Part 107

Whence clock faster than mean time 0 1′ 46″ per merid. mark.

Equal Altitudes. h ′ ″ 20th. 9 37 20 59 49 } 39 1 58 6 } Mean noon per clock 12 18 34 40 41 2 56 26 }

21st. W. limb on Merid. 12 20 3 E. limb on do. 22 22 ——————

Centre on do. 12 21 12.5

Eq. Alt. 22d. 9 14 10 3 31 10 Mean noon per clock 12 23 50

Eclipse of the Sun, June 24, 1778: Observed by D. Rittenhouse, John Lukens, Owen Biddle, and William Smith, at the College of Philadelphia.

The morning being very cloudy, the beginning of the eclipse was not seen.

At 10^h 7′ 40″ per clock, the following micrometer-measure of the enlightened parts was taken, while the Sun appeared for a few minutes between clouds, viz. 1in. 9-10ths. 13-500ths. = 16′ 23″.

11^h 6′ 57″ per clock end of eclipse distinctly seen, the Sun having shone clearly for several minutes, the clouds now wholly dispersing, and the remainder of the day continuing clear.

Observations upon the Clock.

h ′ ″ 27th. ☉ on meridian per clock 11 54 50 ☉’s app. time of passing meridian 12 2 33.5 —-—-—— Clock slow of app. time 0 7 43.5

July 2d. ☉ on meridian per clock 11 54 50.5 ☉’s app. time of passing meridian 12 3 33 —-—-—— Clock slow of app. time 0 8 42.5

A versification of “The Zephyrs”—from Gesner’s Idyls;—a fragment: copied from a loose scrap of paper, containing, in the hand-writing of the late Dr. Rittenhouse, all but the three last verses; which have been now added, by a lady.

FIRST ZEPHYR.

Why, amidst these blooming roses, Idly fluttering, dost thou stay? Come with me to yonder valley, There we’ll spend the cheerful day.

There, in purest crystal fountain, Sportive, bathe the am’rous maids; Where tall willows, on the margin, Form the closest deepest shades.

SECOND ZEPHYR.

No, with thee I will not wander; To the vale alone repair: Fan the nymphs you so admire; A sweeter task employs my care.

Here, in the bosom of these roses, I cool my wings in pearly dew, As I lightly skim them over, Gath’ring all their fragrance too.

FIRST ZEPHYR.

Your wings in dew of roses steep’d With all their grateful fragrance stor’d;— Can you find employment sweeter, Than yonder cheerful nymphs afford?

SECOND ZEPHYR.

Yes, in this path, along the mount, Each rosy morn a maid appears, To yon lonely cot advancing, A basket on her arm she bears.

Two tender infants, and their mother, Are by her constant bounty fed: A helpless widow, there residing, From her receives her daily bread.

See! where she comes,—of all the graces, The youngest and the fairest too; Her cheeks, with sweetest blushes glowing, Are moist’ned with the morning dew.

I haste, with fragrant airs, so cooling, To fan her tender glowing cheek,— And kiss the pearly drops, while falling From her blue eyes, so chaste and meek.

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Footnote A49: