I 



METHOD OF TAKING TRANSIT OBSERVATIONS. } 3<) 



\ears by a single watchman, checked by this clock alone, 

 and with extremely few evidences of neglect. This is the 

 result of fines, &c, begun with judgment, and enforced 

 with strictness. But one objection can be offeied against Objection, 

 this, namely, that the morning only brings the proof of the 

 watchman's conduct, when nothing can be opposed to his 

 neglect but line or dismissal ; while the hours of greater 

 danger must be left to his discretion, and the fear of punish- 

 ment. 



As many modifications of plans like this are easily de- This plan may 

 f , . v . be adapted to 



vised, and n^w arrangements made in application to prac- c i rcUB istances. 



tice, not readily imagined before, it is deemed unnecessary 

 to enter into detail, or to attach any specific regulations for 

 each department, or for the ultimate execution of the whole. 

 If it is satisfactorily made out, that the plan is practicable The expense 

 ,. i i i • mi i i »_ not ail object, 



and useful, a slight calculation will show the expense to be 



insignificant, when compared with the object, or even with 

 the premium of insurance. 



I am, Sir, 



Your obedient servant, 

 Derby, May 1 1, 180Q. M. K. 



Annotation. Respecting register clocks for the useful 

 purpose indicated by M. K. see our Journal, vol. V, 

 p. 133. 



XII. 



On the Method of taking Transit Observations. In a Letter 

 from a Correspondent, 



To Mr. NICHOLSON, 

 SIR, 



In 



the second volume of your Journal, Mr. Ezekiel Method of tak- 



Walker, after mentioning i)r. Bradley's method of taking »ng transit ob- 



, . , . .. \ servauons. 



transit observations, by noting the proportional distance of 



tr* 



