1795/12/31 by E. Williams, W. Mudge, I. Dalby · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · Mathematics · #History and Developments in Astronomy #Historical Astronomy and Related Studies #History and Theory of Mathematics #Memoir #Majesty #Reign #Order (exchange) #Contemplation #Abandonment (legal) #History #The arts #Law #Art history #Classics #Philosophy #Political science #Theology #Politics
paper · doi:10.1098/rstl.1795.0023
openalex publication_date 1795/12/31 · openalex created_date 2022/05/12 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/02
A general survey of the island of Great Britain, at the public expence, was (as we learn from the LXXVth Vol. of the Philosophical Transactions) under the contemplation of Crovernment as early as the year 1763, the execution of which was to have been committed to the late Major General Roy, whose public situation and talents well qualified him for such an undertaking. Various causes procrastinated this event till the year 1783, when the late M. Cassini de Thury transmitted a memoir to the French ambassador at London, which paved the way to a beginningof this important, work. Calculated for the advancement of science, this memoir was presented to the King, and readily met with the approbation of a monarch, so eminently distinguished, from the æra of his reign, for his liberal patronage of the arts and sciences. By his Majesty's command, the memoir was put into the hands of Sir Joseph Banks, P. R. S. accompanied with such marks of royal munificence, as speedily obtained all the valuable instruments and apparatus necessary for carrying the design into immediate execution. General Roy, to whose care the conduct of this important business was committed, lived to go through the several operations pointed out in the memoir, the particulars of which have been detailed at great length in the Philosophical Transactions, where they will remain a testimony of his zeal and ability in conducting so arduous an undertaking at an advanced period of life. The further prosecution of the survey of the island, to which the operations hitherto performed might be deemed only as subservient or introductory, seemed to expire with the General.