I am, dear Mr. Calver,
Yours very truly,
(Signed.)
From The Rev. N. S. Godfrey, F.R.A.S.
St. Bartholomew’s Vicarage, Southsea,
August 23rd, 1879.
My Dear Mr. Calver,—The 12 inch mirror which you worked and mounted for me gives me perfect satisfaction. I think I have had sufficient experience with telescopes to justify the expression of a confident opinion, as at one time or other I think I have had 13 achromatic telescopes by Tulley, Dollond, Simms, Jones, Cooke, and Murrell, of apertures varying from 2-1/4 to 7 inches, besides 5 graduated instruments. The one I had before yours was an 8-1/8 With-Browning, which With himself considered of as fine a figure as he could work, and it certainly was a beautiful mirror. Your 12 inch is quite as perfect in its definition. I have soon on particularly fine evenings Castor as two discs, without wing or ray. I have separated with ease ω Leonis, μ2 Boötis, η Coronæ, γ2 Andromedæ, and many others of that class. The planets Jupiter and Saturn on fine nights are magnificent. I could go into more detail, but I think the facts I have mentioned are sufficient to convey an idea of the performance of the mirror; and I am particular in expressing my opinion thus strongly, because great names, with no experience of reflectors, are committed to their condemnation. I am certain that under favourable circumstances they are quite equal in their performances to refractors. I know my 8-1/8 With was in every way equal to my 7 inch Troughton and Simms, and in light superior, when newly silvered. And when the cost is taken into consideration, Cooke’s price of a 10 inch O.G. being £390, without mounting, and your price for a 10 inch mirror being only £25, I can only express my astonishment that there can exist any doubt in the scientific mind upon the subject.
May I say that I shall be pleased to answer any questions that any of your intending purchasers may wish to ask. I cannot speak too highly of your mirror. I may add that through the courtesy of its possessor, A. A. Common, Esq., I saw Jupiter magnificently last year in the 37″ mirror you worked for him.
I am, my dear Mr. Calver,