no
longer be obliged to have recourse to force to ensure.
respect to the Spanish flag, and that there will be
no repetition of the excesses committed against our
fortresses. and our merchant ships by the Moors of
the Riff at various periods.
" The outrages of which our missionaries were
the victims in Asia have obliged me to send, in
conjunetion*With. the. Emperor of the French, a
military expedition.to Cochin China. The land and
sea force. will. not, should the occasion occur, be
below the traditions and the memory of the exploits
wltich always. distinguish the Spanish soldier when
defending the interests And the honour of his coun-
try and his Sovereign.
" The army which, by its courage and discipline,
has constantly rendered so many eminent services,
became each day more deserving of my Royal bene-
volence, and of the gratitude of the country ; as
also the navy, whose progress gave • me complete
satisfaction on my visiting one of our principal
maritime establishments.

" The condition of the ultramarine provinces con -
tinues to be most flourishing. The reform introduced
in the administration bymyGovernment give, and
will continue to give, on a larger scale, the best re-
sults that the nation can expect from them. And
I feel great pleasure in assuringyou that efficacious
measures have been adopted that our neglected pos-
sessions of the Guif of Guinea may attain the com-
mercial importance which belongs to them by their
geographical position.
" My Government, having in view the re-estab-
lishment of the empire of the law, has relieved the
whole country from the state of siege without the
profound tranquillity it enjoyed being disturbed.
" A provident policy which improves the present
without destroying it, which labours to develop sure
though slow progress in all the branches of the ad-
Ministration, will conciliate the public mind and
render possible the co-operation of Spaniards in
consolidating the prosperity of the nation, and the
sincere .practice of constitutional Governments..

My . p.oyernment will lay before you various
projecth of law having for their object the carrying
out of this intention. The country has long required
a law on the press which shall permit, under the
protection of the jury, free. discussion on the public
interests, and on the acts of the Ministers, but which
shall defend the rights and the prerogatives of the
Throne, the of the Cortes, the Catholic re-
ligion; and the honour of the citizens.
" It will, be necessary also to introduce in the
laws on municipal corporations (Ayuntatmentos)
and provincial councils (Diputacioneo Promnmales)
meliorations which shall facilitate the intervention
of the people in their own immediate interests with-
outembarrassing the action of the Government and
which shall give them the resources indispensable
for their requirements, without, however, placing
obstacles in the collection of the imposts and re-
venue of the Treasury. By way of complement to
these meliorations, laws on the Connell of State, on
the Councils General, and Departmental Govern-
ments will be submitted to you with the view of re-
gulating the administration, facilitating its action,
and giving to public and private interests more se-
curity in their conduct and their justice.
" The estimates for 1859 will be immediately laid
before you without any new imposts. The revenue
and the public taxes will suffice to meet the ordi-
nary expenditure of administration. Other wants
for which these do not suffice require special mea-
sures which my Government will submit to you.
And with these means, carrying out their general
plan of progress and melioration, they will provide
for the repairs of the churches, for public works,
materiel for the army and navy, and the penal and
charitable establishments. _

" The sale of the communal property and that of
other civil corporations being still carried on, new
bases will be proposed to you for redeeming the
long leases (Emphyteoses) and for the better invest-
ment of the proceed of the said sales.
" A harvest, if not abundant, at least more favour-
able than for the last few years, offers an occasion
to establish regulations for the importation of grain,
and for reconciling the interests of agriculture
with those of commerce, so as to secure the subsis-
tence of the poorer classes. Countries which are
indebted to nature for a soil sa fertile as that of
Spain ought not to abandon the food of their
populations to the uncertain speculations of
trade, but rather aid the power of production by
facilitating irrigation and removing the obstacles
which, in the mortgage system and in the condi-
tibns of credit, oppose the developments of prosppe•
rity. Projects of law on this head will in due
time be laid before you, in harmony with the pro-
gress of agriculture, economy, and social require-
ments.
" The chief obstacle in the way of our arrricul-
,tl3___

tare is the want of internal communication to
equalise production and consumption in different
provinces. With the impulse given to the con-
struction of railroads by certain companies, with
tranquillity in the country, and the assistance of
the Treasury, the day is at hand when the nation
will enjoy the advantages of rapid communication.
The Governmmt will propose to you measures for
the formation of the most important lines, and
for connecting them with a system of ordinary
roads over all the productive points of our terri-
tory.
"Projects of law on mines, &c., will also be sub-
mitted to you.
" You will also have to occupy yourselves with
other grave and numerous affairs, but they will
not be above your strength or your patriotism.
" By examining with attention the projects that
will be laid before you, and by aiding to re-establish
among the Spanish people unity of sentiments—
the source, one day, of their greatness and their
glory—God will bless our labours ; andf for myself,
I shall obtain that which my heart desires most—
the wealth, the power, and the prosperity of the
s_,anish nation."

