Page:Memoirs of a Trait in the Character of George III.djvu/76

Rh With those who contemplate the passing scene in an abstract view, the general persuasion would be, that the most distinguished authority referred to by the memorialist would level the way to the object sought; that the deference—the respect which would be paid to the daily personal attendance, which it was known the King had given to this business would be a rallying point round which jarring opinions might concentrate as to a focus, to do justice to the exemplary and patient investigation which their Sovereign had devoted to this scientific concern; yet not even a trace of the least concession, that would be expected, is discoverable in the proceedings of these men of education, as they were all to be presumed, and many of them of learned designations.—It was not the Longitude (for that seemed sent to the place the polite preacher scrupled to name) it was a personal affair, viz: John Montagu, Earl of Sandwich, and Nevil Maskelyne, Astronomer Royal, versus John Harrison and his illustrious supporter. The first of these Commissioners, for reasons that elude research, had found himself affronted, by being reminded of his impressive tautological assurance; and the other had been stung to the quick by being challenged to produce his Lunar observations made during the voyage to Barbadoes, which, notwithstanding his confident behaviour at that Island, did not bear him out. The rest of the majority at the Board, principally formed of the Professors of