xxxiv 



and simplicity of its motions and working had never been surpassed. 

 Mr. Newall had originally intended to erect this enormous telescope in 

 some climate more favourable for astronomical investigations than our 

 own. Madeira, Egypt, and Malta were thought of, but it was first of 

 all necessary to erect it not far from York in order that various experi- 

 ments might be gone through without loss of time. It was, therefore, 

 erected at Ferndene, Mr. Newall's residence at Gateshead, and after 

 its completion, circumstances having arisen which prevented its 

 transference abroad, it remained there until Mr. Ne wall's death. 



By Mr. Newall's generosity it was practically at the disposal of any- 

 one who had any special research to make for which a large aperture 

 was indispensable. The writer of this notice would here acknowledge 

 the many opportunities which were afforded him of making such 

 observations, and also for the graceful hospitality with which these 

 opportunities were accompanied. 



The success of this experiment at once changed the aspect of the 

 optical art in all countries. The 26-inch at Washington, the 27-inch 

 at Vienna, and the 36-inch in California are the direct descendants of 

 the 25-inch at Gatestead. 



Before his death, Mr. Newall was anxious that the telescope should 

 be removed to a more favourable locality, and it was offered by him 

 to and accepted by the University of Cambridge. It is to be hoped 

 that the scientific responsibilities which the University accepts with 

 the instrument will be amply fulfilled. 



It may be well understood that the practical sagacity, unswerving 

 purpose, and scientific habit of mind which had led to the conception 

 and final carrying out of such an experiment as this, in alliance with 

 the elder Cooke, would prove fruitful in other fields. Mr. Newall was 

 not only a successful manufacturer, but he may be regarded as one 

 of the chief founders of one of the most important of our modern 

 national industries. In that part of his business which had to deal 

 with wire rope, he found an unmechanical method of working ; he left 

 one which is simply perfect, and, as a result, wire ropes of his con- 

 struction are now found all over the world : the double process of 

 making the strands and then combining them being entirely avoided, 

 while the wires retain all their original strength, as they remain 

 untwisted. He was among the first, if not the first, to see and subse- 

 quently demonstrate that the whole question of submarine telegraphy 

 coald only be settled by encasing the conducting wires with ropes 

 similar to those he was constructing for other purposes. This, of 

 course, necessitated the use of an insulating material, and Mr. Newall 

 was among the first in this country to study the properties of gutta- 

 percha, insulating the conducting wires by the material, and then 

 surrounding and encasing them with strong wire rope. 



The first successful cable laid from Dover to Cape Grisnez, in 1851, 



