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collect plans of towns and small tion to this part, and more explicit-
districts, and to make a patch-work ly marked the post-roads and towns,
whole of these discordant mate- which are certainly of great con-
rials. Sometimes it would be ne- sequence, and perhaps coloured
cessary to bend or straighten a them, he would have turned some
river, to protract or shorten its of his industry to better account.
course ; but this was not consid- The meridians and parallels
ered of much importance, and, to might have been more accurately
give the whole a pretty appear- and truly drawn, and the graver
ance, a range of mountains might guided by a more skilful hand.
be easily added for a boundary line. The execution should have been
Nor can we blame the compiler under the superintendance of an
for not going to an expense, that experienced engraver, rather than,
our economical governments will as would seem from its aspect,
not incur. A society in this town have been put into the stiff and
was offered the privilege of mak- unpractised hands of an appren-
ing and publishing the maps of Mas- tice. It is a pity the valuable la-
sachusetts and Maine, and they bour of two years, spent by the
would have had the volunteer as- compiler in collecting and arrang-
sistance of many scientifick gen- ing so much useful information,
tlemén; but government, by striv- should be dressed out with so little
ing to drive too hard a bargain, lost taste and skill. The work would
the opportunity of obtaining accu: have found a more welcome recep-
rate maps. But we must not ex- tion, if, in addition to the science
pect the encouragement of govern- of the proprietor, the map had pre-
ment to maps, when every sea- sented a better specimen of the in-
man complains, that there is not a genuity and proficiency of Amer.
chart of the extensive shores of ican engravers.
New England, upon which he can The colouring is neat and judi.
rest the safety of his ship.

cious, and affords at one glance a To give a plain delineation of better knowledge of the boundathe several states, as a kind of ries of the several states, than chart, by which we may study the could be gained by months devotpolitical ties and interests that u- ed to study. In some parts omisnite, or ought to unite us, under a sions and inaccuracies occur, which general government, must be the are not, however, unpardonable. greatest advantage resulting from Mountains are laid down in differthis map. Accuracy in this re- ent places, with precision and a spect is required, and not a partic- good relief; but Monadnock, in ular location of small and inconsid- New-Hampshire, and Wachusett, erable towns. This, as it is not in Massachusetts, two great landexpected, only endangers the cred- marks in New-England, are quite it of the work; and here Mr. Sul- forgotten ; they are not noticed on Jivan has hazarded much. In Vir- the map. As longitude is someginia, for instance, and in Massa- times reckoned from London or chusetts and other New-England Greenwich, and sometimes from states, the map appears crowded, Paris, notice ought always to be and the centres of towns are not given, from what meridian we are noted definitively by small circles, to count ; but, as the degrees are as is usually done in good maps. marked on this map without a Had he, therefore, paid less atten, reference to the first meridian, we

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hope a new edition will be supplied, at top or bottom, with "Longitude West from London."

When many sheets are to be joined to form a large map, much care and practice are requisite to make the various lines meet,& unite them correctly. The "New Map of the United States" furnishes evidence, either of the difficulty of this part of the work, or the carelessness of the workmen.

We have examined the longitude and latitude of many places, and, from the inquiries we have made, the map is as accurate as can be expected. It would be ungrateful to demand a minute attention to towns and small districts, when the whole Union on so small a sheet is pendent on the walls of our countingrooms and studies. The postroads are laid out with exactness, though indistinctly, and the great rivers of North-America pursue their sinuous courses and empty their mighty waters, where nature has commanded. The Mississippi, Mobile, Missouri, Illinois, and Ohio, all have their proper range, and, with Mr. Sullivan's efforts,

proclaim the value and richness of countries yet untrodden beyond the Appalachian mountains, countries unequalled for agricultural and inland commercial advantages. That section, comprizing Louisiana, is almost a blank; and such for many years will probably be every accurate representation of that country.

Two very valuable tables are placed upon the map. The first shews the number and names of ports of entry in the United States; those being particularly designated, which are such for vessels from and beyond the Cape of Good Hope. The second contains the length and breadth of all the States, with their chief towns, their distance from the city of Washington, and an estimate of the population of the Union.

Notwithstanding its imperfections, the new map claims the attention of the publick. It furnishes all the knowledge, which a work of the kind is intended to convey, and perhaps is as accurate as any map of the United States yet published, and may be procured at comparatively small expense.

