Remarks on a Pamphlet Lately published by the Re
John Harrison's Remarks on a Pamphlet Lately published by the Rev. Mr. Maskelyne is a response to a pamphlet written by the Reverend Nevil Maskelyne, which was critical of Harrison's invention of the marine chronometer. Harrison's pamphlet defends his invention and refutes Maskelyne's claims. He argues that the chronometer is a reliable and accurate instrument, and that it is capable of providing sailors with a reliable means of determining their longitude at sea. He also argues that Maskelyne's criticisms are unfounded and that his own invention is superior to the methods of determining longitude that Maskelyne advocates. Harrison's pamphlet is an important document in the history of navigation and chronometry, and it provides insight into the debates surrounding the development of the marine chronometer in the 18th century.
By John Harrison · First published 1767 · Genre: Religious Criticism, Non-Fiction, Philosophy · 10,222 words
First lines
A Publication having lately been made by the Rev. Mr. "Maskelyne" Astronomer Royal, under the Authority of the Board of Longitude, manifestly tending, by the Suppression of some Facts and the Misrepresentation of others, to impress the World with an unjust Opinion of my Invention, and falsely asserting that my Watch did not at certain Periods therein mentioned keep Time with sufficient Exactness to determine the Longitude within the Limits prescribed by the Act of the 12th of Queen "Anne"; I think it incumbent upon me to submit some Observations thereon to the impartial Publick; and the rather, because the said Pamphlet is rendered so confused by unnecessary Repetitions, and voluminous Tables, that a Man must be pretty conversant in these Matters, to trace and combine the Facts, so as to check the Conclusions, which would consequently be taken upon Trust by the generality of Readers, unless publickly contradicted. As it will be my Endeavour so far to avoid the Use of all Terms of Art as to make the Subject generally intelligible, I flatter myself I shall not be thought impertinent for giving a short Explanation (though quite unnecessary to the far greater Part of my Readers) of what the Longitude is, and what the Service required of the Watch.
What this Textopian page supports
Remarks on a Pamphlet Lately published by the Rev. Mr. Maskelyne is listed on Textopian as an essay by John Harrison, dated 1767 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: John Harrison
- Date: 1767 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious Criticism, Non-Fiction, Philosophy, Essay
- Length: 10,222 words
- Structure: 1 section, 52 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Confusing
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Remarks on a Pamphlet Lately published by the Rev. Mr. Maskelyne by John Harrison
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Remarks on a Pamphlet Lately published by the Rev. Mr. Maskelyne?
- How does this essay by John Harrison fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Religious Criticism first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- A Caution To The Directors Of The East India Company by Anonymous
- Memoirs Of Arthur Hamilton by A. C. Benson
- A Minute Philosopher by A. C. Benson
- An Atheist Manifesto by Joseph Lewis
- The Service by Henry David Thoreau
- The Deluge In The Light Of Modern Science A Discourse by William Denton
Genres
- Religious Criticism — The title of the book suggests that it is a critical response to a pamphlet published by a reverend, indicating that the book is likely to contain religious criticism.
- Non-Fiction — The book is likely to be non-fiction, as it is a response to a pamphlet published by a reverend.
- Philosophy — The book is likely to contain philosophical arguments, as it is a critical response to a pamphlet published by a reverend.
- Essay — The book is likely to be an essay, as it is a critical response to a pamphlet published by a reverend.
Tags
1732-1811 · 1811. account of the going of mr. john harrison's watch · Account of the going of Mr · Chronometers · Early works to 1800 · John Harrison's watch · Longitude · Maskelyne · Nevil · act · board · commissioners