280 A Balcony Observatory. 



can, for example, divide the four stars of e Lyrse clearly with 

 less than 100. 



The advantage of having a telescope always ready is very 

 great, and I have seen many objects from my balcony observa- 

 tory which I should have assuredly missed without it. For 

 example, on a cloudy, uncertain night, with so few lucid inter- 

 vals that I should certainly not have mounted a telescope 

 specially for the purpose, I had a fair view of one of the lunar 

 curiosities — the rectangular formation, near Fontenelle, con- 

 cerning which Mr. Webb will no doubt discourse in due 

 season. This strange object is, when seen so that the varying 

 height of the walls cannot be noticed, just like a field fenced in 

 with the stone walls common in many parts of England. Its size 

 (60 miles long), and the height of the walls, from 250 to 3200 

 feet, precludes the notion that it is an artificial fence surrounding 

 a Selenian park or farm. Were it not for this consideration we 

 should be tempted to look upon it as a specimen of the con- 

 structive skill displayed by the "Man in the Moon." I saw 

 it on the 9th October from 8 to 9*30 p.m., the new moon 

 having occurred on the 30th September at 10'43 p.m. 



Many other instances might be mentioned, of catching 

 views that would not wait, and I strongly recommend those 

 who have a suitable place, to construct a balcony observatory, 

 if they cannot do better. It would give me decided satisfac- 

 tion if I could say that my work cost as little Mr. Berthon's ; 

 but as it requires careful fitting in every part, this could not 

 be expected. It may enable married observers to obtain 

 feminine consent to such an addition to a sitting-room, if I 

 mention that a few handsome plants can be placed in positions 

 that do not interfere with astronomical uses. I would also 

 recommend that, in the absence of a sidereal clock, a good 

 watch should be regulated to keep sidereal time, as suggested 

 hj Admiral Smyth. 



