Janus: Photographs and Photocopies

RGO Archives contains:
<-- See earlier
RGO 30	The Star Almanac for Land Surveyors
RGO 31	The Air Almanac
RGO 32	HMNAO Technical Notes
RGO 33	Separate Publications of HMNAO
RGO 34	HMNAO Journal Reprint Series
RGO 35	Photographs and Photocopies
RGO 36	Microfilms of RGO Archives Collections
RGO 37	Papers of Roderick Redman
RGO 38	Inventories of Manuscripts
RGO 39	Inventories of Instruments, Art, Furniture, etc.
RGO 4	Papers of Nevil Maskelyne
See later -->

More information

Please feel free to contact the repository.

Photographs and Photocopies

Title	Photographs and Photocopies
Reference	GBR/0180/RGO 35
Covering Dates	circa 1934-circa 2000
Extent and Medium	5 boxes and 43 microfilms; paper/microfilm/photograph
Repository	Royal Greenwich Observatory Archives

Content and context

Photographs, photocopies, photostats and microfilms of a wide range of papers relating to the Royal Observatory or to individuals or subjects connected to it. The majority of the material relates to Nevil Maskelyne. This includes a large set of Maskelyne's correspondence (RGO 35/3-96), including letters he received from French correspondents; correspondence of family members, including his brother, Captain Edmund Maskelyne, and his daughter, Margaret Maskelyne; and letters he sent to colleagues and friends, including a large set of letters to Sir Joseph Banks. There are account books kept under Maskelyne at the Royal Observatory (RGO 35/134-136) and a set of his volumes of miscellaneous papers (RGO 35/137-148). There is also a series of letters written by David Kinnebrook to his father David and other members of his family, 1794-1796, which describe Kinnebrook's life as Maskelyne's assistant at the Greenwich Observatory (RGO 35/97-128). The rest of the series includes, among other material, copies of the letters of Observatory staff and other correspondents, and a set of microfilms (RGO 35/171-184), including the papers of the Herschel family (RGO 35/170).

Received from various sources. RGO 35/1-150 were probably photocopied during the 1970s. The provenance of the remaining records is given, where it is known, at the relevant points in the catalogue.

Access and Use

In English, Fre, Latin

Please cite as Royal Greenwich Observatory Archives, Photographs and Photocopies, RGO 35

Further information

A handlist to RGO 35/1-150 is available in the Manuscripts Reading Room. Indexed

This description was created by Robert Steiner, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives.

Index Terms

Maskelyne, Nevil (1732-1811) astronomer and mathematician

Kinnebrook, David (1735-1810) astronomer

Banks, Sir Joseph (1743-1820) Baronet, naturalist

RGO Archives/RGO 35 contains:

Accounts of Isaac Newton. An undated photocopy of the account of Sir Isaac Newton of the expenses for printing the astronomical observations of John Flamsteed, dated 8 April 1710.
2 pages.

Letters from Edmond Halley. Photostats of three letters from Edmond Halley, arranged and edited by E.F. MacPike, and dated Chicago, 1934. 1. An undated draft of a letter from Halley to Sir Isaac Newton of 22 May 1686, acknowledging the receipt of part of the manuscript of Newton's 'Principia'. 2. Halley to Dr John Wallis, Oxford, 25 June 1687, referring to the imminent publication of the 'Principia' and stating 'yet ten days more, by which time it will compleat'. 3. An undated letter from Halley to King James II [July 1687], consisting largely of an essay on the tides. The letter was sent with a copy of the 'Principia'.
1 volume.

1934

List of Mrs Maskelyne's gifts. An undated photostat of a list of printed books, manuscripts and pictures presented to the Royal Observatory by Mrs M. Maskelyne in April 1811. There is also a photocopy of a note by John Pond acknowledging the receipt of these items, beneath which is his signed statement, dated 13 April 1811, acknowledging that the instruments at the Observatory were all in good order on his arrival.
13 pages.

Letter from M. Jeaurat. An undated photostat of a letter in French from Monsieur Jeaurat, Paris Observatory, to Nevil Maskelyne, 25 September 1789, regarding the return of a comet and informing him of a forthcoming visit to Italy and England.
2 pages.

Letter from M. Pingrelle. An undated photostat of a letter in French from Monsieur Pingrelle, Paris, to Nevil Maskelyne, 9 June 1771, informing him that Pingrelle is the member of an expedition that is going to test all of the known methods for determining longitude at sea. Later in the letter he discusses observations of Jupiter's satellites.
4 pages.

Correspondence with Mungo Park. An undated photostat of a letter from Mungo Park to Nevil Maskelyne, 1 October 1794, informing him that he is to travel to Africa, discussing problems he has encountered using a pocket sextant for meridian observations, and asking Maskelyne's opinion on adaptations to his observing technique. Beneath Park's letter, Maskelyne has written a detailed reply, dated 4 October, advising him of the best way to proceed.
4 pages.

Letter from Pierre Mechain. An undated photostat of a letter in French from Pierre Mechain to Nevil Maskelyne, 14 September 1786, concerning observations of the planet Uranus discovered by W. Herschel (which he refers to as the 'comet'), and mentioning the work of Laplace with regard to Saturn and Jupiter.
4 pages.

Letter from M. Jeaurat. An undated photostat of a letter in French from Monsieur Jeaurat to Nevil Maskelyne, 16 November 1775, informing him of his interest in Maskelyne's work on the attraction of mountains and his disagreement with J. de Lalande's publishing of the work. He proceeds to describe a series of public lectures that he has attended recently on subjects ranging from early astronomy to the use of saltpetre.
4 pages.

Letter from Julian Canelas. An undated photostat of a letter in French to Nevil Maskelyne from Julian Canelas, Island of Leon, 5 October 1806, giving details of his observations of the occultations of Antares, 20 March 1805, and of a solar eclipse, 16 June 1806. There is an accompanying English translation of the letter.
8 pages.

Letter from M. Cassini. An undated photostat of part of a letter in French from Monsieur Cassini to Nevil Maskelyne, 22 September 1786, in which he refers to a letter from Pierre Mechain (RGO 35/7) and to observations of small stars.
1 page.

Letter from L. Regner. An undated photostat of a letter in French from L. Regner to Nevil Maskelyne, 21 March 1805, enclosing a copy of a paper in Latin he has written on the propagation of light by celestial bodies, and asking Maskelyne to present it to the Royal Society.
5 pages.

Letter from Abbé Poczobut. An undated photostat of a letter in French from L'Abbé Poczobut to Nevil Maskelyne, 10 October 1777, reminding him of their association nine years earlier and recommending to him the work of L'Abbé Strzecki, who will be visiting London to look at the Harrison 4 chronometer, and who he hopes Maskelyne will meet.
2 pages.

Letter to Nevil Maskelyne. An undated photostat of part of a letter in French to Nevil Maskelyne from an unknown author, 25 September 1773, praising his astronomical observations and his paper on Harrison's marine chronometer.
1 page.

Letter from Joseph Toaldo. An undated photostat of a letter in Latin from Joseph Toaldo to Nevil Maskelyne, 17 March 1794.
1 page.

Letter from Joseph de Lalande. An undated photostat of a letter in French from Joseph de Lalande to Nevil Maskelyne, 30 October 1788, referring to various books by L. Euler and tables for Jupiter and Saturn that are now complete, and asking him to give his respects to Dr Shephard, a mutual friend.
1 page.

Note from Joseph de Lalande. An undated photostat of a short note in French from Joseph de Lalande to Nevil Maskelyne, 27 August 1788, informing him that he has returned from a voyage and asking Maskelyne to look at the December 1690 observations of the star 34 Tauri in order to see if they meet with his approval.
1 page.

Letter from Joseph de Lalande. An undated photostat of a letter in French from Joseph de Lalande to Nevil Maskelyne, 4 March 1776, enclosing requested errata to a book being written on the work and observations of Abbé de Lacaille.
4 pages.

Letter from Joseph de Lalande. An undated photostat of an undated letter from Joseph de Lalande to Nevil Maskelyne asking him to make observations of Mercury with the mural circle and mentioning observations by Jean Delambre.
3 pages.

Letter from Joseph de Lalande. An undated photostat of a letter in French from Joseph de Lalande to Nevil Maskelyne, 10 August 1787, presenting Giuseppe Piazzi to him on a visit to England.
2 pages.

Letter from Jean Delambre. An undated photostat of a letter in French from Jean Delambre to Nevil Maskelyne, 17 July 1787, thanking him for allowing him the use of many of his observations, praising the quality of the observations, and informing Maskelyne that he is using them to determine the last twenty oppositions of Jupiter and Saturn.
1 page.

Letter from Joseph de Lalande. An undated photostat of a letter in French from Joseph de Lalande to Nevil Maskelyne, 20 July 1787.
1 page.

Letter from Jean Delambre. An undated photostat of a letter in French from Jean Delambre to Nevil Maskelyne, 20 February 1806, praising him on behalf of the Bureau des Longitudes for his work on the 'Nautical Almanac' and making various remarks about lunar observations.
3 pages.

Letter from J.S. Bailly. An undated photostat of a letter in French from J.S. Bailly to Nevil Maskelyne, dated 21 May, informing him that Bailly has read with pleasure his work on the attraction of mountains, and praising his contribution to astronomy.
2 pages.

Letter from Jean Delambre. An undated photostat of a letter in French from Jean Delambre to Nevil Maskelyne, 7 June 1789, thanking him for tables he has sent him, which he has compared with those of Halley and Mayer, and pointing to errors in the tables of longitude. He also requests observations of the Sun, Jupiter and Saturn.
2 pages.

Letter from F. de Gilleman. An undated photostat of a letter in French from F. de Gilleman to Nevil Maskelyne, 6 May 1804, giving him the latitude and longitude of Rabat and Fez and mentioning observations made by Ali Beik.
4 pages.

Letter to Nevil Maskelyne. An undated photostat of a letter in French from François [Reggo] to Nevil Maskelyne, 12 June 1778, praising him on his ephemeris for 1779 and stating that he has heard from Stuart Mackenzie of Maskelyne's abilities and wishes him to know the respect he has for him.
1 page.

Letter from Captain Damoiseau. An undated photostat of a letter in French from Lieutenant Captain Damoiseau of the Brigade Royale de la Marine, Lisbon, to Nevil Maskelyne, 25 August 1803, explaining that he has been requested by the Portuguese Government to prepare a Nautical Ephemeris and is finding the task very difficult. He requests Maskelyne's help in completing his task.
3 pages.

List of instruments. An undated photostat of a undated list by Nevil Maskelyne entitled 'Instruments proper to be sent on the Voyage to the North West coast of America, for the use of the Astronomer'.
2 pages.

Letter to Edmund Maskelyne. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Captain Edmund Maskelyne, consoling him on the loss of the woman he loved and suggesting that he visit him in London.
3 pages.

Letter to Edmund Maskelyne. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Captain Edmund Maskelyne, 8 September 1763, asking him to accept power of attorney for his affairs while he is absent in Barbados and giving him details of rents to be collected and payments to be made.
4 pages.

Letter to Edmund Maskelyne. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Captain Edmund Maskelyne, 29 December 1763, informing him of his arrival in Barbados on 7 November and telling him that he has prepared his observatory on Constitution Hill and is looking forward to making observations in the clear air of the island.
4 pages.

Letter to Edmund Maskelyne. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Captain Edmund Maskelyne in Calcutta, 15 May 1766, regarding various pieces of family news and congratulating him on the work he is doing with Lord Clive. Maskelyne also states that he is testing Harrison's chronometer and that the 'Nautical Almanac' is being prepared.
5 pages.

Letter to Margaret Maskelyne. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Margaret Maskelyne, 20 November 1801, informing her that he will not be home that night as he is to attend a meeting of the Royal Society with Baron Maseres.
3 pages.

Report on a sick child. An undated photostat of a detailed report by Nevil Maskelyne on the illness of an unnamed child and her recovery, dated 29 November 1788, including a record of the medicines and food that were provided and Maskelyne's opinion that the illness was due to either bad fruit or worms.
3 pages.

Letter by Nevil Maskelyne. An undated photostat of part of a letter written by Nevil Maskelyne following the discovery of Ceres on 1 January 1801. He criticizes Giuseppe Piazzi for not revealing the discovery for six weeks, and mentions that a German astronomer (Olbers) has now sent him information regarding where the planet should be visible in the summer and autumn.
4 pages.

Letter to S.B. Vince. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to S.B. Vince, 5 January 1811, informing him that he will be pleased to welcome him and Mrs Vince to the Observatory, and giving details of Mayer's Table illustrated by a geometrical scheme. There is also a note by Margaret Maskelyne stating that this letter was written a few weeks before her father's death. There are two versions of each item - the original and a copy.
9 pages.

Letter from William Hardy. An undated photostat of a letter from William Hardy, London, to [Margaret Maskelyne], 7 June 1820, praising Nevil Maskelyne's work and expressing regret that he did not live to see the improvements being carried out in the Observatory buildings. There are two versions of the letter - the original and a copy.
2 pages.

Letter to Anthony Shepherd. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to the Revd Anthony Shepherd, 15 October 1764, informing him of his return from Barbados and expressing the expectation that he may be selected as Astronomer Royal. He mentions his successful observations of the Moon and expresses the opinion that it is impracticable to observe eclipses of Jupiter's satellites at sea. He also attaches details of observations he has made on the voyage home.
4 pages.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 10 October 1775, thanking him for a report on samples of stone from Mount Schiehallion he had given him and discussing the nature of the burnt-lime and limestone of that area. Maskelyne also discusses the building of two new equatorial instruments by Ramsden and Bird.
4 pages.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 17 April 1776, informing him that they are to perform some experiments at the Royal Society on the boiling point of various thermometers, particularly those of Ramsden. He also mentions that the Speaker of the House of Commons is to be proposed as a member of the Royal Society as he has, with Lord North, helped to recover Bradley's papers.
1 page.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 13 June 1793, informing him of the circumstances of the death of Gooch following a shipwreck in the South Atlantic. He has interviewed Pitts, who was Gooch's assistant at the time, and wants Banks to be aware of what took place.
4 page.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 18 February 1785, thanking him for a translation of a letter by J. Bode. The main part of Maskelyne's letter relates to the position of 34th Tauri, which is different to that given by Flamsteed in his catalogue.
3 pages.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 16 April 1781, sending him a specimen of paper that C. Hutton has suggested for the printing of C. Mason's new lunar tables. He also informs Banks that J. Ramsden has promised the new equatorial instrument will be delivered in a week's time, and comments on W. Herschel's discovery of a comet.
4 pages.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 17 February 1789, informing him of his observations of the comet first seen by W. Herschel and of its position. He also agrees to recommend Dr Coombe for a position at the Lying-in Hospital in Brownlow Street.
3 pages.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 23 January 1789, giving him the position of the comet observed on 20 January.
1 page.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 4 March 1785, recommending the Revd Malachy Hitchins to him for a second small living from the Bishop of Exeter.
3 pages.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 6 January 1787, informing him that Mr Stanfield, who is involved in printing the 'Nautical Almanac', is likely to be arrested and that steps should be taken to remove all Board of Longitude papers from his possession. There is also an unsigned note informing Maskelyne that appropriate action was taken in response to this letter.
4 pages.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 26 April 1790, giving him the position of a comet discovered by Miss Herschel eight days earlier.
1 page.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 21 May 1790, apologising for giving him incorrect information about the position of a comet.
1 page.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 10 June 1802, returning several pieces of correspondence and charts and informing him that he has written to the Revd Brinkley asking him to rectify a mistake he has made in an unspecified observation. Maskelyne adds that the Duke of Clarence has written to him concerning a method of determining longitude discovered by a friend of his, but it has already been considered by the Board and rejected.
2 pages.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 14 May 1802, informing him that he has received from Charles Blagden a memoir by P.S. de Laplace on the theory of the Moon and commenting that he hopes to soon receive a set of tables of the Moon prepared by J.T. Burg.
2 pages.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 28 May 1802, informing him that he is sending Baron Zach copies of the 'Nautical Almanac' for the years 1801-1805, together with other publications. Maskelyne mentions the orbit of Pallas and the value of J.T. Burg's Tables of the Moon, which were based on observations by Maskelyne himself. The letter concludes with comments on the construction of a vertical circle for the Seeburg Observatory.
2 pages.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 19 April 1802, regarding the discovery of a new planet by Dr Olbers on 28 March and listing its position on 15 and 16 April.
2 pages.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 17 November 1801, regarding Graeme Spence's theory of extraordinary terrestrial refractions and their connection with changes of weather from good to bad, which Maskelyne describes as 'futile', providing reasons for his opinion.
2 pages.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 23 January 1801, informing Banks that he has invited John Crosley to go on a voyage for the Board of Longitude as astronomer and that Crosley is willing to accept if he can be guaranteed proper accommodation.
2 pages.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 1 May 1801, regarding communications he has received from several other astronomers. Maskelyne states that Joseph de Lalande is working on his 'Bibliographie Astronomique' and has completed his 'Histoire Celeste', and that Jean Delambre is to calculate his tables of the Sun again. Maskelyne also mentions that he has received a letter from Giuseppe Piazzi and praises the work he has been doing on verifying the positions of the stars in Wolleston's Catalogue.
4 pages.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 8 September 1798, suggesting that S.B. Vince be invited to give the Bakerian Lecture on observations he has made of uncommon horizontal refractions.
3 pages.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 28 March 1798, praising him for his assistance in ensuring that the publication of James Bradley's observations has taken place.
2 pages.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 18 August 1797, informing him that Dr Fitzgerald of Trinity College, Dublin, has acknowledged receipt of the 40-inch quadrant, and giving him the positions of a comet.
1 page.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 19 September 1797, regarding the problems with the printer of the 'Nautical Almanac', giving details of the various misdemeanours and deception that he is involved in.
4 pages.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 9 September 1797, suggesting that a Board of Longitude meeting should be held to discuss the future printing of the 'Nautical Almanac'.
4 pages.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 18 November 1794, regarding a number of subjects. Maskelyne begins by mentioning the preparations for the Bakerian Lecture to be given by S.B. Vince, and goes on to state that John Crosley has sailed for the West Indies and will be testing the timekeepers 3 Earnshaw and 2 Arnold on the voyage. He ends the letter by informing Banks of letters he has received from Count Bruhl and A. Robertson, formerly Chaplain of Christ Church, Oxford.
3 pages.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 17 October 1786, regarding the possibility of supplying equipment for an officer of the Marines [Mr Dawes] who is to be posted to New Holland for three years, and suggesting that some useful work could be carried out. He also mentions that he has had 31 good nights' observations of the comet.
4 pages.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 8 November 1786, introducing Mr Dawes, an officer of the Marines who is to be posted to New Holland for three years. Maskelyne states that he believes Dawes will be an excellent observer.
2 pages.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 25 August 1790, requesting permission for G. Gilpin and himself to commence publication of the previous year's observations.
2 pages.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 2 May 1797, informing him that he has consented to lend Dr Fitzgerald of Trinity College, Dublin, the 40-inch quadrant for three years for the use of Mr Brinkley. There is also Banks's reply agreeing to the loan.
4 pages.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 20 June 1796, informing him of a time when he intends calling to see him in order that a bill may be settled. He also describes a visit to the Greenwich Observatory by M.A. Newton de Starck, inventor of a machine which receives water from the sea and 'by its rise therein and running over is to show a complete period of 24 hours'.
4 pages.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 15 September 1795, regarding the printing of the proceedings of the Board of Longitude for the recovery of Dr Bradley's observations and asking to whom copies should be sent.
4 pages.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 24 February 1791, regarding equipment to be provided for the use of an astronomer to be sent to the north-west coast of America and suggesting £400 per annum as payment.
3 pages.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 23 February 1791, sending him a list of instruments to be provided for the use of an astronomer going to the north-west coast of America. The list is not included.
3 pages.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 6 May 1789, referring to manuscripts he has been asked to read by Dr Waring and to a paper by Dolland's son on his father's discovery of the achromatic telescope.
1 page.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 26 September 1804, giving him details of the position of the planet discovered by Harding.
1 page.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 13 April 1803, thanking him for a copy of Dr Zach's ephemeris of Pallas and giving him details of his observations. Maskelyne also praises Dr Gauss's elements of the planet's orbit, which he believes are very accurate.
4 pages.

Letter to Sir Joseph Banks. An undated photostat of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Sir Joseph Banks, 9 May 1803, informing him that an instrument being made by Brinkley is not yet complete and that he has been told by Joseph de Lalande that Mechain has set out to make observations on the island of Majorca.
2 pages.

Letter from Edmund Maskelyne. An undated photostat of a letter from Edmund Maskelyne to his sister Margaret (Peggy), 20 March 1752, regarding the question of her marriage and other family news. Maskelyne mentions that he has no idea 'as to where the young Astrologer Nevil, is'. There is also a separate note stating that Margaret went to India in the summer of 1752.
2 pages.