The usual routine business having been disposed
of,' the following report, which was agieed to
unanimously, was read :
An additional year having been added, on the
30th of September last, to the financial history of
the Conservative Land Society, it becomes the
pleasing duty of the Executive Committee to fur-
nish their Sixth Balance Sheet and Annual Ab-
stract of Accounts. It will not have escaped the
attention of the shareholders, that the operations:of
the past year commenced under an extraordinary
pressure on the money market, which, towards the
close of the first quarter, increased to the extent of
a general commercial panic, the terrible shock of
which shook the fabric of speculation to the very
centre. In the second quarter. the value of money
sensibly declined, and for the last, half-year has
been, at a very low rate. The blow given to credit
and confidence was, bowever- so severe, that no re-
turn of animation and vitality in enterprise has
been-as yet exhibited. Notwithstanding the abun-
dance of money, and -the -low-discounts, there has
been no reaction in the appetite for legitimate ad-
venture. Joint-Stock Companies aid -Limited Lia-
bilities Companies of all kinds, have more or -less
experienced the effects of languor and inactivity. I
Land Societies must be classed as safe investments,
inasmuch as a substantial security is ready at all
times for the acceptance of investors, by taking
plots of land. The Executive Committee felt that
it would be more expedient and prudent to make
no purchases during the year, to rely partly on
the allotment, of such estates as were on hand, and
to depend mainly on the Reserve Fund for any de-
ficiency of income over outlay. In order to carry
out this policy, the current year's expenditure was
reduced so effectively, that the amount actually
appropriated from the Reserve Fund has been se-
cured entirely from the interest that has accrued
thereon, leaving the present amount £8,097 3s. Bd.,
an excess of nearly £3OO over its original figure. In
announcing that the cash receipts for the year were
£46,393 7s. 2d., bringing up the total receipts in
six years to upwards of £312,000, whilst the total
withdrawals for the same period only reach about
£68,000, and the total sale of land is more than
£219,000, the committee feel that they arc entitled
to entertain confidence in the stability and security
of the society, the more especially as in the actual
quarter an extended field of business has been
entered upon. It will depend entirely on the ex-
tent of support given by the public at large, whe-
ther as shareholders or merely as depositors, to
render the society totally independent of its land
operations at periods when it may be politic not to
increase the stock of land on hand. The new system
was set forth in the last quarterly report ; and it is
a satisfaction for the committee to record that from
every part of the country expressions of confidence
in its future successful working have been cordially
expressed. Five per cent. interest having been
paid up to Sept. 30, 1858, to the holders of com-
pleted shares and shares paid a year in advance,the
same amount of interest will be placed as bonus in
the pass-books to the creditors of the holders of un-
completed shares existing in the society and are not
in arrear on the 7th of December, 1858, in respect
of which shares plots on estates have not been
taken.
The subjoined tabular statement shows the total
cash receipts of four quarters for the, year ending
30th September, 1858, and the grand- totals since
the formation of the Conservative Land society :

Total Subscrip:
Shares Shares tionsSees,loau
Quarter ending in Com- Total. re - mments,
progres. pleted. sundries,from
estates, &c.
. £ s. d.
Dec. 25,1857 - • 91 37 128 9,50.3 17 4
March 25,1858 122 137 259 13,922 11 2
June 25,1858
Sept. 30, 18.58
Totals for the year 452 314 766 46,393 7 9
Totals to Sept. 30,
1857 11,338 2,278 13,616 312,557 8 5
G rand totals toSept.
30, 1858

