CHAP, vii.] Catalogues of Stars. 273 



paring each star of the British Catalogue with their obser- 

 vations in that incorrect edition of 1725, I feel always sorry 

 that want of time, and, perhaps, want of ability too, must 

 have been the cause of leaving many incorrections unno- 

 ticed. The work, however, was solely intended for the use 

 of my brother, who valued Flamsteed as an observer too 

 much to have made use of any other but the British Cata- 

 logue for determining the places of his newly-discovered 

 objects. N.B. We ought to remember that till the year 

 1790 and 1800, when Wollaston's and Bode's Catalogues 

 appeared, we had no other to go by, for those of Piazzi and 

 several other excellent observers were then not generally 

 known. 



But, dear Sir, I ought to take leave of this to me inte- 

 resting subject ; for finding, about eight years since, that, 

 on account of the failure of my eyes and wretched health in 

 general, I should be unable to make further use of Flam- 

 steed's works, I gave the three volumes, along with the 

 Atlas, Catalogue of Omitted Stars, &c., to the Observatory 

 of Gottingen, all marked throughout with what corrections 

 I knew of at that time ; thinking they might be of use to 

 the observer there, and relieve me besides from the fear of 

 leaving them where they could not be appreciated, or an 

 attempt be made to comment on them, and perhaps have 

 made bad worse. 



I wish (but almost fear life will not be spared me so long) 

 to see your new edition of the British Catalogue, therefore 

 beg you will favour me with a copy as early as possible. I 

 never knew that there was a Biography of Flamsteed's 

 existing, and trust you will favour me with the same as soon 

 as you can. 



Any small parcels of astronomical papers will come to me 

 by favour of Herr Schumacher in Altona, who is so kind 

 as to send me his Astronom. Nachrichten regularly for 



