nomy.
It cannot be supposed that this eminent astronomer ean contribute much more to the improvement of his favourite science ; but we look forward with sanguine hopes that his son will continue to follow his father's footsteps with that distinguished success with which he has cotnmeneed his scientific labours, and which his emi nent analytical powers and patient habits of research, entitle us to expect.
The observatory in Richmond Gardens is a very beau tiful structure, and has an exeellent2pparatus. It was built in 1768, by order of his late majesty, George III. who, it is said, made several observations here, parti cularly the transit of Venus in 1769. It contains a fin transit instrument, a zenith sector, and a mural arc, to gether with several good telescopes, particularly- a ten feet reflector of Sir William Herschel's. There is a superb equatorial on the top of the building., which is covered with a meneable roof. There are also two fine orreries, with an excellent collection of philosophical instruments, and some cases of minerals and other na tural curiosities. It was built under the direction of Dr. Demainbray, and has been for some years under the care of Mr. Rigaucl.
There is an observatory at the Royal Naval College at Portsmouth, under the direction of Professor Inman, which is found to be very useful in teaching the stu dents practical astronomy, and in finding the rates of marine chronometers.
At Christ's IIospital in London, Mr. Wales, who had served under Dr. Maskelyne and Captain Cook, erected a small observatory at his own expense, when lie be came master of the royal mathematical school there.
At Somerset House, too, the Royal Society have a small observatory, which is generally superintended by the clerk for the time being.
Besides the above, there arc, and have been several excellent private observatories, as that at Blackheath, where Stephen Groombridge, Esq. observes, to whom astronomers are indebted for several correct tables of atmospherical refractions. Blenheim, belonging to the Duke of 'Marlborough ; the Rev. :Mr Catton's, at Cam bridge , Chisel Hurst, the RCN'. Francis Wollaston ; Derby, William Strutt, Esq.; East Sheen, the Rev. William Pearson ; Finsbury Square, Dr. Kelly ; God nom), the Duke or Richmond ; Gosport, Dr. William Butney ; Hackney Wick, Colonel Beaufoy ; Hayes, William Walker, Esq. ; Highbury Terrace, Captain
Huddart ; Hodclesdon, William Hodgson, Esq.; Isling ton, Gavin Lowe, Esq. ; Paragon, Southwark, James Strode Butt, Esq.; Park-lane, Sir Henry Englefield., Bart.; Rose Hill Sussex, John Fuller, Esq.; Sherburn, Earl of AIacclesfield ; St. Ibbs, Hitchin, Professor Lax; and Woolwich, Royal Military Aca.demy., Mr. South and Mr. Bailey have also established observatories, and furnished them with excellent instruments.
Stottish Observatories.
The New Edinburgh Observatory is built from a de sign of William Henry Playfair, Esq. architect, nephew el the late celebrated Professor Play fair ; and it shows, in its exterior appearance, as well as his other works, that he possesses no small share of the classical elegance of his distinguished relative. From an inspection of the plan and description, we think it will be found to be equally commodious and well fitted for the purposes for which it is intended, as it is remarkable for its elegant simplicity of design. It is situated on the top of the Calton Hill, a considerable eminence, which may be now considered as within the city of Edinburgh. Proposals had been early made for founding an observatory, though the first scheme for erecting a building of this kind was actually formed in the year 1736; but the commotion occasioned by the execution of Captain Por teous by the populace, a circumstance now immortalized by our great novelist in the " Heart of Mid-Lothian," prevented the completion of the design. It was again revived in 1741, at which time the Earl of Morton gave the sum of WO/. Sterling, for the purpose of erecting an observatory ; and the celebrated Maclaurin, with the Principal and some of the Professors of the university, were appointed trustees for managing this sum, together with what might be othcrwise collected. Mr. Maclaurin himself, with a liberality characteristic of an enlarged mind, added to the above sum the profits arising from a course of lectures that he read on experimental philoso phy, which, with other small sums, amounted to about 300/. The lamented death of this eminent professor in 1746, however, put a stop, for the second time, to the execution of the design.