Page:History of the Royal Astronomical Society (1923).djvu/163

 1860-70] ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY 139 respectable quality and power was placed in a position where its capabilities could be brought out and the utmost obtained from it. ... It has become more than ever apparent that size is not so much the quality to be sought as exquisite definition, excellence in which requires admirable workmanship first and an admirably pure, tranquil and continuously transparent sky afterwards. The programme of observations included the following objects as desirable : Physical Observations of planets and satellites, especially Mars in 1862, parallax of Mars, observations of nebulae, variable stars, zodiacal light, and double stars. The final proposal submitted by the Committee was " to place an equatorially mounted refractor of not less than 9 inches aperture and of high optical excellence in the charge of Captain Jacob, at a station to be selected from the many accessible points in the neighbourhood of Poona, some eighty miles from Bombay. There an elevation of some 4000 feet could be obtained " ; and the proximity of arsenal and artificers would naturally be convenient. The Council approved of the recommendation, and decided in 1 86 1 June to make application for the aid of Her Majesty's Govern- ment towards the establishment for a limited period, under the superintendence of Captain Jacob, of an Observatory in the neighbourhood of Bombay, at a considerable altitude above the sea. They received the following letter, which deserves to be recorded once more as an instance of support promptly given by the Government to an astronomical enterprise : TREASURY CHAMBERS, 8 August 1861. In reply to your application addressed to Lord Palmerston on the 24th June last, for a grant to the Royal Astronomical Society of 1000, in aid of the proposed temporary maintenance of an observa- tory near Poona, I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you that the sum of 1000 having been voted in Parliament for the object described in your letter, My Lords will be prepared to issue the amount in such manner as you may desire, on the understanding that the Society will see to the proper application of the fund thus placed at its disposal. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, your obedient servant, (Signed) GEO. A. HAMILTON. To the President and Treasurer of the Royal Astronomical Society, Somerset House. A letter was sent to his Lordship expressing the thanks of the Council for the promptness with which their application had been met. The sum granted was immediately paid to the account of the Society, and Captain Jacob, having purchased at his own