TALBOT3661

London
24^th April

My Dear Horatia

If you are inclined to be astronomical there is a very rare phenomenon to be seen in the sky tomorrow (Wednesday) which will not be visible in London if there is any smoke (and I believe that Murphy ¹ predicts there will) – The öáéíïìåíïí in question, is an eclipse of Mercury by the Moon, beginning at ½ past 8 and ending at 9. a very convenient hour for amateur stargazers – Now as Mercury is scarcely ever seen by the public, or anyone else, who only admit his existence on the faith of astronomers, this is a fine opportunity to see him, as the Moon will point him out. The great astronomer Copernicus ² never saw Mercury in the course of his life, but this I think is mainly attributable to the cloudy atmosphere of Thorn in Prussia, which perhaps was never transparent enough to allow so small a planet to become visible; and yet he is very bright, so that if he did not keep so near the Sun always, he would cut a great figure. Wright ³ might set you up the great Telescope in no time, on the Hall steps, & all the glasses are in it that are requisite.

Your aff^te
Henry

Miss Feilding
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham