38 TRANSIT OF VENUS, 1874. HONOLULU. 



OBSERVATION OF THE INGRESS OF VENUS, 1874, DEC. 8. 



REPORT OF CAPTAIN G. L. TUPMAN, R.M.A. 



The weather on the 8th of December 1874, was all that could be desired. 

 The sky was cloudless nearly all day, and of a deep blue, indicative of extreme 

 clearness. The N.E. trade wind blew lightly, not disturbing the unprotected 

 telescopes. 



Great interest was taken in our proceedings by the native population of 

 Honolulu. Every tree in the neighbourhood of the inclosure, and every roof 

 commanding a partial view within, bore its living freight. Anticipating 

 some possible annoyance to us, Her Majesty, QUEEN KAPIOLANI, had taken the 

 precaution to make it known among the natives that " Silence " must be 

 maintained, and not a sound disturbed us all the afternoon. A great many 

 natives presented themselves at the gates, expecting to be permitted to view 

 the transit in the telescopes. Captain Cator, at my request, surrounded the 

 inclosure with a cordon of Marines, from H.M.S. Scout, chiefly with a view 

 of keeping silence. 



HER MAJESTY the QUEEN and other members of the Royal Family most con- 

 siderately abstained from entering the inclosure on that day, although they 

 were frequent visitors at other times. 



Major WODEHOUSE, Her Britannic Majesty's Commissioner, most kindly 

 tendered his assistance, and remained within the inclosure all the time. I 

 cannot refrain from here placing on record how much we were indebted to 

 his kindness and courtesy during our long stay in Honolulu. 



The telescopes used at Honolulu were 



(1.) An equatorial of 6 inches clear aperture and 89 inches focal length, by 

 Messrs. T. COOKE AND SONS, of York, which had been purchased by the 

 Government from the executors of the late B. D. NAYLOR, Esq. ; 



(2.) An equatorial of 4^ inches clear aperture and 69 inches focal length, 

 by the same makers, my own property ; 



(3.) A telescope of 3f inches clear aperture and 57 inches focal length, 

 by DOLLOND, mounted on a wooden tripod stand, with vertical and horizontal 

 motions ; 



