12 Proceedings of Royal Society of IJdinbiiryTi. [dec. 5, 
possible size allowed by the distinguished architectural adviser 
applied to by Government on the occasion of ordering it. 
2nd. The instrument is too heavy and too severe in pressure for 
its bearings, compatibly with its quick and slow motions, and more 
especially for its delicate clock-movement. 
3rd. The instrument is too awkward and multi-local as to its 
eye-pieces, handles, cords, finders, ladders, &c. &c. ; and the 
observer far too much exposed in strained positions to the violence 
of the wind and intensity of the cold, to be likely to resist their 
influence long, or make very good observations at any time. 
4th. The instrument is too weak in its spectroscope; and the 
latter too barbarous in its appliances, so far as they have yet been 
carried out. 
To meet these evils the Astronomer suggests as follows ; viz. — 
for Group No. 1, he proposes to shorten both the length of the 
telescope by its revolving head, and the length of its Declination 
axis by its outer 1 4 inches of excess far beyond its bearings ; 
besides stripping off the great outside finder, the small outside 
finder, the long reading microscopes and a variety of other untoward 
excrescences ; appropriate sub-arrangements being introduced to 
render these changes not only compatible with efficiency, but much 
more efficient, quick and handy. 
For Group No. 2 he proposes to remove, with the revolving head, 
both the weights and the counter-weights of the spectroscope, heavy 
eye-piece plate, and second finder now at the upper long end of the 
tube ; also the double counterpoise weights thereof at the lower short 
end of the tube ; and then the triple counterpoise weights of the 
same at the end of the Declination axis, — thereby getting rid at 
once of more than 500 lbs. of dead weight, pressing at present with 
pernicious effect on the lower end of the Polar Axis, which is too 
small to bear much. 
For Group No. 3, the Astronomer proposes, by a very simple yet 
radical change of eye-end arrangement, to have the eye-pieces of 
telescope, spectroscope and new finder, together with the slow- 
motion handles in P.A. and Deck, brought to, and arranged round, 
the end of the Declination Axis as already shortened ; and where 
they will always be directly accessible to the observer at easy stand- 
ing height on the floor and never exposed under the open shutter. 
