Question about comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle

Here are some facts (I believe they are correct) about the
55P/Tempel-Tuttle comet:

1. Every year, in middle November, we (the Earth) pass through a trail
of debris left by the Tempel-Tuttle comet (the Leonid Meteor Shower).
So, it will be correct to assume that that trail is in the path of the
comet.

2. The comet crosses our orbit every 33 years. He was discovered in
1865. His last visit was in 1998. It was February 28.

3. According to a list of appearances (here is a list by Seiichi Yoshida:
http://www.aerith.net/comet/catalog/0055P/index.html)
the next visit will be on 2031, May 20. This is about six months from
middle November, or in other words, we will be in the other side of the
Sun. The distance will be 2 AUs exactly. And probably will be difficult to
look at him from Earth because of the distance, but mainly because of
the Sun.

4. Looking at the same list, we can see that the visit in 1765 (before
discovery), was in November 16 !!!

Now my question: I don't think there was a need of great effort to discover
it at that time. Not only there was not need for any optics to see it;
maybe
just to extend the hand and touch it.

There is something I missed?

Of course the same question about any other comet that leaves a trail in
our orbit.

JFM