The Winchester estate was offered on the 29th
.of April, and the sale, of the Prestwich estate,
Manchester, was commerait on the 24th of June.'
These were the only allotments of the year, the
committee not deeming the time opportune to pre-
sent, through the order of right, the remaining
portions of the Brighton and Tunbridge Wells
estates. As regards the sale of land on the Win-
chester estate in North Hants, there is every reason
to be satisfied, and the future disposal of the whole
may be returned as a certainty, such is the un-
doubted eligibility of the site. Building, in fact,
has already begun, and the subscriptions for the
new church on the estate are progressing well, the
noble examples of the bishop of the diocese and the
Rev. Canon Carus having, it may be safely asserted,
Secured the erection of sacred edifice. The
donation of £3,000 by the rev. canon cannot be
passed over in this report without a tribute of
admiration, _

The committee receive the-assurances from gentle-
men of local knowledge, that after the completion,
on the Prestwich estate, of the roads and drains,
the admirable position of the land for building
purposes will secure a favourable result. •
The Board has little to report as to the other
estates, many of which, however, have latterly ex-
hibited signs of advance as regards the covering of
the land by villas and houses. The consecration of
St. John's Church on the Tunbridge Wells by the
Archbishop of Canterbury on the sth of January
last, must lead to the development of that fine pro-
perty, and the promptitude with which the edifice
was erected is likely to be imitated on the Maid-
stone estate. The breaking down of builders on
the Brighton estate is one of the apparently inevi•
table episodes of speculation, in that yearly rising
and popular watering place • but as the want of
houses is on the increase, the Round Hill estate,
the salubrity of which is one of its most attractive
features, must have its turn sooner or later. The
renewal of the works for the railroad between Wor-
cester and Hereford, will lead, no doubt, to the in-
creasing attraction of the picturesque Malvern
Hills, and the estate of the society on the western
side of the range will ultimately prove of undoubted
value to the fortunate allottees. The committee
regret that the Commissioners of Woods and Forests
have not yet evinced any token of yielding to public
opinion, by granting facilities of landing on the
Surrey side of the railroad bridge at St. Margaret's.
It is lamentable that the progress of such a magni-
ficent estate should be impeded by a miserable ques-
tion of a ferry right. There are numerous persons most
anxious to build if they can but have the privilege of
crossing the river by a proposed foot passage to the ex-
isting bridge, but although the City Corporation and
the South-Western Railway have displayed every
readiness to assist the holders of the land at St.
Margaret's, the Woods and Forests still insist on
an indemnity for a ferry toll, of which the legality
is extremely doubtful, as applied to the locality
required for the landing.
The committee, in reference to the promotion of
building on estates, cannot too strongly reiterate
their advice to allottees, to attend to the cultivation
of their plots, whilst waiting for offers of ground
rent, or for an eligible opportunity to build. Every
shilling laid out for gardening purposes must im-
prove the land for the ultimate purpose it is intended
for, namely, the creation of a villa or house. There
are many holders of land who are successfully fol-
lowing up the system, and are thus realising some
interest for the investment. Another suggestion
the committee would throw out to allottees is, to
look at least to the keeping up of their boundary
pegs, if they do not go to the extent (which
would be still more advisable) of erecting
fences under the conditions of sale. It has been
remarked that some of the loudest who cry out
against the poverty-stricken appearance of the land
are those who pay the least attention to its develop-
ment. • Combination amongst allottees ought not
to cease with the division an estate—on the con-
trary it ought to continue, for the realisation must
essentially depend on the carrying out of the mutual
principle in building as well as that in the acquisi-
tion of the land. The committee will cordially co-
operate in these combinations of allottees, so far as
the rules of the society will permit.
There was one public meeting held this year,
namely, at Winchester, on the 21st of April, prior
to the :allotment of the estate. The ordinary
quarterly meetings of the society were held at the
offices in Norfolk-street on the 13th of April, the
13th of July, and the sth of October. The auditors
elected at the last meeting, on behalf of the society,
were Messrs. Harding and Ritchie, and the Rev.
Mr. Goodchild and Mr. Winstanley, on the part of
the board. On the 18th and 19th of November
last, the four auditors met and verified the vouchers
I and accounts and signed the balance sheet.
The valuable services of J. W. Huddleston, Esq.,
haying been lost to the board, on his nomination as

