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XVIII. Observation of the great Eclipse of the Sun of Sept. 5, 
1793. By John Jerome Schroeter, Esq. Communicated by 
George Best, Esq. F. R. S. 
Read May 15, 1794. 
Although the weather, owing to temporary clouds and 
flying showers, have at times been somewhat unfavourable, 
it was yet upon the whole sufficiently clear to admit of a good 
observation, to which the superiority of my instruments was 
not a little conducive. 
Having prepared my hand telescope, being a 7-feet reflector, 
with a power magnifying 50 times with great distinctness, and 
with a field that took in more than the disk of the sun, I watched 
attentively for the first contact, but was prevented by some 
intervening clouds : the first glimpse, however, I had was im- 
mediately after the immersion, which took place at the north- 
west edge of the sun ; and it was as yet so very trifling, that 
had it not been for the excellence of my instruments I should 
hardly have perceived it ; and I am well assured that the first 
contact did not take place above 4 seconds before this instant 
of time. This observation was, according to true time, (cor- 
rected by 9 equal altitudes on the 4th and 6th) on the 5th Sept, 
at io h 2 6' 59", 3 ; so that the first contact must have been at 
io h 2 6' 55". The distance of the cusps I could not observe. 
The end of the eclipse was, on the other hand, observed with 
