L 2 34 ] 
Received April 24, 1767. 
XXVII. An Inquiry into the probable Par- 
allax, and Magnitude of the fixed Stars , 
from the Quantity of Light which they ajford 
us, and the particular Circumfiances of 
their Situation , by the Rev . John Michell, 
B. D . F. R.S . * 
&cad May 7, andrr^ HOUGH no man can at pre- 
JL lent doubt, that the want of a 
fenfible parallax in the fixed fiars, is owing to their 
immenfe difiance, yet it may not perhaps be dis- 
agreeable to lee, that this diftance is farther confirmed 
by other circumfiances; for let us fuppofe them to 
be, at a medium, equal in magnitude and natural 
brightnefs to the fun, to which they feem in all 
refpedts to be analagous. And, having laid this 
down as a foundation to build upon, let us inquire 
what would be the parallax of the fun, if he were 
to be removed fo far from us, as to make the quantity 
of the light, which we fhould then receive from 
him, no more than equal to that of the fixed fiars. 
In order to do this with accuracy, it would be proper to 
compare the quantity of light ; which we at prefent 
receive from him, with that of the fixed fiars, by 
fiome fuch methods, as are made ufe of by Monfieur 
Bouguer 
