[ ”5 ] 
ceffion of the equinoxes), it appears that its diftance 
is 17", 3 lefs than it would have been, if the diftance 
of the Sun’s center from the equator had remained 
unvaried. By that quantity, therefore, the obliquity 
of the ecliptic has altered in 23 years ; which is at 
the rate of 75'', 2 in too years. 
By comparing, in like mariner, the diftance in 
3746, the obliquity of the ecliptic has diminished 
15" ,6 in 20 years, or 78' in 100 years. 
Diftance in 1743 . . , . * 
Motion of the ftar in decl. Southward 
Computed diftance in 1766 . ' . 
Obferved diftance in 1766 . . . 
Variation of obliquity .... 
Of// 
0 r tr 
2 56 32,8 
In 1746. 2 57 28,6 
7 20,8 
6 23,3 
3 3 53>6 
3 3 5 ! >9 
3 3 3 6 >3 
3 3 3 6 >3 
17.3 
15,6 
The foregoing deductions prove, I think, be- 
yond all doubt, that the obliquity has become lefs ; 
but as the interval of time between the two terms of 
comparison is fo Short, that the errors committed in 
obferving may bear a fenfible proportion to the Small 
quantities juft now found, and which, perhaps, are 
fomewhat too large 3 let us have recourSe to Mr. 
Flamfteed’s obfervations, and compare them with 
observations made by my Self, in the courfe of the laft 
and prefent years. For this purpofe, I have reduced all 
the obfervations of the Sun, made in 1690, from 
May 26 to June 24, O. S. and alfo all the observa- 
tions of ArCturus, made in the fame year, to their 
mean pofition at the Summer folftice of that year. 
The obfervations, together with my own made at 
Oxford, are as follows. 
