TALBOT1747

Dear Talbot

My cousin brought us your letter with its enclosure for which I thank you. I wish you could have brought it yourself - Indeed I think you ought really to come down for a day or two to see your friends here & inspect the Observatory & other buildings that are now in progress - I have mentioned your recommendation of Gambey & Cauchoix to Whewell & Peacock, ¹ but I believe the Instruments for the Observatory have been all ordered some time, though These are now ready yet except the Transit & perhaps the Clocks -

Troughton ² is at work on the Circle and if he lives to finish it I suppose it will be invaluable - South ³ talked a good deal about it once he was down here - I think I understood from him that Troughton meant to divide it by hand, not trusting Ramsden's engine. ⁴ Woodhouse ⁵ & Peacock appear to be the managing Syndics - the former is abroad living in his house - though the workmen have not yet finished even the outside of the building; i.e. the forties is half done -The Circle piece is nearly built, & the supports of the Transit will soon be up - they will probably be quite ready for the Instruments next Spring, and probably may make some observations with the Transit before long - The Assistant Observers are not yet appointed - it is hoped that Fisher ⁶ of the N. Pole may be one Arnold, Kindersley ⁷ & Digby desire to be remembered to you. Worsley ⁸ is I hope on his way home to be ordained having received an offer of a good living in Lincolnshire which I imagine he will not refuse

Whewell has got a pocket Transit & Circle set up on stern piers in his Garden with which he & Sheepshanks ⁹ have made sundry shots at the Stars, but I donot [sic] know that they have made out anything new.

I repeat that (with due deference to your judgment) I think you ought to come down here before you ship over the water again. I am afraid you are becoming an alien in the land of your forefathers.

Yours most sincerely
Henry Coddington

W.H.F. Talbot Esq^r
31 Sackville Street
Westminster