DR. BOWDITCH'S SCIENTIFIC PAPERS.

The following is a complete and accurate list of the Papers contributed by Dr. Bowditch to the Memoirs of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. It will serve to show the extent of his observations and the variety of his inquiries.

VOL. II.

New Method of Working a Lunar Observation.

VOL. III.

Observations on the Comet of 1807.

Observations on the Total Eclipse of the Sun, June 16, 1806, made at Salem.

Addition to the Memoir on the Solar Eclipse of June 16, 1806. Application of Napier's Rule for solving the cases of right angled spheric trigonometry to several cases of oblique-angled spheric trigonometry.

An estimate of the height, direction, velocity and magnitude of the Meteor that exploded over Weston, in Connecticut, Dec. 14, 1807.

On the Eclipse of the Sun of Sept. 17, 1811, with the longitudes of several places in this country, deduced from all the observations of the eclipses of the Sun, and transits of Mercury and Venus, that have been published in the Transactions of the Royal Societies of Paris and London, the Philosophical Society held at Philadelphia, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Elements of the orbit of the Comet of 1811.

An estimate of the height of the White Hills in New Hampshire. On the variation of the Magnetic Needle.

On the motion of a pendulum suspended from two points.

A demonstration of the rule for finding the place of a Meteor, in the second problem, page 218 of this volume.

VOL. IV.

On a mistake which exists in the solar tables of Mayer, La Lande, and Zach.

On the calculation of the oblateness of the earth, by means of the observed lengths of a pendulum in different latitudes, accord

ing to the method given by La Place in the second volume of his Mécanique Céleste," with remarks on other parts of the same work, relating to the figure of the earth.

Method of correcting the apparent distance of the Moon from the Sun, or a Star, for the effects of Parallax and Refraction.

On the method of computing the Dip of the Magnetic Needle in different latitudes, according to the theory of Mr. Biot.

Remarks on the methods of correcting the elements of the orbit of a comet in Newton's "Principia," and in La Place's “Mécanique Céleste."

Remarks on the usual Demonstration of the permanency of the solar system, with respect to the Eccentricities and Inclinations of the orbits of the Planets.

Remarks on Dr. Stewart's formula, for computing the motion of the Moon's Apsides, as given in the Supplement to the Encyclopædia Britannica.

On the Meteor which passed over Wilmington in the State of Delaware, Nov. 21, 1819.

Occultation of Spica by the Moon, observed at Salem.

On a mistake which exists in the calculation of Mr. Poisson relative to the distribution of the electrical matter upon the surfaces of two globes, in vol. 12 of the "Mémoires de la classe des sciences mathématiques et physiques de l'Institut Impérial de France.” Elements of the Comet of 1819.

Dr. Bowditch was also the author of the article on Modern Astronomy, in the North American Review, vol. XX. pp. 309–366. In the Monthly Anthology, Vol IV. p. 653, there is a brief account of the Comet of 1806, drawn up by him at the request of the Editors. It is believed that this is the whole amount of his contributions to our periodical literature.

ELEGY

ON THE DEATH OF

DOCTOR BOWDITCH,

The distinguished Translator of the "Mécanique Céleste.”

REVERED, beloved, adored by all that knew
The worth and wisdom of thy matchless mind!
Even thou hast paid the tribute that is due
From us to Death—the despot of mankind.

For that we weep not-none must linger here-
And none would linger, when life's oil is spent ;
As strength and health's frail glories disappear,
Fate calls us hence, and Nature cries "content."

Children may weep; but 't is for men to know
How just the judgment is that dooms decay;
And though we sigh, we bear the lethal blow,
And learn from God the lesson to obey.

So did'st thou feel the necessary law;
So like a sainted sage did'st thou expire;
Calmly thy sense its flickering taper saw,
Meekly thy soul gave up its fainting fire.

The eye-the voice-the hand, are useless now,
Those clay companions of a nobler guest ;

Cold as sepulchral sculpture is thy brow

Still as the rock thy thought-deserted breast.

But not the godlike, intellectual flame,

With these is quenched. The mind that searched the stars Yet blooms-increased in knowledge-yet the same;

Time spares the spirit, but the body mars.

The world is poorer than 't was yesterday-
But heaven is richer. We have lost indeed
A guide and teacher; but the angels may
Rejoice that thou from fleshly chains art freed.

Now shalt thou know the whole of that strange tale,
A part of which thy genius grasped before;
Thy Father's hand his secrets shall unveil,
And of his myst'ries ope the sacred door.

Thou shalt know all-while we who, left behind,
In darkness grope, are still the slaves of doubt;
Thou seest every thing, but we are blind,
Fearing to puff this mortal candle out.

Pure peace and satisfaction to thy soul

Shall the disclosure of heaven's wonders bring;
Across thy faith no curt'ning clouds shall roll,
But all be told thee by thy sire and king.

Must we remain, and never read the page
Whereon those starry characters are writ?
No-thank the warnings of approaching age—
Ourselves, like thee, this earthy globe must quit.

Sublime, like thee, our weaker view shall scan
The frame and motion of yon orbs of light,
Forget what 't is to act and think as man,
And see the future opened on our sight.

With such assurance let us cease to sigh,

Live like the wise, and die as fits the brave;

The tomb is but an entrance to the sky

The road to bliss lies through the mouldy grave.

T.

These beautiful lines appeared anonymously in the Boston Daily Advertiser of March 22, a few days after the decease of Dr. Bowditch. Why does not the author reveal himself? [herself?] Any one might justly feel proud of being able to assert a claim to them.

ERRATA.

Page 12, line 13, after millions, insert of miles. This error occurs in about half the copies.

Page 36, line 5, for twenty-three, read twenty-seven.

66 61, Note, line 10, for 1828 read 1826.

BOSTON:

PRINTED BY FREEMAN AND BOLLES,

WASHINGTON-STREET.