Difiance, Magnitude, &c. of the Pixed Stars, Sc. Jas 
14. The fame refult would have been obtained by taking the 
line RD proportional to the force of gravity at the fun’s fur- 
face, and DC equal to his femi-diameter, and from thence 
computing a velocity, which fhould be proportional to the 
{quare root of the area RC when compared with the f{quare 
root of another area, one of whofe fides fhould be proportional 
to the force of gravity at the (orgie of the earth; andthe other 
fhould be, for inftance, equal, to 16 feet, t inch, the fpace a 
body would fall through in one fecond of time, in which cafe 
it would acquire a. velocity, of 32 feet, 2 inches per fecond. 
Lhe velocity thus found. compared with the velocity of the 
earth in its orbit, when computed from the fame elements, ne- 
ceffarily, gives the fame refult. I have made ufe of this latter 
method of computation upon a, former occafion,. as may be feen 
in Dr. PrizstLey’s Hiftory of Optics, p. 787, &c. but I have 
rather chofen to take the velocity from that of a comet, in the 
article-above, on account of its greater fimplicity, and its more 
immediate connexion with the fubject of this ‘paper. 
15. The velocity of light, exceeding that of the earth in its 
orbit, when at its mean diftance from the fun, .in the propor- 
tion,.of about 10.310 10 41),-) 18 we divide 10:310 by 20,72, the 
quofient 497, in round numbers, will exprefs the number of 
times, which the velocity of light exceeds the velocity a body 
~ could acquire by falling. from ant, infinite height towards the 
fun, when it arrived at his furface ; and an area whofe fquare 
root dhould exceed the {quare root of the;area RC, where RD 
is fuppofed to reprefent the force of. gravity at the furface of 
the fun, and CD is equal to his femi-diameter, in the fame 
proportion, muft confequently exceed the area RC in the pro- 
portion of 247.009, the {quare of 497 tor. 
Vor Tx wens 16, Hence 
