other clocks for the various buildings; and this probably was one reason for my examining Shepherd’s Clocks at the Great Exhibition and at Pawson’s.  In November I first proposed that Mr E.B.  Denison should be associated with me.  About the end of the year, the plan of the tower was supplied to me, with reference to the suspension of the weights and other particulars.—­In 1850 Admiral Dundas (M.P. for Greenwich and one of the Board of Admiralty) had requested me to aid the Trustees of the Dee Navigation against an attack; and on Mar. 19th 1851 I went to Chester to see the state of the river.  On Jan. 1st 1852 I went to give evidence at the Official Enquiry.—­At a discussion on the construction of the Great Exhibition building in the Institution of Civil Engineers, I expressed myself strongly on the faulty principles of its construction.—­In this year I wrote my first Paper on the landing of Julius Caesar in Britain, and was engaged in investigations of the geography, tides, sands, &c., relating to the subject.”

Of private history:  “I was several times at Playford during January, and went there again on Dec. 23rd.—­In this year a very heavy misfortune fell on us.  My daughter, Elizabeth, had been on a visit to Lady Herschel at Hawkhurst, and on Apr. 2nd Sir J. Herschel wrote to me, saying that she was so well in health.  She returned a few days later, and from her appearance I was sure that she was suffering under deadly disease.  After some time, an able physician was consulted, who at once pronounced it to be pulmonary.  A sea voyage was thought desirable, and my wife took her to Shetland, where there was again a kind welcome from Mr Edmonston.  But this, and the care taken on her return, availed nothing:  and it was determined to take her to Madeira.  My wife and daughter sailed in the brig ‘Eclipse’ from Southampton on Dec. 11th.  The termination came in 1852.—­On Nov. 23rd I went to Bradfield, near Bury:  my uncle, George Biddell, died, and I attended the funeral on Nov. 29th.—­From July 18th to Aug. 24th I was in Sweden for the Observation of the Eclipse, and returned through Holland.—­In October I was about a week at Ventnor and Torquay, and from Dec. 7th to 11th at Southampton, on matters connected with my daughter’s illness.”

The following extracts are from letters to his wife, relating to the Observation of the eclipse, his interview with the King of Sweden, &c., and his visit to the pumping engines at Haarlem: 

July 28, half-past 10, morning.

The weather is at present most perfectly doubtful.  Nearly the whole sky is closely covered, yet there is now and then a momentary gleam of sun.  The chances are greatly against much of the eclipse being seen.  All is arranged to carry off the telescope, &c., at 11:  they can be carted to the foot of the hill, and we have made out a walking-pass then to the top.  We are to dine with Mr Dickson afterwards.

July 28, 10 at night.