564 The Account of a 



In very early stages of the work, I had frequent opportunities 

 of observing, that eminent advantages would accrue to the ser- 

 vice, were the survey prosecuted on a more extensive scale. 

 The consideration of a grand instrument being laid up in the 

 apartments of the Royal Society, suggested the propriety of ob- 

 taining it ; therefore, when my appointment to my present situa- 

 tion gave me the means of effecting former ideas, I lost no time 

 in applying to the President and Council, for the loan of their 

 large theodolite, the excellence of which had been incontestibly 

 demonstrated by the late Major General Roy. The distinguished 

 services which the Royal Society have rendered this branch of 

 the public service, leave it almost unnecessary for me to observe 

 how readily they granted my request. The instrument was, 

 accordingly, put into the hands of Mr. Ramsden, early in the 

 month of January, for the purpose of being examined, and also 

 of having new microscopes fixed to it ; the former ones being 

 much inferior, in construction, to those attached to the instru- 

 ment belonging to Government. 



To carry on so extensive a survey as that which is now the 

 subject of this Paper, much consideration is necessary. I have 

 endeavoured to give it the best effect, both as to design, and 

 celerity of execution. What degree of success has attended my 

 endeavours, the public, in possession of this Paper, can readily 

 determine. In the present stage of the survey, I have been 

 sufficiently impressed with just ideas, as to the importance of 

 the task, and responsibility of my situation. The difficulties 

 which start up, in prosecuting a survey of this kind, become more 

 numerous as it becomes more extensive. In the earliest part 

 of it, when few objects only were in view, speedy execution 

 followed the design ; but, circumstances now require every 



