John Harrison ,Captain Cook and King George

It is no longer difficult to discern the cunning work of the celestial
sphere geometers here as the descendents of the dull and dreary men who
stood against human innovation and adventure.

http://books.google.com/books?vid=OC...=johan+horrins

I do not mind that John Flamsteed took shortcuts in an attempt to fit
terrestial longitudes with celestial sphere geometry, that he assigned
a wrong interpretation for the Equation of Time through the Earth's
orbital motion and axial orientation,even that he tried to qualify the
return of star in 23 hours 56 min 04 sec using the motions of the
Earth.All these things can now be taken care of and rectified that such
an authority existed to do so.

The loss of dignity and stature is probably the final judgement that
can be passed on this affair,the tightly bound and fascinating story of
Longitude expands into the great astronomical arena and the destruction
that occured there through the emergence of celestial sphere geometers
and their theorists counterparts.

The indignation of Harrison and the King is a reminder of a different
society of adventure and inventiveness in a growing hostile enviroment
which lulls people into celestial sphere mediocrity.My indignation is
more encompassing for it is from the great heritage of Copernicus and
Kepler which remains temporarily destroyed for celestial sphere
geometrical designs of the solar system.

Go ahead and congratulate yourselves that there is no Harrison,no King
George or no Captain Cook left to inject life into astronomy and all
the great things that emerges from that noble discipline.