Chapter III - What others observed, or might have observed, of this Conjunction

Summary

When first I began to attend to this Conjunction, I not only determined myself to watch diligently an appearance so important, but invited others also whom I knew to be interested in astronomy to do the same, in order that the testimony of many observers, should it so happen, might more firmly establish the truth; and especially because, if observations were made in different places, our expectations would be less likely to be frustrated by a cloudy sky or any other obstacle. I wrote therefore immediately to my most esteemed friend William Crabtree, a person who has few superiors in mathematical learning, inviting him to be present at this Uranian banquet, if the weather permitted; and my letter, which arrived in good time, found him ready to oblige me; he therefore carefully prepared for the observation, in a manner similar to that which has been mentioned. But the sky was very unfavorable, being obscured during the greater part of the day with thick clouds; and as he was unable to obtain a view of the Sun, he despaired of making an observation, and resolved to take no further trouble in the matter. But a little before sunset, namely about thirty five minutes past three, certainly between thirty and forty miuntes after three, the Sun bursting forth from behind the clouds, he at once began to observe, and was gratified by beholding the pleasing spectacle of Venus upon the Sun's disc.