* * * * *
25, HAMILTON TERRACE, ST. JOHN’S WOOD,
_May 26th, 1877_.
MY DEAR SIR,—I have much pleasure in informing you that the very
first time I saw Saturn through your 6-1/2-inch reflector, the
definition of the planet was far superior to anything I had observed
before, even with a good 4-1/4-inch refractor; and on another
occasion I was greatly pleased with the clear and easy view of the
“Comes” to ε Boötis. But even without including the stars, the views
of Saturn and Jupiter through my 6-1/2-inch mirror do _alone_ (in my
opinion) well repay the cost of the telescope.
Yours truly, WM. L. LANCASTER.
Mr. G. CALVER.
* * * * *
37, EATON RISE, EALING,
_February 13th, 1877_.
DEAR SIR,—I like the 18-inch speculum, and I think it as good as it
can be, and if the larger one is as good I shall be delighted with
it. It gives beautiful star images: I see Sirius as a brilliant dot,
a glorious object without ray or flares of any kind. I never saw it
so well before.
Yours truly, A. A. C.
Mr. G. CALVER.
* * * * *
37, EATON RISE, EALING,
_February 3rd, 1877_.
DEAR SIR,—I have tried the 18-inch speculum on some tests, and
especially the satellites of Uranus, and it appears fine, very fine.
What I have done in photography promises well.
Yours truly, A. A. C.
Mr. G. CALVER.
* * * * *
SOUTHEND ON SEA,
_March 17th, 1877_.
MY DEAR SIR,—Circumstances have prevented me from making many
observations of late, but I am more confirmed in my opinion that my
telescope of your make is a very fine instrument. (A 6-1/2-inch.) I
heartily wish you success, which I feel sure you will obtain, as you
are so painstaking and turn out a thoroughly reliable article. I
shall be curious to compare my brother’s telescope with mine.
Sincerely yours, J. L. L.
Mr. G. CALVER.
* * * * *
GORLESTONE,
_March 30th, 1875_.
DEAR SIR,—You have asked me for my opinion of the 10-inch speculum.
I have tested it, and can speak in the highest terms of its
performance. Definition in good air is as near perfection as it is
possible to imagine. Such tests as ζ Cancri, γ^2 Andromedæ are well
divided. The 6th star in the trapezium stands out well clear of its
brighter neighbour. On the moon any power may be applied, only
lessening the light, but retaining sharpness of outline. I have
tried a good many telescopes, but never yet saw these 10-inch
mirrors surpassed. The image of a star disc expanded on each side of
the focus is of as nearly the same appearance as possible.
Yours truly, W. P. MATTHEWS.
* * * * *
416, BRIXTON ROAD,
_April 20th, 1875_.
DEAR SIR,—In compliance with your request, I send particulars of my
observation on φ Draconis. It was about 12.45 this morning when I
directed my 8-1/2-inch to this object, the air was very unsteady, in
fact not nearly so good as some nights lately, and I well divided it
with a power of 450. I then used a 6-1/2-inch stop, which I found
very much increased the steadiness of definition.
Yours very respectfully, P. H.
* * * * *
_10th July, 1874_.
DEAR SIR,—I tried the 6-1/4-inch mirror I had from you for the first
time last night. The night was not a good one for definition, but I
was very much pleased indeed with its performance.
Yours truly, C. H. W.
* * * * *
HONITON RECTORY,
_Dec. 23rd, 1874_.
DEAR SIR,—I have been wishing to tell you how pleased I am at the
performance of your mirror. Many thanks for your kind offer to
change the mirror if needful, but I think it could hardly be better
than it is, its performance on different double stars is most
excellent. I have examined nearly 100 of these since September with
the 6-1/2-inch, most of them very difficult, but the mirror came out
well under all tests. I send you a list of some of the objects I
have examined.
Yours truly, H. SADLER.
π _Aquilæ._—Divided, power 80. 14-^m. Webb might have been rated
15-^m. [6-^m., 7-^m. 1″·5.]
A B C A-B A-C
δ _Aquilæ._—[3-1/2, 16, 14, 96″, 194″.] Comites easy, 3 other
excessively minute ones, not shown by the 11-in. refractor with
which P. Smyth measured B.C. Found 6-1/2-in. Sept. 12th, est. ± 17
mag. 100″ to 110″.
ζ _Persei._—My friend “Linea” sees two minute stars with 4·28-in.
Wray, not in Webb, and Wray himself sees an excessively difficult
companion. I see these 3 stars easily with 6-1/2-in. (Wray says his
companion is “very difficult with 7-in. refractor, really only a
glimpse star, even with the best atmosphere”), and have added two
more stars to the group.
β _Delphini._—Close double discovered by Burnham, est. 0″·7. In
contact 6-1/2-in., power 430.
η _Coronæ Borealis._—Very low, long past meridian, in contact 164
power.
_a_ _b_ _c_ B _a-b_ _a-c_ _b_-B
β _Equalei._—[5-1/2, 13, 14, 16: 35″, 50″, 3″.] 16-^m. not
seen, Webb 9-1/3-in. Just divided 164, easy 430 power. Two other
companions (not seen by Smyth or Webb?)
μ _Andromedæ._—The 16-^m. comes, a very difficult test, easy; other
comites (not seen by Smyth or Webb?) seen.
Companion to Vega pretty easy, Nov. 12th, 37m. after sunset.
_a_ b _c_ B _a-b_ _b_-B _a-c_
_P._ 178 xx. _Delphini._—[7-1/2, 8, 16, 9: 14″·3, 0″·7, 20″.]
Smyth 16 by evanescent glimpses; easy 164 power, 6-1/2-in. 8-^m.
well elongated in direction of 230°, power 430.
* * * * *
REGENT ROAD, GREAT YARMOUTH,
_October 24th, 1874_.
DEAR SIR,—Doubtless you have anticipated hearing from me, relative
to the 10-inch telescope, but the weather has been so indifferent
for delicate astronomical work that it has not yet had a fair trial.
In middling good air, when I could use a reduced aperture with
satisfactory results, the star images reminded me of the 6-1/2-inch,
which I considered so superb a mirror that nothing could surpass its
fine performance either on stars or planets.
With the recollections of the truly splendid views I had of Jupiter
last season, I count much to see him with the 10-in.
Yours truly, H. BLYTH.
* * * * *
REGENT ROAD, GREAT YARMOUTH.
_February 2nd, 1875_.
DEAR SIR,—In reply to yours, I have not had a really good night to
test severely the defining powers of the 10-inch mirror, but judging
from the few difficult objects I have seen, the mirror promises
well, and I have no doubt of its excellence.
I had a fine view of the grand nebula in Orionis, and noticed that
the 5th and 6th stars were quite plainly seen, when the aperture was
reduced to 5-1/2-inches. I consider your stand a great improvement,
being very convenient and steady.
Yours truly, T. AYERS.
[ Illustration: decorative ]