'I doe here think it fitting for once publiquely to propose unto all the world that by the farther blessing of God on my astronomical studies since the publication of my Astronomia Carolina I can discover and demonstrate the never yet discovered art and science of finding ☞ the true longitude, and can make it universally practicable at sea and land with the like ease and certainty as the latitude, and though the failings of severall specious pretenders to this discovery have almost perswaded the world to believe the impossibility thereof, if those that are most concerned herein will accept of it, either upon the same termes which them selves have already offered or other the like just and proportionable considerations, this proposall shall be (God willing) on my part faithfully and according to the attest of competent judges performed; otherwise I intend not to proceed any farther with it.
'Thomas Streete.'
[1012]He had the true motion of the moon by which he could doe it—(he hath finished the tables of the moon and also of Mercury, which was never made perfect before)—but two of his familiar acquaintance tell me that he did not committ this discovery to paper: so it is dead with him. He made attempts to be introduced to king Charles II and also to king James II, but courtiers would not doe it without a good gratuitie.
He was of a rough and cholerique humour. Discoursing with prince Rupert, his highnesse affirmed something that was not according to art; sayd Mr. Street, 'whoever affirmes that is[1013] no mathematician.' So they would point at him afterwards at court and say 'There's the man that huff't prince Rupert.'
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[1014]Memorial verses relating to the Calendar, 4to.
Some Almanacks, for about three yeares, dedicated to Elias Ashmole, esquire: but was not encouraged for his great paines.—He was one of Mr. Ashmole's clarkes in the Excise office, which was his chiefest lively-hood.
The Planetary Systeme, with a description of the house, (Mr. Morden haz of them)—this was about 1670.
[1015]He hath left with his widowe (<who> lives in Warwick lane at the signe of the ...) an absolute piece of Trigonometrie, plain and spherical, in MS., more perfect than ever was yet donne, and more cleare and demonstrated.
He dyed in Chanon-row (vulgarly Channel-rowe) at Westminster, the 17th of August 1689, and is buried in the church yard of the new chapell there towards the east window of the chancel, scilicet, within twenty or 30 foot of the wall.