Mr. Bevan on certain Defects in the British Almanac. 31 



any year in the miscellaneous matter after the calendar would 

 be quite as useful as the two columns now occupying part of 

 each monthly space: for many reasons this supplementary 

 table would be better, as it might be given for different lati- 

 tudes, instead of being confined to one latitude. Is it pro- 

 bable that one person in ten thousand of all the inhabitants 

 of London ever observe the rising sun? or would without 

 considerable inconvenience be able so to do if inclined ? 



Every astronomer knows that the time of the sun's rising is 

 influenced by many circumstances; such as the elevation of the 

 horizon, the density and temperature of the atmosphere, and 

 upon the latitude of the place. It might be asked, what part of 

 the sun's disc is to be the index of its rising or setting ? In a 

 popular view, the first and last appearance of the sun would 

 be considered the time to be observed ; whereas I presume 

 it is intended by the tables to give the time of the centre pass- 

 ing the sensible horizon, which differs considerably from the 

 first and last appearance. If any person should rely upon 

 setting their watch or clock to true time by the use of the 

 tables published in the British Almanac, they would be de- 

 ceived ; whereas if they gave, like other almanacs, the sun's 

 declination for each day, any person with a little knowledge 

 of astronomy would be able to obtain his time by an observed 

 altitude of the sun, at any time of the day. 



If room is wanted, it might be obtained by removing much 

 of the present contents of the first page of the month to the 

 Supplement. 



The places of the planets might also be given in a more 

 useful form than in the vague and general manner now done 

 at the head of the first page. 



The constellations in which the planets are to be found, 

 occupy a portion of each monthly department. We might in- 

 quire the use of this vague information. Will any of the read- 

 ers of the British Almanac be able to see either Mercury or 

 Uranus from such a notice ? Whereas if the right ascension 

 and declination of the planets were given four or five times 

 ill the month, any person might be able to find them at proper 

 seasons. 



Want of room cannot properly be urged as a reason for 

 the omission of useful matter; as many things are given in the 

 calendar part of the almanac which would be quite as well in 

 the Supplement, or in the Companion. 



I would not be understood to assert that the planet Mer- 

 cury cannot be seen with the naked eye, although it is an 

 object seldom seen, in consequence of its proximity to the sun; 

 yet there are generally a few days in the year when this planet 

 may be easily seen ; and it would be no discredit to the Bri- 



