We then went on board the “Janus” with Shirreff but not with Lord D—­d.  The engines were still hot, and so they were turned backwards a little for my edification.  (This was convenient because, the vessel being moored by her head, she could thus strain backwards without doing mischief.) The vacuum not good.  Then, after a luncheon on board, it was agreed to run out a little way.  But the engines absolutely stuck fast, and would not stir a bit.  This I considered a perfect Godsend.  So the paddle-wheels (at my desire) were lashed fast, and we are to see her opened to-morrow morning.

This morning (Jan. 7th) we all went off to the “Janus,” where we expected to find the end of the cylinder (where we believe yesterday’s block to have taken place) withdrawn.  But it was not near it.  After a great many bolts were drawn, it was discovered that one bolt could not be drawn, and in order to get room for working at it, it was necessary to take off the end of the other cylinder.  And such a job!  Three pulley hooks were broken in my sight, and I believe some out of my sight.  However this auxiliary end was at last got off:  and the people began to act on the refractory bolt.  But by this time it was getting dark and the men were leaving the dockyard, so I left, arranging that what they could do in preparation for me might be done in good time to-morrow morning.

1847

“On Nov. 13th I circulated an Address, proposing to discontinue the use of the Zenith Tube, because it had been found by a long course of comparative trials that the Zenith Tube was not more accurate than the Mural Circle.  The Address stated that ’This want of superior efficiency of the Zenith Tube (which, considered in reference to the expectations that had been formed of its accuracy, must be estimated as a positive failure) is probably due to two circumstances.  One is, the use of a plumb-line; which appears to be affected with various ill-understood causes of unsteadiness.  The other is, the insuperable difficulty of ventilating the room in which the instrument is mounted.’—­On December 20th I circulated an Address, proposing a Transit Circle, with telescope of 8 inches aperture.  The Address states as follows:  ’The clear aperture of the Object-Glass of our Transit Instrument is very nearly 5 inches, that of our Mural Circle is very nearly 4 inches.’—­I had been requested by the Master-General of Ordnance (I think) to examine Candidates for a Mastership in Woolwich Academy, and I was employed on it in February and March, in conjunction with Prof.  Christie.—­In January I applied to Lord Auckland for money-assistance to make an astronomical journey on the Continent, but he refused.—­On Mar. 19th Sir James South addressed to the Admiralty a formal complaint against me for not observing with the astronomical instruments:  on Mar. 31st I was triumphantly acquitted by the Admiralty.—­In June I was requested by the Commissioners of Railways to act as President of a Commission on Iron Bridges