Queen's Counsel, the Hon. and Rev. W. C. Talbot
was elected by the committee, who have just had
•
to regret. the loss of the late T. Booker Blakemore,
Esq., one of the respected members of the county of
•Het eford.
The following members of the Executive Com-
mittee retire from office by rotation, but are eligible,
for re-election, namely :—Borlase Hill Adams, Esq.,
the Earl of Bective; M.P., Hon. Robert Bourke,
T. Knox Holmes, Esq., Viscount Ingestre, M.P.,
and Newham Winstanley, Esq., who offer them-
selves for re-election.
• The contradictory decisions of the revising bar-
risters this year Shave again defied all calculations
as to the value of the land conferring a 40s. free •
hold, notwithstanding the clear judgment obtained
by the Society in the Court of Common Pleas.
Although, in the aggregate, the society's claims
have been allowed, yet some of the allottees on the
Brighton, Reading, and Malden estates, have been
struck off The lists. The inconsistop.cy of the de-
cisions of the revising barristers will not, it is
hoped, escape the attention of the Legislature
next session. The right of appeal from the Regis-
tration Court to a. higher court should not be
left to the sole discretion of the presiding barrister.
It ,Was at the termination of protracted meetings;
after a most rigid and searching inquiry into the
past transactions; in order to determine the future
course of operations, the executive committee came
to the conclusion that the Conservative Land
Society possessed the essentials of durability, quite
independently Of its original political position, and
that <by .careful and,conscientious management in
the formation of a new business, by due exertions
of the members, and by the activity of the general
committee and provincial agents, increased social
advantages might be conferred on all classes of the
community. The past year has been to the board
one of the most anxious periods of the society's
career, inasmuch as after the disappearance of two
wars, and the cessation of an unparalleled commer-
cial crisis, disturbing • causes sufficient to account
for the utter stagnation in the building, trades, the
committee naturally anticipated that the cheapness
of money would have resuscitated the industrial
interests. The contrary has been the case, and the
period arrived when the committee found that it
was necessary not to rely exclusively on the yearly
sale of land, as an exclusive source of profit. The
new prospectus issued last quarter has been the
result of longand anxious deliberations, and the
reduction of guaran teed interest from 5 to 4 per cent.
per annum, from the 30th of September last, in
completed shares, and shares paid a year in ad-
advance, was the natural and inevitable result of
the variation in the value of money. For the faci-
litating of business, and on grounds both of expe-
' dieney and economy, it became imperative to con-
, centrate the legal and surveying business at the
Isame offices where the ordinary share enrolment of
members and the selling of land took place. At
Christmas the centralisation will be carried out,
and the beneficial results, it is hoped, will appear
in next year's balance-sheet.
It was in the July report that the acquisition of
the Weymouth estate, to go through the society's
allotment system, was announced. The plan is in
preparation, and in the sprinr, it is proposed to
offer the first portion through the order of rights.
In addition to this valuable property, it was, after
the late quarterly meeting, the executive com-
mittee in full confidence ud a favourable oppor-
tunity only was wanting to carry out the society's
main principle, the buying and selling of land,
purchased the Roehampton estate, the property of
the Earl of Bessborough, and the residence of the
late Mr. Roberts, the banker. This estate is a very
large investment, but it is one the great value of
which, for the interests of the society, there has
been 'but one opinion, as no estate hitherto offered
has presented such a variety of modes in which it
can be turned to a profitable account; and if even-
tually divided, presents building frontages to Rich-
mond-Park and Putney Heath of the highest at-
traction. The completion of the purchase only
waits the le3ult of those legal inquiriea which the
society, for the protection of allottees, so carefully
institutes ;* the committee in this report have to
congratulate the shareholders on this most :valuable
acquisition.
In conclusion, the executive committee cannot
but offer their congratulations to the members, on
the improved prospects of the society at this period,
over those which existed et the last annual report,
and by energetic and economical management, they
entertain every expectation to turn to profitable
account the capital already invested, and the future
money which may be -invested in the Conservative
Land Society, relying fully on the confidence and
support extended to them in previous years by the
shareholders.

(Signed) RANELAGH, Chairman.
(Countersigned) C. L. GRITNEISEN, Sec.
Offices, 33, Norfolk-street, Strand.
London, Dec. 7th, 1858.

After 50 numbers had been drawn from the
wheel, and 25 added by seniority, for rights of
choice on the society's estates, the proceedings ter-
minated with a vote of thanks to the chairman.