ACCOUNT OF THE TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN, JUNE 16TH, 1806.

A TOTAL eclipfe of the fun is a rare and interesting occurrence. In May, 1706, there was one obferved in Switzerland and in the fouthern parts of France. On the 22d of April, 1715, the fun was totally eclipfed at London. Accounts of both those eclipfes were publifhed in the tranfactions of the Royal Society. The laft was obferved by Dr. Halley, who remarks, that there had not before been feen a total eclipse of the fun at London, fince the 20th March, 1140. "Having found," fays Dr. Halley, " by comparing what had been formerly obferved of folar eclipfes, that the whole fhadow would fall upon England, I thought it a very proper opportunity to

get the dimensions of the fhade afcertained by obfervation, and accordingly I caufed a fmall map of England, defcribing the track and bounds thereof, to be difperfed all over the kingdom, with a request to the curious to obferve what they could about it, but more efpecially to note the time of continuance of total darkness." It is to be regretted, that fome fuch method had not been adopted in this country, previous to the remarkable eclipse which we have recently witneffed. We hope we shall be pardoned, when we remark, that our Savans appear to have been somewhat remifs in omitting to invite and direct the publick attention on this interesting oc

cafion. At the fame time we must exprefs our acknowledgments to the ingenious author of a pamphlet, which, to the extent of its circulation, in a great degree accomplished the defired purpose. It was written, we understand, by Mr. ANDREW NEWELL, a young printer of Bolton, whose predilection for astronomical ftudies has prompted him to alliduous application to that fublime branch of fcience, and whofe advances therein are faid to be refpectable.

A number of gentlemen in Bofton, who had furnished themselves with proper inftruments, agreed to meet on the morning of the 16th at the houfe of Mr. Benjamin Buffey, in Summer Street, for the purpose of obferving the eclipfe. Their obfervations, as communicated by their committee of arrangements, are as follow.

"Our obfervations were made in Mr.Buffey's garden with three achromatick telefcopes, which we fhall diftinguish by the numbers 1, 2, 3. No. 1 magnified about 45 times; No. 2 was furnished with a double object glass, and magnified about 70 times; the magnifying power of No. 3 was fmall, but it gave a clear and distinct vifion. The time was determined by an excellent watch with a fecond hand. Obfervations of correfponding altitudes for adjusting our time were omitted. Suitable inftruments on which we could rely were not readily to be obtained, and it wasnot found convenient to pay the requifite attention, without which fuch obfervations would have been nugatory or delufive. therefore determined to confider Prefident Webber's clock, at Cambridge, as our standard, and to compare our watch with it immediately after our observations fhould be finished.

We

The gentlemen at telescopes No. 1 and 2 were placed near to each other. Their obfervations correfponded, excepting as refpects the end of the eclipfe. By telescope No. 1 and 2:— Beginning, Beginning of total obfcuration of the fun,

End of the fame,

End of eclipfe by No. 1,
Ditto, by No. 2,

Obfervations with telescope,
Beginning,
Beginning of total dark-
nefs,

End of the fame,

End of the eclipfe,

10h. S′ 21′′

11. 22′ 31",

11. 27' 09

12. 48′ 01′′
12. 47′ 59′′

No. 3:-
10h. 3' 20"

11. 22′ 40′′
11. 27' 08"
12. 48' 07"

The duration of total darkness, ac-
cording to two of the obfervers, was
4' 38". By the other, 4′ 28′′. Two
other gentlemen alfo noted the time of
total obfcuration, as nearly as they could
by their watches, and both pronounced
it to be upwards of 4 minutes.
The duration of the eclipfe, was, by

No. 1,

2h. 44' 40".

No. 2,

2. 44′ 38′′.

2. 44' 47".

No. 3,

Mean duration, by the three obfervations, 2h. 44′ 413".

