ohm dh o> 
Vil. On she Means off difcovering the Diftance, Magnitude, 8e. 
of the Fixed Stars, in confequence of the Diminution of the 
. Velocity of ther Light, in cafe fuch a Diminution fhould be 
found to take place in any of them, and fuch other Data fhould be 
procured from Obfervations, as would be farther necefary for 
that Purpofe. By the Rev. John Michell, B. D. F. R.S. 
In a Letter to Henry Cavendith, E/y. F.R. S. and A. S. 
~ Read November 27, 1783. 
DEAR sIR, | Thorshill, May 26, r78ge 
HE method, which I mentioned to you when I was laft' 
in London, by which it might perhaps be poffible to 
find the diftance, magnitude, and weight of fome of the fixed 
ftars, by means of the diminution of the velocity of their 
light, occurred to me foon after I wrote what is mentioned by 
Dr. PrizstLey in his Hiftory of Optics, concerning the di- 
minution of the velocity of light in confequence of the attrac- 
tion of the fun; but the extreme difficulty, and perhaps im- 
poflibility, of procuring the other data neceflary for this pur- 
pofe appeared to me to be fuch objections againft the fcheme, 
when I firft thought of it, that I gave it then no farther confi- 
deration. As fome late obfervations, however, begin to give 
us a little more chance of procuring fomeat leaft of thefe data, 
I thought it would not be ‘amifs, that aftronomers fhould be 
apprized of the method, I propofe (which, as far as I know, 
Ez has 
