318 
Dr Robertson on the Harriot MSS* 
lites on the 17th of October 1610, for both of them have this 
date ; and at the top of one of them, there is this expression, 
‘‘ My first observation of the new planets and at the top of 
the other, ‘‘ My first observation and others following of the 
new found planets about Jupiter.” At the top of another page, 
there is this expression, The second yeares observations, be- 
ing anno 1611, of the Joviall Planetts and in this same page, 
there are the following dates prefixed to his accounts of observa- 
tions : Syon. Octob. 1.” — ‘‘ Octob. 6.”—“ Dec. 11.” — “ Sy- 
on. jfjJ, January 12.” — “ January 13.” — “ January 26.”— 
“ Pebruary 15.”— February 17.”—^' Feby 26.” 
Rough drawings of the positions of the satellites, and rough 
calculations of their periodical revolutions, accompany the brief 
statements of the observations ; but, in my opinion, astronomy 
could not be advanced by the publication of any part of them. 
The other papers which admit of classification, may be en- 
titled, Observations of the Moon, — Observations of the Comets 
of 1607 and 1618, — An Examination of Willebrord Snell’s Ob- 
servations for determining the length of a degree of a meridian, — 
“ The Effect of the Decree of the Councell of Neace for the 
observation of Easter-day,” — the Doctrine of Nautical Tri- 
angles,” — Remarks on Eratosthenes, Tycho, Kepler, Paul Hain- 
zeliis, and Vieta. 
It is needless to enter into a minute description of these pa- 
pers, as they are not drawn up with any degree of regularity 
and precision, and as it evidently appears that they never were 
intended for publication.” 
Upon the whoje, it is my opinion that the publication of the 
papers mentioned in this report could only tend to prove that 
Harriot was very assiduous in his mathematical studies, and in 
his observations of the heavenly bodies ; it could not contribute 
to the advancement of science. I am, Dear th, 
DBSERV4TOJiY5 Oxford, 
Jan. 22. 1822. 
Yours, &c. &c. 
A. Robertson. 
