सिद्धान्तदर्पण (महामहोपाध्याय सामन्त चन्द्रशेखर सिंह - नग्न-नेत्र खगोल वेध एवं गणित महाकोश)

Introduction xxiii
digits to one end. The trigonometrical functions of
sines and cosines were all committed to his memory.
The necessary calculations were mentally made, and
his instrument was ready in a few minutes.
On this occasion, he saw a telescope for the
first time. He had heard of its wonderful powers,
but had no idea of its performances. He requested
me to show him the planets through one.
Unfortunately, I had with me then a telescope no
bigger than a refractor of 3-1/2″ diameter. This was
adjusted for him with a power of 80. The keen
delight with which he looked at the varied and
picturesque appearance of the moon, absorbing him
for sometime can better be imagined than described.
When the novelty of the aspect had abated a-little,
he wanted to know the magnifying power. He was
told to find it out for himself, if he could. The
question is itself puzzling, and I did not expect any
answer. But he startled me by saying that the
instrument magnified about one hundred
diameters. He had measured the enlarged image of
the moon as seen through the telescope and had
compared it with the appearant to diameter
well-known to him.
The planet jupiter was next shown through the
telescope. I should rather say that he directed the
instrument to the planet and saw it himself. The
apparent motion of the planet quickened by about
a hundred times through the instrument, was
followed by him for sometime till he could see the
belts and the satellites to his heart’s content. It was
at this moment that he gave vent to his bitter regret
that he had not the advantage of such instruments
in his younger days.
Next morning we had a talk about tithis. I said