This item, by an unknown author, presents an astronomical sketch of eclipses, some of which could be seen from Philadelphia and Canton, China.

These volumes contain calculations and drawings of an eclipse of the sun, 24 June 1778, and of the moon, 29 May 1779, adjusted to the meridian of Philadelphia. There is also an incomplete duplicate of the calculations for the sun, and a duplicate of the calculations for the moon. An apparently personal reference in the text suggests that Freehauff was a native of Germany.

This small volume records excerpts from British natural philosophy and scientific journals, written sometime after 1799. It covers a wide range of subjects, from astronomy to zoology.

This account of Thomas Godfrey was prepared "with a view of having it inserted in Rees Cyclopedia," and is preceded by an essay concerning Godfrey and his quadrant taken from the "American Magazine" (1758). Also included in this volume is a copy of James Logan's communication to the Royal Society, and a letter from Spencer to Alexander Wilson, editor of the "Cyclopedia" (1809), which discusses Godfrey and the sources for this account.

The first volume contains mathematical problems, which appear to be college exercises (1814); the second volume is an essay on the projection of the sphere and spherical trigonometry, including an appendix on astronomy (1812); and the third volume is a lecture on natural philosophy, apparently prepared for delivery [n.d.].

These classroom notes, taken by an unidentified student, present the state of knowledge in natural philosophy, especially astronomy, during these years. There are mentions of many contemporary scientists, and much on Newton and Newtonian philosophy.

This volume contains calculations of the distances of stars, eclipses, and longitude, made by William Maule, James Cresson, Joseph Jeanes, James James, and Robert Hutchinson, pupils in the Friends Academy, where Roberts was a teacher.

Robert Maskell Patterson (1787-1854, APS 1809) was a professor of chemistry and natural philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania (1812-1828) and professor of natural philosophy at the University of Virginia (1828-1835). He was director of the U.S. Mint from 1835 to 1851. His father, Robert Patterson, was a revolutionary soldier, professor of mathematics at the University of Pennsylvania (1779-1814), and director of the U.S. Mint (1805-1824).