The Bomsey Observatory. 445 



THE ROMSEY OBSERVATORY. 



BY EEV. E. L. BEETHON. 

 (With Illustrations.) 



The following description of a very inexpensive garden obser- 

 vatory will most probably be acceptable to those amateur 

 astronomers who have felt the want of a shelter for their in- 

 struments and themselves, and have hitherto been deterred 

 from the enjoyment of such a luxury by the supposed costliness 

 of its erection. 



In the Intellectual Obseevee for May, 1864, appeared a 

 description of a cheap observatory recently built by Mr. 

 Bird for his large silvered-glass reflector, and it is, the 

 writer is assured, with the best wishes of that able astronomer 

 that the present account of a cheaper observatory makes its 

 appearance. 



It is not necessary to repeat the cogent reasons that those 

 who study the hosts of heaven in the chilly night should do so 

 with as much comfort as possible. A cutting wind on a frosty 

 night, which agitates both the observer and his telescope to- 

 gether, is the best argument in favour of laying out a few 

 pounds for such a purpose. 



The drawings which accompany this description represent, 

 in elevation and ground plan, a very pretty rustic observing- 

 house, which the writer erected in the garden of Romsey 

 vicarage last summer ; it has answered every desired purpose 

 most perfectly, and though the situation is wet, being almost 

 surrounded by water, the building itself is remai'kably free 

 from damp of every kind, not a speck of rust having appeared on 

 some bright steel and iron work kept in it the. whole winter. It 

 will be seen that the form of the building is twelve-sided, and 

 the following particulars will enable any one desirous of adopt- 

 ing the design to build it : — 



Twelve rough fir poles, or any straight trees, about four 

 inches thick and eight feet long, are fixed in the ground in a 

 true circle ten feet diameter, and at equal distances from each 

 other, i. e., about two feet six inches ; their tops must then be 

 cut off level six feet six inches above the ground. 



To do this part of the work quickly and well, a straight 

 post should be set up in the centre of the circle, on the top of 

 which a horizontal rod five feet two inches long is made to 

 revolve ; this will indicate the height of each post and the posi- 

 tion of the centre of its head. This being done, some pieces of 

 inch deal or other plank must be cut just long enough to 



