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length forty…three inches； and the telescope； when drawn out；
with the pancratic eyepiece attached； is about four feet。 It was
made after Mr。 Robertson's directions； and is a sort of
combination of instruments。
〃Even that instrument；〃 he proceeded； 〃good as it is for the
money； tantalises me yet。 A look through a fixed equatorial；
such as every large observatory is furnished with is a glorious
view。 I shall never forget the sight that I got when at Dunecht
Observatory； to which I was invited through the kindness of Dr。
Copeland； the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres' principal
astronomer。
〃You ask me what I have done in astronomical research？ I am
sorry to say I have been able to do little except to gratify my
own curiosity； and even then； as I say； I have been much
tantalised。 I have watched the spots on the sun from day to day
through obscured glasses； since the year 1878； and made many
drawings of them。 Mr。 Rand Capron； the astronomer； of Guildown；
Guildford； desired to see these drawings； and after expressing
his satisfaction with them； he sent them to Mr。 Christie；
Astronomer Royal； Greenwich。 Although photographs of the solar
surface were preferred； Mr。 Capron thought that my sketches might
supply gaps in the partially cloudy days； as well as details
which might not appear on the photographic plates。 I received a
very kind letter from Mr。 Christie； in which he said that it
would be very difficult to make the results obtained from
drawings； however accurate； at all comparable with those derived
from photographs； especially as regards the accurate size of the
spots as compared with the diameter of the sun。 And no doubt he
is right。
〃What； do I suppose； is the cause of these spots in the sun？
Well； that is a very difficult question to answer。 Changes are
constantly going on at the sun's surface； or； I may rather say；
in the sun's interior； and making themselves apparent at the
surface。 Sometimes they go on with enormous activity； at other
times they are more quiet。 They recur alternately in periods of
seven or eight weeks； while these again are also subject to a
period of about eleven yearsthat is； the short recurring
outbursts go on for some years； when they attain a maximum； from
which they go on decreasing。 I may say that we are now （August
1883） at； or very near； a maximum epoch。 There is no doubt that
this period has an intimate connection with our auroral displays；
but I don't think that the influence sun…spots have on light or
heat is perceptible。 Whatever influence they possess would be
felt alike on the whole terrestrial globe。 We have wet； dry；
cold； and warm years； but they are never general。 The kind of
season which prevails in one country is often quite reversed in
another perhaps in the adjacent one。 Not so with our auroral
displays。 They are universal on both sides of the globe； and
from pole to pole the magnetic needle trembles during their
continuance。 Some authorities are of opinion that these
eleven…year cycles are subject to a larger cycle； but sun…spot
observations have not existed long enough to determine this
point。 For myself； I have a great difficulty in forming an
opinion。 I have very little doubt that the spots are depressions
on the surface of the sun。 This is more apparent when the spot
is on the limb。 I have often seen the edge very rugged and
uneven when groups of large spots were about to come round on the
east side。 I have communicated some of my observations to 'The
Observatory；' the monthly review of astronomy； edited by Mr。
Christie； now Astronomer Royal；＇2＇ as well as to The Scotsmam；
and some of our local papers。＇3＇
〃I have also taken up the observation of variable stars in a
limited portion of the heavens。 That； and 'hunting for comets'
is about all the real astronomical work that an amateur can do
nowadays in our climate； with a three…inch telescope。 I am
greatly indebted to the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres； who
regularly sends me circulars of all astronomical discoveries；
both in this and foreign countries。 I will give an instance of
the usefulness of these circulars。 On the morning of the 4th of
October； 1880； a comet was discovered by Hartwig； of Strasburg；
in the constellation of Corona。 He telegraphed it to Dunecht
Observatory； fifteen miles from Aberdeen。 The circulars
announcing the discovery were printed and despatched by post to
various astronomers。 My circular reached me by 7 P。M。； and； the
night being favourable； I directed my telescope upon the part of
the heavens indicated； and found the comet almost at oncethat
is； within fifteen hours of the date of its discovery at
Strasburg。
〃In April； 1878； a large meteor was observed in broad daylight；
passing from south to north； and falling it was supposed； about
twenty miles south of Ballater。 Mr。 A。 S。 Herschel； Professor of
Physics in the College of Science； 'Newcastle…on…Tyne； published
a letter in The Scotsmam； intimating his desire to be informed of
the particulars of the meteor's flight by those who had seen it。
As I was one of those who had observed the splendid meteor flash
northwards almost under the face of the bright sun （at 10。25
A。M）； I sent the Professor a full account of what I had seen； for
which he professed his strong obligations。 This led to a very
pleasant correspondence with Professor Herschel。 After this； I
devoted considerable attention to meteors； and sent many
contributions to 'The Observatory' on the subject。＇4＇
〃You ask me what are the hours at which I make my observations？
I am due at the railway station at six in the morning； and I
leave at six in the evening； but I have two hours during the day
for meals and rest。 Sometimes I get a glance at the heavens in
the winter mornings when the sky is clear； hunting for comets。
My observations on the sun are usually made twice a day during my
meal hours； or in the early morning or late at evening in summer；
while the sun is visible。 Yes； you are right； I try and make the
best use of my time。 It is much too short for all that I propose
to do。 My evenings are my own。 When the heavens are clear； I
watch them； when obscured； there are my books and letters。
〃Dr。 Alexander Brown； of Arbroath； is one of my correspondents。
I have sent him my drawings of the rings of Saturn； of Jupiter's
belt and satellites。 Dr。 Ralph Copeland； of Dunecht； is also a
very good friend and adviser。 Occasionally； too； I send accounts
of solar disturbances； comet a within sight； eclipses； and
occultations； to the Scotsman； the Dundee Evening Telegraph and
Evening News； or to the Blairgowrie Advertiser。 Besides； I am
the local observer of meteorology； and communicate regularly with
Mr。 Symons。 These things entirely fill up my time。
〃Do I intend always to remain a railway porter？ Oh； yes； I am
very comfortable！ The company are very kind to me； and I hope I
serve them faithfully。 It