THIS IS THE FINAL LETTER IN A PROJECT COMMENCED ON 5 JUNE LAST YEAR (2008) TO MARK THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF SYDNEY OBSERVATORY.

Every day for a year, we have posted the image and transcription of a letter (sometimes more than one) written on (or near to) the day/month date of years from 1858 to 1903. We hope that one day we will find a way to reveal more of the 10,000 letters in the Sydney Observatory letterbooks held by State Records.

June 4th [186]9

Sir

I am directed by the Government Astronomer to inform you that he is put to very great inconvenience by the smoky state of the chimney in his Computing Room, the smoke from which sometimes drives him out of the Room, while at others everything in the Room gets covered with soot and ashes; I am further directed to ask you to carry into effect with as little delay as possible the requisition dated May 18 for the performance of this work.

I have the honor to be
Sir
Your obedient servant
H C Russell
for the
Govt Astronomer

Colonial Architect

140/89

Sydney Observatory
June 3rd 1889

Dear Sir

The stove pipe in the Messenger’s quarters has fallen in and is beyond repairing – will you kindly give instructions for a new one to be placed in position, as apart from the smoke filling the room there is the danger of fire catching the building.

I have the honor to be
Dear Sir
Your Obedient Servant
Henry A Lenehan
Govt Observatory

The Colonial Architect

2 June

My dear Sir

[First few lines illegible]…. information…. salary…. if I can provide you with Instruments.

But ?? with ?? as there are I believe only two in the colony both at the Observatory and the load is heavy. We also all over the colony the ?? rain gauge it is that generally used in England and is safer as experience has yet ?? the best form and size if having ?? ?? when different shapes and angles are used the 8 inch rain gauge catches most rain.

The Observations are only taken at 9am?? and seem ?? and a ?? of observations has to be ?? to me??

If you ?? because ?? stations?? I saw ?? northern line of road send me very doubtful observations.

If without salary you are prepared to undertake the work of observations, and will let me know how to send you the instruments I will do it without delay.

Yours truly
HC Russell

?? King Esqre

Sydney Observatory
June 1st 1871

Sir

All these items are actually required for the use of the Observatory. We have been put to great inconvenience by the reductions in the previous requisition and in some cases I have had to pay for articles out of my private purse. I would therefore consider it a great favour if the items on the enclosed requisition can be supplied. Having a carpenter here the tools are required, and the paint is an actual saving for when it is not given I have to get the Colonial Architect to supply paint and labour also.

I have the honor to be
Sir
Your obedient servant
H C Russell
Govt Astronomer

J Brennand Esqre
Clerk of Stores

Letter by H C Russell, 31 May 1871

405

Sydney Observatory

May 31st 1871

Dear Sir

I have to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of your Weather Tables.

The leading principles may be clear enough to yourself but I have not yet been able to understand them, especially what is meant by Magnetism. It is an attracting or repelling force, or mostly a polar force in your theory, and what is the “law of an angle of direction of the attracting bodies” spoken of in the third paragraph of your Principles & Remarks.

I would suggest ?? like Mr Saxby you publish a work explaining your weather system, so that those who like myself are anxious to understand and fairly test it: may be able to do so.

I am not tied to any weather system. but am anxious to give all an impartial hearing, so that at least I may profit by the observations of those who form them.

Yours truly
H C Russell

G. W. Groves Esqre
Crown Lands Office
Melbourne

Letter by H C Russell, 30 May 1889

12

Sydney Observatory

May 30 1889

L Kingsmill Esquire

Dear Sir

Your letter of May 29 with newspaper just received. And in reply I would advise you to take no notice whatever of what anyone may say either in the newspaper or out of it so long as you know that you do your duty: I have good reason for believing that your measures of the rainfall are quite correct because I have compared them with other carefully kept records and the mere fact that two gauges differ in a rainstorm is nothing to those who understand the matter. For instance, here at the observatory we recorded 20.37 rain, and at Burwood seven or eight miles inland and therefore should have had less rain, as the quantity usually falls off as you leave the sea 23.19 was registered. I suppose the Braidwood Despatch would say the observatory was wrong. If so it would only show that he did not know how very patchy such storm rains often are. I have known two inches of rain fall at Newtown and less than a quarter of an inch at Sydney. I am quite satisfied with your observations and would advise that you act as you always have done: that is supply the information and put up notices of rainfall as if you simply did your duty careless of anyone might say; to act otherwise and let them see that you feel annoyed is only to encourage them to do more to annoy you.

If you knew how often people who know nothing of the subject undertake to teach me in matters which I have spent my life in studying you would not be much surprised at your own experiences.

Yours very truly
H C Russell

Letter by H A Lenehan, 30 May 1887

130/87

Sydney Observatory

May 30th 1887

E R Field Esquire
[ Added in pencil: Chambers 87 Elizabeth]

Dear Sir

I can arrange if you particularly desire it for your visit at five thirty pm to see Saturn, but the planet being low down in the western sky even at this time of the evening is not at all in a good position as they haze and sun through which it would have to be observed would consequently veil its beauty and the moon also getting well on towards full would interfere. However if you will let me know in the forenoon of the day you wish to come up I will make the necessary arrangements to be in to meet you; with regard to the Quick refractors we have, I don’t feel justified in the absence of Mr. Russell in negotiating for the sale.

I am dear sir
Yours truly
H A Lenehan
Acting Government Astronomer

Letter by H C Russell, 29 May 1889

Observatory
May 29th 1889

Dear Sir

I herewith enclose reply to your letter of March 31st 1889. Mr Pottack who made the observations finds that a clerical error of hour was made on May 20 which accounts for the error in the first place.

In May 6 the mean rate of comet’s motion had been taken and hence the error. On June 11 the difference in declination between comet and star was taken by declination tangent screw and afterwards found faulty. On June 13 no error can be discovered.

I regret that these errors should have crept into the work. at the time I was too much engaged with other duties to examine the work before it was sent out.

Yours very truly
H. C. Russell

Letter by G R Smalley, 28 May 1870

81-82

Royal Observatory

May 28 1870

Sir

In reference to the annual Vote of £12 for Meteorological Observations at country stations. I have the honor to request that I may be authorized to distribute this vote in such proportions as I may deem most expedient for the scientific welfare of the Colony.

The Vote was first granted when there were 12 Stations only but recent alterations made especially at the request of the Agricultural Society render it expedient that there should now be about 50 Stations and I have decided to give a small retaining fee to each observer especially the Telegraph Stations a list of which you have already had.

You will perceive that this is not a special grant but an annual vote and the want of money from this Vote as well as the £50 placed on the supplementary Estimates for 1869 have thrown?? back the arrangements to which I have pledged myself and which I am repeatedly urged to complete.

I have the honor to be
Sir
Your obedient servant
George R Smalley

The Principal Under Secretary

Letter by H C Russell, 27 May 1874

744

Government Observatory

27th May 1874

Sir

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter 74-271.3?? together with two bills?? of ?? and a letter from the Agent General for New South Wales dated London March 20th 1870 in which the Agent General mentions the shipment of a lens?? and ?? eyepieces and adds, “it is understood” these were “ordered direct by Mr Russell, I have already pointed out the inconvenience of this course??

In explanation of this paragraph I have to remark that these Instruments were ordered by me from Mr Schroeder’s agent in Sydney with the clear understanding that I bought from him; but that the instruments should be made by Mr Schroeder. I have personally obtained small instruments from the same agent under similar conditions and I only?? supposed that in this case Mr Schroeder has ?? his agent.

I have the honor to be
Sir
Your obedient Servant
H C Russell
Govt Astronomer

The Principal Under Secretary