in the Observatory of Dor pat. 109 



to its original situation. The same mechanism is also used to 

 make the motion of the instrument coincide with that of the 

 sun and moon. 



This instrument has four eye-glasses, the least of which 

 magnifies 175 times, and the largest 700 times. 



It would be very difficult to find a point of comparison for 

 the optical powers of this splendid masterpiece of art. One 

 fact, however, is certain, that Schroeter's twenty-five feet re- 

 flector, after a decided trial of observations on minute objects, 

 stands far behind ours. For, according to the observations 

 made by Schroeter with his reflector, after its construction in 

 1794, on b Orionis, and which he published, together with a map 

 of the stars composing it, * he saw this star twelve, perhaps 

 thirteen fold ; yet, although Orion is nearer the horizon with 

 us than at Lilienthal, I saw not only all the thirteen stars 

 seen by Schroeter, (including the one which is yet doubtful 

 with him,) but even three more ; so that, while his instrument 

 only showed him this star decidedly twelve fold, ours showed 

 it clearly sixteen fold .-f- If we compare the powers of some of the 

 smaller achromatics of Fraunhofer with those of reflecting 

 telescopes of thirteen and fifteen feet length, we may, perhaps, 

 rank this enormous instrument with the most celebrated of 

 all reflecting telescopes, namely Herschel's, whilst it sur- 

 passes it in its convenience for use, and the variety of its ap- 

 plications. Thus, I am inclined to consider our achromatic 

 refractor, as the most perfect optical instrument yet in exist- 

 ence. I 



This masterpiece was sold to us by Privy Counsellor Von 

 Utzschneider, the chief of the optical establishment at Mu- 

 nich, for 10,500 Florins, (I/. 950 Sterling,) a price which 

 only covers the expences which the establishment incurred in 

 making it. This generosity, this sacrifice to science, deserves 

 every praise, especially as the professor and academician, 

 Chevalier Fraunhofer, has offered to contribute in future to- 

 wards perfecting this splendid masterpiece of urt. 



The description now given of this magnificent instrument, 



" Sec Bodc's Jahrbuch for 1797. 



+ See Astronomical Intelligence in this Number. 



X See oui Last Number) p. 309. 



