First Astronomer-Royal. 21 



next year's, and their authority ceasing, I declined answer- 

 ing their further demand ; for their authority ceased. Yet 

 their confidence did not : and the editor, (Dr. Halley), who 

 now was one of their secretaries, sent me a bold letter to 

 demand them, as if he had never done me any injury ; which 

 I laid by me, and kept that year's from being spoiled. How 

 unfaithful be was in his copy I hope the skilful may see ere 

 long: for my amanuensis, J. Crosthwait, is now copying 

 the volume of observations that Sir Isaac Newton got by 

 surprize into his hands, and has nearly finished it. And I 

 hope I may live, through the blessing of God, to see it 

 published, with the observations of twelve following years : 

 but if His good providence shall not continue my life so 

 long, I trust my executors will do it according to the direc- 

 tion of my will. 



The last sheet of my corrected and enlarged Catalogue 

 was printed off, December 5th, 1712 ; after which I designed 

 to have had the press to proceed with the observations from 

 which it was derived, made with the mural arch. But 

 whatever instances I made to Sir Isaac Newton to have the 

 copy I had trusted into his hands, to be printed, I could 

 not prevail with him to return it. So I set myself to con- 

 tinue my observations, at such times as were fit, further; 

 and to calculate the planets' places from such observations 

 as I had made with it ; and to correct the places of the 

 planets' motions. In which, I bless God for it, though I 

 had not the success I expected, yet I had such as gave me 

 light, and will be of use to those who come after me ; and 

 may serve to perfect our knowledge of the Heavens, wherein 

 the height of wisdom is shewn of our Creator; if after me 

 there shall be any found that will prosecute these studies 

 with the same sedulity, patience, and sincere love of truth 

 that I have now for above these five-and-fifty years. 



August 1st, 1714. King George succeeded to the crown 

 of Great Britain. Soon after a noble peer died, who, during 

 his life, had supported Sir Isaac Newton (the Earl of Hali- 

 fax). The officers at Court were changed. The new Lord 

 Chamberlain knew me well : and one that was frequently 

 employed by him wrote to me, that through his means I 

 might get the printed copy of my observations that had been 

 designed for me by the Prince George of Denmark, into my 