Letter from William Maskelyne. An undated photostat of a letter from the Revd William Maskelyne to Edmund Maskelyne, 25 January 1764, regarding the state of his home in Basset Down, Wiltshire, and a piece of land in that area which Edmund has considered purchasing.
4 pages.

Letter from Edmund Maskelyne. An undated photostat of a letter from Edmund Maskelyne to Nevil Maskelyne, 4 March 1773, thanking him for entering into a trust fund for the benefit of their Uncle James.
3 pages.

Letter from June Maskelyne. An undated photostat of a letter from June Maskelyne to her Aunt, J. Leach, at Richmond Green, June 1715, giving details of various members of the family and their whereabouts, together with a set of accounts of monies received and paid.
5 pages.

Letter from Sarah Maskelyne. An undated photostat of a letter from Sarah Maskelyne to Edmund Maskelyne, 4 November 1762, sending her best wishes to him and his wife, who have recently suffered an unspecified piece of ill fortune.
2 pages.

Letter from Elizabeth Hughes. An undated photostat of a letter from Elizabeth Hughes to Edmund Maskelyne, 13 November 1762, offering to help in any way she can and sending him some rings that he has requested.
3 pages.

Letter from Blanch Floyer. An undated photostat of a letter from Blanch Floyer to Edmund Maskelyne, 18 March 1764, renewing their acquaintance and asking if he will use his influence with Lord Clive in order to obtain a post with him for her nephew Captain Bullock. There is also Maskelyne's reply of 22 March, in which he states that he is unable to help at the present time because it is not certain Lord Clive will be going to India.
4 pages.

Letter from John Call. An undated photostat of a letter from John Call, Madras, to Edmund Maskelyne, 15 October 1755, regarding several items of business that he has been transacting in India on behalf of Maskelyne and Lord Clive.
5 pages.

Letter from John Call. An undated photostat from John Call, Madras, to Edmund Maskelyne, 23 September 1766, offering to manage Maskelyne's business interests in India and asking him to send some garden seeds to India.
3 pages.

Letter from Dr and Mrs Harvey. An undated photostat of a letter from Dr and Mrs Harvey to Edmund Maskelyne, 23 January 1764, recommending a young lady to him to be his second wife. There is also an accompanying explanation of the letter and a copy of the Maskelyne family tree.
5 pages.

Letter from Ann Maskelyne. An undated photostat of a letter from Ann Maskelyne to Nevil Maskelyne, 22 March 1781, regarding the question of her father's will, which she has been asked to prove as correct. She praises Lady Clive for the kindness and generosity she has shown to them.
5 pages.

Letter from Lady Clive. An undated photostat of a letter from Lady Clive (née Margaret Maskelyne) to her grandson, W.H. Robinson, 19 February 1813, providing details of the family tree and especially of the family's relationship with the Carter family. There is an accompanying note of explanation and a further family tree.
7 pages.

Letter from Margaret Maskelyne. An undated photostat from Margaret Maskelyne to her Aunt, Lady Booth of Northamptonshire, 11 February 1811, describing Nevil Maskelyne's death and the intention to bury him in Wiltshire. There are also details of the contents of his will.
4 pages.

Letter from James Maskelyne. An undated photostat of a letter from James H. Maskelyne to his uncle, Nevil Maskelyne, 16 July 1774, which the latter received while at Mount Schiehallion in Perthshire. The letter discusses the settlement of the ownership of the Basset Down estate, about which there appears to have been a dispute between Nevil Maskelyne and his brother, Edmund. James Maskelyne has visited Basset Down and informs his uncle of the results of his visit.
4 pages.

Instructions for measuring latitude. An undated photostat of a set of detailed instructions sent by Nevil Maskelyne to Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon in 'Pennsilvania' (Pennsylvania), titled 'Instructions for measuring a degree of latitude there', dated 8 November 1765.
7 pages.

List of telescopes. An undated photocopy of a detailed list of telescopes titled 'Lord Bute's Telescopes', 11 April 1783. There are also details of the latitude of Highcliff, July 1788, and a set of observations of major stars by Nevil Maskelyne, 1790.
6 pages.

1972

Letter to James Stuart Mackenzie. Undated photocopies of letters from Nevil Maskelyne to James Stuart Mackenzie:. (1) 19 August 1790, giving Mackenzie the rule for determining the time which the Moon's semi-diameter takes to pass the meridian, 2 pages. (2) 2 November 1790, regarding the measurement of the distance of the Moon's east and west limit from the meridian, 3 pages. (3) 4 November 1790, providing additional information on a method of observing the right ascension of the Moon using the equatorial instrument, 2 pages. (4) 31 December 1790, describing Ramsden's method of determining the longitude of an observing site and discussing in detail the use of the equatorial instrument, 3 pages.
10 pages.

Letter to Charles Hutton. An undated photocopy of part of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Charles Hutton, 20 June 179[ ], commenting on the contribution to a debate on mathematics by Joseph de Lalande, and stating that he is a far better astronomer than mathematician.
2 pages.

Letter to George Atwood. An undated photocopy of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to George Atwood, 14 May 1793, sending him comments on the construction of two time-keepers and also a copy of Cummings's 'Elements of Clock and Watch-work' for him to study.
2 pages.

Letter to Francis Wingrave. An undated photocopy of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Francis Wingrave, 9 December 1805, giving details of a comet that he had observed the night before and requesting that the details be sent to a daily paper.
2 pages.

Letter to Henry Andrews. An undated photocopy of a letter from Nevil Maskelyne to Henry Andrews, 19 April 1808, thanking him for some computations and asking him to compute further work for the 1814 'Nautical Almanac'. Maskelyne also provides observations of the comet of 1807.
2 pages.

Details of lunar and solar eclipses. An undated photocopy of details of lunar and solar eclipses during 1815, written by Nevil Maskelyne and dated 25 June 1810.
1 page.

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a formal letter by David Kinnebrook to his father, 23 June 1794. The letter was written less than a month after Kinnebrook arrived at Greenwich to become Nevil Maskelyne's assistant. He writes that he has observed the fixed stars, and that some of these observations were entered in the transit book at Maskelyne's request. He describes a series of late night and early morning observations that were marred by bad weather, and inserts entries from the transit and quadrant books for 16 June 1794. The next section of the letter comprises a detailed explanation of the method used for observations and calculations. The final section discusses Maskelyne personally.
3 pages.

1985

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a letter from David Kinnebrook to his father, 21 July 1794, giving details of his salary at the Greenwich Observatory and describing some aspects of his work, including an explanation of the instruments and procedures. The final item of the letter describes how Nevil Maskelyne and his family are expected to go to Wiltshire shortly for approximately a month, at which time Kinnebrook suggests his uncle could visit to look over the observatory.
2 pages.

1985

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a letter from David Kinnebrook to his father, 20 August 1794, describing his life at the Greenwich Observatory. The letter discusses his salary; mathematicians that he has met; the recent visit of the Royal Society to the Observatory; John Crosley's imminent departure to survey the north-west coast of America; two methods for observing the moon; and various domestic matters, including Nevil Maskelyne's family and the servants.
3 pages.

1985

100

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a letter from David Kinnebrook to his father, 17 September 1794. The letter begins with Kinnebrook rejecting a suggestion that he hire a personal tutor. There follows a list of Nevil Maskelyne's assistants, including their dates of employment, and a brief mention of the previous two Astronomers Royal. There is an account of the calculation of 1/10 of a second in relation to observations of the Sun, Moon and fixed stars, before the letter concludes with a brief discussion of the Royal Greenwich Observatory Library and Maskelyne's library.
3 pages.

1985

101

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a letter from David Kinnebrook to his brother, 15 October 1794. Kinnebrook begins by describing how he has been reading the 'Philosophical Transactions' for 1793, which include a description by Woolaston of the transit circle. There follows a list of the time pieces and astronomical instruments at the Greenwich Observatory, including a description of the most important rooms where they are kept. The letter ends with discussion of various general matters.
3 pages.

1985

102

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a letter from David Kinnebrook to his father, 20 November 1794. The main part of the letter describes how Kinnebrook accidentally broke a wire of the transit instrument while Nevil Maskelyne was absent and his hiring of Mr Troughton of Fleet Street to repair the instrument. He also briefly reports that he has been observing Saturn, the Moon and the 'Georgian planet' (Uranus).
2 pages.

1985

103

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a letter from David Kinnebrook to his uncle, 25 November 1794, explaining his position at the Greenwich Observatory and giving a concise and general historical account of the Observatory and the purpose of its work.
2 pages.

1985

104

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a letter from David Kinnebrook to his father, 26 December 1794. The letter begins with a detailed description of how the transit instrument operates, including three explanatory diagrams. This is followed by a short discussion of the astronomer Vince. The letter closes with Kinnebrook asking his father to send some of his mathematical books to him.
3 pages.

1985

105

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a letter from David Kinnebrook to his father, 19 January 1795. Kinnebrook begins by acknowledging the arrival of his mathematical books. He proceeds to give an explanation of the transit instruments at the Greenwich Observatory, and concludes by describing the severity of the winter in Greenwich.
3 pages.

1985

106

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a letter from David Kinnebrook to his father, 23 February 1795. The letter includes a description of the collection of Kinnebrook's salary and of a social meeting he attended near the Tower of London with Dr Hutton and Mr Bonnycastle, and a brief discussion of the difficulty of the questions in the 'Gentleman's Diary'.
3 pages.

1985

107

Letter from David Kinnebrook Senior. A photocopy of a letter to David Kinnebrook from his father, 18 March 1795, in which he discusses his son's 'proper conduct' towards Nevil Maskelyne, the problems in the 'Gentleman's Diary', and news of family and acquaintances in Norwich.
3 pages.

1985

108

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a letter from David Kinnebrook to his father, 26 March 1795, describing a conversation with Dr Hutton. Kinnebrook also discusses his salary and outlines the working of the Greenwich Observatory's transit instruments, including 'Rule 1' for a fixed star and 'Rule 2' for the Sun.
3 pages.

1985

109

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a letter from David Kinnebrook to his father, 24 April 1795, describing a visit to church on Easter Sunday by the Princess of Wales, which Kinnebrook attended, and a conversation he had with Vince.
3 pages.

1985

110

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a letter from David Kinnebrook to his father, 22 May 1795, describing a visit by King George III to Greenwich. There are also other miscellaneous pieces of news, including mention of his meeting certain mathematicians, as well as a detailed description of a mathematical question.
3 pages.

1985

111

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a letter from David Kinnebrook to his father, 22 June 1795, describing a visit to the Royal Academy at Somerset House and a visit by one of his relatives. The rest of the letter contains miscellaneous news of his company at the Greenwich Observatory.
3 pages.

1985

112

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a letter from David Kinnebrook to his father, 28 July 1795, describing the annual visit of the Royal Society. The letter also contains details of rewards offered by Parliament for the discovery of longitude, a discussion of Nevil Maskelyne's view of a question in the Ladies' Diary, and an account of a meeting with some friends.
3 pages.

1985

113

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a letter from David Kinnebrook to his father, 28 August 1795, concerned principally with Kinnebrook spending time away from the Greenwich Observatory, which was not convenient for Nevil Maskelyne.
1 page.

1985

114

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a letter from David Kinnebrook to his father, 30 September 1795, describing a visit by his uncle to the Greenwich Observatory and detailing visits by various other people.
2 pages.

1985

115

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a letter from David Kinnebrook to his father, 29 October 1795, describing a conversation he had with Dr Hutton, and including transcriptions of questions from 'the mathematical part of the Diary for 1796'.
3 pages.

1985

116

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a letter from David Kinnebrook to his father, 14 November 1795, including a copy of the path of a comet drawn by Dr W. Herschel.
2 pages.

1985

117

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a letter from David Kinnebrook to his father, 17 December 1795. He describes Nevil Maskelyne's return to the Greenwich Observatory on 18 November, and describes tension and disagreement between them over correspondence from Dr W. Herschel and over differences in their observations. He also refers to Dr Shepherd's niece, Miss Wilkinson, and a scheme to marry her to an assistant at the Observatory.
3 pages.

1985

118

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of the first part of a letter from David Kinnebrook to his father, 24 December 1795, describing how he has seen a doctor due to illness and that Nevil Maskelyne has agreed for him to rest to recover his health.
1 page.

1985

119

Letter from David Kinnebrook Senior. A photocopy of a letter to David Kinnebrook from his father, 9 January 1796, regarding his visit to the Greenwich Observatory and meeting with Dr and Mrs Maskelyne, his journey to Norwich and family matters.
3 pages.

1985

120

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a letter from David Kinnebrook to his father, 10 January 1796, reporting that Nevil Maskelyne has recommended Dr Shepherd's niece, Miss Wilkinson, to him as a possible wife, and that he rejected the suggestion.
1 page.

1985

121

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a letter from David Kinnebrook to his father, 15 January 1796, passing on thanks from Nevil Maskelyne for a turkey sent by his father.
1 page.

1985

122

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a letter from David Kinnebrook to his father, 20 January 1796, describing how Nevil Maskelyne intends to replace him as assistant because of the different results of their observations.
2 pages.

1985

123

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a letter from David Kinnebrook to his father, 27 January 1796, reporting that he has been unable to find a suitable 'mathematical post' in London. The remainder of the letter is concerned with how he is to move his money from London to Norwich when he travels home.
2 pages.

1985

124

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a letter from David Kinnebrook, 2 February 1796, applying for the post of assistant mathematician at a school.
1 page.

1985

125

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a letter from David Kinnebrook to his father, 4 February 1796, explaining that he has decided not to take the school post which he applied for (see RGO 35/124), because he did not consider the salary sufficient. He then enquires if any suitable positions are vacant in Norwich.
2 pages.

