THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
101 
6. Classes .—Classes for Drawing have been well attended, as well 
as those for French and German connected with the Department of 
Artillery Studies. Four officers have also received instruction in Italian 
during the year. 
7. Observatory .—A great portion of the building of the Observatory 
—viz., three of the principal rooms—has been for many years lent to 
General Sir Edward Sabine, late President of the Royal Society, &c., 
as an office for collating and discussing the records of magnetic obser¬ 
vations in various parts of the world. 
The purchase of the equatorial telescope decided upon last year 
rendered it necessary to ask for the re-occupation of these rooms, which 
are now again at the disposal of the Institution. One of them has 
been furnished with a view to its being a sitting and waiting room for 
members using the astronomical instruments. This room being already 
furnished with a book-case, it has been thought desirable to transfer to 
it from the library of the Institution all works bearing on the subject 
of astronomy. On giving up this portion of the Observatory, General 
Sir E. Sabine has presented the Institution with a large number of 
valuable scientific books, which will be found enumerated among the 
list of presentations before referred to. 
With regard to the telescope, the Sub-Committee selected to consider 
the best means of procuring it, after due deliberation and consideration 
of estimates, decided upon obtaining it from Mr. J. Grubb, of Dublin, 
with whom a contract was made, binding him to erect the telescope 
in the Observatory in such a manner as to satisfy the judgment of 
Mr. Warren De la Rue, F.R.S., &c., who has kindly undertaken to 
examine the instrument throughout, and favour the Institution with his 
opinion thereon. This disinterested kindness on the part of Mr. De la 
Rue calls for the thanks of the members of the Institution. 
8. 'Photography .—The photographic department having been re¬ 
ported in an unsatisfactory condition last year, a Sub-Committee was 
appointed to consider the subject. 
On their recommendation, the services of Mr. Cobb, a professional 
photographer, were secured, and after a preliminary trial of some five 
months, an engagement was entered into with him for a period of one 
year, beginning from 1st January, 1872, after which one quarter's 
notice is to be given by either of the contracting parties. After the 
preliminary -trial, during which the Committee had every reason to be 
satisfied, both with the work and attention of Mr. Cobb, the expenditure 
and receipts were examined, and as it appeared probable that the 
Institution would gain rather than lose by the terms made with 
him, the engagement above mentioned was entered upon. 
Members can now have photographs taken throughout the week from 
10 a.m. till 3 p.m., except on Wednesdays and Saturdays, when the 
photographic room is reserved for the practice and study of photography 
by members after 1 p.m. 
9. Chemistry .—The laboratory has been in use during the year by 
classes under the Director of Artillery Studies. 
