Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-03-03
nltsrellaucous.
Immense Telescope.

The English papers contain description of
gigantic telescope now constructing for Rev.
Mr. Craig, Vicar Of Lamington. and Of which
W" cnndense the following account;
| There Is at present IN the course Of construc
tion on Wandsworh Common. singular look
ing structure, Consisting Of plain tower, with
Long tube sung by ITS side. surr,,unded By a
wooden boarding to keep off Intrndsrs. This
,rge tube inclosed a nav monster telescope, on
the achron.,c principle IN process Of construc-
tim, under the suparlntendence Of NJ. W. Gra-
watt, F R. ). for the R'v. Mr. Cra,y. The site,
cantainlng two acres, has been literally present.
ed By Earl Spencer, in pe'petuitv, or SO long
as the ieIescop. shall be maintained The cen
tral tower, consisting nf brick is sixiy-fnur fert
in height. fifteen feet in diameter. and weighs
two numbered and twenty tnus. Every precar.
tim has hpen taken IN the construction of this
building to prevent the slightest vibration but
if anv disappointment IN this respect should
s,ise adt iional weight could be obtained by
Ioading the ~ vertl finors and the most perfect
s;eadinpss will b. thus isned. BY the side of
the sustaining tower hangs the telescope. The
length of the main tube. which is shaped some
what like cigar. is seventy s,x feet, but with
an eye pI"cr at the narrow end, and de"cao al
thr other. the total length IN use will be eighty
fv Ell. The dAsIgn IF the dewcap IS to pre-
v-n ohscnraon by the condensation IF mcls'ure
| 4 yh.n
in>iru,n"ut is unsi IN use. Its exterior IS Of
br gh, metal; the interior is painted black
' The focal distance will vary troui seventy six 10
" eighty FIVE feet. The tube at its grratest CIR
" cumterence measures thirteen eet, and this part
81 is about twenty four feet from the obecl-glas4.
The obleci-g glasses are of English c0nsrnc-
tlon. The manner in which these object glasses
are fitted into the tube, is marvel of artistic
~ invention. b. means Of IL screws. numbered
!. according to the hours ut the day, they can be
set in an instart to the angle the observer may
of the screw to be touched The object glasses
V also move round in grooves to wherever it may
u be- considered that more distinct view can be
Z gained. The tube rests npon light wooder
framework, and iron wheels attached, and is fit
ted to circular iron railway at distance o
fit, two feet from The cen.er oil he tower. 1b,
'" chain by which 1t is lowered Is capable of sus
" taininga weight Of thirteen tons Though th
a. weight Of the tube is but three. NotwiIlstand
ing the immense size of the instrument the ina
ch,uery Is such that it can nl've, either in All
:" mulh, or up o an altitude Of eighty degrees
~ with az much ease and rapdlty as au ordinar
" telescope, and from the nature If the mechanic
90 arrangements with far greater certainty as
'e' results. The slightest force applied To the wee
'es on the iron rail- causes The instrument to nav
~ ho,,zontnlly rcuni the central tower, while
10 wheel at the right hand ot the observer by
'"' beautiful Adaptation of mechancal po 'ers, ems
W. HES Inn, to el vate or depIess the oble't.gns
u with the greatest precision and iacl'Ity' :
'' easy. iutac, Is the conrol over the lnsr'l'nei
~ IN this respect, that very light touch on u
wheel hits ten cwt.
" Il may he observed, also. mat 'h'e can u
b ,he slightest hrxuie IN The tube; M error
DETECTION atslny from nat cause can "c"
while the ease with which II can oe drecf'
toward any pau If the heaveuS. WI enable Il
, obsprver 10 make profitable 'ise of any p'lc''
IN clear sky. hnweyer transient II NAV BE-
m, With respect 10 the masn f''hg power
mn this novel instrument. it is only necessary
md s,a,c that, though the focus is not ." pef'e''
mr. il will be shortly, il has already separated u
~. uebnne the sane way as Lord R"s4e''. u
ny, aso separated some of the double stars in u
his Grea, Bear, aud shown distinctly clear a's'sn