years at the observatory in the city of
Copenhagen, where he pursued his astronomical studies until the time of
his death, which occurred in 1710. He meritoriously attempted to
determine the parallax of the fixed stars; and it is said that the
astronomical calculations and observations which he left behind him were
so voluminous as to equal in number those made by Tycho Brahe, nearly
all of which perished in a great conflagration that destroyed the
observatory and a large portion of the city of Copenhagen in 1728.

Among other astronomers of this century whose names deserve recording
were Descartes and Gassendi, whose mathematical researches in their
application to astronomy were of much value; Fabricius, Torricelli, and
Maraldi, who by their observations and investigations added many facts
to the general knowledge of the science; and Bayer, to whom belongs the
distinction of having constructed the first star-atlas.

In our own country during this period astronomy was cultivated by a few
enthusiastic men, who devoted their time and talents to promoting the
advancement of the science. It, however, received no recognition as a
subject of study at any of the Universities, and no public observatory
existed in Great Britain.

Though it was not until towards the close of the century that the
attention of all Europe was directed to England in admiration of the
discoveries of the illustrious Newton, yet astronomy had its humble
votaries, and chief among those was a young clergyman of the name of
Horrox.

JEREMIAH HORROX was born at Toxteth, near Liverpool, in 1619--close on
three centuries ago. Little is known of his family. His parents have
been described as persons who occupied a humble position in life, but,
as they were able to give their son a classical education which fitted
him for one of the learned professions, it is probable they were not so
obscure as they have been represented to be.

Having received his early education at Toxteth, Horrox afterwards
proceeded to Cambridge, and was entered as a student at Emmanuel College
on May 18, 1632, when in his fourteenth year.

At the University he devoted himself to the study of classics,
especially Latin, which in those days was the language adopted by men of
learning, when engaged in writing works of a philosophical and
scientific character.

After having remained at Cambridge for three years, Horrox returned to
his native county, and was appointed curate of Hoole,