484 
PRACTICAL ASTRONOMY. 
27, 28 Nov- 
surprised at beholding all the Satellites^ as clearly as they would have 
appeared in England through an instrument of many times greater 
optical power ; although this one was not more than twenty inches in 
length, and of the common refracting sort. So unexpected a circum- 
stance afforded me much pleasure, because it raised a hope that I 
might be enabled to observe an eclipse of one of these moons, for the 
accurate determination of my longitude, and accordingly 1 prepared for 
watching the eclipse of the first satellite, which was calculated to hap- 
pen this night. For some time I had the fullest expectation of success, 
but when the satellite approached near to the body of the planet, 
it gradually lost itself in the confused rays of light emitted from its 
primary, so it appeared through my telescope, and became invisible 
several minutes before the eclipse would have taken place. 
This disappointment, there was now no means of remedying ; 
and I felt how much reason there was for regretting that, in the 
absence of an astronomical telescope, it had not occurred to me as 
advisable to take a common one of the strongest power that could be 
purchased in Cape Town ; but I was not then aware of the extraor- 
dinary clearness of the atmosphere in the interior regions of this 
country, so favourable to celestial observations. This, and many other 
circumstances propitious to the practical astronomer, render peculiarly 
suitable to his residence, a country least of all likely ever to possess 
such an inhabitant ; while, on the other hand, strangely enough, 
this noble science is pursued with the greatest earnestness in countries 
where the atmosphere is perpetually thwarting and disappointing his 
patient watchings. 
28/A. As it was my intention to visit the Bacliapins after I had 
taken my final departure from Klaarwater, it would be absolutely 
necessary to have with me some person capable of acting as 
interpreter to that nation. Although there were many Hottentots at 
this place well enough qualified for that duty, I found it not possible 
to persuade such to accompany me ; and whatever difficulties at 
Klaarwater may have opposed my endeavours to hire men for the 
further prosecution of my journey, I owe it in justice to Mr. Jansz, 
to say, that it was entirely by his friendly assistance that I succeeded 
