Introduction to the Makerstoun Observations, 1843. 
Comparisons of simultaneous observations made at the Edinburgh Observatory 
by the late Professor Henderson, and at the Makerstoun Observatory, gave the 
difference of heights of the barometer cisterns :— 
Feet. 
Edinburgh Observatory minus Makerstoun Observatory, ...... 130 
Height of the Edinburgh barometer cistern above mean water at Leith (by levels), 352 
Height of Makerstoun barometer cistern, 222 
2. The Magnetic Observatory is situate nearly on the summit of a ridge, which 
occupies the left or northern bank of the Tweed, being 540 feet distant from, and 
80 feet above that river. The Astronomical Observatory is upon the highest part 
of the ridge, 140 feet due west of the Magnetic Observatory. A fair horizon is seen 
from the Observatory hill, being bounded about 10 miles to the east by a slightly 
swelling ground, which, to the east-south-east, seems to join the Cheviot Hills. The 
view is bounded about a mile to south and south-west by a ridge, forming the right 
bank of the Tweed ; about 500 feet to the south-west and north-west by masses of 
trees in the Makerstoun grounds ; and from 1 to 3 miles to north-west, north, and 
north-east, by an elevated ridge, which forms, to some extent, the northern boundary 
of the valley of the Tweed. From north, by the east, to the south, the elevation of 
the horizon, with a slight exception, is under 2° ; from the north to the north-west, 
increasing from 2° to 4° ; from the north-west to the south-west, the tops of the 
trees are elevated from 5° to 8° ; and from the south-west to the south the eleva- 
tion is under 4°. The highest point of the Cheviots, which is 2656 feet above the 
level of the sea, is about 18 miles to the east-south-east; it is occasionally referred 
to in the meteorological remarks on clouds. 
3. The Observatory hill, it is believed, is composed of felspathic trap. The 
Tweed, immediately to the south, and for a mile to the east and west, flows more 
or less through this rock, which does not appear upon any part of the hill. The 
opening for a foundation to the Observatory shewed only masses of rolled pebbles, 
and boulders of greywacke and trap. 
4. The Observatory is rectangular in its plan, 40 feet by 20 feet internally. It 
is formed of wood ; copper nails were used ; and iron carefully excluded from every 
part of the structure. The pillars for the magnetometers and telescopes are of 
stone, from 22 inches to 19 inches in diameter, and are placed upon excellent stone 
foundations, completely disconnected with the floor, and every part of the building. 
By a reference to the plan and elevation, the following details will be understood. 
| Plate I.) 
There are two windows to the south, with the door between ; and three to the 
north, which open like folding doors. The dimensions of the principal apartment 
are, !<> feet long, 12 feet broad, and 12 feet high. The two ante-rooms are each 
L5 feel long, 7 feet broad, and 12 feet high. The instruments are indicated in the 
plan as follows : — 
