Henry Chamberlain Russell was Government Astronomer of New South Wales from 1870-1905. He lived and worked at Sydney Observatory as did all NSW Government Astronomers from 1858 until 1982, after which the Observatory became a public observatory and museum.

Russell led preparations and arrangements for observations of the 1874 transit of Venus – at Sydney Observatory and also at Woodford, Goulburn and Eden, NSW.

The large refracting lens telescope made by Hugo Schroeder in Germany which is still used in Sydney Observatory’s south dome was acquired primarily to view the 1874 transit of Venus.

Following are photographs and transcriptions of some of the letters Russell wrote to do with the transit of Venus. These letters surfaced in the Sydney Observatory historical letters project, undertaken in 2008 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Sydney Observatory. Only a very small proportion of the letters were able to be photographed and transcribed for this project – so there are likely many more letters still to be uncovered which would reveal more about the work surrounding the 1874 transit of Venus.

The pages of the letterbook copies are fragile and many of the pages are very faint and difficult to decipher. Where the transcription is uncertain or impossible, it has been indicated with a ‘??’.

20 August 1872

Sydney Observatory
20 August 1872

Sir

I have the honor to bring under your notice that at a meeting of the “Observatory Board” held on the 19 of June, it was proposed by His Excellency the Governor and carried unanimously:

“That the attention of the Honorable the Colonial Secretary be called to the necessity of putting a sufficient sum on the Estimates to enable the Astronomer to carry out his recommendations with reference to the Transit of Venus in 1874.”

The above resolution arose out of my suggestion that a sum of six hundred Pounds (£600) should be spent in providing a new telescope of greater power than the one now in use at the Observatory and fitted out two temporary observatories, one at or near Eden the other on the Blue Mountains for the purpose of observing the transit of Venus in 1874.

My reasons for making the proposition are as follows. First, the Home Government though they have voted fifteen thousand pounds (£15000) for the general purposes of astronomy in the transit of 1874, yet tell me through their Astronomer Royal that they expect in so important a matter the Colonies will as heretofore take a share in these scientific works.

Second. It is of the utmost importance to secure as many observing stations as possible in the Southern Hemisphere, and since Sydney is geographically better situated than either Melbourne or Brisbane we ought to take advantage of the situation both for the credit of the Colony and for the sake of science.

Third. The proposed telescope will be a permanent and valuable addition to the Observatory. And is rendered necessary by the instructions given to me at the meeting of the Observatory Board 12 months since, viz: that I should as far as possible cultivate a taste for astronomy in the Colony. Having to the best of my ability carried out this, I now find that several persons have provided themselves with more powerful telescopes than the Observatory possesses and if this institution is to continue ?? as a means of promoting a taste for science and higher education it is essential that its instrument should be better than those used by its scholars.

And lastly. Because the Instrument now in use may after the transit be sold to cover part of the cost of the new one.

The construction of the proposed?? telescope together with the time lost in correspondence around its construction will occupy from 15 to 18 months. Some months also must be allowed for mounting it here.

In order therefore that the telescope may be erected in time for the transit in December 1874, I have the honor to request authority to order by the outgoing mail to Europe: the construction?? of the next telescope at a cost not exceeding three hundred pounds.

In the event of the proposed Six hundred pounds not being voted the new Instrument can be paid for as a “new Instrument” out of the annual Vote (two hundred and seventy pounds) for that purpose, extending the payments over two years and doing without part of the new supply of smaller new Instruments.

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

The Principal Under Secretary

21 November 1872

21 Nov [187]2

Dear Sir

From the 1st to the 20th December I want you to make particular observations on the state of the sky at Mount Victoria. More especially in the afternoons. Let the observations shew [sic] the amount of cloud and what sort of cloud. Also whether the Sun can be seen clearly all day or what parts of the day. These observations have reference to the Transit of Venus to determine if Mt Victoria is a good place for a station.