1985

126

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a letter from David Kinnebrook to his father, 6 February 1796, reporting that he has been offered a post with the Revd Bricknell in Odiham, Hampshire, Bricknell's previous assistant having been appointed Nevil Maskelyne's new assistant. The bottom of the letter has been torn away from the original and is also missing from the photocopy.
1 page.

1985

127

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a letter from David Kinnebrook to his father, 11 February 1796, confirming that he is to leave the Greenwich Observatory on 12 February, and that he will stay at Bishopsgate for a few days.
1 page.

1985

128

Letter from David Kinnebrook. A photocopy of a letter from David Kinnebrook to his father, 13 February 1796, making the final arrangements for sending his money to Norwich, which he encloses with the letter (not included).
1 page.

1985

129

Cutting on Jupiter's 8th satellite. An undated photocopy of an article in the 'Daily Mail', 6 May 1908, regarding P.J. Melotte's discovery of the eighth satellite of Jupiter.
1 page.

130

Log book of H.M.S. 'Investigator'. A photocopy of pages from a 'Memoir explaining the construction of the charts of Australia, with remarks upon the observations for the latitude, longitude, and variation, made on board His Majesty's ship the Investigator, in the years 1801, 2, and 3; by Matthew Flinders Commander'. There are two main sections:. 1. Chapter VI: 'Of the incorporation, in Sheet No. 6, of those parts of Bass's Strait seen in the schooner Francis and sloop Norfolk in 1798 and 1799, with those laid in the Investigator' (pp. 591-595). 2. Chapter VII: 'Concerning the chart of the passage between New Guinea and Australia, called by Mr Dalrymple Torres' Strait' (pp. 596-613). These chapters are preceded by two pages of a table of situations of places ascertained by Matthew Flinders whilst on the 'Reliance' during 1795-1800 (p. 587 and p. 591 only).
25 pages.

1974

131

Harrison MS on Clock No. 1. Photostats of a manuscript written by John Harrison in 1730 concerning the construction of his first marine chronometer. The document describes the problem of finding longitude at sea, the solution of using a marine timekeeper, the accuracy of contemporary clocks, errors in pendulum regulators and their correction, and the effects of temperature on clocks. It continues with notes on the construction of Harrison's chronometer, including the theory employed and compensations introduced. There are two diagrams at the end.
1 volume.

1985

132

Minutes of the Royal Society. An undated photocopy of minutes of the Council of the Royal Society, Volume IV, pp. 159-163, covering the meetings of the 5 and 12 June 1755 and 3 July 1755. The principal topic is the sale of the Acton estate and the resulting inheritance by the Society of documents and land. Other subjects include the construction of a telescope by Mr Short for the Royal Observatory at Greenwich and Short's lease of a Gregorian telescope from the Observatory; the appointment of Lord Charles Cavendish as Vice President; the sending of a volume of the 'Philosophical Transactions' to Count Rosamonski in Russia; and the Revd Dr Bradley's absence from the meeting of 12 June due to the serious condition of his wife. There are also details of expenses.
5 pages.

133

Papers on the Maskelyne family. A photocopy of 'Some Account of the Family of Maskelyne' by G.F.M. Merriman, 1908, including histories of most of Nevil Maskelyne's relatives and discussion of the origin of the name Maskelyne and the Maskelyne Arms. There are also related newscuttings of the 1900s and 1910s. The papers are preceded by a family tree made by Barbara Seward on 20 March 1985 using information found in the pedigree.
1 bundle.

circa 1985

134

Account Book I. An undated photocopy of Account Book I of Nevil Maskelyne, covering the years 1773-1785. The principal subjects of the accounts are the Ordnance, the Exchequer, the Rectory, the Board of Longitude, Anne and Jane Maskelyne, various companies and rent collections.
1 bundle.

135

Account Book II. An undated photocopy of Account Book II of Nevil Maskelyne, covering the years 1786-1799. The principal subjects of the accounts are the Ordnance, the Exchequer, the Rectory, the Board of Longitude, the estates of Mrs Maskelyne, various societies and charities, and the annual collection and payment of rents.
1 bundle.

136

Account Book III. An undated photocopy of Account Book III of Nevil Maskelyne, covering the years 1799-1821. The principal subjects of the accounts are salary, the Ordnance, the Exchequer, the Board of Longitude, the Rectory of North Runcton, Lady Clive, yearly allowances for family, and various societies and charities.
1 bundle.

137

Maskelyne Book 1. An undated photocopy of 'Maskelyne Book 1' entitled '1763. Observations at Sea', including figure calculations and notes. The notes include material relating to various tasks that Nevil Maskelyne tackled during his observations.
1 bundle.

138

Maskelyne Book 2. An undated photocopy of 'Maskelyne Book 2' entitled 'Presents of my Observations, Papers in the Philosophical Transactions, &c', covering 1775-1803. The book includes the names of people to whom Nevil Maskelyne has arranged to give speeches, including Joseph de Lalande, Sir John Pringle, Charles Mason, Dr Lind and Jean Delambre.
1 bundle.

139

Maskelyne Book 3. An undated photocopy of 'Maskelyne Book 3' entitled 'Memoranda', covering 11 August 1776 - 22 May 1782. The book consists mainly of notes on various subjects, including telescopes, deaths, appointments, receipts for the payment of bills, household hints and tips, recipes for rice pudding, and cures for the common cold.
1 bundle.

140

Maskelyne Book 4. An undated photocopy of 'Maskelyne Book 4' entitled 'Memoranda', covering 5 July 1782 - 24 July 1788. The book consists mainly of notes on various subjects, including remedies for colds, sprains and watery eyes, mixtures for tooth powders, deaths, and other mixtures for cures. There are also a few telescopic observations.
1 bundle.

141

Maskelyne Book 5. An undated photocopy of 'Maskelyne Book 5', a record of postage charges paid by Nevil Maskelyne for the post he sent and received during 1776-1786.
1 bundle.

142

Maskelyne Book 6. An undated photocopy of 'Maskelyne Book 6' entitled 'Memorandum Book', covering 28 July 1788 - 12 July 1791. The book consists mainly of notes on remedies for colds, sore feet, spasms, etc. There are also notes on the duties and jobs of the servants in Nevil Maskelyne's household.
1 bundle.

143

Maskelyne Book 7. An undated photocopy of 'Maskelyne Book 7', containing memoranda of 1791-1796. The book covers the health of Nevil Maskelyne and various other people, including Margaret Maskelyne's serious illness. There is also a list of wages paid, material on the repair and maintenance of Nevil Maskelyne's watches, and many formulae for remedies to relieve illnesses such as colds, flu, chilblains and scurvy.
1 bundle.

144

Maskelyne Book 8. An undated photocopy of 'Maskelyne Book 8' entitled 'Memorandum Book', covering 1 January 1797 - 10 April 1801. The book is comprised mainly of remedies for scurvy, colds, vapours, sore feet and chilblains. There are also formulae for the production of blue and black inks, tooth powder and an inhaler liquid for clearing blocked nasal passages.
1 bundle.

