MD3PAD 472-474

[mikebailey at speakeasy.net]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Toby G Levy [mailto:tobylevy at juno.com]
> 
>         Mason wonders if they should allow Darby and Cope to use other
> instruments besides the chains but Dixon says no. Mason makes fun of
> Dixon's attachment to his tools.

Dixon's nickname for his circumferentor is apparently "Old Circ" -and his rejoinder sort of brings to mind Marxist alienation theory..."perhaps if the Tools of thy Trade had ever belonged to thee, instead of to the King..."

>         Finally they are ready to begin moving west again on June 22nd,
> another Saturday.  Just before they cross the river, a fast rider comes
> with a package containing the newly published book by Fr. Boscovich,
> entitled "De Solis et Lunae Defectibus" which translates to On Eclipses
> of the Sun and the Moon. 

His "Carmen de Solis ac Lunae defectibus" (5 vols., London, 1760) was much admired.  (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02691a.htm)

>It was sent by Maskelyne who directs their
> attention to the part which indicates the effect of mountains on the
> workings of plumb lines.
> 

Maskelyne's missive is once again called a "Jobation" (as on pg 158 he "Jobates" or "orates like Job"?) - and recaps his reasoning for taking Obs at the other side of St Helena.  I had a sort of impression that Mason rather skipped out hurriedly from those after philosophizing on boundaries and influences, the wind and madness (160) dreaming of 'Bekah (172) discussing Dieter (a German whose tangential relation to the plot is as tantalizing as the illegible inscription Toby mentioned much earlier - note to self: read some M&D explications -- and geez, another one coming out -- while M&D is still like the wand'ring heart card table that I've not any idea of the hidden chambers of) jumping on a passing boat back to Jamestown (or almost) to get out of the wind and Maskelyne's company...
...that is, I didn't think Mason actually saw that job through, which no doubt gave Maskelyne even more to Jobate about...