Pofitions and Magnitudes of the Fixed Stars, &c. 18 
Society in its firft rude form, that a judgement might be made 
from it how far fuch a {cheme would promife fuccefs, I was 
unwilling to look into catalogues or capital maps for the num- 
bers or names of the ftars, left I fhould be tempted to adapt 
the pofitions of what I had obferved to what I there found fet 
down by more able aftronomers. Nothing, therefore, but a 
hemifphere of SENEx has been confulted, juft for knowing 
how far the conftellation is ufually reckoned to extend, and 
what are BAYErR’s references. | 
Should this plan meet with approbation, I fhall be happy to 
have propofed it; and will endeavour to forward it in any way 
that ihall be judged proper: or fhould any other be preferred, 
which is within the abilities and leifure of one who is engaged 
in another profeffion, I fhall be as happy to lend what affiftance 
Ican to it. My aim is only, to render fuch obfervations as I 
am capable of making, ufeful to fcience. 
Before I conclude on this head, give me leave to add a few 
hints. Whether this method be followed, or any other, if a 
general plan be fet on foot, whoever undertakes a conftellation, 
or diftri&t, fhould determine to examine it with as great accu- 
racy as he can; yet never be afhamed to let others know of 
-his miftakes. ‘The error of one proves a caution to another. 
Such a rough {ketch, once made, will be found of great ufe to 
moft of us, in knowing which ftar next to examine with 
greater care. He who can do no morethan this, will do a ufe- 
ful work by going thus far: and his frequently {weeping over 
his diftriét in this way, may lead him to a difcovery which 
might efcape a more regular aftronomer. But whoever can, 
ought todo more. By degrees the exact pofitions of every ftar 
he has noted down may be afcertained, by the method practifed 
by Mr. De ta Cariuein his Southern Hemifphere, or by any 
| Bba2 other 
