C 395 2 
XIX. Observations on the heights of mountains in the north of 
England. By Thomas Greatorex, Esq. F. L. S. In a letter 
to Thomas Young, M. D. For. Sec. R. S. 
Read May 7, 1818. 
Having been desirous, for many years past, to revisit the 
lakes in the north of England, and wishing, when I should 
be able to take that tour, to make some experiments on one 
of the mountains in that district, I applied to the late Mr. 
Ramsden, who made for me the following instruments : 
A mountain barometer. 
A stationary do. (the mercury of both boiled in the tube.) 
A telescope with cross-wires, and a level fitted to it, 
mounted on a tripod-staff. 
And a small theodolite, with compass, &c. 
These he assured me were made with the greatest care. 
I have this summer passed some weeks in the vicinity of 
the Lakes ; and at Keswick I fortunately met with one of 
those superior self-taught geniuses, not uncommon in the 
North, who entered into all my views, and proved eminently 
serviceable to me. His name is Otley, and he is a watch- 
maker, but acts occasionally as guide up the mountains, &c. 
As I wished to measure Skiddaw geometrically down to 
the average level of Derwent Water, I had a tapering staff 
made about 28 feet long, shod with an iron point, and very 
carefully graduated from an accurate standard yard measure, 
sent from the proper office, in London. 
3F 
MDCCCXVIII. 
