ACCIDENTS IN UOKKIN'G 119 



have every reason t 

 ut tho time of its construction j as was, I am dis- 

 posed t< . also the *y*tem of triangular 



arrangement adopted in the woodwork, being a 

 perfect system of 'diagonal bracing/ or rather that 

 to which the 'diagonal bracing* system 

 owes its strength 



iio other mirror and tho rest of the polishing 

 apparatus are on tho premises, lut in a situation 

 adapted only for pre> , and neither for use nor 



inspi k < The iron i tools and polishers are 



placed underneath tin tube, let into the ground, and 

 level with the surface of the gravelled area in which it 



. 



f attending to machinery and mirror*, iu 



an observatory such as Herschel's, was not free from 



danger. Even visitors had to take the risk of an 



in satisfying their curiosity. Piazzi of Pal- 



lie first OAtor 1 not go 



4 broken shins," Caroline writes. 



An 1 she adds, "I could give a pretty long list of 



nU which were near pi tal to my br 



as well as myself." * One of these accidents she does 

 record It was on December 31, 17s evening 



had been clou-ly. hut about ten o'clock a few stars 

 became visible, an<i in the greatest hurry all was got 

 ready for observing. My brother, at the front of ih- 

 telescope, directed me to make some alteration in the 

 lateral motion, which was done by mn on which 



the point of support of the tube and mirror rested. At 

 each end of the machine or trough was an iron hook, 



Id, tfwtory, *., it 193. 

 Se MfweUlljr, Memoin, p. 168. 



