The Astronomical Society is desirous of drawing the attention of observers, in an especial manner, to this department of research; with the confidence that increased vigilance cannot fail of being rewarded by abundant discovery; and I may here take leave to remark, that multiplied observations at very remote stations, determining a greater portion of a comet's orbit, will tend to the earlier and more precise ascertainment of its period.
In this view, as in so many others, the establishment of observatories at the Cape of Good Hope, and Australasia, has been matter of congratulation with astronomers: and I have peculiar satisfaction in being authorized to acknowledge the service rendered to astronomical science by the re-discovery of Encke's comet in 1822 at the observatory at Paramatta; and to present to Dr. P. Karl Rumker, the superintendant of that observatory, the Society's medal on this account at the same time that I present, in the Society's name, its medal to Professor Encke for the previous investigations relative to that comet, and which led to the re-discovery of it.
On presenting the Silver Medal to M. Pons.
No name has more frequently recurred in the history of comets, than that of M. Pons; and from the very commencement of the present century, he has been in almost exclusive possession of the first discovery of telescopic comets. At Marseilles, while joint director of the observatory at that place, he discovered more than twenty comets; being the first to see the greatest number of them, a very few only having been likewise and independently noticed as early by other observers. His vigilance did not remit, nor has his diligence been unrewarded at Marlia, where he was invited to superintend a new observatory. Previously to his departure from Marseilles he had made the memorable rediscovery of the comet which bears Encke's name; and his arrival at Marlia was signalized by the detection of another comet. In a recent period he has been yet more successful, having discovered no less than three comets in the year 1822, with his usual privilege of priority in respect of two of them, under every disadvantage in regard to instruments, joined with other discouraging circumstances, which, it may be feared, have since too much operated, and which the Society most earnestly desire to see removed. The services
