History of the Kew Observatory. 



49 



description in which general steadiness of temperature and structure, 

 light, retirement, and security may be especially needed. 



"As regards the probable cost of such an establishment to the 

 Society, it appears to include essentially : — 1st, the wages of a man 

 who should reside in the house, and take care of it ; 2nd, such repairs 

 as may from time to time be required, should Government not take 

 on itself the charge of maintenance of the structure ; 3rd, the interest 

 of money expended in fitting it for the purposes in view ; and 4th, the 

 taxes and rates which may be incident on its occupation. 



" As to the first of these items, the Sub-Committee consider that 

 an amount of 10s. 6d. per week, 27L 6s. per annum, would suffice 

 with fuel. 



" The building has been represented to them. as being in excellent 

 repair, and not to have cost 61. annually for some time in its main- 

 tenance in that state ; nor are they without reason to hope that 

 such an understanding might be had with the proper authorities as 

 would strike out this item in future. 



" It has also been stated to them, that among the fixtures of the 

 buildings are included an ample provision of glass cases and other 

 receptacles well adapted for the preservation of instruments and books, 

 and which have heretofore served for the preservation of the very 

 valuable collections lately presented by Her Majesty to King's 

 College, London, and which would materially alleviate the charges 

 incidental on this head. 



" J. F. W. Herschel. 

 " C. Wheatstone. 

 "Edward Sabine. 5 ' 



On the 10th of March, however, the Council of the Royal Society 

 rejected the gift they had previously solicited, in the following 

 resolution : — ■ 



"Resolved, — That, on full consideration of the report of the 

 Committee of Physics, including Meteorology, presented at the last 

 meeting of the Council, it does not appear to the Council to be 

 expedient for the Society to occupy the Observatory at Kew ; and 

 that the Treasurer be requested to make known this decision to the 

 Commissioners of the Woods and Forests, expressing at the same 

 time their thanks for the courtesy and attention paid to the suggestion 

 of the Council on the subject." 



The building having thus become again unappropriated, a number 

 of Fellows of the Royal Society and Members of the British Associa- 

 tion, desirous that it should be retained for the purposes of science, 

 recommended that an application should be made for it in the name 

 of the British Association, and entered into a subscription for the 

 purpose of promoting the objects stated in the following prospectus. 



yoL. xxxix. e 