145

Maskelyne Book 9. An undated photocopy of 'Maskelyne Book 9' regarding travel and expenses for 1799-1802. The books consist mainly of tables of distances travelled, prices paid and expenses incurred by Nevil Maskelyne, his friends and assistants.
1 bunde.

146

Maskelyne Book 10. An undated photocopy of 'Maskelyne Book 10', containing memoranda of 1801-1806. The book is comprised mainly of notes on the events of the day, appointments to keep and remedies for colds and other ailments.
1 bundle.

147

Maskelyne Book 11. An undated photocopy of 'Maskelyne Book 11', containing addresses and dinner dates of 1804-1810.
1 bundle.

148

Maskelyne Book 12. An undated photocopy of 'Maskelyne Book 12', a travel book for 1802-1805. The book consists mainly of tables of distances travelled, prices paid and expenses incurred by Nevil Maskelyne, his friends and his assistants.
1 bundle.

149

Instructions on the U.S. Boundary Line. An undated typescript copy of 'Draft of Instructions to the Officers acting as Principal Astronomers in the British Commission for defining the Boundary Line in North America under the Treaty of Washington' by G.B. Airy, 1843. The document includes sections entitled 'General Instructions'; 'Special Instructions'; 'To adjust a Transit Instrument'; 'To determine the Latitude by the Transit'; 'To determine the Latitude with the Altitude & Azimuth Instrument'; 'To determine the Sidereal Time, in a place whose latitude is known'; 'To determine the Latitude and the Sidereal Time in a place where neither of them is known'; 'Observations of Equal Latitude'; 'General Remarks on the use of the Sun instead of a Star in any of the preceding observations'; 'Remarks on some points to be noticed in the routine use of the different instruments'; 'Determination of the difference of longitude between two places at no very great distance apart'; 'Given the latitude of two stations and their difference of longitude: to find the bearing of one from the other'; 'Operations for finding the bearing of one point from another by survey'; and 'Observations for the Absolute Longitude of one station'. At the end is a letter from G.B. Airy to Captain Robinson R.E., 2 April 1843. There is also an accompanying photocopy of notes by J.E. Kennedy on the origin and provenance of the document.
1 envelope.

150

P.R.O. lists and manuscripts. Photocopies of three items from the holdings of the Public Record Office: . 1. Part of the P.R.O. class list Adm. 7, which includes piece 684, 'Flag Officers. Board of Longitude', 1713-1775. 2. Contents lists for Adm. 7/684, fos 1r-2r. 3. Admiralty and Navy Case Book, Vol. 1, 1758-1799, pp. 12-17 (PRO TS 25/23), regarding the Royal Observatory, Greenwich.
1 folder.

circa 1987

151

Accounts and notes. Undated photocopies of the contents of two miniature books of accounts and notes belonging to Nevil Maskelyne. The first book, 1809-1810, covers financial transactions, dates of meetings, wages paid, a remedy for an unknown ailment, the renewal of licenses and some astronomical observations. The second book, 1791-1795, contains notes on the observational technique of William Herschel and his sister, financial transactions and accounts, with many of the entries crossed out.
1 bundle.

152

Memorandum and financial notes. Undated photocopies of papers of Nevil Maskelyne. There is a memorandum, 11 September 1790, concerning work remaining to be done at Greenwich by way of repairs and alterations to the Observatory, and rough notes on financial affairs, 1766-1804, including the assistants' salaries and Maskelyne's pension.
1 bundle.

153

Papers on the Maine/New Brunswick boundary survey. A transcript by Professor J.E. Kennedy of the volumes of G.B. Airy's correspondence and other papers from the 1840s regarding the survey of the boundary between the U.S. State of Maine and the province of New Brunswick, Canada.
1 box.

1993

154

Papers on the U.S. Coast Survey. Undated photocopies of correspondence and other papers by John Locke, Charles Wilkes and Alexander D. Bache, 1844-1850, regarding the beginning of the telegraphic longitude operations of the U.S. Coast Survey, and photocopies of printed papers from the 29th, 30th and 31st U.S. Congresses regarding the Coast Survey, 1845-1849.
1 envelope.

155

Minutes of the Eclipse Committee. Photocopies of minutes of meetings of the Joint Permanent Eclipse Committee, Royal Astronomical Society, 10 November 1917 - 12 March 1920 (2 copies) and 14 November 1919, regarding the 'Einstein' eclipse of 29 May 1919.
1 envelope.

156

Solar eclipse photographs. Four black and white photographs, 305 mm x 406 mm, relating to the solar eclipse of May 1919. There are two photographs of the Sun in eclipse and one of the Sun with a circular mark. There is also a photograph of a print of Albert Einstein in his study.
4 photographs.

circa 1991

157

Correspondence of Flamsteed and Molyneaux. A photocopy of transcripts of correspondence between John Flamsteed and William Molyneaux, 1681-1690.
1 envelope.

circa 1989

158

Letters from Flamsteed to Towneley. 'Letters from John Flamsteed...of Greenwich...to Richard Towneley...of Towneley in Lancashire between 1672 and 1686', a photocopy of a transcription made for the Department of Navigation and Astronomy, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, dated 1 January 1968.
1 ring-binder.

circa 1968

159

Letters of Thomas Firminger. Photocopies of four letters from Thomas Firminger, assistant to Nevil Maskelyne at the Royal Observatory, to his friend Mr Epps, Whitechapel, 2 November 1802, 23 and 28 August 1806, and 15 December 1806, 11 pages. The two letters of August 1809 include reference to George Dollond.
1 envelope.

1997

160

Papers of Thomas Firminger. Photocopies of correspondence and other papers relating to Thomas Firminger: . 1. [ ] Firminger to (sister) 'My dear Kate' (possibly Catherine Dyer, née Firminger), 20 April 1848. 2. Elizabeth Firminger to Catherine [Dyer], 6 April 1854. 3. Thomas Firminger to William [Dyer], 17 January 1859. 4. Sir James South to Thomas Firminger, 25 June 1861. 5. Sir James South to [Thomas Firminger], 2 July 1861. 6. Thomas Firminger to Catherine [Dyer], 6 November 1861. 7. Announcement of the death of Thomas Firminger, November 1861. 8. Page 3 of an undated letter or memorandum in Thomas Firminger's hand giving dates of occupation of residences. 9. An undated copy of an inscription (possibly that on Elizabeth and Thomas Firminger's tombstone). 10. An undated copy of an entry in Nevil Maskelyne's Memorandum Book of January 1803, concerning an explosive method of chimney cleaning. The original items are held by the Manuscripts Department.
1 folder.

1991

161

Letter from Joseph Banks. A photocopy of a letter from Joseph Banks, Spring Grove, near Hounslow, to Davies Giddy, later Gilbert, Eastbourne, 16 October 1816, 4 pages.
1 envelope.

1998

162

Letter on the Dolcoath Experiment. A photocopy of a letter from G.B. Airy, Camborne, Cornwall, to Stephen Jackson, Caius College, Cambridge, 25 August 1828, regarding the Dolcoath Experiment to measure the density of the Earth.
3 pages.

