Page:Memoirs of a Trait in the Character of George III.djvu/235

178 between the Sun and Moon, or between the Moon and some fixed star, at any certain part of the globe, was for every hour of the year known; and if a navigator, when at sea, could also, by observations, ascertain what is the apparent distance, at the place where he is, between the Sun and Moon, or between the Moon and a star, and likewise their respective altitudes; and if he could also, at the same moment, ascertain the time of the day, either by an immediate observation of the Sun, or by a watch which would keep time pretty exactly from the last solar observation; these matters of fact being given, the difference of Longitude may from thence be calculated. I admit the principle to be absolutely true in theory. The Lunar tables for which the rewards have been given, are calculated to show the distance between the Sun and Moon, or Moon and stars, at Greenwich; I admit the practicability of making such tables; but with regard to the other requisites, I beg leave to observe that, for six days in every month, the Moon is too near the Sun for observing, consequently, during those days, the method falls totally to the ground; that^ for about other thirteen days in every month, the Sun and Moon are at too great a distance for observing them at the same time, or are not at the same time visible; therefore,