318 Kew Observatory. 



KEW OBSERYATORY. 



It is not always necessary to go to a distance in order to meet 

 with something new, and there arc institutions in the midst of 

 us which, from the nature of their work, are comparatively un- 

 known. 



Those of our readers who have rambled over the Kew 

 Gardens, or have pleasing recollections of a sail up the Thames 

 on a sultry summer's evening-, may perchance have observed, 

 towards Richmond, a building which stands alone in the old 

 Deer Park. Perhaps, also, then curiosity has been aroused 

 by three obelisks, one to the north, and two to the south of 

 the said building, which form a constant source of speculation 

 to the inhabitants of the neighbourhood. These are meridian 

 marks for astronomical instruments, and the building to which 

 they belong was originally the private observatory of George 

 III. Here he spent many of his leisure hours in regarding the 

 heavenly bodies and in other scientific pursuits, while even to 

 this very day reminiscences of the old king linger about the 

 place. The observatory is built on a mound, which raises 

 it somewhat above the level of the park, and is surrounded on 

 all sides by vaults, as an additional precaution against the 

 entrance of moisture from the river. It is not now devoted to 

 astronomy, but the Queen having granted it for the use of the 

 British Association, it is employed by that body for purposes 

 connected with physical science. 



Although called the Kew Observatory, the propriety of this 

 appellation is somewhat questionable, since it is really nearer 

 Richmond than Kew; but we all know that it is not easy to 

 change a name. 



A commit tec of the association, men of eminence in 



science, form the board of directors, and have the power to 



appoint :i Superintendent and stall' of assistants, who by a wise 



arrangement are guided rather than trammelled by the super- 

 vision of t la: Board. 



The past history of this institution under the British Asso- 

 ciation is indelibly associated with the names of Ronald and 

 Welsh. The former of these, well known as an electrician, was 

 one of the first to suggeal the idea of an electric telegraph. 

 lie had. also, for. a considerable time, instruments of his own 

 construction in operation at Kew observatory for the purpose 

 of ascertaining the electricity of the air, and this branch of 

 knowledge is much indebted to his inquiries. 



It is perhaps, however, in his employment of photography 

 For the purpose of recording meteorological phenomena, that 

 he has been of the most signal service to science. Here he was 



