I have communicated some of my observations to 'The Observatory,' the monthly review of astronomy, edited by Mr.Christie, now Astronomer Royal,[2] as well as to The Scotsmam, and some of our local papers.[3] "I have also taken up the observation of variable stars in a limited portion of the heavens.

That, and 'hunting for comets' is about all the real astronomical work that an amateur can do nowadays in our climate, with a three-inch telescope.

I am greatly indebted to the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres, who regularly sends me circulars of all astronomical discoveries, both in this and foreign countries.

I will give an instance of the usefulness of these circulars.

On the morning of the 4th of October, 1880, a comet was discovered by Hartwig, of Strasburg, in the constellation of Corona.