12 EAELY HISTOBY OF THE NAUTICAL ALMANAC. 



time, fully remember many of the inconveniences that he, and 

 probably also all the computers, experienced in consequence of 

 their scattered residences. These were in all parts of the 

 country. About the year 1828, up to the time when the office 

 was established in London in 1831, I find that about six com- 

 puters besides the comparer were employed, — at Arbroath, N.B., 

 Cornwall (3),^ London, Ludlow, and the Comparer at Tideswell. 

 When a difficulty arose requiring a reference to the superin- 

 tendent or comparer, weeks and sometimes months elapsed before 

 an answer could be obtained ; and usually the computations 

 meanwhile remained at a standstill. These delays were of 

 frequent occurrence, particularly in the winter months. 



From an examination of the Minute Books and other records 

 of the now extinct Board of Longitude, preserved at the Eoyal 

 Observatory, I have found several interesting references to the 

 administration, or business matters, relating to the computers, 

 some of which clearly show that scientific work in those days, 

 however valuable it may have been to the nation, was not likely 

 to lead the unfortunate computers to fame or fortune. Indeed 

 there are numerous evidences preserved in these MSS. from which 

 may be inferred that a general dissatisfaction existed among the 

 computers in consequence of the irregular periods of payment of 

 their moderate stipends. This neglect on the part of the Board, 

 especially after its Secretary had the superintendence of the 

 Almanac, was evidently a source of great anxiety to them, as the 

 arrears occasionally extended over two years before a complete 

 settlement could be obtained. In addition to these untoward 

 delays in the payment of their stipends, the computers felt no 

 certainty in the permanence of their employment, and as a 

 consequence, many of them were compelled to undertake other 

 occupations to obtain the means of livelihood. Even Malachy 

 Hitchins was deeply concerned at one time about this absence of 

 permanency, as in 1793 there appeared to be some prospect of 

 his losing his position as comparer altogether, or at any rate for 

 several years. This arose from the circumstance, that, owing to 

 the advanced state of the computations, the Board of Longitude 



* The three Cornishmen were Mr. William Dunkin, at Truro ; Mr. Nicholas 

 James, at St. Hilary ; and Mr. Eichard Martyn, at St. Mabyn. Of these, my 

 father alone was transferred to the London office in 1832. 



