Description of a new Stand for a Reflecting Telescope. 337 
of the Telescope is depressed below the horizontal line of the 
axis ; so that it may be used in viewing terrestrial objects. 
The other part of the whole stand is a mahogany frame, 40 
inches high; 15 inches square at the top, and 24 at the bottom; 
and cross-braced in every part where necessary, to make it 
steady. In two of the legs dovetail pieces are let in, which may 
be drawn out to any length necessary to accommodate the legs 
to uneven ground, and are fastened by screws. 
All the supporting parts being made of hard wood, the unsteadi- 
ness arising from the elasticity of brass, which is so much used 
in mounting telescopes, is removed. And this stand appears to 
be as steady as a portable instrument, with these movements, can 
be made. I have never seen one so firm, though some more 
elegantly mounted ; but utility ought not to be sacrificed to ele- 
gance. Such a stand as this now described, for large telescopes, 
costs much less than one in which more brass work is used. 
The upper part of the stand can be taken from the frame, and 
used on a firm table, like any other telescope. It is fastened to 
the frame by two screws, going through the top rail; one of 
which may be seen in Plate V. fig. 1. Fig. 1. shows the Telescope 
on the stand and frame. Fig. 2. 4 the square base of the stand; 
B the circular board; C the pedestal between the rulers ; D the 
tangent screw ; EF the double sliding bar ; F the bed of the Tele- 
scope. Fig. 3. 4 shows the hollow bed in front, with the brass 
plate to which the Telescope is fastened by two screws; B the 
parallel rulers; C the tangent screw. 
Such is the description of the stand of my Telescope, which 
I have thought might not be unacceptable to the Academy. 
It has been seen by several gentlemen who are well acquainted 
with telescopes, and much approved of by them. I made the 
brass work myself, and finished it on my birth-day, — 80 years old. 
80 
