Letter from Arthur Storer to Humphrey Babington, dated 18 April 1681

<5:1r>

Deare Unckle Babington

Having an opertunity I make boud to trouble you with these few Lines hopeing that they will find you & the Rest with you in helth & safety praying to god to grant you peace & quietness & setle your Land in a peaceable condition{.} I have bene Ill allmost this 12 Months but Especiously from October 2 on which day I got a fall from horce back by which I gott as I suppose some Inward Bruse that I have bene in a very weake condition ever since so that I have not beene above 2 miles from home never since October the 2 sometimes I am in some hopes of Recovery & sometimes to the Contrary much fearing a Consumption{.} I have heare incloased sent you a Coppey or Table of the Moation of a Comet that appeared with us Last falle in Maryland which as I suppoase did first appeare a morning star in the South East November 16: 1680 the 19^th I did see it about 5 in the morning in neare conjunction with the virgins Spike the comet being Elivated above it about $\frac{3}{4}$ of a degree: the 20^th of November at 5 in the morning I beheld it & it was then about 2 degrees under Spica virginis being very swift in Motion declineing much to the southward being direct haveing south Latitude the 22 of November affter brake of the day I did see it neare the South East which seemed to me as though it would come to the meridian with Arcturus affter which day we haveing about a weke of clowdey mornings the comet being direct & swift in motion drew so neare the Sun that it was not seene no more with us till I suppoase it became an Evening star which was first sene then to appeare with us {it} was december the 16th that the Comet appeared: but part of the Taile or Streame thereof It being so Large & bright was seene about the 10^th day affter Sun Sett in the South west which was a very great amaizement to many & likewise to my selfe to see such a Long bright streame then In forme like a Sword Streameing from the Horizon about ${30}^{\mathrm{degs}}$ in altitude being so nearly affter Sun Set & no star to be Seene with us Till the 16 day which was the first time that Observations could be made as is heare shewed by this Encloased table{.} Though I have sett downe theare Every dayes Motion from the 16^th of december to the 13^th of January yet my dayes of Observation was as followeth Impr December 16 & 17: the 25^th the 26: the 28 the 30^th: January the :1: the 2: the 7 & 8: the 11 & 13 the 25^th & 26: the 30 & 31: after which time the Comet was so Obscured that Observation could not be well maid though part of the taile appeared till about the 5^th of february: about which time it Spent it Selfe to Southward of the Head of Meduza: But what neede I trouble you with a Table there of So rudely cumpoased for no doubt but you ar furnished Long before this with tables thereof far more presise & exact then this is by Observations which hath bene allredey made with you by far more Large & Costley Instruments then mine be for I suppoase that the Comet did appeare To all Inhabitable parts of the world by Reason of the North & South declination it had though I suppoase that being a Eveing star it might in some placeis appeare sooner then in others{.} Therefore If you please to do me that kindeness as to Lett M^r Newton Looke over this Table To see how much I have Ered in my Observations & If he please to give me an Accompt thereof{.} As for the Instrument by which I Observed, it was but a pocket pece & therefore cannot be so Exact as those of far Larger Sizeses therefore mine may sometimes faile about one degree in the Right Ascension & $\frac{1}{2}$ a degree in the declination which is in some placeis but one forth part of a dayes Motion{.} As for the Longitude of this place I suppoase it to be about ${75}^{\mathrm{degs}}$ from London westwardly{.} But If M^r Newton be more desirous to know the Trueth thereof There was an Eclips of the Mone Feb 22: $\text{16}\underset{\stackrel{\_}{\text{81}}}{\text{80}}$ the beginning with us was about $4^{\mathrm{Hors}}={45}^{\min }$ in the Morning the Moone at Setting neare about 10 digits Eclipsed by which meanes the Longitude may somewhat nearly be Obtained by them who ar well versed in astronomy: Our Latitude being $38=30$.

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Haveing no moore at present but my Duty To you with my Best Respects To All my frends with you I Rest at your Command your Nephew To serve you: Arth: Storer

From Patuxant River in Maryland neare M^r {illeg}kinders neare Hunting Creek Aprill 18: 1681

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For the Reverend D^oct Humph:
Babington at Treynety Colidg
In Cambridig Diliver
{in {illeg}}{4}

