XXII. A Method of determining the Time with Accuracy, from 
a Series of Altitudes of the Sun, taken on the same side 
of the Meridian. By Major-General Sir Tuomas Bris- 
‘BANE, Knt. F. R.S. E. 
(Read Feb. 2. 1818. ) 
i: for a number of years been constantly moving about, 
in situations where I could not convey large astronomical in- 
struments, I have repeatedly tried to what extent of accuracy 
and consistency I could arrive with the smaller ones. The re- 
sults have convinced me, that a great deal of accuracy may 
in that way be obtained; and that the sextant is an instru- 
ment, which, if perfectly understood, would be in higher esti- 
mation, and more general use, than it is at present. The ob- 
servations I am about to submit, were made with a ten inch 
sextant of Troughton’s, divided on platina to 10”, (No 1200). 
The manner of using it, which I am now to describe, is what 
T have pursued for a great length of time, both at sea and at 
land, and I can recommend it as uniting simplicity with accu- 
racy, and at the same time as serving to discover errors, if they 
happen to exist. Our climate does not admit of obtaining equal 
altitudes very frequently, but I conceive that the mode which 
I wish to see adopted, will admit of equal accuracy, and I am 
Vou. VILL. P. II. ee ie justified 
