MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES, &C. xliii 
should be reflected and not absorbed ; it was for this reason I 
made the ceiling flat and the roof with a good pitch so that 
between the planks of the ceiling and the attap, which is 
a non-conductor, there should be a considerable quantity 
of air which is likewise a non-conductor. The ventilation 
or the circulation of air was provided for by means which 
I will subsequently explain. 
(16) This note by the Editor is just as positive as any 
thing the Doctor has asserted, and with as little reason ; if 
the Editor, instead of laying down the law in Commercial 
Square, would just have taken the trouble to visit the Ob¬ 
servatory^ be would have seen and judged for himself how 
unfounded were the assertions which had gone before, 
(17) This is breaking my fall and letting me off cheap in 
the Editor’s estimation, pitching in a left hander and then 
patting me on the back, and saying, I am not such a bad 
fellow after all. 
(18) Dear me 1 What next ? The Magnetic Observatory 
like a cholera hospital affecting the atmosphere !+ 
(19) Not at all unlikely. 
(20) What charming modesty ! 
(21; Not free from objections! I should rather think not. 
Where did the Editor ever find 95° in the shade, such as I 
find in his registry! ? He must have been taking observa¬ 
tions on the sunny side of Commercial Square. Why 
if it were 95° in the shade instead of seeing my friends con- 
* See Noiefi below. 
f Uur correspondent, we always understood, was seat here to make 
magnetic observations, the building was designated a Magnetic Observatory, 
and we therefore interred that it had been built as such, and not with a view 
lo thermometrical observation*. The nocturnal temperature to it appeared so 
enviously to be affected by its absorption of heat dunmj the day, that we could 
not suppose the architect had intended to adapt it for such observations. If vre 
had known that our correspondent had built it wi h this very object, we need 
not say that our remarks would have been diffcrendy worded, as noihing 
could be more remote hem our intention than the imputation oi any blame. 
It he remains satisfied that the building fully answered his design, it would 
be presumptuous in us =o enter into any discussion with him on the subject. 
In justice to ourselves we must add that our note was written alter we had 
ex mined the Observatory in the presence of our correspondent, and that, with 
the highest respect for his science, skill and experience, we are compelled to 
retain the opinion that his minima are several degrees >o > high. The objections 
to the place where our self registering thermometer was suspe med we have 
always admitted to our correspondent, but he has not accounted for the deci¬ 
ded difference not only between our minima , but those of other registers, and 
his own. Our maxima we are quite satisfied are too high, and we discontinued 
our registry in June 1848, not being able at the time to remedy the defects of 
the place where our thermometer is hung, or lo find another quite free from 
objections.— Ed. 
% See our preceding note. 
