Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-04-23

Finished, he projected one OF the extraordinary
dim 'nsons of six feet diameter in the spectrum,
with tube fiy-iivc feet long. The casting
grinding, polishing, and mounting of this mon
ster speculum were pretty nearly repetition, on
larger scale, of what had been previously
done It's focal length is tifty-threc feet It
weighs nearly tour tons and as its diameter,
as has been mentioned, is six feet, it has an
area four times greater than that of the three.
feet spccunm When finished. the spectrum
was placed in square box. which is attached TO
the lower end of the tube, and by means of
door can he entered at pleasure. This box adds
elk feet to the length OF the tube, which like its
predecessor. is of wood, hooped with iron like a
BARREL and so wide that tall man could walk
through 1t without STOPPING. 1t is this huge
black funnel that have spoken of as being sus-
pended between high and strong walls.
swings with clear space Of twelve feet on each
side and go far it can be drawn aside, giving
half an hour before and after the meridian. By
means of windlass, and a most skilful ad-
justment of chains and Contemplating weights,
it can also be brought TO the zenith, or turned
fairly round from south to north, always within
its bounds Of twenty four feet. Enormous as
are its dimensions, and although weighing al
together twelve tons, it seemed to me about
easily moved as the other telescope and it is as
much in the mechanical contrivances for effect
ing this purpose. as in any thing else, that the
peculiar merit of the structure consists.
at the period of my visit, few observations had
been made by this monster instrument; some
parts of whose apparatus, indeed. were not COM
peted but SO 'af as trial in favorable condi-
tons of the atmosphere had been attempted, the
results hadbeen interesting and important. Ne
bulr, which had baffied the smaller instrument
were resolved into stars; thus adding strength
to the growing impression that all nebnlous mat
ter-such as that luminous arch in the sky called
the Milky Way-wll ultimately yield to tele-
scopic power, and be seen TO be assenblages OF
separate stars-suns, the centres of planetary
groups like that to which our own system be-
longs Unfortunately, the atmosphere during
the two nights which attended in Lord Rose $
grounds was not propitious for observation.
had an opportunity, for only few minutes. of
seeing group Of binary stars of different colors;
and these certainly were distinct. clear and lus-
trus, like pair of glittering diamonds. The
moon, on both the occasions of my visit, kept
provokingly under a tract Of clouds, and the
hemisphere, except for brief interval of time,
was loaded with an Irish drizzle Yet this was
no solitary disappointment. Astronomers spend
weeks at Parsonstown, and yet perhaps enjoy
only one or two really good nights for observa-
ton. When to these atmospheric impediments
is added the comparatively limited lateral range
VI uS RTedt ttIeaCopc, IL ioiiR SpaCc vi uuie WIZ
appear to be required for making thorough and
general search Of the heavens
Disappointing in some respects as may be the
result of such transient observations as that
which my time allowed me to make not the less
grateful will be the feelings Of visitors toward,
Lord Rosse for his uncxampled politeness ant
liberality in throwing open to them his work
shops and the whole of the telescope apparatus
which adorn the beautiful grounds around his
mansion. To use the complimentary language
of local writer: !" With rank and fortune
aud every circumstance that usually unfit mel
for scientific pursuits. especially for their prac
teal details, if his lordship only encouraged
those undertakings in others, he would merit on
praise; but when we see him, without losin.
sight Of the duties of his station in society, Civ,
up so much time, and cxpend so much. none,
on those pursuits himself, and render not only hi
name illustrous, but his rank more honorable
We must feel sympathy in his success. and re
)oice that he has obtained from all quarters thu
highest and most tlattering encomiums, and tina
he can now enjoy, in the use OF lis telescope
the wcll.earned fruits Of his previous labors -
To his do hot need to add word, further than
to say that ! shall always look back with salts
faction to tine view which | was allowed to en-
JOY of what are ungusiionaby among the great
est curiosties Of the age Lord Rosse's telescopes