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XXXVI. Remarks respecting Astronomical Observatories. 



To the Editors of the Philosophical Magazine and Jotirnal. 



Gentlemen, — xxmong the numberless advantages we derive 

 fi'om well-conducted periodical works on science and the arts, 

 may be reckoned, as most important, not only the early com- 

 munication of new and useful discoveries, exciting a praise- 

 worthy spirit of philosophical inquiry, but likewise the lacility 

 with which we gain a pretty correct insight into the merits of 

 diiferent authors, their works and peculiar systems. Misrepre- 

 sentations indeed may sometimes be permitted for a time ; yet 

 the opportunity and the inclination to do justice are seldom 

 vranting, and the reign of error and falsehood is of short du- 

 ration. A little opposition of opinion and amicable contention 

 always contribute ultimately to the advancement of truth. 

 Jihould an author, in the course of a long work, neglect to 

 fulfill his early promises,^ or fail to continue his labours with 

 the same assiduity and in as high a style of excellence as his 

 readers had a right to expect from his commencement, where 

 can such faults be pointed out to so much advantage as in a 

 respectable periodical work on similar subjects ? The author 

 will be stimulated to fresh exertion, and future editions of his 

 work will be improved ; or, on the other hand, it will sink 

 from competition with other works of a similar nature more 

 deserving of public encouragement. I have here, as it were 

 imconsciously, written a long and unnecessary preface, to in- 

 troduce to your readers a few remarks on the last published 

 part of the Edinburgh Encyclopaedia, Part II. of volume xv. 

 1822. I first beg leave to quote the following observations 

 from the history ot the Circle, in volume vi. p. 485 of the same 

 work. " The equatorial instrument constructed by Ramsden, 

 for Sir George .Shuckburgh, properly belongs to the class of 

 astronomical circles. It will be more fully noticed under the 

 article Observatorij. — This brief introduction embraces all the 

 })rincipal astronomical circles which we know of in fixed ob- 

 servatories. It is, however, our intention to give, under the 

 article Observatory, a more detailed account ot some of them, 

 particularly Mr. Groombridgc's transit circle, and the nuiral 

 circle now in use at Greenwich." Again, under the head 

 *'' Equatorial Instruments" all that we find is "see Observa- 

 tory" Now the last part of volinne xv. of this really valuable 

 Encyclo|)ic'dia conUiins the article Observatorij, before referre<l 

 to, and I anticipated that I should gain nuich useful informa- 

 tion resjiecting those instruments, together witii the best in- 

 structions 



