VOL. XXIX.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. jOl 



should have been glad the French astronomers had done the like for the total 

 eclipse that passed over Languedoc, Provence, and Dauphiny, on the 1st of 

 May, 1 706. But as this is the first eclipse of this kind that has been observed 

 with the attention the dignity of the phenomenon requires, we hope those 

 which may happen for the future to traverse Europe may not pass by so little 

 regarded as hitherto. 



As to the southern limit or term, where the eclipse ceased to be total on the 

 South side of the sun, we have received an account of an observation made at 

 Nortoncourt, about 10 miles on this side of Canterbury, by the Rev. Dr. John 

 Harris, S. T. P. prebendary of Rochester, and R. S. S. assisted by that accurate 

 observer Mr. Stephen Gray; by which we learn that the eclipse began there at 

 8^ 8™ 55^, and ended at lO*^ 24"^ 47^; and that the total darkness continued but 

 about one minute, or rather less, the middle of it being at 9^ IS"" 52^ From 

 this duration it will follow, that Nortoncourt was but about 3 or 4 miles within 

 the shade. And that it was really so, is confirmed by the account of the inha- 

 bitants of Bocton, about midway between Nortoncourt and Canterbury, who 

 assured Mr. Gray, as he was returning home that same day, that the eclipse 

 was not total there, but, as one of them expressed it, before the sun had quite 

 lost his light on the east side, he recovered it on the west; and that there was 

 a small light left on the lower part of the sun that appeared like a star. And 

 from Cranbrook in Kent, we are informed by William Tempest, Esq. R. S. S, 

 that he observed there the sun to be extinguished only for a moment, and in- 

 stantly to emerge again ; so that the limit passed exactly over this town, which 

 is about 38 geographical miles from London, and very near the right angle 

 where the perpendicular from London falls on the line of the limit, being 3"^ of 

 time to the eastwards of London, in the latitude of 51° 6', as near as I can 

 gather. 



How it passed over Sussex, we have not so authentic accounts, but we have 

 learned that it was total at Wadhurst, beyond Tunbridge-wells, as also for some 

 short time at Lewis; but that it was not so at Brightling, which place being 

 situated on an eminence with a commanding prospect, all the country to the 

 northward was seen in darkness, while they had there some benefit of a small 

 remainder of the sun. 



From these observations we may conclude, that this limit came upon the coast 

 of England about the middle between Newhaven and Brighthelmstone in Sussex, 

 and passing by Cranbrook and Bocton, left Canterbury about 4 miles on the 

 right hand, and quitted the coast of Kent not far from Hern, toward the an- 

 cient Regulbium, now called Reculver. So that it seems scarcely one-third part 



VOL. VI. Y 



