easy to the apprehension of those, who, not having made much progress in subjects of this nature, are yet disposed and qualified to attend to them; and it may with propriety be recommended to their perusal.

The longitude of Cambridge is deduced, from observations of two solar eclipses and one transit of mercury over the sun's disc. The first of these eclipses happened Aug. 5, 1766; the other, June 24, 1778; and the transit of Mercury, Nov. 5, 1743. The observations used are those of the beginning and end of the two eclipses by Dr. Maskelyne, the British royal astronomer, at Greenwich; the beginning and end of the former by Dr. Winthrop at Cambridge, and the end of the latter by the Rev. Phillips Payson at Chelsea, 26" in time eastward from Cam bridge, according to a terrestrial measurement, made by President Willard and Mr. Payson; and the observations of the first and second internal and the second external contacts of Mercury, at the said transit, by some eminent French astronomers at Paris; and the second internal and external contacts by Dr. Winthrop at Cambridge. The mean of the results of these calculations, which appear to have been made with great accuracy, gives 4h. 44′ 31" for the longi

tude of Cambridge in time west ward from Greenwich.

II. A memoir on the latitude of the University at Cambridge: With observations of the variation and dip of the magnetick needle. By Samuel Williams, F. A. A. Hollis professor of mathematicks and natural philosophy in the university.

This memoir contains the ob

servations and calculations, by latitude of Cambridge. For this which the author determined the purpose meridian altitudes of the sun, six stars near the equator, and the pole-star, were observed in the philosophy chamber in Harvard hall with an astronomical quadrant of a radius, equal to 2 feet, made by Sisson. The mean of the results from observations of the stars is 429 23 28" north, which, he concludes, is the true latitude of Harvard hall.

No mention is made of the firmness or stability of the floor, on which the instrument was placed. It is however of great importance, that the support of the quadrant should be entirely secure from motion, at the time of making ob servations of this kind.

A few facts, relative to the variation and dip of the magnetick needle at Cambridge, are mentioned at the close of the memoir.

III. A table of the equations to equal altitudes, for the latitude of the University of Cambridge, 429 25′ 28!! N. with an account of its construction and use. By the Reverend Joseph Willard, President f the University.

Serving equal or corresponding al- of Long Island in Penobscot Bay, titudes of the sun, which is gen. where it was nearly total. Severally used by astronomers, who eral gentlemen, belonging to the have not an observatory. The university, accompanied Professor reason of applying a correction to Williams, whose observations he the middle point between the times relates. When viewing the subof the forenoon and afternoon ob- sequent eclipses, namely three of servations, in order to obtain the the moon and two of the sun, he true noon, is clearly shown by a was at Cambridge, and some other stereographick projection. Also gentlemen, connected with the the manner of obtaining the equa. university, were associated with tion by the solution of two spherick him on these interesting occasions, triangles is explained. And then

And then and in addition to his own he has Wales' formula for determining published their observations. this equation is given and exem- The transit of Venus over the plified. By this formula the table sun the 3d of June, 1769, was obwas constructed. It contains the served at Newburyport; and that equations in seconds and thirds of Mercury the 9th of Nov. 1769, for the latitude of 42° 23' 28" at Salem. When a transit of Mernorth, the arguments being the cury happened the 12th of Nov. half interval between the times of 1782, Professor Williams being at observation and the sun's longi. Cambridge, he and two other gentude. Small equations are also tlemen of the university in comsubjoined, by the addition or sub- pany with him observed this curitraction of which the equations ous phenomenon. Some deduc. in the table may be adapted to tions from the observations, they any northern latitude between 40 made, conclude this memoir, which 25" 28" and 440 284 28".

contains many important facts,

ascertained with care and ability. IV. Astronomical observations,

To be continued.
made in the state of Massachusetts.
By Professor Williams,
The observations and deductions

ART. 2. contained in this memoir, relate to nine lunar and four solar eclip- Report of the trial of the Horia ses, one transit of Venus, and two Samuel Chase, one of the assotransits of Mercury. Two of the ciate justices of the supreme court lunar eclipses, namely, those of of the United States, before the November 12, 1761, and March high court of impeachment, com17, 1764, were observed at Walth- posed of the senate of the United am. The rest, he remarks, were States, for charges exhibited aall that could be observed in this gainst him by the house of reprer part of America from Jan. 1, 1770, sentatives, in the name of themto Jan. 1, 1784. The observations selves and of all the people of the of four lunar and two solar eclip- United States, for high crimes ses, which happened within this and misdemeanors, supposed 10 period before October 1780, were have been by him committed ; made at Bradford. To view the with the necessary documents and Solar eclipse of October 27, 1780, official papers, from his impeachwhich arrested much attention, a ment to final acquittal. Taken in station was taken on the east side short hand by Charles Evans, and the arguments of tounsel revised republican system, not to be too by them from his manuscript. confident of its superior excellence. Baltimore, 1805. 8. Butler For whatever may be its perfection and J. Keating

