C 192 ] 
XXVI, A Letter to the AJlronomer Royal, 
from Joha Canton, M.A.F.R. S, con- 
taining his Obfervations of the T*ra7ift of 
Venus, June 3, 1769, and of the Eclipfe 
of the Sun the 7 Kxt Mornmg, 
S I R, 
London, June 9, 1769. 
Read June 15, T' T A K E the liberty of fending you, 
1769. Jl^ inclofed, my obfervations of the tran- 
fit of Venus, and of the Sun’s eclipfe; which, if you 
think proper, you may lay before the Royal Society. 
Thofe of Venus v/ere made under the difad- 
vantageous circumftances of being at the top of a 
houfe, and feeing through fmoke; however, I hope 
they will not differ very widely from yours. I was 
jult prepared to find the difference of declination be- 
tween the Sun and Venus by your method, which 
appears to me to be a very good one, when the Sun 
was covered by a cloud, and 1 faw it no more. The 
magnifying power of the telefcope I made ufe of 
was 95. 
About half a minute before the total ingrefs, 
when the bright cuf'ps of the Sun were at fome 
diftance from each other, there appeared a faint light 
between them, a little lower than the cufps, or nearer 
to 
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