From the benefit of the first objection (even if it was founded in truths which I utterly deny) the
genius who refused to homage his superior knowledge of mechanics,[subnote 1] which is thus seen transmitted by the Lunar party, like a heirloom, from one Board of Longitude to another; and well might Dr. Maskelyne (deficient in self-command as he was) let slip the splenetic vaunt, that "they had given the Mechanics a bone to pick that would crack their teeth." A bravado, or rather, a sneer, which though he replied in form to the younger Mudge, he did not venture to deny, except in general and evasive terms: leaving it to be inferred, that neither political nor sectarian party spirit are exceeded in malevolence by what may find its way into the haunts of science. Who would expect, after which, to find, on the above reply, this humiliating exposure of himself (though not designedly so.) 'I had a hand as one of the Committee of the Board, who drew up the sketch of particulars, &c., imposing this painful task on myself and my successors in office—in the reasons for which I heartily concurred, because they were to render the trial more accurate and authentic than it would be, if conducted by any private person.'—Admitting which position, still it has nothing to do with the uncertain number and nature of the voyages to different climates—a system of entanglement and hopeless confusion, which the brotherhood of Ignatius Loyola's foundation could have profited by, but which was wholly adverse to the straightforward course of Englishmen: for when any public bodies, the Society of Arts, for instance, advertise premiums for discoveries, or improvements they are cognizant of, they invariably announce the conditions as distinctly as possible; avoiding any thing like such a source of disputes and complaints as these Lunar craftsmen devised. But the Astronomer Royal overlooking or despising considerations, for his contempt of which, we opine Newton would have sent him and his brethren to Coventry forthwith, is not ashamed
