1835. First Astronomer- Royal. 327 



answers he made my inquisitiveness) that he had calculated 

 (and could promptly do it) the places of the planets to a 

 given time by the tables in Mr. Gadbury's works. (Horrox's 

 Tables, published by Mr. Shakerly, but perfected and re- 

 duced to current account by Mr. Gadbuiy . I was desirous to 

 essay all sorts of mathematical knowledge ; and therefore 

 (because I would not be seen with Mr. Gadbury's book, lest 

 I should be suspected astrological) I bought Mr. Street's 

 Caroline Tables, intending, when I had time convenient, 

 not only to learn to calculate the places of planets, but 

 also to study their motions, and understand their difficult 

 theory ; but, being someways hindered, T did nothing in it 

 till the year was over. 



I had now completed eighteen years, when the winter 

 came on, and thrust me again into the chimney ; whence 

 the heat and the dryness of the preceding summer had happily 

 once before withdrawn me. But, it not being a fit season 

 for physic, it was thought fit to let me alone this winter, 

 and try the skill of another physician on me in the spring. 



The year was newly entered, when, on the first day thereof 

 (viz. the 1st of January, 1665) I, having some vacant time, 

 set myself to calculate the true places of planets to a given 

 time, by my formerly mentioned tables : and accordingly 

 effected it, though not so exactly as by my former calcula- 

 tions, yet so auspiciously, as gave me a further encourage- 

 ment to prosecute these endeavours ; in which I observe it 

 was my fault to err more through want of care than know- 

 ledge, which, since, I animadverted it, I have striven with 

 double care to prevent. I busied myself afterwards in 

 writing an Almanac Burlesque for the year 1666, but never 

 offered it to the press. 



The spring now approached ; and on the 8th day of April, 

 about half an hour past two in the afternoon, I applied 

 myself to that no less honest than able physician, Mr. Wil- 

 loughby, who (not willing to weaken nature, that was low 

 enough already, before he strengthened it) prescribed a 

 cordial yet cleansing drink, which I used for some time; 

 but without any apparent recruit of strength to my legs at 

 this time. I had, in the summer of the preceding year, 

 calculated several new tables, and digested some of them 

 into a convenient book ; and this year I added some more 