The watch was found to be 14" flower than Prefident Webber's clock, with which it was compared in the afternoon. Adding 14 to each of our observations, they may be confidered as having been made by the clock used by the Prefident; allowance fhould be made however for the fmall difference of longitude between Bofton and Cambridge,and for the poffible variation in the rate of going of the watch, between the time of our obfervations and the comparison made with the clock at Cambridge. The Prefident has not yet finished his obfervations for the correction of his clock. When they shall be completed, and, together with his obfervations on the eclipse, shall be communicated, the use and value of our obfervations will be better determined.

nomenon

In this vicinity, and probably throughout New-England, this interefting phewas obferved under very favourable circumftances. The day was remarkably fine. Not a cloud obfcured any portion of the hemisphere. The air was dry and clear, and the heavens, before the obfcurations, were in a robe of brighteft azure. The wind was northweft in the morning, but shifted to northeaft after the eclipse commenced,and continued easterly until its completion. The thermometer, expofed to the open air, in the fhade, on a north wall, fell eleven degrees. No dew fell. This was afcertained by placing on a board a piece of foft paper, twelve inches fquare, which was accurately weighed before the com mencement of the eclipfe and immediately after the emerfion of the fun. No difference in the weight was perceived. There was a fenfible chillinefs, however, in the air, and fome of the company found an outfide garment very comforta ble. The mercury in the barometer ftood at 30,2 from 8 o'clock, until 2 in P. M.

Venus appeared in the fouth-west, about 15 minutes before the total obfcuration, and was visible more than 20

minutes after the appearance of light. Our situation was not favourable for noticing the stars. From a comparison of the accounts of different perfons in our circle, with reference to a celeftial globe, it appeared that Aldebaran, Capella, Caftor, Procyon, and two of the ftars

in Orion were noticed.

A little before the total obfcuration, a deep dark shade, resembling an approaching thunder ftorm, was observed at the weftward. As the eclipfe went off, a fimilar appearance was noticed on the eastern side of the horizon. The departing light of the fun was fupportable to the naked eye. It was otherwife with the first returning light, which was extremely vivid and inexpreffibly rapid in its access. The portion of the fun which first re-appeared, was, to the naked eye, of a globular form, and feemed like a ball of fire.

A luminous ring furrounded the moon after the fun was totally hid. From the accounts given of former total eclipfes of the fun, this appearance was expected; but in brilliancy and magnitude it seems to have exceeded any of which we find an account. In the eclipfe of 1715, abovementioned, Dr. Halley computes the luminous ring to be about “ a digit, or perhaps a tenth part of the moon's diameter." We were not prepared to measure the breadth of the ring, that appeared at this time, but fhould judge it to be at least double the dimenfions of that recorded by Dr. Halley. The light was of a pale white, and the ring was, externally, irregular. Vivid corrufca tions, of a reddish or purple colour, were feen with the glaffes, proceeding from the moon's edge. One of our company, at one moment, counted fix of thefe lucid pencils, iffuing from different parts of the orb of the moon, at irregular distances, and with smaller illuminated points between them, in form and disposition refembling the points on the card of a common compafs. The darkness was not fo great as expected. It was found neceflary however to make ufe of a lanthern to afcertain the time precifely by our watch. If we were to judge from the number of stars that appeared, the light must have been greater, than at the time of full moon; this light, however, did not wholly proceed from the luminous ring above mentioned, which though bright, and exhibiting a strong contrast to the dark body of the moon,

Vol. III. No. 6. 25

which it inclofed, did not caft any fenfible fhadow. A crepuscular brightness appeared all around, in the lower parts of the hemifphere, at the time of total obfcuration of the fun. Dr. Halley notices a fimilar brightness round the horizon in the eclipfe of 1715, and gives a fatisfactory explanation of it. "So much of the fegment of our atmosphere," he obferves, as was above the horizon, and was without the cone of the moon's fhadow, was more or less enlightened by the fun's beams, and its reflection gave a diffuse light, which made the air feem hazy, and hindered the appearance of the ftars." This brightnefs he remarked as more diftinguishable in the fouth-east. The fame remark was made here, by thofe, most favourably fituated to notice this appearance.

