484 Anniversary Meeting. [Nov. 30, 



telescope, so as best to carry out the recommendations contained in the 

 Report of the Royal Society to the Duke of Newcastle, 18th December 1862. 



" 3. That Major Pasley be requested to place himself in communication 

 with the President and Council of the Royal Society, and, after ascertaining 

 their views, to enter into such contract as will most effectually carry them out. 



" I enclose also a copy of a letter received from the Treasury, on which 

 the foregoing resolutions are based, and a copy of the letter which I send 

 to Major Pasley by this mail. 



" The great interest which you have shown in this matter leads the 

 Board of Visitors to count confidently on your further assistance in bring- 

 ing it to a successful conclusion. The request contained in the second 

 resolution is not intended to imply that in the opinion of the Board any 

 further discussion as to the form of telescope or the maker is necessary. 

 The Board thinks, and I believe that it is also your opinion, that the dis- 

 cussion which has already taken place has settled that question, and that 

 Mr. Grubb's proposal should be adopted. This is not distinctly expressed 

 in the resolution, because Mr. Grubb's name is not mentioned in the 

 Report of the Royal Society, and because the Board desires to leave you 

 free in the event of anything having happened to Mr. Grubb, or of any 

 discovery having been made which would tend to modify your opinion. 



" In any case the Board, bearing in mind the great length of time that 

 has elapsed since the proposal for a telescope was first made, and having 

 now received authority from the Government to act in the matter, is de- 

 sirous of securing the completion of the telescope at the earliest possible 

 time consistent with the highest attainable perfection in the instrument ; 

 and considers that this end will be most effectually secured by leaving you 

 quite free to act in the matter, and trusting to you to secure the co- 

 operation of those eminent practical astronomers whose names you men- 

 tioned as willing to superintend the work during its execution. 



" Mr. Grubb's last estimate is 4600 for the telescope complete ; and 

 this, I believe, covers everything, including the erection in Ireland for a trial. 



" The sum voted is 5000, and the balance, 400, will be available for 

 a spectroscope and for a photographic apparatus adapted to the telescope, 

 and will still probably leave sufficient to pay the freight to Melbourne. 

 As these two adjuncts will not occupy long in making, it will probably be 

 desirable not to commence them till the telescope proper is approaching 

 completion, so that the latest improvements may be introduced into them. 



" Trusting to your earnestness to induce you to undertake the great 

 amount of trouble we are imposing upon you, 



" I remain, my dear Sir, 



" Very faithfully yours, 



" W. P. WILSON, 



" Hon. Sec. to the Board of Visitors." 

 " Major-General Sabine, R.A., 

 Pres. R.S." 



