“Few men rightly temper with the stars.”--_Shakspeare._
Flamsteed was the first astronomer-royal, and from him the Observatory
at Greenwich derives its popular name, “Flamsteed-house.” His “Scheme of
the Heavens,” may be found there in a folio vellum-bound manuscript on
the second page. Opposite to it, also drawn by himself, with great
exactness, and signed by his own name within it, is a ground plan of
the Observatory. On the following, being the fourth page, is a list of
“Angles, betwixt eminent places observed with the sextant in the months
of February and March, 1679--80.” The remainder of the book consists of
about one hundred and seventy pages of “Observations,” also in
Flamsteed’s hand-writing. Whatever astrological judgement he may have
exercised upon the positions of the stars in his horoscope, he has not
left his opinion in writing; but the circumstance of his having been at
some pains to ascertain and set them down among his other
“Observations,” may be taken as presumptive that this great astronomer
practised astrology.
In another folio manuscript in calf binding, containing also one hundred
and thirty-two pages of his “Observations,” there is a document of more
general importance; namely, a series of notices or memoranda also in his
own hand-writing of circumstances in his life which he deemed most
worthy of committing to paper. The most curious portion of this labour
relates to a difference which is well known to have existed between
himself, and sir Isaac Newton. The whole of these memoirs, with the
astrological scheme, a scientific gentleman was permitted by Dr.
Maskelyne, the late astronomer-royal, to transcribe from the MSS. at the
Observatory. Until now, they have been unprinted, and having been
obligingly communicated to the Editor of the _Every-Day Book_, the
latter conceives that the public will be gratified by their perusal, and
therefore preserves them in the pages of this work without comment.
Without any view of detracting sir Isaac Newton, or Mr. Flamsteed, by
their publication, he offers the singular statements as Flamsteed wrote
them. His birth is stated at their commencement; he died at Greenwich,
on the 31st of December 1719.
~Memoirs of Mr. John Flamsteed, by himself.~
I was borne At Denby, 5 miles from Derby, August 19, 1646--my father
having removed his family thither because the Sickness was then in
Derby.
Educated in the free school at Derby till 16 years old.
At 14 years of Age 1660, Got a great cold--was followed by 5 years
sickness--a Consumption.
Recovered, by God’s blessing, on a journey into Ireland 1665, in the
months of August and Sept.
Began to study Mathematics in 1662. The first book I read was Sacrobusco
de Sphæra, which I turned into English.
In 1665 Calculated Eclipses and the planets, places from Street’s
Caroline tables, and wrote my Treatise of the æquation of Days.
In 1666 observed the Eclipse of y^{e} Sun.
In 1669 observed a Solar Eclipse and some appulses, and presented the
prædictions of more for the year 1670 to the R. S.[242] this brought on
a Correspondence with Mr. Oldenburg--Collins.
Mr. Oldenburg’s first letter to me is dated Jan. 14. 1669-70.
Mr. Collins 2^{o} Feb. 3. 1669-70.
My Predn. of Appulses 1670, printed in y^{e} Ph. Tr. No. 55 for Jan.
1669-70.
Mr. N’s.[243] The. of light and Colors, 80. Feb. 19. 1671-2.
I was in London after Whitsuntide 1670; came acquainted with Sir. Jo.
Moor; bought telescope glasses, and had Mr. Townly’s Micrometer
presented to me by Sir Jonas Moor.
Set a Pole up to raise my glasses, March 21, 1671, at Derby.
Began to measure distances in the heavens, Octo. 17, 1672.
Continued them there till Jan. 1673/4.
1672. Sept. Observed ♂--deduced his parellax from the Observations ═ to
his diameter.
1674. May the 2d. came to London.
29, went to Cambridge.
June the 5th. My degree.
July 13, returned to London.
Aug. 13, left London.
29, Got to Derby.
1674. First acquaintance with Sir I. N. at Cambridge, occasioned by my
fixing there the Microscope, which he could not; the object glass being
forgot by him.
1675. feb. 2. Came to London Again.
Mar. 4. Warrant for my Sallary.
Sieur de St. Piex proposes to find the Longitude by Observations of the
D^{s}. * * * Letters hereon.[244]
1675. June 22. Warrant dated for building the Royl. Observatory.
♀ August 10. foundation layd.
1676. July 10. entred into it to inhabit w^{th} T. Smith, and Cutler
Denton Servant.
Sept. 19. began to measure distances in the heavens w^{th} the sextant.
76. Sir Jonas Moor gave me the sextant, some books, and glasses, with
charge to dispose of them by my Will: all the other instruments and
tubes provided at my own charge.
1679. Aug. 17. Sir Jonas Moor died. His Sonn Sir J. M. thrown from his
horse, died.
1680. Made the _Voluble_ [?] Quadrant at my own Charge.
1680. Dec. 12. ☉ first saw and observed y^{e} great Comet; observed it
till Feb. 5, (80-81.)
1680. Mr. Newton’s first Letter to me about the Comet.
81. Imparted my observations of the Comet with y^{e} may [be] derived
from them.
85 or 86. gave him[245] the diameters of the planets in all Positions of
the earth, and them in their orbits: got it back with much difficulty
after 2 years detention.
He disputed against the comets of Nov. and Dec. being the same, in 2
long letters in Feb. and March 81^{o}; now, in 85, he owned they might
be so as I had asserted, and slightly mentioned me as _disputing_ for
their being the same as in y^{e} 4th book of his principles; whereas I
affirmed it, and himself disputed against it.
1687. his principles published: little notice taken of her Ma^{ties.}
Observatory.
1688 & 9. made the New large Arch and Staff * * * Sharp.