Supposing, now, that the experiment had succeeded,the travelers having started on the 1st of December, at 10h. 46m. 40s. P.M., were due on the 4th at 0h. P.M.at their destination. So that up to that time it would have been very difficult after all to have observed,under such conditions, a body so small as the shell.Therefore they waited with what patience they might.
From the 4th to the 6th of December inclusive,the weather remaining much the same in America,the great European instruments of Herschel, Rosse,and Foucault, were constantly directed toward the moon, for the weather was then magnificent; but the comparative weakness of their glasses prevented any trustworthy observations being made.