162 RESEARCH 



and subsequent ascents, by taking hourly observa- 

 tions of their instruments while the ascents were in 

 progress, in order to provide a mass of comparative 

 data. Elevations of 19,474 ft., 19,140 ft., 12,652 ft., 

 and 22,940 ft., were reached during the four ascents 

 respectively, and the results were of substantial 

 value as a pioneering investigation. Contributions 

 towards the expenses of the ascents were made by 

 the Royal Society from the Wollaston Fund, and by 

 J. P. Gassiot, whose interest in the observatory 

 throughout the period of the Association's tenure 

 was continually active and practical. The results of 

 the investigations were communicated to the Royal 

 Society by Welsh, and printed in the Philosophical 

 Transactions. 



In 1855 it was reported that the Government 

 desired that magnetic and meteorological instruments, 

 showing the high standard they had reached in this 

 country, thanks largely to the work of the observatory, 

 should be exhibited at the Universal Exhibition in 

 Paris, and an exhibit of thirty-four instruments, 

 groups of instruments, and records was accordingly 

 sent. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE OBSERVATORY, 1860 



A description of the famous little building as it 

 was in 1860, from the report of that year, is not 

 without interest. 



' The observatory is situated in the middle of 

 the old Deerpark, Richmond, Surrey, and is about 

 three-quarters of a mile from the Richmond railway 

 station. Its longitude is 18' 47" W., and its 

 latitude is 51 28' 6" N. It is built north and 



