352 The Lambeth Observatory. [July, 



Strange, at the last session of the British Association for the 

 Advancement of Science, for the institution of increased facilities for 

 prosecuting research into the physical conditions and laws of 

 material nature, and for impro\ing man's dealings with those 

 mighty, though subtle powers. 



One hundred different kinds of instruments are tested in this 

 useful and unpretending little observatory at Lambeth, and the 

 number of individual instruments examined each year now amounts 

 to about four thousand. The final result of tbe establisliment of 

 the observatory has, in Colonel Strange's opinion, amply justified 

 the proceeding and established its need. The Colonel, to use his 

 own words in speaking of the matter, considers that " the instru- 

 ments now sent out for use in India are to their predecessors very 

 much what the civilized man is to the rude savage," The practice 

 in connection with the testing observatory is that orders for the 

 difierent kinds of instruments required are given to the best 

 makers at prices which enable the highest amount of mechanical 

 excellence to be furnished, and which justify the exaction of the 

 best possible workmanship. No trammels of " patterns " are 

 incurred, and the freest scope is left for the adoption of rapidly 

 progressing improvement in mechanical art. The maker who 

 receives the commission goes to the observatory to ascertain exactly 

 what is required of him. This often leads to a lengthened discus- 

 sion, and extended deliberation before the work is commenced. The 

 price is estimated by anticipation, and submitted to the inspector, 

 and if in his opinion the estimate is reasonable the work is proceeded 

 with. The instrument on completion is sent to the observatory 

 on the understanding that the right of rejection has been reserved 

 either provisionally or unconditionally, and that in either case any 

 such decision is to be held final. Eesponsibility for excellence of 

 work is thus transferred from a necessarily interested maker to an 

 independent and specially qualified judge. Makers are continually 

 invited to avail themselves of the exceptionally excellent facilities of 

 the observatory in testing their own work, and are so incited to 

 renewed efforts to obviate imperfections. In this way the most 

 sagacious and capable of the profession come to see at a glance that 

 their peiformance is made the object of examination by an impartial 

 tribunal that only concerns itself with facts, and has nothing to do 

 with hesitating and loose opinion, and that therefore the Lambeth 

 Observatory constitutes a court of final appeal whose decisions 

 must be held to be beyond further question or dispute. 



