Astronomical Discovery

tron, King George III., and as the best way of making his wishes known, wrote the following letter to the President of the Royal Society, which is printed at the beginning of the Philosophical Transactions for 1783.

A Letter from WILLIAM HERSCHEL, Esq., F.R.S., to Sir JOSEPH BANKS, Bart., P.R.S.

"Sir,--By the observations of the most eminent astronomers in Europe it appears that the new star, which I had the honour of pointing out to them in March 1781, is a Primary Planet of our Solar System. A body so nearly related to us by its similar condition and situation in the unbounded expanse of the starry heavens, must often be the subject of conversation, not only of astronomers, but of every lover of science in general. This consideration then makes it necessary to give it a name whereby it may be distinguished from the rest of the planets and fixed stars.

[Sidenote: Georgium Sidus.]

"In the fabulous ages of ancient times, the appellations of Mercury, Venus,