[ i6 3 ] 
admits of a far Ampler conftrudtion than in an y 
other. Add to thefe the very eafy, but otherwise 
impoffible, management of the moft heavy and cum- 
berfome inflruments, fuch as the fedtor, which the 
late Mr. Flamfteed made ufe of for meafuring angu- 
lar diflances at Greenwich. 
When the great reflecting telefcope, that is fet up 
at Marlborough-houfe, was nigh finished, it was pio- 
pofed to fupport and diredt it by means of a com- 
plicated machinery, intirely different from the appa- 
ratus, which is now applied to it. This I flrongly 
oppofed in behalf of a polar axis, which was at laffc 
agreed upon ; and as foon as it was executed, it ap- 
peared, to the full fatisfadtion of the generous owner, 
and the curious artift, that fo vaft a weight as more 
than one thoufand pounds could be moved and. di- 
rected at pleafure, even by a ftranger, with a finger 
and a thumb. 
J. Bevis. 
4 
Read April 1 8. TT AM informed by Mr. John Canton, 
17 s *' JL that he obferved the occultation of Ve- 
nus by the moon laft Tuefday, at his houfe in Spi- 
tal-fquare, and found the immerfion at 1 o h 42' 20'' a.m . 
emerfion at 1 1 1 y 4° 
April 18, 1751. 
J. Short. 
X 2 
XXIII. 
