THE TRANSATLANTIC LONGITUDE. 9 



111 the observing-room were mounted the transit instrument clock and chronograph. 

 It also contained a table for a relay-magnet and Morse register, and a recording 

 table. 



For the kind reception which we met at Valencia, I know not how to give an 

 adequate expression of my thanks. A more hearty welcome, a more thorough and 

 delightful hospitality, a more friendly aid, could have been found at no time or 

 place. The inevitable hardships and exposure of our life, at a distance from any 

 permanent habitation other than the over-tenanted house of the Telegraph Com- 

 pany, and under circumstances apparently incompatible with comfort, were thus 

 mitigated and compensated to an incredible degree. To the Knight of Kerry we 

 were indebted not only for a hospitality worthy the traditional reputation of the 

 land, and for which we shall always remain personally grateful, but also for the 

 most practical and efficient aid in furtherance of our operations. All his agents 

 received instructions to assist us by every means in their power ; his buildings 

 afforded storage for our instruments at Knightstown ; his quarries and stonecutters 

 furnished piers; his factor enabled us to obtain lumber; and his carpenter was 

 detailed for expediting the work upon our building. 



The gentlemen of the telegraphic staff received us with a kindliness to which 

 there was no exception, welcoming us to their quarters, and sharing with us their 

 comforts. Of the sixteen electricians and operators in the service of four different 

 companies, there is no one to whom we are not indebted for essential aid in our 

 work, as well as under personal obligations for many acts of kindness. To Messrs. 

 James^Graves, superintendent of the station, and Edgar George, second in charge, 

 we owe especial acknowledgments. 



The peculiarly unastronomical sky of Valencia delayed adjustments for a whUe; 

 but one or two glimpses of the sun at noon enabled us to establish our meridian, 

 and, on the 14th October, at 3 A. M., we obtained transits of a few stars. At that 

 time the observers in Newfoundland had seen neither sun, moon, nor stars; and I 

 am inclined to believe that, excepting the short period when sharp frosts prevail 

 there, the climate of Newfoundland is nearly as unfavorable for astronomical pur- 

 poses as that of Valencia itself. As regards the Valencia climate, I was informed, 

 on our arrival, that it had rained every day, without exception, for eight weeks. 

 During the seven weeks of our sojourn, there were but four days on which no rain 

 fell; and there was but one really clear night during the period while the instru- 

 ments were in position. The observations were, in general, made during the inter- 

 vals of showers ; and it was an event of frequent occurrence for the observer to be 

 disturbed by a copious fall of rain while actually engaged in noting the transit of 

 a star. 



The method of telegraphing through the Atlantic cable is based upon the inge- 

 nious device of Prof. Thomson, in applying to a delicate galvanometer the prin- 

 ciple of reflection used by Gauss for heavy magnets. A small mirror, to the back 

 of which is attached a permanent magnet, the joint weight of the two being from 

 five to six centigrams, is hefd, by means of a single fibre above and below, in 

 the centre of a coil of fine wire, which forms part of the galvanic circuit ; and its 

 position and sensitiveness are regulated by movable bar-magnets placed in the 



2 April, 1S69. 



