1823.] Cot, Beaufoi/'$ Astronomical Observations, 4S5 



abstract. We have seen that all the alchemical authorities 

 agree in the description of certain preliminary results as neces- 

 sary to the completion of the gi^eat work, and as indisputable 

 prognostics of success. The philosopher, therefore, believed 

 himself to be in the way, if he had obtained the means of keep- 

 ing up and moderating the heat of his furnaces, if he had effected 

 a seeming fixation of mercury or its calces, or extracted a tinc- 

 ture, produced any thing, that is, solid or hquid, approaching to 

 the deep-red or orange colour, supposed to be characteristic of 

 gold. Yet more if he had procured a ponderous result of a 

 ruby-like tinge, or even if the materials on which he operated 

 underwent certain changes of colour in the process, did he flatter 

 himself that he was not far from the great desideratum. 



However these sig7is of the work may have been in their day 

 sufficient inducements to so unreasonable and unprofitable a 

 waste of time and means, your readers will have no difficulty in 

 understanding, that they might any, or all of them, manifest 

 themselves repeatedly in the comphcated and lengthened opera- 

 tions of the experimentalist, without bringing him one hair's 

 breadth nearer to the fabrication or possession of Gold, 

 I am, dear Sir, very truly yours, 



J. J. CONYBEARE, 



Article' VIL 



Astronomical Observations, 1823. 

 By Col. Beaufoy, FRS. 



Bushey Heath, near Stanmore, 

 Latitude 51° S7' 44'3" North. Longitude West in time 1' 20*93". 



Oct. 25. Emersion of Jupiter's third J 12h 31' 13" Mean Time at Bushey. 



satellite l 12 32 34 Mean Time at Greenwich. 



Nov. I. Immersion of Jupiter's third 5 13 31 28 Mean Time at Bushey. 



satellite ( 13 32 49 Mean Time at Greenwich, 



Nov, 12. Immersion of Jupiter's first C iO 18 25 Mean Time at Busliey. 



satellite / 10 19 46 ]\Iean Time at Greenwich. 



2f2 



