ABSTRACT
Sir John Herschel was bent on relieving the discussion of double star obs[ervations] from the analytical difficulties attending a rigorous solution of equations, where the data are uncertain, irregular, and embarrassing. ‘The process’ said he, ‘by which I propose to accomplish this, is one essentially graphical; by which term I understand, not a mere substitution of geometrical construction and measurement for numerical calculation; but one which has for its object to perform that which no system of calculation can possibly do, by bringing in the aid of the eye & hand, to guide the judgment, in a case where judgment only, & not calculation can be of any avail’.