During the total obfcuration, fome of the company remarked, that the moon, with its surrounding glory, appeared nearer to the eye, than the fun or moon usually appear. The exhibition was wonderfully magnificent and fublime, and infpired one univerfal fentiment of admiration and awe, which we shall not attempt to describe. We seemed to be in the more immediate prefence of Deity, while this interesting spectacle was exhibiting in his auguft temple. The morning was ushered in with the usual hum of bufinefs, which gradually diminifhed as the darkness advanced. One uninterrupted filence at length prevailed. A fresh breeze, which had prevailed, now fubfided, and all was calm; the birds retired to reft; the rolling chariot and the rumbling car were no more heard; the axe and the hammer were fufpended. Returaing light reanimated the face of things. We feemed as in the dawn of creation, when God faid let there be light, and there was light, and an involuntary cheer of gratulation burst from the fpectators, efpecially the youthful groups in the streets, and on the furrounding hills.

The committee, in purfuance of their commiffion, proceed to report fome particulars, that efcaped their personal obfervation. The cows on the common, we are told, discovered fenfible marks of agitation--fome of them left the ground and proceeded homeward, the rest gathered round a person, who was croffing the common at the time, and followed him with apparent anxiety, as if foliciting protection.

We have heard, from feveral perfons,

a remark, of a fingular appearance in the fhade of trees. The figures of numerous little crefcents were obferved in many places. We first heard them mentioned by fome gentlemen in the gov ernment of the College, who aflifted Prefident Webber in his obfervations at Cambridge. The fame thing was obferved by feveral perfons in this town in yards and gardens, and in the mall. A gentleman at Plymouth, with whofe letter we are favoured, remarks a fimilar appearance there. They were called by fome, the thadows of the leaves. This feems to be incorrect. They appeared as lucid fpots, of a faint, white light, and their direction and figure varied with the different phafes of the eclipfe. It has been fuggefted, that they were the image of the fun, produced by its rays, fhining through the interstices of the leaves, onthe principle of the Camera Obfcura. This explanation and appears fatisfactory, and from the beft accounts we can procure of the direction, they exhibited an inverted image of the fun, as they fhould do if produced on the principle above mentioned. It has been afked indeed, if this folution be correct, why does not the entire image of the fun appear in similar fituations to daily obfervation? The fact is, that it does thus appear, though it may not have been obferved, of which any perfon may be fatisfied, who will examine the shade of trees, on a smooth fur face, when the fun is near the meridian. Faint light spots, of a circular form, are very perceptible. They were stronger and more diftinct during the eclipfe, from the deep furrounding fhade. Several perfons have remarked the diftinct and well-defined fhade of objects, when the fun was nearly obfcured. It feemed to them that a profile might be taken as perfectly as from a fhade thrown on a wall by means of a lamp. We do not find, however, that this appearance under the leaves of trees has been before noticed on fimilar occafions.

We wish for further observations on this fubject, and that other explanations may be offered, if what is here fuggested be not fatisfactory.

We have taken fome pains to collect accounts from other places of obferva

tions on this remarkable eclipse. We were particularly defirous of afcertaining the northern and fouthern limits of the fhadow. At Newport, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard, the eclipfe, we are informed, was not total: but it was total at New-Bedford, at Rochester, at Wareham, and at Falmouth, on the northern fide of the Vineyard found. It was not total at Portland, nor at Biddeford ; but it was fo at Kennebunk, between Biddeford and Portsmouth. If this information be correct, the breadth of the fhadow was about 120 miles, and enveloped the entire territory of Maffachufetts proper, excepting Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.

Some perfons, who were on the water in the harbour, noticed, during the total obfcuration, particles of congealed mift, resembling fnow, flitting through the air. The fame appearance is faid to have been noticed at Gloucester, on Cape Ann, but we have no accurate information on the fabject. At Plymouth, the fishermen in the bay obferved the luminous appearance of the spray of the fea, which is frequently apparent in the night on the ocean. Dr. Halley intimates fome appearances of alarm among the fif, during the eclipfe of 1715. We have not heard any fimilar remark at this time.

No fpots were feen upon the face of the fun. The luminous drops, which are mentioned by many afronomers as very apparent in former eclipfes when the fun is reduced to a small thread of light, were noticed by fome observers; by others they were not feen. Some smalt inequalities were obferved, by fome of our company, on the lower edge of the moon; but they could not be perceived by others. Some perfons have remarked, that the luminous ring round the moon, at the time of total obfcuration of the fun, was smaller and of a fainter light on the upper fide, than on any other part of her circumference.

Some further particulars, which we have not leisure at prefent to digest, may be the fubject of a future communication." Boston, June 20th.

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