CHAP. ii. j Slough. The first Comet. G7 



liberty to send the first, that you might compare it with 

 what I saw to-night. 



In Fig. 1 I observed the nebulous spot in the centre, a 

 bright red but small star upwards, another very faint white 

 star following, and in the situation as marked in the figure. 

 There is a third star preceding, but exceedingly faint. I 

 suspected several more, which may perhaps appear in a 

 finer evening, but they were not distinct enough to take 

 account of. 



In Fig. 2, August 2nd, are only the red and its follow- 

 ing star : the preceding, in Fig. 1, is partly hid in the rays 

 of the comet, and by one or two glimpses I had, I think it 

 is got before it. 



In Fig. 3 I took the comet in the edge by way of 

 taking in the assistance of another star of about the same 

 size and colour as that in the centre. 



The only stars I can possibly see with the naked eye 

 which might be of service to point out the place of the 

 comet are 53 and 54 Ursse Maj., from which it is at about an 

 equal distance with the 14, 15, and 16 Comae Ber., and 

 makes an obtuse angle with them. I think it must be about 

 1 above the parallel of the 15 Comae. 



I made these observations with my little Newtonian 

 sweeper, and used a power of about 30 : the field is about 

 1|- degree. 



I hope, sir, you will excuse the trouble I give you with 

 my wag [qy. vague] description, which is owing to my being 

 a bad (or what is better) no observer at all. For these 

 last three years I have not had an opportunity to look as 

 many hours in the telescope. 



Lastly, I beg of you, sir, if this comet should not have 

 been seen before, to take it under your protection in regard 

 to A. R. and D. C. 



F 2 



