The time, however, has now arrived when, having given up all expectation of constructing the Analytical Engine from the drawings which I had caused to be made at very great expense, I think it right to state the result of my own observations, and especially to point out the facts that have come to light to confirm them. These, if they do not open the eyes of some, who, having been themselves deceived, have done me injustice, will at all events be of use for the future, and may save the young and inexperienced enthusiast of science from embarking in undertakings, honourable to the country, but ruinous to himself. It has often been remarked, that an event in itself trivial sometimes leads to results with which it seems to have no conceivable connexion. A beaver constructing his dwelling on the plateau of the Andes, may have turned the course of a river, which otherwise would shortly have joined the Pacific, into a valley through which, after lengthened wanderings, it now flows into the Atlantic Ocean. So, by some strange combination of circumstances, a quarrel in which I had no part, and with whose origin I am unacquainted, seems to have had an unanticipated effect in impeding the construction of the Calculating Engines. At the time of the foundation of the Astronomical Society, Sir James South, whose observatory and whose house were hospitably open to every cultivator of astronomy, was on terms of intimate friendship with almost all of those persons at that period most eminent in science. It is sufficient to mention the names of Wollaston and Davy, and to add that when the late Mr. Fallows was appointed Astronomer at the Cape, although previously a stranger, he became for several months the guest of Sir James South, who assisted him in acquiring that practical knowledge of instruments so necessary in his new avocation.[19] § In 1829 Sir James South was elected President of the Astronomical Society. It now appears, however, that previously to this appointment, _a party had been formed_ adverse to Sir J. South, which party, with the view of thwarting him, placed in the office of Secretary the Rev. Richard Sheepshanks, Fellow of Trinity Coll., Cambridge.[20] In March, 1831, the Board of Visitors of the Royal Observatory of Greenwich, met at the Admiralty, to consider the propriety of separating the duties of Superintendent of the Nautical Almanac from those of Astronomer Royal. The new arrangement was advocated, amongst others, by Sir J. South, and after some discussion, in which Capt. Beaufort and myself took part, it was ultimately carried. As we were leaving the meeting-room, Mr. Sheepshanks addressing me said: “I am determined to put down Sir James South, and if you and other respectable men will give him your support, I will put you down.” He at the same time told me he “intended to put Captain Beaufort down.”