Helena, as
evidence of unusual attainments in mathematics and astronomy. This
degree was no small honour to such a young man, who, as we have seen,
quitted his university before he had the opportunity of graduating in
the ordinary manner.
On November 30th, in the same year, the astronomer received a further
distinction in being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. From
this time forward he took a most active part in the affairs of the
Society, and the numerous papers which he read before it form a very
valuable part of that notable series of volumes known as the
"Philosophical Transactions." He was subsequently elected to the
important office of secretary to the Royal Society, and he discharged
the duties of his post until his appointment to Greenwich
necessitated his resignation.
Within a year of Halley's election as a Fellow of the Royal Society,
he was chosen by the Society to represent them in a discussion which
had arisen with Hevelius. The nature of this discussion, or rather
the fact that any discussion should have been necessary, may seem
strange to modern astronomers, for the point is one on which it would
now seem impossible for there to be any difference of opinion. We
must, however, remember that the days of Halley were, comparatively
speaking, the days of infancy as regards the art of astronomical
observation, and issues that now seem obvious were often, in those
early times, the occasions of grave and anxious consideration.
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