Yours truly
H C Russell
Govt Ast

?? Mackle
Mt Victoria

23 January 1873

Copy

Sydney Observatory
23 Janry 1873

Sir

I have the honor to request that the agent general for New South Wales may be Instructed by the outgoing mail to order from Mr Hugo Schroeder of the Optical Institute Hamburg an object glass of the finest possible quality 11 inches clear aperture? (in diameter) and 12 feet focal length mounted in a brass cell, together with the Brass work for the eye end of the telescope, and eight eyepieces for negative and four positive.

I have &C
HC Russell

The Principal Under Secretary

25 January 1873

Copy

Sydney Observatory
25 Janry 1873

Sir

The Government of New South Wales have granted a sum of money for the Transit of Venus.

From their Agent General in London you have, or will in a few days receive, a general order for an object glass eyepiece &c the focal length is there given 12ft but that was written before the receipt of your letter to Mr Kopsch.

In this letter I send you more particular instructions, and as much has to be done I will be much obliged if you will execute the order as soon as possible.

Please send also a description and Photo of the Position Micrometer and say when I may expect the order to be completed.

I want an Object Glass of the finest possible description ['description' has been crossed out in the letter] quality specially adapted for double star work, but at the same time as achromatic as possible.

[over]

The clear aperture to be 280 mille focal length must not excede [sic] 4065 mille and if possible be 3950 mille

The object glass to be mounted in a brass cell of which a small model will be sent.

I want also the Brass work for the eye end of the tube with rack tube not less than 130 mille diameter and having a motion in slide of about 400 mille all the Brass work to be as light as possible consistent with strength, and made for a wooden tube?

I want also (8) eyepieces four negative and 4 positive powers of each set to be above/about ?? 100 200 400 & 800.

Also Phograpic [sic] enlarging lens made specially for taking Photographs of the sun during the transit of Venus diameter of sun’s image to ??(110) one hundred and ten mille.

The Object Glass must be sent to some competent person to be hereafter [named??] who will certify as to its quality before it leaves Hamburg.

In conclusion I may say that I hope Mr Schröder will send me a ?? that will justify me in passing by Mr Cooke of York and other English ?? in/on ?? the worlds competition ?? during the transit of Venus ?? are ?? next ?? equal if not superior to any of the same size.

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

Hugo Schroder
Optical Institute
Hamburg

The Photographic enlarging lens is not in the order from the Agent General but I will send you the order ?? for it and some other things yet to be ordered ?? through Mr Kopsch.

HCR

10 June 1873


Sydney Observatory
10 June 1873

I have the honor to request that the Agent General may be requested to order from Mr J H Dallmeyer of 19 Bloomsbury Street London, a Photoheliograph (optical ?? similar to those made by him for the Greenwich Observatory. The Instrument to be completed by the end of the present year (1873).

I enclose a letter from Mr Dallmeyer from which it appears doubtful if he will undertake the works. Should he decline to do it in the specified time, I have to request that the order be sent to Mr Hugo Schroeder of Hamburg with the specifications herewith.

From what I know of Mr Schroeder’s prices I expect he will make the Instrument for about one hundred and thirty ?? pounds, but should he ask more for the very best article he can make the limit of price might be set at one hundred and forty?? pounds.

In order to provide funds for this additional telescope required for the Transit of Venus, I have to request that a further sum of (£150) one hundred and fifty pounds may be sent to them??.

[First few lines very difficult to read] …. telescope …. last …. with a stand. The object glass to be 5 inches (125 mille) clear aperture, with a focal length of about 6 feet (1850 mille). The instrument to be provided with three first ?? negative eyepieces. magnifying 100-150 and 200 times, also a combination of lenses, and plate holder for taking photographs of the Sun during the Transit of Venus. Diameter of ?? to be 4 inches (110 mille) ?? possible care must be taken if ?? the photographic part and ?? of it as perfect as possible.

