[ 183 ] 
It is mod likely indeed, that the motion of the apo- 
gee produced by the difturbing forces of the planets 
bears but a very fmall, perhaps infenfible, proportion 
to the whole. But thole who are madeis of Dr. 
Stewart’s theorems will eafily perceive that an infen- 
fible error in the proportion of the moon’s gravity, 
and the fun’s didurbance, may produce a very fenfible 
error in the proportion of tne mean didances. And 
therefore the real didance is probably greater by two 
or three femidiameters of the earth than thefe com- 
putations make it. . 
This, however, is much too nice a point for the 
approaching tranfit, or, perhaps, for any method of 
observation, to determine. The highed expectations 
aftronomers will be anfwered, if they can come 
within 50 or 60 femidiameteis of the earth. 
It is to be hoped, that every civilized nation of 
the univerfe will give due attention to that inteieft- 
inp - phenomenon, which we, the prefent ponenors 
oft hefefublunary regions, (hall behold no more ; and 
that proper perfons will be fent in due time, and 
duly equipped, to the mod advantageous dations.^ 
If the decihons of obfervation in fo nice a point 
fhpuld be found to agree with the previous conclu- 
fions of theory, the difciples of Newton will have 
no fmall reafon to exult in a new attedation of na- 
ture, to the truth of their great matters dodtrine. 
But it is much to be widted, that they, who mail 
be deputed to profecute this curious fearch, in didant 
and fequedered parts, may dived themfelves of all 
prejudice ; that they may have nothing at heart, 
but, that which the world will expedt from them. 
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