160
ASTRONOMY IN WANSTEAD,
marked an epoch in astronomy—that the inclination of the earth's
axis to the ecliptic is not constant ; thus explaining the precession of
the equinoxes, and the nutation of the axis of our earth. In his
paper on Nutation, 1748, Phil. Trans., vol. xlv., he mentions: "I
have continued to make observations at Wanstead, for, by the favour
of my very kind and worthy friend, Matthew Wymondesold, my
instrument has remained where it was first erected, so that I have
been able . . . [to take] . . . observations for the space of twenty
years." For this discovery the Copley Medal was awarded him.
The famous zenith sector was subsequently removed from
Wanstead to Greenwich, in July, 1749, and for it the sum of £45
was allowed to I )r. Bradley.
His Aunt Pound died at Oxford, 10th September, 1740, and was
buried with her husband in Wanstead Church.
On the death of Halley, Bradley was appointed Astronomer
Royal by Sir Robert Walpole, cm the 3rd of February, 1742, with a
salary of £100 a year ; and was, perhaps, the very ablest of all who
have held that office. He then removed to Greenwich, and soon
after received the degree of D.D. The living of this parish was
offered to him when vacant, but this he declined, as it would have
interfered with his scientific work.
It is curious to note that during the life of Flamsteed no instru-
ments were provided at Greenwich ; those used by him being either
lent, or his own brought from Derby. At his death they were all
removed ; but soon after the appointment of Halley the Board of
Ordnance were induced to allow £500 for the purchase of necessary
appliances ; and no observations were made before the 1st October,
1721, when the first transit instrument was erected.
Under Dr. Bradley, in 1748, a sum of £1,000 was obtained for
a new instrumental outfit.
During his residence at the Observatory, the alteration of style
took place, in 1752, when eleven days were omitted from the
calendar4 in the month of September (the 3rd to the 13th), and for
his share in this "impious undertaking" his sufferings, some ten
years later, were attributed by many common people as a judgment
from heaven.
He was elected a member of nearly all the leading scientific
4 The writer is indebted to the thoughtful care of his great-grandfather for the preserva-
tion of the rare almanack of this year, showing the alteration in style. It was printed by the
Company of Stationers, on a single sheet, quarto size, and hears a small view of Lambeth
Palace. '