Papers of William Christie

Papers and correspondence relating to electricity, 1880-1902, including an affidavit by Sir George Airy on the galvanic nature of the telephone for the Attorney General, V. Edison Telephone Co., and further papers concerning the case, including a letter of thanks to Airy for his attendance at court and a cheque for £52.10s.0d as a fee. There is also correspondence with E.S. di Odiardi concerning his proposed apparatus for measuring atmospheric electricity; Lord Kelvin on atmospheric electricity and the Moon's position; and Savary de Rovigo on his electrical survey of places inhabited by men or animals.

Papers and correspondence relating to geography, 1878-1884, including a request from Sir George Airy to John F. Bateman for a map of Thirlmere; a short note initialled 'We' regarding the report on the Arctic Expedition of 1875-1876; C. Stacey sending his ideas for exploration of the north polar area; two coloured maps of Swansea showing new clocks, railways, etc., and the extent of the South Wales Coalfield; and correspondence concerning Commander Cheyne's proposed Arctic Expedition.

Papers and correspondence relating to mechanics, 1878, including correspondence with Captain Evans concerning the penetration of shot; correspondence involving Major Cottingham; and a printed copy of Edward Sang's 'Sketch of the Arrangement and Use of Tables of Ballistic Curves'.

Papers and correspondence relating to mechanics, 1878-1891, including a paper by R. Mallett on the rate of earthquake wave transit; proof and final typed copies of a paper by C.V. Walker on the Birmingham Wire Gauge; a cutting from the 'Daily News', 12 August 1879, showing several routes for the Panama Canal, together with a booklet, 'Bulletin de Canal Interoceanique', in French, dated 4 March 1881, also concerning the Panama Canal; a pamphlet by Arthur Dunn of Wolverhampton on 'Causes of Boiler Explosions'; and H. Galton on clock movements to drive a fly-wheel.

Correspondence and papers relating to mechanics, 1880-1892, including a paper by Professor Perry on the teaching of applied physics, dated 22 January 1880; J. Davis on the philosophy of motion; the Dean of Lincoln on the cathedral bells; Dr Kinns on the scientific accuracy of the Bible (in a series of newspaper cuttings); R. Gilchrist's enquiry if the ether has any effect on the Earth's weather and winds; and H. Wilson on the 1890-1891 eruptions of Vesuvius. There are also papers formerly called 'R5 Drainage', containing material on Thirlmere and Loch Katrine; a small collection of papers formally called 'R4 Ships and Steamboats', concerning the foundering of the 'Hindoo', suction upon a vessel entering a dock and a new propulsion system from Yarrow and Co.; and papers formally called 'R13 Perpetual Motion', featuring J.W. Page on plans for perpetual motion and E. Attwood on the self-generating flywheel.

Correspondence with Captain Hughes-Onslow R.N. concerning the personal equation affecting marine gunnery, 1909.

Indexed