r 45 : 
W. Further Particulars respecting the Observatory at Benares, 
of which an Account, with Plates, is given by Sir Robert 
Barker, in the LXFIIth Vol. of the Philosophical Transactions. 
In a Letter to William Marsden, Esq. F. R. S. from John 
Xloyd Williams, Esq. of Benares. 
Read January 31, 1793. 
DEAR SIR, 
In conformity with your request, I have now the pleasure of 
sending you an account of the measurement of the different; 
parts of the Benares observatory, called maun-mundel, as taken 
by myself, with a two-foot rule, and a rod of ten feet very 
exactly divided. An account of the use of the different in- 
struments, though very imperfect, was given me on the spot, 
by several learned Brahmins who attended me ; one of whom 
is professor of astronomy in the new founded college at Be- 
nares. They all agreed that this observatory never was used, 
nor did they think it capable of being used, for any nice ob- 
servations ; and believe that it was built more for ostenta- 
tion, than the promotion of useful knowledge. 
In my inquiry into the particulars of the building, I have 
been assisted by my friend the Nabob Ali Ibrahim Kaun, 
.and I believe this account may be relied on. 
