X4 © ASTRONOMICAL ayo 
v. s 377; Afronomical Oljiruatins made at Chet 
Latitude 42° 25', and 26" in Time Eaft of the Univerfity 
at Cambridge. By the Rev. PHILLIPS Payson, F. 4, A. 
VH E ‘uf of altroricmicdl obfervations, to promote the 
. purpofes of navagation and geography, muft be evident 
to every ‘perfon that has paid any proper attention to the fub- 
jet. By comparing obfervations made in different places, -it 
is well. known, fpecial advantages accrue ; and by tranfiniting 
thofe of one age down to another, affords aftronomers, in fir- 
ture time, great helps for improvement : And no doubt but 
improvements will be made in this divine {cience to the end of 
| time, 
-ocThe extenfive tetritories of the: United States of America, 
are a foundation in^ nature forv'a vaft Rios —The geography- 
of its.interior parts, though of reat inaportance, is, at prefent, 
but litthe better than conjectural è "Fo pera which, and fix 
the interefting boundaries and lines, the beft, and indeed. the 
only p | 'oper method is, that of aftronomical obfervations, which, 
it is probable, the Supreme Council of America will fóon adopt; 
now the glorious revolution is fo. happily éompleated. "Fo, 
promote fuch obfervations, both at noted head-lands upon the 
fca-coaft, and at diftant places in the interior country, highly: 
merits the attention of this Acad demy : For though they íhould; 
hot at firft be made with fuch accuracy as modern aftronomy, 
can ae es will prove. pur helps for ane improves 
ie moc : of birraion to determine. the latitude of a place; 
acquifition: Nor is that difficult which fettles its; 
longitude, ifa perfon can be famil with a good time-piece; 
Hadley $ 
