V. New observations in further proof of the mountainous Inequalities, rotation, atmosphere, and twilight, of the planet Venus

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Preface Although it is a satisfaction to me, that Dr. Herschel last year found my discovery of the morning and evening twilight of Venus's atmosphere to be confirmed, as I could not hope to have obtained such an important confirmation so early, considering the excellent telescopes required, and that a favourable opportunity for such observations occurs but rarely; yet the paper on the Planet Venus, which this great observer has in­serted in the Philosophical Transactions for 1793, contains un­reserved assertions, which may be easily injurious to the truth, for the very reason that they have truth for their object, and yet rest on no sufficient foundation. Openness, without reserve or indirect views, must guide the spirit of observation in the true inquirer into nature, and be his sole object. To this pure source alone can I ascribe what is said in the abovementioned paper, so as to reconcile it to the friendly sentiments which the author has always hitherto ex­pressed toward me, and which I hold extremely precious; though perhaps to others it may not have the same appearance. But this very object makes it also my duty to be equally un­reserved in remarking what truth is, and demands; particu­larly as evident misunderstanding and error appear to have chiefly occasioned those assertions; which .most probably would not have been thus made, if the author had then known of my very circumstantial memoir, which was read at the jubilee of the university of Erfurt, in a meeting of the Electoral Academy of Sciences, and which they ordered to be printed; and could have compared the many careful observations, full of matter, contained in it. A copy of this memoir I have lately had the honour of communicating to the worthy author of the abovementioned paper.

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