4 58 Mr. Fallows's catalogue of southern stars. 
March, 1822 : since then I have had no reason to change 
my opinion upon the propriety of my choice.* 
As a considerable period would likely intervene between 
the date of my Report, and the time when instructions would 
be received to commence the building of the Observatory, I 
was desirous of employing this interval in forming a Cata- 
logue of fixed stars which might prove useful, when more 
extensive means of accomplishing the work with greater 
truth might be placed in my power, I therefore lost no 
time in requesting His Excellency Sir Rufane Donkin, the 
Acting Governor, to allow me a small wooden house, which 
could be easily converted into a temporary Observatory. My 
request was kindly granted ; and the necessary alterations 
soon made for the reception of a portable transit instrument, 
a clock, and an altitude and azimuth circle. 
It is not my intention to enter into any minute detail of the 
disposition of the instrument in this confined apartment, 
which would be tedious and uninteresting ; but I think it 
right to give a short description of each instrument, and the 
methods employed for insuring a near approximation to 
accuracy. 
The transit instrument by which the right ascensions in 
the following Catalogue were deduced is of very diminutive 
size, though excellent of its kind. It was made by Mr. Dol- 
lond, and fitted up in his usual manner with every conve- 
* I am much indebted to the kindness of my learned friend Mr. Colebrooke, 
(then on a visit here), whose knowledge of the Cape is very extensive, and by whose 
advice and assistance I was enabled to make up my mind upon the advantages of 
each spot without much delay. 
