THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
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6. Classes. —The Classes for Drawing, Mathematics, Trench, and 
German have met as usual; the former has been very well attended, the 
instructor, Mr. Needham, giving every satisfaction. 
7. Observatory .—The rotatory dome of the equatorial room, manufac¬ 
tured in 1852 by Messrs. Eansom & May, of Ipswich, had latterly become 
so stiff as to require several men with tackle to turn it. An application 
to the Secretary of State for War for funds to place it in a proper 
state of efficiency was liberally responded to, and the work has been most 
satisfactorily executed by Messrs. Troughton and Simms. In addition to 
the re-adjustment of the running gear of the dome, the shutter has been 
made to slide with ease and smoothness, and the interior of the room has 
been cleaned and painted. 
Under these circumstances, and looking at the prosperous state of the 
funds, the Committee is of opinion that the time has arrived for carrying 
out the intention, so long entertained, of procuring a telescope adequate 
to the requirements of the Institution. The cost of such an instrument 
properly mounted would be about £500, and the Committee proposes to 
ask the sanction of the meeting to this outlay. 
8. Photography .—The photographic department requires much altera¬ 
tion and improvement, and a Sub-Committee has been appointed to ensure 
this being done thoroughly and economically. 
9. Chemistry .—The laboratory has been in constant use by the classes 
of officers under the Director of Artillery Studies, as also by officers working 
independently. 
10. Instruments .—One of the principal objects for which the Institution 
was founded, was to place within reach of its members instruments of a 
character often too expensive Tor private purchase. The Committee, in 
keeping this object steadily in view, has recently added to the supply of 
instruments a Grove's battery of 40 cells, and has ordered an electric 
lantern and lamp* of the most recent construction, by Browning. The 
acquisition of this apparatus will admit of a great extension being given 
to the lectures, many interesting subjects having been omitted hitherto from 
the want of it. 
11. Model Room. —A stand of arms with bayonets (consisting of “ Brown 
Bess" and the different carbines and rifles that have been in the service 
down to the Martini-Henry), has been deposited in the model room; 
also several service projectiles and other stores, a catalogue of which has 
been carefully kept up, so that members can now without any difficulty 
make themselves acquainted with them. 
The Committee has purchased a Chassepot rifle; a needle gun also has 
been placed at its disposal. 
# Since received. 