1990

163

Letters of William Mann. Photocopies of letters by William Mann of the Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope, apparently written to Dr John Lee of London. 1. Mann to Lee, 30 May 1840, 4 pages, end missing. 2. Mann to Lee, 30 May 1840, 4 pages, a copy, complete. 3. Mann to Lee, 19 August 1843, 8 pages, end missing.
1 envelope.

1992

164

Letter from William Bridges. Two copies of a four-page letter from William Bridges, Blackheath, to Dr Thomas Dicks LL.D. of Broughty Ferry, Dundee, 25 February 1849, including mention of the court case against William Richardson of the Royal Observatory.
1 envelope.

1995

165

Papers of James Glaisher. Two sets of photocopies of two items relating to James Glaisher. The first item is Glaisher's letter of recommendation for John Roberts of Negretti and Zambra, dated Greenwich, 17 December 1853, 2 pages. The second item is a bill for a wedding breakfast, addressed to J. Roberts Esq., 10 February 1859, 2 pages, at the top of which is an engraving of the 'Sir Joseph Banks' Hotel, Zoological Garden, Botany'.
1 envelope.

2000

166

Letter from William Huggins. A photocopy of a letter from William Huggins to Miklos Konkoly Thege, 11 August 1881, noting that William Christie is now Astronomer Royal.
1 page.

1996

167

Letters to H. Spencer Jones. Photocopies of letters to Harold Spencer Jones:. 1. B. Eyres-Monsell to Jones, 21 November 1932, 2 pages. 2. W.A.T. Shorto to Jones, 3 January 1932, 1 page. 3. The staff of the Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope, to Jones, 15 December 1932, 1 page. 4. A.W. Roberts to Jones, 22 December 1932, 2 pages.
6 pages.

1994

168

Membership lists for the R.A.S. Photocopies of a letter from Arthur Cayley, Cambridge, to John Adams, 18 November [1873], 2 pages, containing a list of suggested names for the Royal Astronomical Society's Council, and of a list by Adams of proposed members of the Council, 2 pages.
4 pages.

1991

169

Annual Reports of the Paris Observatory. Photocopies of 'Rapports Annuels sur L'Etat de L'Observatoire de Paris', Vol. I, 1878-1883, and Vol. II, 1884-1892, by Amiral Ernest Mouchez, directeur, originally published in Paris, 1879-1893. The final annual report is by a new director, F. Tisserand.
2 ring-binders.

circa 1992

170

Papers of the Herschel family.
24 microfilms.

1936

171

Correspondence of John Flamsteed. A microfilm of a small set of correspondence between John Flamsteed and Dr Thomas Smith, with a few other items, including letters from Flamsteed to Edward Bernard, Professor of Astronomy.
1 microfilm.

1983

172

Letter to Andrew Glen. A microfilm of a letter from John Flamsteed to Andrew Glen, 10 April 1693.
1 microfilm.

173

Letters of Stephen Gray. A microfilm of seventeenth-century letters by Stephen Gray.
1 microfilm.

Dec. 1978

174

Molyneux Papers. A microfilm of papers of the Molyneaux family:. 1. Evangelista Torricellio, 'On the Motion of Heavy Bodys Naturally Falling and Projected. In Two Books. Wherein are shewn the Ingenious Performances of Nature by Motion In A Parabolick Line. And the universal Doctrine of Projects is Dispatchd by the Description of a Semicircle', translated from the Latin by William Molyneaux, Dublin, October 1681. 2. Letter book of Samuel Molyneaux, 1707-1709. 3. Correspondence of John Flamsteed and William Molyneaux, 1681-1688. 4. Notes for a History of Ireland. 5. Notes on Irish manors. 6. William Molyneaux's translation of parts of Galileo's Dialogues. 7. Account book of Samuel Molyneaux, 1714-1718. 8. Part of the will of Lady Capell, proved 21 June 1721 (Samuel Molyneaux was a trustee).
1 microfilm.

11 Oct. 1952

175

Mason-Dixon Line Journal. A microfilm made by the National Archives, Washington, of the 'Journal of Charles Mason during the survey of the Mason and Dixon Line', 15 November 1763 - 11 September 1768.
1 microfilm.

1945

176

Correspondence of Nevil Maskelyne. An undated microfilm of six items of correspondence of Nevil Maskelyne:. 1. Maskelyne to James [Lind], 27 and 28 October 1769. 2. James Lind to [Maskelyne], 24 October 1769 (copy). 3. Maskelyne to Pearson and Loggen, Attorneys at Law, 7 January 1799. 4. Maskelyne to Francis Wingrave, bookseller, 7 September 1805. 5. Maskelyne to Francis Wingrave, bookseller, 9 October 1796. 6. James Lind to Maskelyne, 30 January 1775.
1 microfilm.

177

Account Books I and II. A microfilm of Account Books I, 1773-1785 (with a few earlier entries), and II, 1786-1799, of Nevil Maskelyne. The principal subjects of the accounts are the Ordnance; the Exchequer; the Rectory; the Board of Longitude; the estates of Mrs Maskelyne; Anne and Jane Maskelyne; various societies, charities and companies; and the annual collection and payment of rents.
1 microfilm.

1983

178a

Account Book III. A microfilm of Account Book III of Nevil Maskelyne, covering the years 1799-1821. The principal subjects of the accounts are salary, the Ordnance, the Exchequer, the Board of Longitude, the Rectory of North Runcton, Lady Clive, yearly allowances for family, and various societies and charities.
1 microfilm.

1983

178b

1983

179

Accounts of the Board of Longitude. A microfilm of parliamentary return for 'Sums expended on account of Board of Longitude 1781 to 1819', including 'Letters on the subject of the Longitude'.
1 microfilm.

4 Nov. 1982

180

Découverte de Deux Mouvemens de la Terre. A microfilm of 'Découverte de Deux Mouvemens de la Terre, Jusqu'ici Inconnus, et de Méthodes Nouvelles pour Reconnaitre les Longitudes sur Mer' by P. Guesney, Paris, June 1824 (in French).
1 microfilm.

181

Astronomical papers of Charles Babbage. A microfilm of nineteenth-century letters and other papers of Charles Babbage regarding astronomy.
1 microfilm.

1981

182

Letters to Humphrey Lloyd. Around 150 letters from various correspondents to Professor Humphrey Lloyd, Provost of Trinity College, Dublin. There are numerous letters from G.B. Airy and Sir John Herschel. Other correspondents include well-known scientists, including John Couch Adams, A.D. Bache, David Brewster, Buys Ballot, John Challis and C.F. Gauss.
1 microfilm.

1991

183

Autobiography of Edwin Dunkin. A microfilm of the autobiography of Edwin Dunkin, 1894.
1 microfilm.

29 July 1987

184

Pedigree of the Maskelyne Family. A microfilm of 'Some Account of the Family of Maskelyne' by G.F.M. Merriman, 1908, including histories of most of Nevil Maskelyne's relatives and discussion of the origin of the name Maskelyne and the Maskelyne Arms. There are also related newscuttings of the 1900s and 1910s.
1 microfilm.