JMifceUanea Curiofa. 295 



I would then take it for granted, as a thing 

 at leaft very probable, that the fixed Stars 

 are not at all (as was wont to be fuppofed) at 

 the fame diftance from us ; but the diftance 

 of fome, vaftly greater than of others and 

 confequently, though as to the more remote, 

 the Parallax may be undifcernable \ it may 

 perhaps be difcernable in thofe that are near- 

 er to us. 



And thofe we may reafonably guefs (tho 5 

 we are not lure of it) to be neareft to us, 

 which to us do appear biggeft and brighteft, 

 as are thofe of the Firll and Second Magni- 

 tude ; and there are at leaft of the Second 

 Magnitude, pretty many not far from the 

 Pole of the Ecliptick, (as that in particular, 

 in the Shoulder of the letter Bear; : And in 

 cafe we fail in one, we may try again and a- 

 gain on fome other , which may chance to 

 be nearer to us than what we try firft. And 

 Stars of this bignefs may be difcerned by a 

 moderate Telefcope, even in the day-time ; 

 especially when we know juft where to look 

 for them. 



The manner of Obfervation I conceive, 

 may be thus : Having firft pitched upon the 

 Star we mean to obferve, and having then 

 confidered (which is not hard to do) where 

 fuch Star is to be feen in its greateft Eaft or 

 Weft Azimuth \ it may be then convenient 

 to fix very firm and fteadily on fome Tower, 

 Steeple, or other high Edifice (in a conveni- 

 ent Situation) a good Telefcopick ObjecVglafs 

 in fuch pofition, as may be proper for view- 

 ing that Star. And at a due diftance from it 

 near the Ground, build on purpofe (if alrea- 



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