the dome, and upon which is to be placed an equatorial refracting 

 telescope. 



The principal instruments for this Observatory, are, 1st, an equa- 

 torial refractor, with a 7 inch object-glass, and ten feet focal 

 length, having eleven eye-pieces, six of which are adapted to a 

 position micrometer ; this instrument is being made by GAMBIER, in 

 Paris, and will be finished in June next ; 2d, a forty-six inch me- 

 ridian circle, from SIMMS, of London ; 3d, a transit instrument or 

 meridian telescope of the best construction. This instrument has 

 an object-glass of 4^ inches diameter and 76 inches focal length, 

 was made by ESTEL and SON, of Munich, in 1843, has been sent, 

 but not yet received at the College. Several smaller and necessary 

 instruments with time-pieces have been received from London and 

 Munich. Another sidereal clock (a present from T. ROBERT JEN- 

 KINS, Esq., of Baltimore) is expected from London. 



The College intend to collect an astronomical library, and with 

 that view have on a hand number of excellent works upon the 

 subject. 



I feel peculiarly happy in having it in my power to give some 

 information about two Institutions which are not as well and gen- 

 erally known as they deserve to be, and to congratulate the people 

 of this District in particular, and the country at large, that we pos- 

 sess in our midst such interesting and valuable agents in the diffu- 

 sion of knowledge among men, as well as ornamental specimens 

 of architecture. 



I shall not here insist upon the practical benefits likely to follow 

 upon the successful operation of these two Observatories. I think 

 such an attempt would be a reflection upon the intelligence and 

 good sense of my readers. Let the subject speak for itself. Time, 

 experience, the common consent of all learned and sensible men, 

 .and the public interest felt in every civilized country in the matter, 

 prove, more than words of mine could do, that astronomy, and its 

 co-ordinate branches, have been deemed, in every age, clime, and 

 Government, as of the greatest importance and value. 



Let it then be the pride, as it is the duty and interest of our Gov- 

 ernment and the people, to co-operate in carrying out the wishes 

 and expectations of learned men on the subject; so that those who 

 devote themselves to high and useful studies may enjoy that as- 

 sistance, appreciation, and notice which should ever attend upon 



