86 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION A. 



are sunk several feet, and from the access of air and water 

 the alumina is gradually dissolving and the pillars sinking, 

 and some of them unsteady. 



The Library is in much the same state as it was when I 

 took charge of it in 1832. 



The manuscript observations are contained in five volumes 

 and six or seven smaller volumes. 



The instruments and clocks are in good working order. 

 The spirit level of the transit circle, by Jones, burst by 

 exposure to the sun a few months after it was set up, the tube 

 being filled with sulphuric ether, which boils at a very low 

 temperature, far below the powerful influence of the solar 

 rays. 



This circle would have been a more powerful instrument 

 had it read off with four microscopes instead of three. The 

 errors arising from eccentricity (if any) would thereby in a 

 great measure have been neutralized, which cannot be the 

 case with three microscopes. Altogether it is an unhandy 

 instrument. 



As the building cannot long protect the instruments in 

 safety, I would recommend their removal to one of Her 

 Majesty's Stores in the Military Barracks. 



The site of the present building is what I could not 

 recommend for the erection of a more complete and useful 

 establishment, not only on account of the poisoned state of 

 the ground by the white ant, but its local situation, and also 

 its distance from Sydney, the sea-port. 



I think a very desirable and convenient site may be 

 obtained on the high grounds on the North Shore in the 

 vicinity of Sydney, out of the smoke of the city and in view 

 of the harlwur and shipping, which would give to the masters 

 of vessels the desirable opportunity of obtaining their time, 

 and ascertaining the rate of their chronometers by signal or 

 ball as practised at Greenwich and other places. 



For myself, I have now weathered it nearly three-score 

 years, and, I find the last quarter of a century spent in this 

 country has considerably blunted my energies of body and 

 mind. With your recommendation to His Excellency the 

 Governor, it is my wish to try a change of scene and 

 occupation with what little health and strength remains, to 

 endeavour to weather it a few years longer. 

 I have the honor to be. Gentlemen, 



Your very humble servant, 



JAMES DUNLOP. 



[APPENDIX K.] 



Respecting Removal of Books and Instruments from Parramatta. 



Sydney, 23rd August, 1847. 

 M. 7785. Sir,— 



1. In reference to the accompanying letter from Mr. 

 Dunlop, the Astronomer at Parramatta, we beg to request the 

 authority of His Excellency the Governor for the instruments 

 and books belonging to the Parramatta Observatory being 

 packed in cases and deposited in either the Royal Engineer 

 Office or Ordnance Store in Sydney. 



2. Captam King, R.N., the senior Commissioner for visiting 

 the Observatory, previously to his leaving Sydney acquiesced 

 in the propriety of this measure as the best that could be 



Forwardsd 

 to H. M. 

 Secretary of 

 State by 

 Despatch, 

 176 



No. 



18-17 



