[230]. ‘Hampshire Advertiser,’ March 31, 1855.
[231]. See illustration of the encampment at Creach Ben, ‘Aide Memoire,’ iii., p. 614.
[232]. It would be a pity to overlook the notice of an incident which occurred in connection with this astronomical service. When Steel left Southampton it was arranged he should hut himself with Mr. Donelan—formerly of the sappers—till the latter had finished his azimuthal duties on Ben Lomond, and then post away to Arthur’s Seat with Donelan’s barometer, chronometer, camp and party. Meanwhile a change was decided on—Donelan remained on the mountain with his instruments and party, and Steel shot off to Edinburgh. He could not however proceed with the observations without a chronometer, and as time was pressing, he could not wait till one were conveyed to him from the map office. Calling upon the Astronomer Royal with a credential from Captain Kerr of the royal engineers, Steel solicited the loan of a chronometer to enable him at once to commence operations. Very few instruments had the professor which were not in actual use, and except a pocket chronometer he had no instrument measuring sidereal time such as Steel wanted. Strongly interested in a matter so important, the professor was determined, could Edinburgh prevent it, that the sergeant should not be delayed an instant; and accordingly he wrote to the principal opticians—Adie and Son—and to Mr. Bryson, the chief clockmaker, begging, “for the scientific credit of the city of Edinburgh,” that the sergeant should be temporarily furnished with the instruments he required. Whatever could be given was readily placed at the service of the military astronomer, but, it was not in the power of the Scotch metropolis—learned and scientific as are its sons—to supply a sidereal chronometer! To make the best amends for the absence of so indispensable an accessory, the obliging professor, although he daily used his own pocket chronometer, lent it to the sergeant for one week, by which time an efficient instrument had reached him from Southampton.
[233]. Colonel James, ‘On the deflection of the plumb-line at Arthur’s Seat,’ read before the Royal Society, February 21, 1856.
[234]. The full report is given in the ‘Hampshire Independent,’ December 8, 1849.
[235]. ‘Lough Foyle Base,’ by Captain Yolland, R.E., pp. 147-149.
[236]. Ibid., p. 151.
[237]. ‘Lough Foyle Base,’ Pref., viii.
[238]. Appointed Assistant-Director, 16th March, 1815.
[239]. Officers not included.