356 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



lest so many hours should be entirely thrown away," he made use of 

 his results to predict the positions of the planets. " While thus en- 

 gaged, I received," he proceeds, " my first iutimation of the remark- 

 able conjunction of Venus and the sun ; and I regard it as a very for- 

 tunate occurrence, insomuch as about the beginning of October it 

 induced me, in expectation of so grand a spectacle, to observe with 

 increased attention." Nevertheless, his heart was wroth within him 

 against Lansberg, insomuch that he could not refrain from the extreme 

 step of " forgiving " him in the following agreeable terms : " I pardon, 

 in the mean time, the miserable arrogance of the Belgian astronomer 

 who has overloaded his useless tables with such unmerited praise, and 

 cease to lament the misapplication of my own time, deeming it a suffi- 

 cient reward that I was thereby led to consider and foresee the ap- 

 pearance of Venus in the sun. But, on the other hand, may Lansberg 

 forgive me " (this is exquisite) " that I hesitated to trust him in an ob- 

 servation of such importance, and from having been so often deceived 

 by his pretensions to universal accuracy that I disregarded the general 

 reception of his tables. . . . Lest a vain exultation should deceive me," 

 he proceeds, " and to prevent the chance of disappointment, I not only 

 determined diligently to watch the important spectacle myself, but 

 exhorted others whom I knew to be fond of astronomy to follow my 

 example ; in order that the testimony of several persons, if it should 

 so happen, might the more effectually promote the attainment of truth, 

 and because by observing in different places our purpose would be 

 less likely to be defeated by the accidental interposition of clouds, or 

 any fortuitous impediment." He was particularly anxious because 

 Jupiter and Mercury seemed by their positions to threaten bad weath- 

 er. " For," says he, " in such apprehension I coincide with the opin- 

 ion of the astrologers, because it is confirmed by experience ; but in 

 other respects I cannot help despising their puerile vanities." Among 

 the astronomers to whom he wrote was his friend Crabtree. 1 



Horrox calculated that the transit would begin at three o'clock in 

 the afternoon of November 24th; but "being unwilling to depend en- 

 tirely on his own opinion," he began his watch on Saturday, November 

 23d. On Sunday morning he resumed it, only interrupting it to go to 

 church so, at least, I interpret his remark that he " was called away 

 by business of the highest importance, which, for these ornamental 

 pursuits," he " could not with propriety neglect. . . . About fifteen 



1 Both these ardent students of astronomy died young. Horrox (or Horrocks, as his 

 name is now more commonly spelled) was but twenty years old when he calculated the 

 transit, so that his feat may not inaptly be compared to that of Adams in calculating the 

 place of the unknown planet Neptune within a few months of taking his degree. Each 

 instance of an early mastery of difficult problems was fated to meet with neglect ; but 

 Horrox died before justice had been done him. Adams was quickly able to prove that 

 his work was sound, notwithstanding the coolness with which it had been received by 

 the Astronomer Royal. Horrocks died in 1641, in his twenty-second year. Crabtree is 

 supposed to have been killed at the battle of Naseby Field. 