I have the honor to be
Sir
Your Obedient Servant
HC Russell
Govt Astronomer

The Principal
Under Secretary

16 August 1873

Government Observatory
16 August 1873

Sir

I have the honor to enclose Estimates of Probable Expenditure of the Observatory Department.

It does not appear that any reduction can be made in the salaries of this Department.

The Contingencies are the same with the exception that £10 has been added to the amount for Books. £300 for the Transit of Venus which is necessary owing to the demand made to increase the number of Southern Stations and the Amounts Required for the nec. Rain Stations authorized in your letter 17243?? March 24th 1873.

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

The Principal
Under Secretary

9 October 1874

Govt Observatory
9 October 1874

Sir

I have the honor to request authority to Expend the Balance ['£135-7-6' in margin] of the Vote for Magnetic Survey for 1874 for the Transit of Venus Expenses during the current year.

My time has been so taken up that I have not been able to go into the Country on the Magnetic Survey and the money is urgently needed for the Transit of Venus.

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

28 December 1874

Govt Observatory
28th December 1874

Sir

I have the honor to request authority to sell the following Instruments which are of no use to the Observatory now that the Transit of Venus is over.

5 inch telescope and stand
4¼ inch “ “
10¾ inch silvered glass reflector & stand
2 small Equatorial stands
2 Temporary wooden observatories??
8 observing incliners
3 small canvas observatories
16 Photographic dark slides

These instruments will sell for more than the amount still due for Transit of Venus expenses but the Auditor General tells me that they cannot be sold to pay those expenses: but must be paid into Treasury in cash.

I have the honor to be
Sir
Your Obedient Servant
H C Russell
Govt Astronomer
The Under Secretary
For Justice & Public Instruction

30 January 1875

Sydney Observatory
30 January 1875

Sir

The results obtained in New South Wales during the recent Transit of Venus are of the greatest importance, both in a scientific point of view, and also with regard to the credit due to this Colony for the position taken in this important scientific matter.

In order to make the results generally known they must be printed in a first class style, reproducing in the book all drawings photographs &c so far as possible. If this is properly done the work will become known all over the scientific world, and great credit will accrue to this Colony.

I have made enquiry and find the cost would be certainly under [£500] five hundred pounds, and the sale of the book would it is asserted probably cover all the outlay.

As it will take about 6 months to produce the lithographs, no delay would be caused by my absence, provided authority were given to go on with the lithographs in the mean time.

I have been pressed by a great many persons to publish the results so that they may obtain copies and some have offered to subscribe to meet the expense, but the work is of course not mine, it is Government property and should I think be published in an official form that will meet the demand and bring honor to the Colony.

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

30 October 1875

30 October [187]5

My dear Sir

I acknowledge with many thanks your valuable letter of August 18th. It will I have no doubt induce the people here to take still more interest in astronomy, and it shall not be for want of effort on my part if we do not do our best [in the??] future, especially with regard to the particular objects you mention. We have two well mounted Equatorials of 11½in and 7¼ inches apertures, and early next year I hope to have the new Transit Circle from Mr Simms. With these we ought to be able to make good observations and ensure accurate star positions.

Since my return on the 15th inst I have been looking up our Moon culminations, and I find we still want the Moon’s ?? places, or the errors of Moon’s Tabular R A and of stars observed with the Moon for the dates in 1873 & 1874 given on the enclosed list.

May I ask you to have these sent to me. By continuing all our results, I hope to get a more satisfactory Longitude.

The Scale Photos for Transit of Venus and the rest of the photos during Transit I hope to send soon.

I am dear Sir
Yours very faithfully
H. C. Russell

Sir G. B. Airy
Astronomer Royal

17 November 1875

17 Novr [187]5

My dear Adams

I have three round Transit of Venus canvas tents here, which are of no use to the Observatory. If you can make use of them for survey, it would make a trifle on the other side of the Earth.
diameter 8ft.
Yours faithfully
H. C. Russell

P F Adams Esqre
Surveyor General