Nexc Grand Observatory Jhr the Russian Empire. 81 



purer air. The distance at which the capital stands to the 

 north, puts it equally out of the influence of smoke from the 

 city. In a word, it is difficult to conceive a locality altoge- 

 ther more favourable for an observatory. The view is quite 

 free in all directions, and the prospect which is presented is alike 

 charming and varied : On the north is seen the capital, on 

 the south the castle and domain of Zarzkoje-Selo and of Pau- 

 lowsk, which is at no great distance ; to the west the Gulf of 

 Finland, with Kronstadt, Strelna, Oranienbaum, and, finally, 

 on the east, the rocky mountains of Finland. 



The observatory will consist of two parts, the building intend- 

 ed for scientific labour, or the observatory in the strict sense of 

 the word, and other buildings intended for dwelling-houses and 

 their dependencies. The whole will occupy an extent of space 

 SiO English feet long, in the direction from east to west. The 

 observatory properly so called, occupies the middle portion, and 

 forms a cross, extending 220 feet from east to west, and 175 

 feet from north to south. In the great body of the building 

 there will be, in the ground floor, a large hall, intended to be a 

 repository for instruments, which are not in daily use, and for 

 the reception of visitors, also two other halls, with a southern 

 exposure, and each with two perpendicular slits in them, also a 

 chamber for the regulating of pendulums, with an apparatus, 

 calculated to produce very great diflTerences of temperature ; 

 also the hall for the Directors, the library, a lecture-room, and 

 five small apartments, in which the observers may take re- 

 pose, or warm themselves, or work, and which are placed com- 

 modiously near the places where the observations are taken. 

 Upon the building three towers will rise, having revolving roofs ; 

 that of the middle having a diameter of 32 feet, and the two 

 others of 20 feet each, intended to receive the instruments, by 

 means of which all the points of the celestial vault may be ob- 

 served. On the east and west of the observatory properly so 

 called, two corridors arc placed, 91 feet long, which will esta- 

 blish a communication with the dweUing-houses, and which are 

 thus placed on purpose, at a great distance from the observa- 

 tory. Four buildings are intended for dwelling-houses, which 

 are detached, and separated from their dependencies, where, 

 among other establishments, there will be a small forge. We may 



VOL. XIX. NO. XXXVII. JULY 1835. F 



