'It was November following ere Mr. Flamsteed heard from him any more: when, considering with himself that what he had done was not well understood, he set himself to examine how many folio pages his work when printed would fill; and found upon an easy computation that they would at least take up 1400. Being amazed at this, he set himself to consider them more seriously; drew up an estimate of them; and, to obviate the misrepresentations of Dr. S[loane] and some others, who had given out that what he had was inconsiderable, he delivered a copy of the estimate to Mr. Hodgson, then lately chosen a member of the Royal Society, with directions to deliver it to a friend, who he knew would do him justice; and, on this fair account, obviate those unjust reports which had been studiously spread to his prejudice. It happened soon after, Mr. Hodgson being at a meeting, spied this person there, at the other side of the room; and therefore gave the paper to one that stood in some company betwixt them, to be handed to him. But the gentleman, mistaking his request, handed to the Secretary [Dr. Sloane], who, being a Physician, and not acquainted with astronomical terms, did not read it readily. Whereupon another in the company took it out of his hands; and, having read it distinctly, desired that the works therein mentioned might be recommended to the Prince; the charge of printing them being too great either for the author or the Royal Society. Sir Isaac closed in with this.' [Illustration: THE 'CAMERA STELLATA' IN FLAMSTEED'S TIME. (_From an engraving in the 'Historia Coelestis.'_)]