i6

expressing from them, by the highest and most refincd appliciuionof mathematical and computistic power, the utmost they arecapable of afi'ording in the direetion of numerical precision ; and, asa means to this end, to satisfy tliis earnest longing aftei' preciseresults, an equally earnest and successful endeavour to improve tothe utmost all formulee and Systems of computations as such ; thatis to say, to put them before the computist in a State ready forimmediate use, and to give the last precision which the State ofscienee admits toevery fundamental and every derivative coefficient.In the preface to bis Untersuchungen, he says of himself, that he atno time feit any especial predilection for one rather than anotherparticular branch of astronomical occupation, but that one ideawas continually present to his mind — that of always working up toan immediate and dcßnite object; either that of arriving at somepositive result, more perfect than what had before been obtained, orthat of removing some acknovvledged obstacle which opposcd at oncethe improvement of more than one subject. And in this remarkablepassage he goes on to declare, that the desire of merely accumu-lating data by Observation, without the intention of using them tosuch ends, was altogether alien to his tastcs ; and that the dcductionof actual results from Observation», by the observer himself, witli adistinct view to the improvement of knowledge, appeared to hini,at all times, an essent.ial condition of success in all astronomicalresearch.

As a mathematician, Bessel takes, undoubtedly, a high rank;not, indeed, as an original inventor in the abstract walks of thepure analysis, but always with a view to applications, in which,whatever occasion required ils exertion, his skill was never foundunequal to the task on band, no matter what its difficulty. As apractical astronomer, his knowledge of what may be called thetheory of instruments—the mode of detecting, compensating, andeliminating their errors ; the influenee of flexures of their limbs,tubes, and other parts; and his acquaintance with, and constantpractice of, every delicacy in their use, were such as has never beensurpassed. Equally great in perfecting old mcthods of Observationand in suggesting new, the practice of the modern German schoolof astronomers is almost emphatically Bcssel's practice; and he wasdeservedly looked upon as a guide and model, not only in Germanybut by Europe.

Bessel was, of course, elected into almost every academy inEurope as an Associate. He became a Foreign Member of thisSociety in 1822. As he advanced in years and in reputation, dis-tinctions of a different kind were conferred upon bim ; amongothers,the order of the Dannebrog by the King of Denmark, and that ofthe Red Eagle, with the title of "Geheimer Regierung's Rath," andthe order of Civil Merit by his own sovereign, whose favour he con-stantly experienced, and whose attentions during his last illnesswere of the most benignant kind, and soothed, though they couldnot alleviate, his sufferings.

Frinted by George Barclay, Oaatle Street, Leiecator Square.