[ 3 ro ] 
hence to France with a view of being printed, but of 
being examined by men of Ikill and abilities (a). 
I have already lent you the catalogue of fome an- 
tient obfcrvations. What relates to Jupiter is proper 
to correCt what is remarked by Father Souciet. I 
have fent either to that Father, or to M. de Lille, a 
great number of corrections and additions, which are 
requilite to be made ; and I will foon digelt into or- 
der what lhall appear to me necelfary. Mr. Coflard 
will there, I believe, fee the folution of his doubts. 
The Jefuits are much obliged to him for the honour, 
which he has done them, in faying, that the belt 
memoirs relating to China are owing to them. When 
he lhall have examined what there is of reality with 
refpeCt to antiquity, and the manner of coming at the 
knowlege of the antient hiftory and aftronomy, his 
doubts will vanilh. 
The Chinefe, without being confummate, or even 
palfable aftronomers, might be capable of feeing an 
eclipfe, and of making obfervations on it, and of look- 
ing upon the fhadow of the gnomon of a fun-dial. 
The knowlege, which they had from time imme- 
morial of the redangle triangle, and of its principal 
properties. 
( a ) The Chinefe texts were written by men, who knew nothing, 
or almoft nothing, of agronomy and antiquity ; and there are many 
faults in the Chinefe contexts, and likewife fome in the copies of the 
tranflations, and in what was added or corrected for the impreflion. 
They are only memoirs, which ought to be examined, and digefted 
into a better order, after having taken the proper meafures to re- 
ftore the Chinefe texts, which had been alter’d, and to explain the 
obfeure parts by thofe, which are intelligible; not withftanding which 
there will be many Chinefe texts Hill unintelligible. 
