C - 507 ] 
XXIX. AJlronomical Obfervations relating to the Moun- 
tains of the Moon. By Mr. Herfchel of Bath. Com- 
municated by Dr. W atfon, Jun. of Bath, F. R. S. 
T the time when the telefcope was firft invented 
this noble inftrument was immediately applied to 
aftronomical obfervations with the raoft furpriiing fuc- 
cefs. Several very eminent perfons have given us an ac- 
count of their difcoveries ; and, notwithftanding the im- 
perfect ftate of telefcopes in thofe times, We ftill owe a 
great deal of our knowledge of the heavenly bodies to 
the obfervations that were made by thofe firft telefcopic 
obfervers, who made amends for the deficiencies of their 
inftruments by their uncommon diligence and attention. 
It may, perhaps, be efteemed to be a mere matter of 
curiofity to fearch after the height of the lunar moun- 
tains. I grant that there are more neceflary and more 
ufeful objects of inquiry in the fcience of aftronomy; 
but when we confider that the knowledge of the con- 
ftrudtioii of the Moon leads us infenfibly to feveral con- 
Vol. LXX. X xs fequences. 
Read May 1 1, 1780* 
