Sect. VIII.] Astronomy^ 81 



Eclipses, of various kinds, had been observed and 

 calculated, yet these operations had rarely been 

 made subservient to any important practical pur- 

 pose. Y\ ithin a few years past, philosophers have 

 paid more attention to this part of astronomy. 

 Methods have been devised of calculating eclipses 

 with more ease and expedition than before. Large 

 collections of these calculations have been made, 

 for a long series of years, with the view of de- 

 ducing from them the longitude of cities, and 

 determining other astronomical and geographical 

 questions. Among those who have distinguished 

 themselves in this branch of astronomy, Mr. Tries- 

 necker, of Gemiany, and M. Goudin, of France, 

 are entitled to peculiar honour*. 



To discover an easy and certain method of fmd- 

 ing the lorigitiide, has long been a grand dcsuk- 



* The attempt made by certain infidels, during the eighteenth 

 century, to derive an argument against the chronology of the sa- 

 cred writings from some astronomical records, said to be found 

 in Asia, is well known j as are also the ample refutation cf tlieir 

 reasoning, and the total disappointment of their hopes from this 

 quarter. We have been recently informed, that some of tho, 

 learned men of France, connected witli the late military expedi- 

 tion to Egypt, assert, that in the course of their inquiries in that 

 country, they discovered astronomical records, which prove the 

 age of the world to be many thousands of years greater tlian the 

 gacred history represents it. It is not the part of a wise man to 

 answer a 7natter before he heareth it; and therefore until more shall 

 be known concerning the facts stated, and the reasonings employ- 

 ed by these men, it would be improper to attempt a discussion of 

 the subject. But the extreme fallacy to which arguments derived 

 from sources of this kind are liable, must be obvious to ewery 

 astronomer} and he must have liule acquaintance with the his- 

 tory of hvjfnan knowledge who does not know, that as'^ertion^ a3 

 bold as those in question have more tlian once been demonstrated 



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