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by tills means Eclipfes have been preferved, that 
Calculations made by European Tables demonftrate 
to be falfe ? Can we wonder likewife, that the learned 
Fathers fhould doubt many times, whether fuch or 
fuch a particular Eclipfe be an Obfervation made at 
the Time, or the Refult only of a Calculation , and 
perhaps a falfe one (n) ) 
For, after all that hath been faid of Chinefe 
Eclipfes , and the Calculations of them, it is agreed, 
(o) that, before the Time of Lieou hong , or A. CD. 
%o6 . they had no fix’d Principles upon which to 
proceed in that Bufinefs. — This Obfervation, 1 am 
afraid, will extend to much later Times,* or ’tisfcarce to 
be imagined they fhould look upon total Eclipfes of 
the Sun as ill Omens. — In confequence of this fuperfti- 
tious Belief, we are told (p), That the Chinefe Aftrono- 
mers have carried their Compliment to the Family on 
the Throne fo far, as to affirm no fuch Eclipfe could hap- 
pen during their Time. On the other hand, fhould an 
Eclipfe of this fort happen, without being foretold, 
they immediately pretend it to be a Warning from 
Heaven of fome Misfortune likely foon to befal the 
Government. But if it fhould be foretold, and not 
come to pals, they would then make the many Vir- 
tues of the Sovereign the preventing Caufe ; and, what 
is better ftill, a Shelter for their own Ignorance. 
Such Notions as thefe however, I think, plainly de- 
monftrate them to bq very bungling Afironomersy 
and that they can hardly look upon thefe j Phenomena 
as 
(») Obf. ut /up. Tom. 2. p. 159. (o) Obfervat. ut ftp . 
Tom. 2. p. 32. (p) Ibid. p. 33. 
Rrt 
