432 Afr. Wilkins's Account of a Light 
an immediate answer, on account of his engagement to leave 
Cambridge in a short time. If you will please to refer to my 
letter, I think you will find I was somehow aware of my not 
describing the age of the moon properly in the sketch ; for I 
said, “you will be able to tell by the age of the moon at that 
« time, the apparent breadth of light, wjiich may, in some mea- 
u sure , determine the situation of the spot according to my 
“ idea." 
The sketch 1 made at first was in pencil, without the as- 
sistance of compasses. 
It appeared like a small star, without changing its form or 
situation ; and its distance was as far from the enlightened 
edge D as from the dark edge B. 
I am, &c. 
WILLIAM WILKINS. 
To the Rev. Dr. Maskelyne. 
LETTER III. 
REVEREND SIR, Norwich, 8 th May, 1794- 
I am again favoured with yours of the 6th instant. The 
evening I saw the bright spot on the moon, I had been look- 
ing for Mercury soon after sun-set, and walked more than an 
hour; and having been disappointed by a clouded horizon, I 
returned home (my house is within 50 yards of the Castle- 
hill) ; and after staying some time, set out again to the coffee- 
house to look at the papers, as I usually do about that time, 1. e. 
eight o'clock. I took the Castle-hill again in my way, when I 
was surprised with the appearance I have already described. 
After the disappearance of the phenomenon, I was very 
