seen in the dark Part of the Moon . 433 
particular in my inquiries respecting the time, and called pur- 
posely on a neighbour* to ascertain it with certainty; and 
found it a few minutes before eight o'clock, which time I en- 
tered in my pocket journal ; and on inquiry of Mrs. Wilkins, 
she says I left home at that time. 
I am in my 44th year, and have a strong, good sight, not in 
the least short sighted. About two years since, I purchased a 
pair of spectacles in town, because I did not, in pointing a pen, 
see the nib so distinctly as formerly ; but notwithstanding, 
they lay in my drawer totally useless. 
My profession has lately carried me frequently to Or- 
fordness, where I have been constructing a lighthouse for 
Lord Howard, upon the new principle, with Argand lamps 
and reflectors ; and the goodness of my sight has often been 
remarked, in discovering vessels with the naked eye, which 
my companions could not discover but with the telescope. I 
find that by looking some time at an object, my left eye 
waters, I suppose from weakness ; but if I shut it, my other 
eye still remains strong sighted. When the moon is young, I 
do perfectly see the whole circumference, from the faint light 
which surrounds it ; and on that evening the moon appeared a 
well defined crescent. 
I remember seeing the star you mention that evening; but 
I think it was between nine and ten o'clock that I observed it ; 
and it was in appearance, may be, two of the moon's diameters 
distance to the west ; but I did not particularly notice it. 
I am very certain of this spot appearing within the circum- 
ference of the moon's circle. 
I am, &c. WILLIAM WILKINS. 
Castle Meadow. 
To the Rev. Dr. Maskelyne. 
* Mr. R. Bacon, who is publisher of one of the Norwich papers. 
MDCCXCI V. 3 K 
