She has been an impressive figure in our time, and one whose influence lives." INTRODUCTORY NOTE On the 17th of December, 1831, a gold medal of the value of twenty ducats was founded, at the suggestion of Professor Schumacher, of Altona, by his Majesty Frederic VI., at that time king of Denmark, to be awarded to any person who should first discover a telescopic comet.

This foundation and the conditions on which the medal would be awarded were announced to the public in the "Astronomische Nachrichten" for the 20th of March, 1832.

The regulations underwent a revision after a few years, and in April, 1840 ("Astronomische Nachrichten," No.

400), were republished as follows: "1.

The medal will be given to the first discoverer of any comet, which, at the time of its discovery, is invisible to the naked eye, and whose periodic time is unknown.
"2.