F?anklln Institute Annual Meeting. |01

the second part, which is yet to appear, and for which the c.ai6nhttioai,of eclipses, and other problems, with the requisite t ab l~ are ~ a d ; ~

After preliminary observations on the History o[ A~tronnmy, ,ltnd~ithe Cooerniean system, Prof. Olmsted naturally commences with tlie li'igut~of the'carrie, and the Doctrine of the Sphere; then treats of Parallax and l~eft~,. tins, themeasurement of Time, and the use of lnstromente, lie tlext iiro* reeds to the Solar System, the Sun, and its apparent annual motion, witliils causes and effects; after which follows the theory of Universal Gravit~ttion~ next the study of the Moon, its motions and phenomena, then the atudy of the Planets, beginning with the inferior; next that of the Comets~ and tastly the study olthe Fixed Stars; in regard to which last, this work is morefu|l at,l satisfactory than its contemporaries. We think that the meuurmHnt of Time wouhl have been taken more properly in connection with the 8un~s apparent motion in a subsequent cha ~ter; with which exception the general arrangement seems to be very judicious. Still, in our judgment, the value of the work would be enhanced, by a larger proportion of analytical demon- stration, and exact, instead t,f approximate data; which though not neee08ary to the common reader, are yet important to the inquisitive or practical slti- dent. With these remarks we conclude by saying that every teacher of Astronomy will derive ad vantage from an examination of this, as well as of the other works herein named; but each one must judge for himself which worl~ is best adapted to the wants and capacities of his pupils,

F r a n k l i n I n s t i t u t e .

dnnual Meeting. The annual meeting of the Institute was held at their Hall, January 16th,

1840. TIIOMAS FLETCHER, Vice President, in the Chair;

• " o" JoH.~ G. CLAI~K, Recording, Secretary, P. T. The minutes of the last quarterly meeting were read anti approved. Donations were received from the l{ova[ Geographical Society, of Lon-

don; the Institution of Civil Fn:,ineers, t~t" London; the Zoning cal Society o London; Prof. M. Faraday, William Vaughan, Esq., anti Petty Vaughan,

. O - - " Esq., of London; the R~yal Irish Academy, of Dublin; Pr f. Jan. Milling. ton, of Virginia; L. D. Chapin, Esq., Wm. C. Redfield, Esq., and Jno. D. Griscom, M. D. of New York; Mr. Jonathan Dennis, Jr., of Rhode Island; Major James D. Graham~ Washington City; J. Edgar Thompson, Esq,, Professor Denison Olmsted, of Connecticut; John C, Trautwine~ Eeq,, of Tennessee; J. R. Livingston, Esq., and Thomas Ridgway, J'i. gsq,, of Pennsylvania; William Strickiand, Esq., L. Vanuxem~ Esq., Henry Seybert, Esq., James J Barclay, l~sq., Chas. Ellet, J~, Esq,, R. C. Tay- lor, Esq.; Professors Henry D. R%eJ's, and Alex. Dal as Bathe, the Me' dical Society of Philadelphia; the Trustees of the Girard College for Orphans; the Mine Hill and Schuylkill Haven Rail Road Company; and Messrs. Thomas Wardle, John Wilson, Jacob Snider~ Jr,, John Dqto. mer~e- Geor,,e W Edwards Est~. B M Hinchman, Esq, Samuel Cu,>.~ Es- . James Ronahlson Esq , and Jacob Lax and Son, of Philadelphia

V ! " 1 " 7 ' - - %

The Actuary laid on the tables the periodicals received in exchange for the Journal n(the Institute.

A communication was read from Mr. John R. Lambdia, accompanied 9 ~

102 Franklin Institute.

by a likeness of James Ronaldson, Esq., the President of the Institut% painted and presented by Mr. Lambdin. The frame presented by Mr. John Struthers.

The annual report of the Board of Managers Was read and accepted, and referred for publication.

The Treasurer presented his report of the funds for the last quarter, and also a statement for the year endingDecember 31st~ 1839, which were read and accepted.

Mr. John Horten, from the Committee of Tellers of the annual election for Officers and Managers of the Institute for the ensuing 3,ear, (appointed at the preparatory meeting this day), presented their report of the result of the election; when the Vice President declared the following gentlemen duly elected.

JAM~S RONALDSO~, President.

ISA.IAIot L,JK~:rcS, I Vice Presidents. THOMAS FLETCHER,

ISAAC B. GAnnmuEs, Ree. See. ALEX. DALLAS BACH~, Corr. Sec. FREDERICK FRALEY s Treasurer.

Managers. Samuel V. Merrick, Abraham Miller, William H. Keating, John Struthers, Matthias W. Baldwin, Isaac Hays, J. Henry Bulkley, Alexander Ferguson, John Agnew, John Wiegand, Samuel Hufty, John C. Cresson, Extract from the minutes.

Jou~ G. C.~.Aa~, /tee. &c. P. T.

Andrew M. Eastwick, Isaac P. Morris, Charles B. Trego, Henry Troth, John S. Warner~ William Hart Carr, Robert M. Patterson~ Henry D. Rogers, John Gilder, Ambrose W. Thompson, George Tuber, Thomas U. Walter.

T~o~As FLETOHElt~ Vice .President.

Sixteenth .annual Report of the Board of Managers of the Franklin Insti. tute, of the State of Penmylvania~ for the promotion of the Mechanic •rts. In conformity with the Constitution, the Board of Managers respectfully

present to the members of the Franklin Institute their report tor the past year, containing a brief summary of the operations in the several depart- meats of the Institution. The leading object of the Association, that of givin~, opportunities, of increase ia knowledge to its members, and those connected w~th them, has as heretofore bees steadily kept in view. The lectures on science and its application to the arts continue under tile charge of our able Professors to instruct and interest the large class in attendance upon them, and embrace as usual the subjects of chemistry under the charge of J. K. Mitchell, M. D., :Natural Philosophy and Mechanics under that of Prof. Jan. C. Cresson~ and of Technology under that of Prof. James C.