iv TRANSIT OP VENUS, 1874. 



The Board of Visitors of the Royal Observatory, at their meeting of 1871, 

 June 3, passed the following resolution : " After a discussion it was 

 " resolved, that, as the Board deem it most important that photographic- 

 " be combined with eye-observations at the approaching Transit of Venus, 

 " an opinion in which the Astronomer Royal fully concurs, the Chairman 

 " apply to the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury to sanction 

 " a grant of five thousand pounds (5,0001.) for the purpose ; a sum which it is 

 " considered will cover the cost of photographic apparatus and observations 

 " for all the stations." The Board of Admiralty requested my opinion on 

 this proposal, and in reply, though expressing myself guardedly on its success, 

 I gave my opinion in favour of it. 



Meantime the general plan of the proposed Expedition had become the 

 subject of much public discussion ; and in particular, letters appeared in the 

 " Spectator" of 1873, February 8, and the " Times" of February 13, strongly 

 urging the adoption of Bnderby Land (which after careful consideration I 

 had rejected) for a southern station. The Board of Admiralty sent these 

 papers for my opinion, and in my reply, dated February 21, after elaborate 

 discussion of the question, I declined to recommend that adoption. At their 

 Lordships' request, my reply was communicated to the Royal Astronomical 

 Society, and it is printed in their Monthly Notice of 1873, March 14. 



On 1873, March 22, a statement on the general plan was made to the 

 House of Commons. 



Preparations had now advanced for collecting an efficient body of observers 

 from all classes, Naval, Military, and Civilian, and for their instruction at the 

 Royal Observatory in all the practical details of observation with the Transit, 

 the Altazimuth, the Equatoreal, and especially with the working model of 

 the Transit. Among the candidates who early offered their services was 

 Captain Gr. L. Tupman, R.M.A. I soon found that this gentleman might be 

 trusted with a large portion of the superintendence of preparations and 

 instructions, which, amid the engrossing business of the Royal Observatory, 

 it was impossible for me to undertake completely. On 1873, March 21, I 

 gave in an elaborate Report of preparations, and stated that valuable 

 assistance had been received from Captain Tupman. 



The Board of Visitors of the Royal Observatory, at their meeting of 1873, 

 June 7, passed the following resolution : " That in consideration of the fact 

 " that the successful result of the entire scheme of observation of the 