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\hfill \begin{array}{c}20\end{array}& & 5=45& & 301=00& & 00:\mathrm{N}:00& & 29:♑:30\\ & \hfill \begin{array}{c}21\end{array}& & 5=45& & 304=30& & 02:\mathrm{N}:45& & 02\phantom{:}♒\phantom{:}15\\ & \hfill \begin{array}{c}22\end{array}& & 5=45& & 308=00& & 04:\mathrm{N}:50& & 05\phantom{:}♒\phantom{:}30\\ & \hfill \begin{array}{c}23\end{array}& & 5=45& & 311=30& & 07:\mathrm{N}:00& & 09\phantom{:}♒\phantom{:}00\\ & \hfill \begin{array}{c}24\end{array}& & 5=45& & 315=00& & 09\phantom{:}\mathrm{N}\phantom{:}15& & 12\phantom{:}♒\phantom{:}30\\ & \hfill \begin{array}{ccc}♄\hfill & \phantom{0}\text{. .}\phantom{0}& 25\end{array}& & 5=45& & 318=45& & 11\phantom{:}\mathrm{N}\phantom{:}30& & 16\phantom{:}♒\phantom{:}15\\ & \hfill \begin{array}{ccc}☉\hfill & \phantom{0}\text{. .}\phantom{0}& 26\end{array}& & 5=45& & 322=30& & 13\phantom{:}\mathrm{N}\phantom{:}30& & 20\phantom{:}♒\phantom{:}00\\ & \hfill \begin{array}{c}27\end{array}& & 5=45& & 326=30& & 15\phantom{:}\mathrm{N}\phantom{:}15& & 24\phantom{:}♒\phantom{:}00\\ & \hfill \begin{array}{ccc}♂\hfill & \phantom{0}\text{. .}\phantom{0}& 28\end{array}& & 6=00& & 330=30& & 17\phantom{:}\mathrm{N}\phantom{:}00& & 28\phantom{:}♒\phantom{:}15\\ & \hfill \begin{array}{c}29\end{array}& & 6=00& & 334=30& & 18\phantom{:}\mathrm{N}\phantom{:}45& & 02:♓:30\\ & \hfill \begin{array}{ccc}♃\hfill & \phantom{0}\text{. .}\phantom{0}& 30\end{array}& & 6=00& & 338=30& & 20\phantom{:}\mathrm{N}\phantom{:}30& & 06:♓:45\\ & \hfill \begin{array}{c}31\end{array}& & 6=00& & 342=15& & 22\phantom{:}\mathrm{N}\phantom{:}00& & 10\phantom{:}♓:45\\ & \hfill \begin{array}{ccc}♄\hfill & \text{Ian:}\phantom{0}& \phantom{0}1\end{array}& & 6=00& & 346=00& & 23\phantom{:}\mathrm{N}\phantom{:}15& & 14\phantom{:}♓\phantom{:}45\\ & \hfill \begin{array}{ccc}☉\hfill & \phantom{0}\text{. .}\phantom{0}& \phantom{0}2\end{array}& & 6=00& & 349=15& & 24\phantom{:}\mathrm{N}\phantom{:}30& & 18\phantom{:}♓\phantom{:}20\\ & \hfill \begin{array}{c}3\end{array}& & 6=00& & 352=15& & 25\phantom{:}\mathrm{N}\phantom{:}15& & 21\phantom{:}♓\phantom{:}40\\ & \hfill \begin{array}{c}4\end{array}& & 6=00& & 355=00& & 26\phantom{:}\mathrm{N}\phantom{:}00& & 24\phantom{:}♓\phantom{:}30\\ & \hfill \begin{array}{c}5\end{array}& & 6=00& & 357=30& & 26\phantom{:}\mathrm{N}\phantom{:}40& & 27\phantom{:}♓\phantom{:}15\\ & \hfill \begin{array}{c}6\end{array}& & 6=00& & 359=45& & 27:\mathrm{N}:20& & 29\phantom{:}♓\phantom{:}45\\ & \hfill \begin{array}{ccc}♀\hfill & \phantom{0}\text{. .}\phantom{0}& \phantom{0}7\end{array}& & 8=00& & 002=16& & 28:\mathrm{N}\phantom{:}00& & 02:♈:30\\ & \hfill \begin{array}{ccc}♄\hfill & \phantom{0}\text{. .}\phantom{0}& \phantom{0}8\end{array}& & 8=00& & 004=45& & 28\phantom{:}\mathrm{N}\phantom{:}30& & 05:♈:15\\ & \hfill \begin{array}{c}9\end{array}& & 8=00& & 007=00& & 29\phantom{:}\mathrm{N}\phantom{:}00& & 07:♈:45\\ & \hfill \begin{array}{c}10\end{array}& & 8=00& & 009=15& & 29\phantom{:}\mathrm{N}\phantom{:}30& & 10:♈:00\\ & \hfill \begin{array}{c}11\end{array}& & 8=00& & 011=15& & 29\phantom{:}\mathrm{N}\phantom{:}50& & 12\phantom{:}♈\phantom{:}15\\ & \hfill \begin{array}{ccc}☿\hfill & \phantom{0}\phantom{\text{. .}}\phantom{0}& 12\end{array}& & 8=00& & 013=15& & 30:\mathrm{N}:05& & 14:♈:15\\ & \hfill \begin{array}{ccc}♃\hfill & \phantom{0}\phantom{\text{. .}}\phantom{0}& 13\end{array}& & 8=00& & 015=15& & 30:\mathrm{N}\phantom{:}20& & 16:♈\phantom{:}15\\ & \hfill \phantom{0}& & & & & & & & \\ & \hfill \begin{array}{ccc}♂\hfill & \phantom{0}\text{. .}\phantom{0}& 25\end{array}& & 8=00& & 031=45& & 31:\mathrm{N}:05& & 04:♉:45\\ & \hfill \begin{array}{ccc}☿\hfill & \phantom{0}\phantom{\text{. .}}\phantom{0}& 26\end{array}& & 8=00& & 032=45& & 31:\mathrm{N}:20& & 05\phantom{:}♉:00\\ & \hfill \phantom{0}& & & & & & & & \\ & \hfill \begin{array}{ccc}☉\hfill & \phantom{0}\text{. .}\phantom{0}& 30\end{array}& & 8=15& & 036=15& & 31:\mathrm{N}:20& & 08:♉:45\\ & \hfill \begin{array}{ccc}☽\hfill & \phantom{0}\phantom{\text{. .}}\phantom{0}& 31\end{array}& & 8=15& & 036=45& & 31:\mathrm{N}:20& & 09\phantom{:}♉:15\\ & \hfill \phantom{0}& & & & & & & & \\ & \hfill & & & & & & & & \\ \hline\end{array}$

