Page:Memoirs of a Trait in the Character of George III.djvu/162

NO. 1. as the Commissioners have thought proper to entrust him with the execution of their commands;There was more decorum than earnestness in the deference to their commands; for though he was not wanting in respect for Dr. Maskelyne in his official department, he held the other mathematical Commissioners very cheap as practical astronomers, and the following, among other particulars found in his Journal, illustrate the cause. One conclusion which we do not hazard much in advancing is, that our Mechanician, by whom his son had been ably instructed in whatever was necessary to his purpose, was better qualified for the Professor's chair than his superior scientific opponents, as they thought themselves. But it may have been unfortunate for him to foil them at their own weapons in this manner; as their conduct leaves it to be sufficiently inferred that they would chew the end of resentment now and then, and certainly knew how to indulge it: he is found elsewhere complaining of personal rudeness from them. At a Board, August 9th, 1763, William Harrison desired to know how many observations of the first satellite of Jupiter were necessary for ascertaining the difference of Longitude between Portsmouth and Jamaica? to which Mr. Blisse [Astronomer Royal] answered, he thought fourteen emersions, and fourteen immersions. William Harrison said he thought that must be a work of a long time; for scarcely more than half that number was ever to be had at any one place in a year.—At length the Board determined there should be as many observations got as could be that season, and it should be satisfactory.

Mr. Harrison then desired the Board would please to explain what they meant by equal altitudes made on three days. Mr. Blisse answered, they meant that they should be three succeeding days; and that the preceding and following limb of the sun should be taken at each hair in the instrument; and there being three hairs in the instrument, consequently