MDMD(1): Notes

[jporter]

Matthew instucts:

>>17.12 `Laplace' b 1749 so aged 2 at the time of this scene!
>
>aged 12, you mean.  Note that he achieved a goodly measure of scientific fame
>for his work in celestial mechanics by 1786, so one is apparently supposed to
>conclude that the Rev^d is mildly fuzzy minded as he invents the conversation.

Do you, or does anyone else know, the capabilities of astronomical science
at the time (1786)? I'm especially curious about the ..."the Times are as
impossible to calculate, this Advent, as the Distance to a Star." line from
page six.

Thanks,

jody