A Table shewing The Right Ascension declination and Culmination of A Comet that first appeared an Eveing star December the 16^th 1680: In Maryland The Latitude ${38}^{\mathrm{d}}={30}^{\mathrm{m}}$ and the Longitude from London about ${75}^{\mathrm{degs}}={00}^{\mathrm{m}}$ Westardly{.} The use of the Table is thus In the first Collumn towards the left hand sheweth the month day & yeare{.} In the second Collumn sheweth the hour & minute of the night that the Observation was made{.} The third Collumn sheweth the Comets Right Ascension in Degrees & minute{.} The Fourth Collumn sheweth the Comets declination in Degrees & minute the Letter S: signifyeth South Declination & :N: North: The Fifth Collumn sheweth the degree signe & minute of the Comets Cullmination vizd when the Comet Comes to the meridian with the Sun &c{.}

This Comet as I suppoase did first appeare a Morning Star & as far as I can give notice thereof was first seene with us to appeare In Maryland November the :16: 1680: Being a Morning Star In the South west which I suppose then to be neare the 10^th degre of Libra haveing then but Litle Latitude from the Ecliptick being as I suppoase Northward: of frijday the 19^th about 5 in the Morning I did see it about South East in neare Conjunction with the virgines Spike the Comett being elivated above it about $\frac{3}{4}$ of a degree at which time I beheld it with a prospective glass & seemed to me to be very bigg so that I could Judg it to be no Less then 2 or 3 times bigger then Spica virginis as I compared them by the glass which appeared of a grim pale Leadon Coller more Like a bright cloud then a star the Taile then being about ${15}^{\mathrm{d}}$ or :${20}^{\mathrm{d}}$: in Length darting uppwards as the Evening Comet did the 20^th day of November about 5 in the morning I beheld it & it was then about 2^days under Spica virginis Being very swift in motion & direct the 22 day of November I did see it neare the S: East which seemed to me as though it would come to the Meridian with Arcturus after which day was about a weke or better of clowdey wether with us & the comet being Direct & very swift in Motion drew so neare the Sunn that it was not seene no moore with us: till as I suppose it became an Evening Star which was first seene then to appeare with us was December 16^th that the comet appeared but part of the taile or streame therof it being so Large & bright was seene about the 10^th day of December after Sun Sett in the south west which was a very great amazement to many & Likewise to my selfe to see such a Long bright streame then in forme Like a sword streameing from the Horizon above ${30}^{\mathrm{degs}}$ in altitude being so nearely after Sun Sett & no star then to be seene: the 16^th day when first the Comet appeared I Observed the Leingth of the taile which was then about 55 or 60 Degrees in Length & Likewise the hight of the Taile when that the comett was about setting neare about 45 degrees so that I did observe that the Taile did appeare affter that the comett was sett about 3 or 4 hours it being so bright & Long that I suppoase that the Like hath not beene seene this 100: of yeares for to have so Large & bright a streame or taile though the Comett was but small not neare so bigg to the Ey as the morning Comet Weare & the Reason is as I suppoase is because it was neare the Sun & had in a months Time above $\frac{1}{4}$ spent it selfe for 5 or 6 months time is supposed to spend the Greatest comet as Ever yet was seene{.} I might have heare sett downe the Longitude & Latitude But by Reason of the Smallness of my Instruments by which I observed I might be apt to faile somewhat of Exactness thereby which may by Chance faile about one Degree in the Right Ascension & halfe a degree in the Declination{.} Therefore I Omitted the Longitude & Latitude & sett downe onely the Right Ascension Declination & time of Cullmination whereby is Easily gained the Longitude & Latitude & likewise the Comets Ryseing Southing & Setting Altitude Amplitude Azimuth the Cozmicall Rysing & Acronicall Setting for Every day from december :16^th: to Jan 13 & the Rest According to the Table &c{.}