1868.] On Physical Observations to be undertaken in India. 293 



" I learn with satisfaction that the President and Council have decided 

 on purchasing a telescope equatorially mounted, and furnished with clock- 

 movement and a star spectroscope, to be employed in a close examination 

 of the physical phenomena which may be observable during the solar 

 eclipse of next year — also that other instruments are to be provided, to 

 enable Mr. Hennessey to undertake the researches which he is willing to 

 devote himself to in his brief intervals of leisure from the professional 

 duties which necessarily occupy the greater part of his time and attention. 



" I am glad to find that my assistant, Lieutenant Herschel, has placed 

 himself in communication with the Committee, and will receive the fullest 

 instruction as to the employment of the instruments. 



*' It will be a pleasure to me to do all in my power to carry out your 

 wishes. I expect little or no difficulty in the practical arrangements re- 

 garding the eclipse ; for it will fortunately happen during the recess season, 

 when our officers can be more easily spared from their professional duties 

 than at any other time of the year. 



I remain, with sincere regard, faithfully yours, 



(Signed) " J.C.Walker.'' 



The instruments, both those for Mr. Hennessey and those intended to 

 be used on the occasion of the total solar eclipse, were ready in time to be 

 sent out under the care of Mr. Herschel ; and the following letter to the 

 Secretary, recently received from him, announces their safe arrival : — 



"Bangalore, Jan. 23rd, 1868. 

 " Dear Sir, — I fear I have hardly done right in delaying so long to 

 inform you of the safe arrival of the instruments entrusted to me by the 

 Royal Society. 



My present occupations absolutely forbid my endeavouring to enter 

 into details ; and it is only from a strong feeling that at least so much 

 should be said that I sit down to write at all, at a time when scarcely a 

 moment is my own. 



" I have made myself tolerably familiar with the equatorial and spec- 

 troscope, and with the appearance of solar, lunar, and stellar spectra, and 

 on one or two occasions have attempted to obtain a view of a nebular spec- 

 trum — with tolerable success I believe ; but hitherto, whatever time and 

 opportunity, and, I may add, energy, have been available, have been devoted 

 to preliminary examination and manipulation rather than actual employ- 

 ment of the instrumental means. In some respects this has been very 

 necessary, as the parts, never having been employed together, were not at 

 first capable of being connected, &c. 



The next two months will be fully occupied by the work in which I 

 am now taking a part — the measurement of a Base-line ; and I cannot 

 devote more than an occasional half hour to the employment of the 

 Society's instruments. 



" After that, however, I shall have more leisure ; and having full permis- 