in the visions of theory, we know

that it is liable to be disturbed by In ancient times, the offices of the whirlwinds of party rage, and king and judge were united in the that, in such commotions, the great same person ; and it is certainly and the good, who are always the proper, that the father of a nation most conspicuous objects of popushould be the steward of its just- lar envy, are the first victims of ice, to dispense it among the popular madness. members of his family. But ex- No event of a domestick nature perience proved, that the union of has, since the adoption of the fedthe original branches of govern- eral constitution, excited in the ment, in the same person, tended United States a more universal into despotism, and that a magis- terest, than the impeachment of trate, with such prerogatives, was Judge Chase. It is not for us to too apt, in the plenitude of his arraign the motives of the tripower, to forget their legitimate umphant majority in the house of object. The wisdom of most representatives, who voted in fav

. modern legislators has therefore our of that measure. But whether separated the legislative, the ex- the charges against that citizen ecutive, and judicial departments, were well founded, or whether po. to the end that their systems may litical intolerance, rather than a be “ governments of laws, and not regard for the pure administration of men.” Of these departments, of equal laws, led to that prosecuthe most vulnerable is the judicia- tion, will appear from an examinary, and therefore it ought to be tion of the volume before us. We most strongly fortified by publick would however confide in the wisfavour. Any wanton attack on its dom and integrity of the constitutindependence, any thing malicious- ed authorities of our country; and ly contrived to intimidate a judge we wish to believe, that their conin the exercise of his office, or to duct always results from patriotick lessen the confidence of the people principles, far exalted above any in his wisdom or integrity, is a views of private interest or party crime against the state. This of- rage. fence assumes a more terrific form, The book is well worthy the atwhen it is committed by either of tention of the law student, as it the co-ordinate branches of the contains an exhibition of judicial government, because of the great proceedings, and much learning on ness of the oppressor and the ex- the law of impeachment, and as it tensiveness of the mischief. A will stand as a precedent for future firm and an independent judiciary times. The course of proceedings is the greatest security against at this trial was similar to that in that spirit of accommodation, cases of impeachment in Greatwhich varies according to times Britain. Great formality was and political occasions. Tyranny observed throughout the scene, may exist under any form of gove suited to the dignity of the court, crnment. The voice of experi- and to the solemnity of the occaence has proclaimed this truth, and sion. After the reading of the should warn the advocates for the articles of impeachment, and the Answer of the respondent, the man- jury, who wished to be excused agers proceeded upon the whole from serving on the trial, because of the charges, before the latter he had made up his mind as to the was permitted to enter on his de- publication. fence. When the evidence was III. For not permitting the evigone through, and the arguments dence of John Taylor, a material for and against the prosecution witness for Callender, to be given closed, the question was put to in, because his testimony would each member of the court on each not substantiate the truth of the article separately. We shall whole of one of the charges in the briefly analyze the articles of im- indictment, although it embraced peachment and the respondent's more than one fact. answer. The importance of the · IV. For manifesting,during the subject will justify the attention whole of the said trial, injustice, which we shall pay to its exposi- partiality,and intemperance: 1. In tion.

compelling the counsel for the 1. The first article charges prisoner to reduce to writing all Judge Chase with arbitrary, op- questions, which they meant to pressive, and unjust conduct on propound to Mr. Taylor. 2. In rethe trial of John Fries for high fusing to postpone the trial, on an treason, before the circuit court affidavit of the absence of a materia of the United States for the dis al witness in behalf of the accused. trict of Pennsylvania, in 1800 : 1. 3. In using unusual, rude and conIn delivering an opinion in writing temptuous expressions towards the on the question of law, on the con- prisoner's counsel. 4. In repeatstruction of which the prisoner's edly and vexatiously interrupting defence materially depended, be- them, so that they were obliged to fore counsel had been heard in his abandon their cause and their clidefence 2. In restricting the ent, who was thereupon convicted ; counsel for Fries from recurring and, 5. In manifesting an indecent to such English authorities, and solicitude for the conviction of the from citing certain statutes of the accused. United States, which they thought V. In awarding a capias, instead favourable to his defence. And 3. of a summons, against Callender, In debarring the prisoner's counsel whereby his body was arrested, from addressing the jury on the contrary to the law of Virginia, law, as well as on the fact, which which, according to a law of the was to determine his innocence or United States, should have regulaguilt. In consequence of which ted the process. conduct, Fries was deprived of the VI. In ruling and adjudging Calright of a fair trial, and was con- lender to trial, during the term, at demned to death, without having which he was presented and inbeen heard by counsel.

dicted, contrary to the law of VirII. The second article alleges ginia. against the Judge, that at a circuit VII. The seventh article ala court, held at Richmond, in 1800, leges against Judge Chase, that on the arraignment of one James at a circuit court of the United Thompson Callenden indicted for States, for the district of Dela

libel on John Adams, then pres ware, in 1800, he refused to disident of the United States, he over- charge the grand jury at their rea Tuled the objection of one of the quest, though they had found no

Vol. III. No. 1. E

a