148 Mr Bai\y*s Account of 



a new copy of my catalogue, of which I shall cause as much to 

 be printed off as Dr Halley has spoiled, and take care of the 

 correction of the press myself, provided you will allow me the 

 naming of the printer, and that all the last proof-sheets may be 

 sent to Greenwich at my charge by the penny-post, and not print- 

 ed off till I have seen a proof without faults. After which I 

 will proceed to print the remaining part of the catalogue as fast 

 as my health and the small help I have will suffer me. But, if 

 you like not this, I shall print it alone at mt/ own charge on 

 better paper, and with fairer types than those your present 

 printer uses ; for I cannot bear to see my own labours thus 

 spoiled to the dishonour of the nation, Queen, and people. If 

 Dr Halley proceed, it will be a reflection on the President of the 

 Royal Society, and yourself will suffer in your reputation for 

 encouraging one of whom the wisest of his companions used to 

 say, that the only wai/ to have any business spoiled effectually 

 was to trust it to his management. But I hope better things of 

 you, and that you will endeavour to make me easy after all my 

 long, painful, and chargeable labours, by affording me your as- 

 sistance as occasion shall serve ; whereby you will ever oblige, 

 Sir, your humble servant and sincere friend." 



This remonstrance being of no avail, it appears that Flam- 

 steed addressed the Queen upon the subject, for there is amongst 

 his MSS. the copy of a petition, dated April 16, 1712, stating 

 the circumstances of the case, and requesting that this surrepti- 

 tious edition of his catalogue might be suppressed. Flamsteed, 

 however, remonstrated here likewise in vain ; for he found soon 

 after not only that the printing of the spurious catalogue was 

 completed, but also that the observations made with the mural 

 arc (contained in the 175 sheets which were left in the hands of 

 the referees as above mentioned) were sent to the press in a 

 garbled and incorrect manner^ the observations of those stars 

 only being retained which passed the meridian at the same time 

 with the moon and planets, and nearly on the same parallel, the 

 rest being wholly rejected *. He also found that the places of 



• In order that the reader may fully understand the nature of this change, 

 (which is by no means a light one, and of which Flamsteed might justly com- 

 plain), it may be proper here to state, that the edition above alluded to does not 

 contain the journal of the observations made ^vith the mural arc, in the man- 



