10, TERMINUS TERRACE, SOUTHAMPTON, _July 11th, 1880_.
DEAR SIR,—It is a long time ago that you asked me to write and let you know how I liked the 9-1/2 in. I have not done so because I wished first to see what was to be made of the planets.
Last night, at 14^h 30^m, I had my first peep at Jupiter through it, and a grand sight it was; his belts coloured, though not so vivid as they are sometimes, were fine in the extreme; and, though the power employed was only the achromatic 215, the satellites were beautiful little discs, one especially showing the tint of its surface.
A quarter of an hour later Saturn was in the field of view; a grand object, several of the satellites surrounding it. A little cloud was coming up over it, so I could not see so much of this planet as I should have liked, though amply sufficient to prove incontestably its high class.
With double stars I have not attempted much, though on turning it on μ^2 Boötis I found the division easy, the components being respectively slightly orange, and dullish white or pale yellow.
I have had lots of grand views of the wonders of the “star depths,” clusters, and nebulæ, notably 57 Messier, the Ring nebula, in Lyra, the great Orion nebula, and the marvellous Whirlpool nebula, the chief outlines of which were well shown.
Hitherto the instrument has been chiefly employed on the Moon, the details of which come out hard and sharp in a beautiful manner, with all powers up to 515, the highest I have.
The 5-1/4 in. pleased me very much, but the 9-1/2 in. delights me.
Yours faithfully, (_Signed_.) Mr. G. CALVER.
_From_ G. W. ROYSTON PIGOTT, Esq., M.D., F.R.S., F.R.A.S., &c.
DEAR SIR,—There has been but little weather for testing. Mr. Slack has been staying with me; we are delighted with the 8-1/2″, and think it a great beauty. I can hardly imagine any mirror much better, and I expect great precision from it. I find its focus to be 65 inches, not quite so much as my fine Dollond glass, of 3-3/4 in. aperture.
CLARENCE LODGE, GRAFTON STREET, BRIGHTON, _August, 1880_.
DEAR SIR,—I had intended writing to you to express my pleasure in my 5-1/4 in. telescope nearly a month ago, but thought I would have another look first, and the more I look the more I am pleased with it. I cannot now imagine anyone preferring a 3-1/4 in. refractor to one of these. I have had no trouble at all with the adjustments, and if was to get out of adjustment, it could be rectified in about five minutes. Notwithstanding the unsettled weather (giving on an average only about one fine night in eight), I have examined nearly two hundred double stars in the last three months, some of them very difficult. I enclose a list of a few, which will show very well the capabilities of the instrument.