Remarks on Ancient Eclipses. 17 



truth ; whereas they now give it to within ten seconds, and ge- 

 nerally much nearer. The principal object of importance to- 

 wards" cultivating more jjcrfcctly the lunar astronomy is a long 

 and continued series of correct observations, whereby to furnish 

 theory with the true data, in order to approximate more cor- 

 rectly to the inequalities in the lunar motions. And on insti- 

 tuting calculations on the solar and lunar theory, their present 

 mean motions ought to be applied as deduced from the most 

 correct observations, with the application also of the accelera- 

 tions, otherwise we cannot expect to elicit from the theory of 

 gravitation the various perturbations in the lunar theory. 



Lastly; with respect to the astronomical question to be in- 

 quired into, viz. Whether the recession of the covjunctiovs of the 

 O and D in the ecliptic is any real and absolute anticipation, 

 or whether it is produced by some unknoum variation of the ca- 

 lendar recko7ting during the above period. In answer to the 

 above, I beg to remark that the ancient eclipses have been care- 

 fully examined by several of the most eminent astronomers and 

 chronologers, in order to establish particular epochs ; and also 

 the lunar theory: by which means the J) 's acceleration was 

 discovered, and which has been since completely verified and 

 established by M, Laplace on the Newtonian theory of universal 

 gravitation ; it is therefore very improbable, and further, I may 

 venture to add impossiOle, that a mistake of that magnitude 

 should have crept into their calculations; for had this been the 

 case, the lunar tables could not have given the J) 's motions, 

 agreeably to what they have been found to be from observation 

 during the last 50 or 60 years only. 



I remain, sir, yours respectfully, 



Lynn Regis, July 10, 1820. JameS UttING. 



IV. Catalogue of Ancient Eclipses, ivith the Dates of their 

 corresponding Eclipses at one and two Periods Distance. 

 With Remarks. By Mr. Thomas Yeates. 



[Continued from vol. 55, p. 445.] 



To Mr. Tilloch. 



Sir, — As a necessary supplement to what I liave advanced 

 respecting the lunar periods, as the same appears confirmed by 

 the testimony of the eclipses recorded by the ancients, and at- 

 tested by numerous corresponding examples, I bog permission 

 to intrude a few notices of the lunar cycles and periods celebrated 

 among the Chaldeans, the justly rcjjuted fathers of astronomy, 

 and as the same were afterwards improved by the Greeks. 

 Vol. 5G. No. 2G7. July 1820. C 1. The 



