In short periods of time the changes in the shapes and positions of the planetary orbits, in consequence of their mutual attractions, are of no great consequence.  When, however, we bring thousands of years into consideration, then the displacements of the planetary orbits attain considerable dimensions, and have, in fact, produced a profound effect on the system.

It is of the utmost interest to investigate the extent to which one planet can affect another in virtue of their mutual attractions.  Such investigations demand the exercise of the highest mathematical gifts.  But not alone is intellectual ability necessary for success in such inquiries.  It must be united with a patient capacity for calculations of an arduous type, protracted, as they frequently have to be, through many years of labour.  Le Verrier soon found in these profound inquiries adequate scope for the exercise of his peculiar gifts.  His first important astronomical publication contained an investigation of the changes which the orbits of several of the planets, including the earth, have undergone in times past, and which they will undergo in times to come.

As an illustration of these researches, we may take the case of the planet in which we are, of course, especially interested, namely, the earth, and we can investigate the changes which, in the lapse of time, the earth’s orbit has undergone, in consequence of the disturbance to which it has been subjected by the other planets.  In a century, or even in a thousand years, there is but little recognisable difference in the shape of the track pursued by the earth.  Vast periods of time are required for the development of the large consequences of planetary perturbation.  Le Verrier has, however, given us the particulars of what the earth’s journey through space has been at intervals of 20,000 years back from the present date.  His furthest calculation throws our glance back to the state of the earth’s track 100,000 years ago, while, with a bound forward, he shows us what the earth’s orbit is to be in the future, at successive intervals of 20,000 years, till a date is reached which is 100,000 years in advance Of A.D. 1800.

The talent which these researches displayed brought Le Verrier into notice.  At that time the Paris Observatory was presided over by Arago, a Savant who occupies a distinguished position in French scientific annals.  Arago at once perceived that Le Verrier was just the man who possessed the qualifications suitable for undertaking a problem of great importance and difficulty that had begun to force itself on the attention of astronomers.  What this great problem was, and how astonishing was the solution it received, must now be considered.