Hislory of the Kew Observatory. 



55 



Bart., the Astronomer Royal, Professors Graham and Wheatstone, and 

 Lieut. -Col. Sabine. 



" After an attentive examination of the present state of the estab- 

 lishment and of other matters connected therewith, the following 

 resolutions were unanimously adopted, viz. : — 



" That it be recommended to the General Committee that the estab- 

 lishment at Kew, the occupancy of which has been granted by Her 

 Majesty to the British Association, be maintained in its present state 

 of efficiency. 



" 1. Because it affords, at a very inconsiderable expense, a local 

 habitation to the Association, and a convenient depository for its 

 books, manuscripts, and apparatus. 



" 2. Because it has afforded to Members of the Association the means 

 of prosecuting many physical inquiries which otherwise would not have 

 been entered upon. 



" 3. Because the establishment has already become a point of interest 

 to scientific foreigners, several of whom have visited it. 



" 4. Because the grant of the occupancy of the building by Her 

 Majesty, at the earnest request of the British Association, is an instance 

 of Her Majesty's interest in and approval of the objects of the 

 Association. 



' k o. Because if the Association at the present time relinquish the 

 establishment it will probably never again be available for the 

 purposes of science. 



14 6. Because it appears, both from the publications of the British 

 Association and from the records in progress at the establishment, that 

 a great amount of electrical and meteorological observation has been 

 and continues to be made, and that a systematic inquiry into the 

 intricate subject of atmospheric electricity has been carried out by 

 Mr. Ronalds, which has been productive of very material improvements 

 in that subject, and has in effect furnished the model of the processes 

 conducted at the Royal Observatory ; and because these inquiries are 

 still in progress under local circumstances extremely favourable. 



" 7. Because other inquiries into the working of self -registering 

 apparatus, both meteorological and magnetical, are in actual progress 

 at the establishment, and there is a distinct prospect of the facilities 

 it affords being speedily, much more largely profited by. 



" 8. Because the access to the Observatory from London to Members 

 of the Association will shortly be greatly improved by railroads, and 

 because the local facilities and conveniences of the establishment have 

 been very greatly enhanced by alterations in its relations to the 

 Commissioners of Woods and Forests. 



Signed. " J. F. W. Herschel, Chairman." 



In presenting this Report to the General Committee the Council 



